What NOT to do...

[mannytranny]

Maybe a safety section would be a wise idea.

Heres all I can think of right now.

1. Do not let methanol touch your skin. You can go BLIND!
2. Do not let lye touch your skin.
3. Especially do not let methanol and lye together touch your skin. Youll get burned pretty good.
4. Be very careful with sparks and flame around methanol, and the methoxide. (methanol and lye (NaOH) mixed together) Apparently they are EXTREMELY flammable.

Do not use plastics with anything but #2 HDPE on them. All others are prone to cracking and leaking. And by Murphies law, you will not be there to see it when it happens, but rather just as it is done happening.

Just be careful folks. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Ford_Forgotton]

1. Metal CAN be used, but expect it to corrode/rust pretty fast. The Methanol/Lye combo really does a wonder on metal.

2. Glass can be used, but it should be PYREX style and rated for chemicals and heat. Basically chemistry glass.

3. Any items that have come into contact with the Methanol/Lye mix should NEVER be used for human food/consumption ever again. This applies to people who use blenders and pop bottles for their test batches.

4. If using an open flame for a heat source, make SURE you are in a well ventilated area. Methanol burns CLEAR and you cannot see the flame should it catch fire. Also the fumes from Methanol/Lye arent exactly healthy.

5. General lab safety procedures should be used. Eye Protection, gloves, and some form of apron that can be quickly removed should you spill/splash the chemicals.