Methylated Spirits

[B92 8NW]

Hi,

What color is the Methylated Spirits sold in your state? We've always had clear down here in Victoria but slowly its turning dark purple (which incidentally I'd never seen before). What is the reason for this? Its darker than kerosene and does a great job staining methylated spirits wicks etc...

[scrambler]

It did that in Qld a while back (made a mess of my metho stove) then it's gone clear again.

I'd guess it's the decrease in alcohol in the VB, mate - everyone's been stengthening it up with the metho, so they've added a pretty colour to stop youse all. You wouldn't want your VB a poofy colour now, would you? ;)

[isuzu110]

Noticed this when I was in the NT. In many stores it was kept behind the counter and not out on the shelves.

I had heard that the purple was to stain your tongue if you drank it and therefore discourage drinking. Don't really know.

[Snapper]

Noticed this when I was in the NT. In many stores it was kept behind the counter and not out on the shelves.

I had heard that the purple was to stain your tongue if you drank it and therefore discourage drinking. Don't really know.

This is true.

I was a chemical tanker driver and the majority of loads was Ethanol. There is an additive (which does not change the colour) mixed with Ethanol to make it non food grade quality.
Food grade ethanol is used for alcohol beverages so the tax is astronomical. When the additive is mixed in it then has a much lower tax as it is now a 2nd grade mixture.
This however will make you very ill if you drink it. So someone along the way decided it would be wise to warn the few who drink it that it was dangerous was to dye it purple.

Dont think it worked!

[dmdigital]

Noticed this when I was in the NT. In many stores it was kept behind the counter and not out on the shelves.

It still is purple, it still isn't available off the shelf, you still have to ask for it.

As mentioned the colour is a dye additive... I assume it's so you don't confuse it with VB :wasntme:

[isuzurover]

Apparently, Metho was originally 95% ethanol and 5% methanol. Methanol is toxic so they thought that would stop people drinking it. It didn't work - people still drunk it, went blind and died. So modern Metho is now all ethanol with a non-lethal chemical added to make it taste terrible, to discourage people drinking it. Don't know what the deal with the dye is though.

I once saw a documentary where an old aboriginal bloke was saying that all you do is hollow out a loaf of bread, then use the "U-shaped" crust remaining to filter the Metho - it removes the chemical. Never tried it though - there is plenty of lab-grade ethanol around if I was that way inclined.

My uncle once was living in NT, and needed some metho for his stove. He couldn't find any in the shop - it was behind the counter - the shop assistant got him one and he said "haven't you got a cold one" - she took it away and wouldn't sell him any. :D

[BigJon]

I have been told the trick is to buy a loaf of non sliced bread and cut each end off. Now filter the purple metho through the bread.
What comes out is clear and much tastier...

Note: Don't try this at home. If you do try this, don't blame me for any after effects, etc!

[dmdigital]

Of course if you are wanting it for french polishing you should look for IMS or industrial grade 100% Methylated Spirits. For this try a good paint supplier.

[kaa45]

My uncle once was living in NT, and needed some metho for his stove. He couldn't find any in the shop - it was behind the counter - the shop assistant got him one and he said "haven't you got a cold one" - she took it away and wouldn't sell him any. :D

ROFLMAO.... that hilarious! :eek2::nazibanned::oops2:

[Snapper]

Metho is now all ethanol with a non-lethal chemical added to make it taste terrible, to discourage people drinking it.

:D

This additive is really potent. For 40,000 Ltrs of Ethanol we only put less than 100grams of powder.

I can tell you that once its air bourne all you can taste for the next few hours is this stuff.
Even McDonalds doesn't get rid of the taste.

[Ace]

its still clear here, or was when i last bought it. Matt

[WOLLAPIT85]

It did that in Qld a while back (made a mess of my metho stove) then it's gone clear again.

I'd guess it's the decrease in alcohol in the VB, mate - everyone's been stengthening it up with the metho, so they've added a pretty colour to stop youse all. You wouldn't want your VB a poofy colour now, would you? ;)



No we wouldn't.......not like YELLOW with a couple of red X's on it.

[BMKal]

No we wouldn't.......not like YELLOW with a couple of red X's on it.

And they tell me that the red X's are only there because Queenslanders can't spell BEER.

Seriously - filtered metho tastes quite OK when mixed with an appropriate amount of Nugget boot polish. When I first came across this, everyone used black Nugget and the resulting drink looked much like any mixer with Coke. These days with such a variety in boot polish colours - the possibilities are endless.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

And they tell me that the red X's are only there because Queenslanders can't spell BEER.





we dont need to spell,,
all serious beers come in black.
:p

[CraigE]

Mine at the moment is orange.:eek:

Oh thats after I have added the orange juice.:o

[barryj]

And they tell me that the red X's are only there because Queenslanders can't spell BEER.

Seriously - filtered metho tastes quite OK when mixed with an appropriate amount of Nugget boot polish. When I first came across this, everyone used black Nugget and the resulting drink looked much like any mixer with Coke. These days with such a variety in boot polish colours - the possibilities are endless.

You worry me sometimes :).

[Ken]

years ago there used to be an indigenous australian drinkin metho n orange juice where we trained for soccer we used to steal his drink and tease him but it wasnt much fun cause he couldnt chase us he was that Pi$$ed :D

[cartm58]

l remember by first trip to NT in the 1970's and l went to Bar to order a VB and l asked barman for one, he said we don't have any VB, l said you got a fridge full of VB behind you, he turned around and looked and said you know we only get asked for beer by colour blue (fosters) red (melb bitters) white (carlton draught) green (vb) yellow (xxxx)

anywhere in far north of Aussie that seemed to be true of any place l bought beer while there

wonder if advertising guys realised brand name loyalty had been replaced with colour of tin

[Bigbjorn]

Put one bottle of metho in the old soda syphon
Prime her up
squirt out into a glass with the right amount of red cordial (not too much)

Voile.....

sparlking pink porphry pearl, or however its spelt :D:D:D

I must be old....I can remember the cheap pink fizzy stuff :p

I remember those cheap fizzies, Barossa Pearl, Sparkling Starwine, Porphry Pearl, Sparkling Est, we used to call them pantie droppers.

Try Coorabulka champagne- a glass of metho with a spoonful of Sal Vital stirred in.

[barryj]

I remember those cheap fizzies, Barossa Pearl, Sparkling Starwine, Porphry Pearl, Sparkling Est, we used to call them pantie droppers.

Try Coorabulka champagne- a glass of metho with a spoonful of Sal Vital stirred in.

I really worry about some members on this site.

[p38arover]

I really worry about some members on this site.

You didn't really think our brains got this naturally, did you? :eek:



:D

Ron

[Bigbjorn]

I really worry about some members on this site.

Doin't worry, we are not crazy, just eccentric.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

and it shows in our vehicle choice---;)


hmmm,, why does
Black Duck
ring a bell??

[100I]

l remember by first trip to NT in the 1970's and l went to Bar to order a VB and l asked barman for one, he said we don't have any VB, l said you got a fridge full of VB behind you, he turned around and looked and said you know we only get asked for beer by colour blue (fosters) red (melb bitters) white (carlton draught) green (vb) yellow (xxxx)

anywhere in far north of Aussie that seemed to be true of any place l bought beer while there

wonder if advertising guys realised brand name loyalty had been replaced with colour of tin
Remember that from when I lived there in early 80s, have wondered if it is still that way. BigJon?
It's certainly the last time I've seen anyone drink Blues:D.

[Bigbjorn]

My late father-in-law used to refer to any Carlton beer as "Surfside Sex',
f#$%^&g near water.

[Bigbjorn]

Anyway, OP rum worked better. I have this from a number of renowned GJ's from western Q. and the Territory. This sort of behaviour was before my time of course. There was even a C&W song about this.

The g**ns come down from Oenpelli Mission
They are full up with the bible when they come
They forget about the Ten Commandments
When they get a nip or two of OP rum

And on that now politically incorrect memo I will close.

[Bytemrk]

I heard a story about 20 or so years ago.....when I worked for a major supermarket chain.

The story was about 1 enterprising store manager based somewhere in either northern NT or FNQ ( can't remember which).....he got kicked in the ar$e by the area manager cause he was selling Metho....

















....... he had a pallet full in one of the walk in fridges:p:p

Mark

[dmdigital]

I reckon that guy must have worked for every supermarket across the top of Australia given the number of times I've heard the story.

[Bytemrk]

I reckon that guy must have worked for every supermarket across the top of Australia given the number of times I've heard the story.

The area manager was my boss in a past life..:p.

Mark

[Rovernaut]

If the purple colour doesn't go with the orange juice, then try Guava juice instead , it's purple as well.:D:D

[abaddonxi]

If the purple colour doesn't go with the orange juice, then try Guava juice instead , it's purple as well.:D:D

More a Ribena purple round here than a guava colour.:D

Cheers
Simon.

[BMKal]

One of these days I'm going to have to catch up with a few members of this forum for a drink or two. Could be very interesting (or maybe dangerous) !!! ;)

[barryj]

One of these days I'm going to have to catch up with a few members of this forum for a drink or two. Could be very interesting (or maybe dangerous) !!! ;)

Yep, one for the road means one for the fuel tank.