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Propane Vs. Waste oil as foundry fuel

Back in 2002 I made non-biased comparisons between charcoal and propane as foundry fuel. This is a non-
biased accurate judgment about the pros and cons of propane and waste oil. The beneficial attributes are in
green text, while the drawbacks are in red text. -June/20/2005

Vs.

Propane Waste oil

Propane must be purchased and stored in a special Used oil only needs to be poured into a storage or
pressurized steel tank which requires safety testing fuel tank (a can, bucket, jug, jar, etc.) straight from
every few years. the kitchen or garage.
Used oil usually requires a strainer to remove solid
Propane is ready to use as it comes from the supplier. particles. Window screen over the funnel makes this
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 simple as the storage or fuel tank is being filled.
Propane burners are usually small. Oil burners are larger than propane burners.
If the burner's flame goes out propane gas can fill If the burner's flame goes out oil will pool inside it
the area and cause a potentially fatal and destructive and require cleanup (sawdust or cotton rags work
"fuel air" explosion if ignited. well and can be used to re-ignite the burner).
Propane is ready to go as soon as you set the burner
It takes a minute or two to get the oil burner to heat
in the furnace and open the gas valve. No wasted
up.
time.
Depending on the quantity purchased propane is very Waste (used oil) is usually free from a variety of
cheap in some areas (around $1.00/gallon or less... sources; used cooking oil from your kitchen or
more in other places (sometimes a lot more!) but restuarants, used motor oil from DIY or commercial
usually not free. oil changes etc.
Burning propane is simply burning up a non-renewable
Cooking oil is plant based and is totally renewable.
resource further depleating petroleum reserves.
Used motor oil may possibly contain traces of toxic
Propane flames are clean without many contaminants. heavy metals (lead, chrome, etc.) from the engine
which are dangerous to your health.
Waste oil burners can (if need be) burn other
flammable liquids like; melted butter, liquified animal
Propane burners only burn propane unless the gas
fat/tallow, solvents, etc. without modification.
inlet is modified.
(Anything more flammable than oil is however not
recommended for safety.)

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 Propane tanks can leave you "stranded" if they run Oil tanks can be refilled during usage if they start
out during usage. running out.
A waste oil burner better be designed, built and
Propane is easy to burn "cleanly" since it's a gaseuos
functiuon properly or the oil will be hard to burn and
material.
may create A LOT of smoke.
Safe propane systems can be expensive requiring a Waste oil system can be built entirely from scratch
regulator, special propane hoses and the pressurized with no expensive or technical equipment or
tank. components.
Propane is easily ignited by a match or cigarette Waste oil can be difficult to ignite unless you have a
lighter. very hot ignition source.
Propane is manufactured from crude oil. Therefore The price of waste oil stays constant (usually free)
it's price increases just like gasoline when foreign since it is considered a waste product to be
crude oil prices increase. discarded.
Summary:
If you will only be casting metal occasionally and especially if you're only melting small amounts (6 pounds
or less) then propane may be best for you. However if you intend to melt a lot of metal and/or melt on a
regular basis waste oil is a much more ecconomical choice. This is even more true if you plan to melt higher
temperature metals like bronze and iron. These metals require a lot of thermal energy to melt and the cost
of propane can add up super fast.

Additionally propane is better for small applications such as hand held torches or small foundries
specializing in precious metals.

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Page contents are copyright © 2005 by Lionel Oliver II All Rights Reserved.
This site was created Sept. 28, 2000

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