There is no obvious benefit to using denatured alcohol. Denatured alcohol can also not be used for chemistry purposes, as the added chemicals can interfere with the final product. For food and beverage purposes, pure ethanol is required. It is cheaper than regular alcohol because of the absence of the tax. Often, it is used for fuel, surgical, and laboratory purposes. How exactly denatured alcohol is made varies from country to country, depending on the definition of alcohol.ĭenatured alcohol is often used for non-drinking purposes, for this reason. To avoid paying this sort of tax, ingredients are added to make it undrinkable. In many countries, extra taxes are added to alcohol and similar drinks.

So, why would anyone go through all the trouble to make alcohol taste bad? Often, it is to get around alcohol taxes. It is used exactly like alcohol, except you can’t drink it. Often, it is dyed so that it can be identified visually – so no one accidentally drinks it.ĭenaturing alcohol, aka making it taste bad, does not change the chemical makeup of the alcohol itself. (Well, technically, you could drink it, but it would not be a fun experience.) It is made to discourage consumption. In other words, its alcohol that has been rendered undrinkable.

Overview of Denatured Alcoholĭenatured alcohol is an ethanol that has additives to make it bad-tasting or nauseating. One is not necessarily better than the other all the time it mostly depends on what you’re doing. We’ll go over exactly what each product is, things to consider when using them, and which one is best for which jobs. Often, one is better than the others, and choosing the wrong one can severely mess up your project.īecause choosing the correct one is so important, we’ve written this article to help you in this task. However, it can sometimes be difficult to choose the correct one for your needs. They are both great if used correctly for the right jobs. Both denatured alcohol and mineral spirits are used for woodworking and a variety of DIY projects.

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