The Flame test? Flame color of methanol

[newb1]

Another question I couldn't find anywhere. I have seen online videos and articles that say the methanol burns redish in color. True blue, red dead..
Is this true?

[Prairiepiss]

Kinda. But making proper cuts is your best way to insure the best possible drink.

I've had foreshots burn blue. So its not a test I would use.

[ga flatwoods]

Correct that is BS! it only works like that if you taste test it while on fire-really makes the heat show up from the methenol!
P.S. Don't try this at home!
Dont believe everything you see anywhere other than here! PP gave you the correct answer!

Ga Flatwoods

[newb1]

If ur asking me, no. I posted this or asked about it

[F6Hawk]

Where do you expect to find methanol?

[frozenthunderbolt]

I believe a red flame indicates the presence of lead.

[F6Hawk]

I believe a red flame indicates the presence of lead.

Not quite... Lead produces a blue flame. Not very helpful, since most flames are blue.
copper produces a blue flame (or green)
lithium and strontium a red flame
calcium an orange flame
sodium a yellow flame
barium a green flame

But those are all chemical-induced color changes. Gas excitations can also affect color.

And consider a candle flame (no chemicals involved):
The inner core of the candle flame is light blue, with a temperature of around 1670 K (1400 °C). That is the hottest part of the flame. The color inside the flame becomes yellow, orange, and finally red. The further you reach from the center of the flame, the lower the temperature will be. The red portion is around 1070 K (800 °C).

[frozenthunderbolt]

I believe a red flame indicates the presence of lead.

Not quite... Lead produces a blue flame. Not very helpful, since most flames are blue.
copper produces a blue flame (or green)
lithium and strontium a red flame
calcium an orange flame
sodium a yellow flame
barium a green flame

But those are all chemical-induced color changes. Gas excitations can also affect color.

And consider a candle flame (no chemicals involved):
The inner core of the candle flame is light blue, with a temperature of around 1670 K (1400 °C). That is the hottest part of the flame. The color inside the flame becomes yellow, orange, and finally red. The further you reach from the center of the flame, the lower the temperature will be. The red portion is around 1070 K (800 °C).

Ah, i stand corrected ; it turns out i was only repeating a myth about the myth! Good to know.

[ga flatwoods]

What color should it be? It DONT MATTER WHAT COLOR, flaming shooters only need a flame!
Ga

[newb1]

Where do you expect to find methanol?

From the foreshots/heads I believe. Since I'm new and don't trust my nose. I thought, take many small cuts as I read and use the 1st cuts to see, smell, taste (spit out) and even the flame would help prove those are the bad stuff.
Yes a small sample done away from the still, flames, etc w/ proper safety precautions etc etc etc..
But if it were true I could then set those aside to get more familiar with what I'm suppose to develop a nose for.

[Prairiepiss]

A good foreshots toss. That is normally measured by volume determined from the volume of still charge. That should be covered in every thread about cuts.

And to put it out there. When you take a sample out and burn it. It will likely first burn blue. Then it will change as the alcohol is burned off. And may end up yellowish red or what ever. Unless you are testing a good hearts at 95%. There will always be a little impurities in it.

Basically if you toss the Required foreshots. You have very little to worry about.

[F6Hawk]

Unless you are fermenting something that contains wood, you aren't gonna get any methanol. FS contain more nasty things than methanol, and you won't wanna drink them, of course.

[red dirt shiner]

I might be wrong but I go buy smell and taste. If it smells like finger nail polish remover I set it aside and don't bother tasting it.if it smells good but taste like shit(after airing out overnight)I set it aside. Now if it smells good and taste good I blend it for drinking but that's just me

[F6Hawk]

Sounds pretty logical to me. Do that process with small cuts jars, toss the fores, recycle the heads/tails, and drink the hearts. Not only will you be enjoying something better tasting than off the shelves, but you also won't be having those annoying headaches...

Keep Stillin'!!

[Dnderhead]

if i remember right, lead burns blue-white ..tales will burn yellow?methanol burn blue as most alcohols do.but even if contaminated with lead most likely it would not be enough to effect the flame.
the lack of o2 can make alcohol burn yellow..so its not very useful.

[rad14701]

Unless you are fermenting something that contains wood, you aren't gonna get any methanol. FS contain more nasty things than methanol, and you won't wanna drink them, of course.

It isn't just wood that contains methanol... Orange juice contains it... Anything with cellulose contains it, therefore any grain with hulls contains it... Some grains themselves contain it...

But foreshots aren't just about methanol... Foreshots are comprised of all of the lower alcohols and other components... Fixating on just one of them is not a wise idea...