| abstract |
A solid alcohol fuel for starting charcoal or wood fires which burns without melting or flowing, comprising an anhydrous gel consisting essentially of a major proportion of an alcohol mixture of methanol and isopropanol in the weight ratio of about 3:1, and a fatty acid soap gelling agent. The alcohol content preferably constitutes at least about 85% by weight of the total composition. The fatty acid soap gelling agent is made in situ by reacting anhydrous sodium hydroxide dissolved in anhydrous methanol with a fatty acid dissolved in an anhydrous mixture of methanol and isopropanol. |