What is the Difference Between Wood Alcohol and Grain Alcohol?

The main difference between wood alcohol and grain alcohol lies in their chemical composition and sources. Wood alcohol, also known as methanol, is a liquid alcohol derived primarily from the heating of wood chips in the absence of air. In contrast, grain alcohol, also known as ethanol, is a liquid alcohol derived from the fermentation of sugar and starch from grains such as corn, wheat, rye, and barley. Here are the key differences between wood alcohol and grain alcohol:

• Chemical Composition: Wood alcohol is methanol (CH3OH), while grain alcohol is ethanol (C2H5OH) with added methanol.
• Source: Wood alcohol is produced from wood chips, whereas grain alcohol is derived from the fermentation of grains.
• Applications: Wood alcohol is used as a base material in acrylic plastic, synthetic fabrics, fibers, clothes, adhesives, paint, and plywood. Grain alcohol is used as a solvent and as a fuel for alcohol burners and camping stoves.
• Toxicity: Methanol, or wood alcohol, is toxic to humans and can cause serious health issues if ingested. Ethanol, or grain alcohol, is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages and is generally safe for consumption in moderate amounts.

In summary, wood alcohol (methanol) and grain alcohol (ethanol) differ in their chemical composition, sources, applications, and toxicity.

Comparative Table: Wood Alcohol vs Grain Alcohol

Here is a table comparing the differences between wood alcohol and grain alcohol:

The key difference between wood alcohol and grain alcohol is that wood alcohol is methanol, whereas grain alcohol is ethanol with added methanol. Wood alcohol is used to produce various materials like synthetic fabrics and fibers, while grain alcohol is used as a solvent and fuel.