Making toilet paper moonshine

The video introduces an unconventional experiment: converting toilet paper into drinkable alcohol. The presenter explains the rationale behind this idea, noting that toilet paper, like all paper, is primarily composed of cellulose, which is a polymer of glucose—a sugar molecule. The process involves breaking down cellulose into glucose using either chemical or enzymatic methods, then fermenting it with yeast to produce alcohol. The presenter opts for the enzymatic approach using cellulase, an enzyme derived from yeast, for its cleaner and simpler setup, and orders the enzyme from the Alchemist's Pantry, a brewing company.

The presenter describes the process of preparing the cellulose solution from toilet paper. This involves pretreating the toilet paper with a dilute base, sodium hydroxide, to separate and break down the cellulose fibers, making them more accessible for enzymatic breakdown. The toilet paper is boiled in this solution, resulting in a mushy mixture that is then filtered to separate the fibers from the liquid, which is subsequently washed with distilled water to remove the base and color.

After successfully preparing the cellulose solution, the presenter moves on to setting up the enzymatic reaction. This includes making an enzyme concentrate using the cellulase powder and diluting it in a buffer solution to maintain the optimal pH for the enzyme's activity. The buffer is made using citric acid and sodium citrate, and the mixture is heated to the enzyme's optimal temperature and left to react for two days, during which the cellulose is converted into glucose.

With the enzymatic process complete, the presenter proceeds to the fermentation stage. Brewer's yeast is rehydrated and added to the glucose solution, which is then sealed in a container with an airlock to monitor the fermentation process. The yeast consumes the glucose, producing CO2 and alcohol. The mixture is kept at a temperature just above 30°C to encourage fermentation, which is expected to take about two weeks.

The presenter discusses the distillation process to extract the ethanol from the fermented mixture. This involves transferring the liquid to a flask and using a homemade distillation setup with a fractional column, thermometer, condenser, and beaker. The distillation is performed in multiple batches due to the limited capacity of the flask. The presenter encounters issues with foaming and the carryover of solids, which requires careful heating and multiple distillations to obtain a clear ethanol solution.

After the initial distillation, the presenter notes that the alcohol is not pure enough and decides to perform a second distillation to remove impurities and improve the taste. The process is repeated with a cleaner setup and more careful attention to the heating process. The resulting alcohol is tested for purity by attempting to ignite it, and its concentration is measured using a hydrometer, revealing a surprisingly high concentration of around 20% ethanol.

The presenter concludes the experiment by tasting the final product, which, despite its unusual origins, does not have an unpleasant taste. It is described as being somewhat bitter, likely due to the tails of the distillation process, but overall is considered tolerable. The presenter is surprised by the successful outcome of the project, which yielded more alcohol than initially anticipated.

In the final paragraph, the presenter reflects on the success of the project, which exceeded expectations by producing a significant amount of ethanol from toilet paper. The presenter expresses disbelief at the efficiency of the process and shares plans for a future video, teasing another food-based concept. The presenter also mentions supporting a tree-planting initiative and acknowledges Patreon supporters, while inviting viewers to follow on Twitter and Instagram for additional content.