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by dekhn 1040 days ago
The only reason I'd ever buy everclear (95% ethanol) is for cleaning optics.
4 comments

It's also great for doing various tinctures/extractions if you get into the more exotic side of cooking/food/mixology
Fun fact: Vodka is usually distilled to a high purity close to everclear using a reflux still, then diluted with water to get down to 40%.
If the very elaborate still in a neighbours garage is anything to go by, gin, limoncello and various others can be made this way too. 10+ bubble plates and away he goes.
In my high school days, we used it for Jell-O shots and drunk watermelons. Probably should have used vodka but ever clear was more bang/buck. I remember taking a shot of it once as a group “dare” type situation. It was as awful as you would guess
I've never drunk it. I don't like high proof alcohol.

Once I worked in a very informal lab and we were always looking for alternatives to buying industrial chemicals. I was working with optics, and Everclear came up as a good alternative to denatured alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. My friend who ran a microscope lab said it was pure enough to clean optics... however, since it was illegal to buy in California, we had a friend pick it up in Arizona and drop it off with us.

We put it in the flammable storage cabinet with a label saying it was 95% alcohol. Once during a lab inspection we tried to explain, but the inspector just said "yes, I went to college"

Why would everclear be better than denaturated alcohol? Usually (I live in Europe btw) denaturated alcol is cheaper and has same proof of drinkable liquids.
The "denatured" part means it contains additives that make it poisonous and foul-tasting.
because I prefer my cleaning solvents to be consumable in an emergency.
Good solvent for shellac as well, without the nasty smell and headache from denatured alcohol fumes. Costs more though, since it’s sold and taxed for consumption.
I can't practically get everclear since I live in California, where it's illegal. I use 99% IPA for shellac, it's not denatured but you wouldn't want to drink it anyway.
Before my brain caught up I was just about to ask you what brewery is it that can do a 99% Indian Pale Ale...
How about a hops extract?
Stock up if you're ever in Oregon, Arizona, or Utah. No luck in Nevada either.