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Old 09-08-2016, 07:15 AM   #1
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Ethanol vs propylene glycol antifreeze

Our local hardware store has both ethanol and propylene glycol antifreeze. Both claim to protect to -50F. Any difference between the two? Either one more toxic to the pets or plants if some is spilled when I drain it in the spring? Minor difference in price, but I think we can spring for the extra half a buck per gallon if necessary.
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Old 09-08-2016, 07:22 AM   #2
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From what I have read, the ethanol can make the water stink. I know I had that issue one year, but can not say which pink juice I had used when winterizing.

But I can state this: Since I have learned of the difference and use the glycol only based pink juice (I don't use the ethanol/glycol blend either) I have not had any issues with the water having an odor.

I will try to find the article or two I have read concerning this debate.
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Old 09-08-2016, 07:41 AM   #3
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I've been using the propylene glycol RV antifreeze for years. Ethanol is a bit to volatile (willing to evaporate) to leave in a plumbing system for 4-6 months.


Neither is particularly toxic.
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Old 09-08-2016, 08:27 AM   #4
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Neither is particularly toxic.
Yep, booze is just ethanol in disguise...
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Old 09-08-2016, 10:01 AM   #5
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Yep, booze is just ethanol in disguise...
And a bit expensive to use as RV antifreeze.
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Old 10-17-2016, 05:14 AM   #6
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I have been trying to get the straight RV propylene/glycol antifreeze; it seems they make three varieties of RV antifreeze, ethanol, ethanol propylene mix, and propylene/glycol. I have read that the ethanol not only can leave an aftertaste in your lines but is also hard on rubber seals and valve components. I finally located some propylene/glycol at an RV dealer.
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Old 10-25-2016, 09:40 AM   #7
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Tech Tips: RV Antifreeze: Not All the Same - RV Life
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Old 10-25-2016, 10:11 AM   #8
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I do what the folks at RV Life do and that's to use air. Using air negates any aftertaste or seal problems. It also eliminates all the wasted water in an attempt to flush out the antifreeze. Just my 2 cents.
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Old 10-25-2016, 10:19 AM   #9
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I do what the folks at RV Life do and that's to use air. Using air negates any aftertaste or seal problems. It also eliminates all the wasted water in an attempt to flush out the antifreeze. Just my 2 cents.
Until the 1 time you don't follow the procedure properly and completely. And you still need close to a gallon of antifreeze to protect the P-traps and all 3 tanks.

Give me $10 of antifreeze instead of $30 in parts and a lost Saturday. Every year!

We overcome the taste issues by not drinking the over-chlorinated solution I put in the FW tank. We bring five 1-gallon bottles of drinking water from my home's kitchen faucet. [A very good well with a taste and odor filter covering the whole house.]
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Old 10-25-2016, 10:23 AM   #10
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Safe, odorless and non-staining Super Tech RV & Marine Antifreeze provides -50 degrees F burst protection and is safe to use with potable water plumbing systems in RVs, boats, pools and vacation homes. It's a simple and read to use winterizer that you can rely on to protect your water lines during the heart of winter. This RV antifreeze comes in an easy-pour bottle and is simple to use for a variety of applications.

Super Tech RV & Marine Antifreeze:
-50 degrees F burst protection
Ready to use winterizer
For potable water plumbing systems in RVs, boats, pools and vacation homes
Safe, odorless and non-staining
Super Tech antifreeze provides corrosion protection
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Old 10-25-2016, 11:36 AM   #11
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I moved to Arizona...never "winterize" again
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Old 10-25-2016, 12:11 PM   #12
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I've always just used what is on sale. A proper flushing an sanitizing in spring and I have never had any residual taste or odor.
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Old 10-25-2016, 12:59 PM   #13
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I picked up a gallon of that at Walmart last weekend. Less than 3 bucks. That is the ethyl alcohol blend. I usually get the RV antifreeze that prestone makes it's propylene glycol which some prefer. I picked up the super tech just because I needed an extra gallon and it's all the walmart carried.
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Old 10-25-2016, 03:01 PM   #14
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Good stuff here, I was a member of the "pink stuff" crowd, never realized there were different types of rv antifreeze. Although I have to say I never have experienced a bad taste after winterizing, but I also do a good flush when dewinterizing.
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