Ethanol Grade Selector - What Types You Can Buy And Use

Ethanol Grade Selection Guidelines

April 15 2022 - Ethanol Grade (Ethyl Alcohol) Selection Guidelines - USP Grade, Food Grade, Anhydrous, Completely Denatured, Reagent, Molecular Biology Grade

Ethanol Grade (Ethyl Alcohol) Selection Guidelines

There are many types of ethanol that are used in laboratories, extraction facilities and homes. Choose from the following grades of ethanol.

Ethanol: Other synonyms for Ethanol are ethyl alcohol, alcohol, ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, and drinking alcohol.

Pure Undenatured Ethanol: Pure Ethanol is Ethyl Alcohol with no other additives or denaturants. Pure Ethanol is often referred to as “pure” alcohol even though the term "pure" can refer to any proof. It is considered "pure" regardless of the "cut" of water (proof). Pure Alcohol (Ethanol) is commonly referred to as Beverage Grade Alcohol. It is always 192 proof and derived from natural sources.

Pure Ethanol Undenatured Selections by Lab Alley:
Ethanol 200 Proof Pure (100%), Undenatured, ACS-USP Grade, Tax Paid
Ethanol 190 Proof (95%), Undenatured, ACS-USP Grade, Tax Paid
Ethanol, 200 Proof (100%), Tax-Paid, Decon Labs
Ethanol, 200 Proof (100%), Molecular Biology Grade, Decon Labs
Ethanol, 200 Proof (100%), USP, Decon Labs

Pure USP Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol): USP stands for United States Pharmacopeia. Pure Ethyl Alcohol is also often referred to as USP Alcohol. That is because only pure, undenatured Ethanol can be certified as USP or NF Grade. Not all pure alcohol is USP grade certified. Only 190 and 200 proof pure ethanol which meets or exceeds the stringent standards of purity by the United States Pharmacopeia is certified as USP grade.

Pure USP Ethanol Selections by Lab Alley:
Ethanol 200 Proof Pure (100%), Undenatured, ACS-USP Grade, Tax Paid
Ethanol 190 Proof (95%), Undenatured, ACS-USP Grade, Tax Paid
Ethanol, 200 Proof (100%), Tax-Paid, Decon Labs
Ethanol, 200 Proof (100%), Molecular Biology Grade, Decon Labs
Ethanol, 200 Proof (100%), USP, Decon Labs

190 vs. 200 Proof Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol): All ethanol products whether it be pure, denatured, natured or synthetic have a proof associated with it. The proof is the measure of water content in the Ethanol portion of the product. Any level of proof can be manufactured based upon the amount of water added. However, the majority of all Ethanol products in pure or denatured are either 200 proof, 190 proof, 192 proof or 140 proof.

Ethanol 200 Proof Selections by Lab Alley:
Ethanol 200 Proof Pure (100%), Undenatured, ACS-USP Grade, Tax Paid
Ethanol, 200 Proof (100%), Tax-Paid, Decon Labs
Ethanol, 200 Proof (100%), Molecular Biology Grade, Decon Labs
Ethanol, 200 Proof (100%), USP, Decon Labs

Ethanol 190 Proof Selections by Lab Alley:
Ethanol 190 Proof (95%), Undenatured, ACS-USP Grade, Tax Paid
Ethanol, 190 Proof (95%), SDA 3A, Denatured Reagent, ACS
Ethanol, 190 Proof (95%), SDA-3A, Denatured, Histological
Ethanol, 190 proof (95%), Tax-Paid, Decon Labs
Ethanol, 190 proof (95%), USP, Decon Labs

ACS Reagent Grade Ethyl Alcohol: ACS reagent ethyl alcohol is pure ethanol commonly used in research, bioscience, hospital/medical and industrial facilities. ACS reagent grade ethyl alcohol meets or exceeds the specifications the American Chemical Society's Reagent Handbook.

ACS Reagent Grade Ethanol Selections by Lab Alley:
Ethanol 200 Proof Pure (100%), Undenatured, ACS-USP Grade, Tax Paid
Ethanol 190 Proof (95%), Undenatured, ACS-USP Grade, Tax Paid
Ethanol, 190 Proof (95%), SDA 3A, Denatured Reagent, ACS
Ethanol, 190 Proof (95%), SDA-3A, Denatured, Histological
Ethanol, 94% to 96%, Alcohol Reagent, Anhydrous, Denatured, ACS 

Anhydrous Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol): Anhydrous ethanol (ethyl alcohol) means no water alcohol. But in reality, it means low-water alcohol. This distinction is synonymous with 200 proof ethyl alcohol, but not with the term pure. So, it is important to note that the term “Anhydrous” is not synonymous with the term pure. Pure ethyl alcohol denotes an undenatured alcohol, which could be anhydrous or hydrated (190 proof or some other cut or proof). The term anhydrous is not unique to ethyl alcohol as anhydrous is used for a wide variety of other solvents sold by Lab Alley. Again, anhydrous ethanol or commonly known as anhydrous ethyl alcohol means that there is little water in the contents of the ethanol.

ACS Reagent Grade Ethanol Selections by Lab Alley:
Ethanol, 94% to 96%, Alcohol Reagent, Anhydrous, Denatured, ACS

Kosher Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol): Kosher ethanol is a grade certification for pure, undenatured alcohol. It certifies that the ethanol commonly known as ethyl alcohol was manufactured and packaged under the supervision and guidelines of a duly recognized Rabbinical Authority.

Natural vs. Synthetic Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol): All Ethanol products can be made with naturally derived Ethanol (Grain alcohol or grain neutral spirits) or synthetically produced Ethanol. Natural alcohol is commonly referred to as Grain Alcohol. Grain and synthetic alcohol are technically the same, however, there are differences in the limited amount of contaminants in the product in the parts per million (ppm) range.

Grain Neutral Spirits (GNS) Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol): High purity grain alcohol will have a neutral odor. GNS provides an attractive alternative to synthetic alcohol. Many customers use grain ethyl alcohol in their all-natural products. Grain neutral spirits ethyl alcohol is also Kosher certified.

Organic Certified Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol): Organic ethyl alcohol (organic ethanol) is specialty pure alcohol derived from organically grown corn. All phases of production are done under very strict guidelines. Organic ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is tailored for companies that want a natural ethanol solvent to use in their flavor/herbal extractions, organic cosmetics, fragrances and personal care products. Organic ethyl alcohol is also gluten-free, so consumers that are sensitive to gluten allergens can safely use this ethanol. Organic ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is also certified as Kosher.

Taxable vs. Non-taxable Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol): Pure ethyl alcohol is considered a taxable alcohol. The Federal Govt. requires an excise tax of $13.50/ proof gallon (200 proof, pure alcohol = $27.00/wine gallon). A tax-exempt certificate is required to be on file with Pharmco for us not to charge the Federal excise tax on pure alcohol. The excise tax is paid immediately to the Federal Govt. Lab Alley does not make any profit from collecting or handling the excise tax, nor does it receive a portion of it as a fee. All other denatured ethanol products do not require the payment of a Federal Excise Tax. Only customers with an exemption from paying the Federal Excise Tax on Alcohol are free from paying this tax. Eligibility for exemption is determined by the BATF. Some labs using ethanol for botanical oil extraction may be interested to learn more about an excise-tax-free, mostly-ethanol solution made for use in the botanical  industry.  To browse our full line of extraction grade ethanol, click here. Food grade ethanol is for sale here.