Australians resort to ‘cooking their own petrol’ as fuel prices surge past $3
Australians are turning to unconventional methods as fuel prices soar, with some going so far as to make their own diesel at home. One local tradesman and reality TV contestant has captured widespread attention after showing how he’s brewing a DIY fuel mix from recycled cooking oil.
Bruce Dunne, who finished fourth on the latest season of “Big Brother,” posted a TikTok video that has now exceeded 1.4 million views. In it, the Sunshine Coast resident demonstrates how he combines old oil drums, filters, and leftover cooking oil to create a homemade diesel alternative.
“I hoped I wouldn’t have to get to this point, but here we are, making our own diesel,” Dunne says in the video. “Paying $3.15 a liter is daylight robbery. I’m not doing it. If you spot me on the road smelling like a fish-and-chip shop, just mind your business.”
The video has sparked a flurry of online reactions, with some likening it to a scene from a dystopian film. One viewer wrote, “What in the Mad Max?” while another joked that soon “everyone will be running engines on canola oil.”
Dunne told news.com.au that the decision to experiment with home-brewed fuel came after a particularly painful experience at the gas pump.
“I went to fill up before the prices got even worse,” he explained. “I ended up spending $500 in one trip just on jerry cans. That’s ridiculous. So I dug into alternatives, and now this is what I’m doing.”
As an HVAC tradesman who relies on his vehicle daily, Dunne says high fuel costs hit especially hard in regional areas, where public transport options are limited. “Out here, if you don’t have fuel, you’re stuck. There’s no real alternative.”
His homemade setup works because his vehicle has an older diesel engine with mechanical fuel pumps. He currently runs a 50-50 mix of diesel and vegetable or sump oil, which he sources for free from local fish-and-chip shops. Dunne says the engine “runs like a dream” on this mixture.
Dunne has started sharing the process with family and friends, noting growing interest among his community. “I’m making it for my brother and dad, and plenty of mates want to know how. Give it another month, and I think most people around me will be doing the same.”
However, he stresses that the practice is strictly for personal use. “I’ve researched the rules. You can’t sell it—commercial use requires proper standards. For personal use, it’s fine.”
His DIY approach comes amid increasing calls for the federal government to act on rising fuel costs. Critics argue that high prices could severely affect key industries, with one Victorian transport company recently reporting a $3,000 fuel bill for a single truck. In Sydney, police say a thief was caught siphoning hundreds of liters from a parked vehicle.
For Dunne, the high cost of fuel has become more than a nuisance. “Spending $500 at the pump is the same as a return flight to Bali. I’m not paying that. I’d rather take a loan and go to Bali instead.”
Motoring expert David McCowen of News Corp Australia cautions that while Dunne’s experiment has gone viral, attempting home-made diesel can be risky. “People have been experimenting with cooking oil for decades, but modern cars may not tolerate it. There are also serious safety, equipment, and insurance concerns. I’d hate to see anyone get hurt trying to save money.”
Despite the warnings, Dunne’s video has struck a chord with Australians struggling under rising costs. “This is getting ridiculous. Fuel security is becoming a real concern, and if things don’t change, we’re going to run out eventually,” he said.
About Post Author
