I have probably a silly question, but I am struggling to find fireplace fuel. Prior to the pandemic I was able to buy a gallon jug of bio flame (part number 14-414) very easily at my hardware store. According to the MSDS it's 95% ethanol 5% water, I tried multiple hardware stores, online, even called the chemical manufacturer who makes it in the city and found nothing. I can buy ethanol or ethanol branded as fireplace fuel online but due to it being hazardous I can't get it shipped, or the cost is astronomical.

So I was wondering either A) if I can make ethanol easily and safely or B) if I can use isopropyl instead.

I use the fireplace outdoors on my patio, and actually tested 99% iso in the fireplace and it burned similar, but it burned hotter and with a bigger flame. I think its because it's 99% vs 95% but it also left some soot where as the ethanol didn't

I don't really understand the difference between isopropyl and ethanol, I think it's petroleum vs natural?