Steel wool in my region is very scarce. I only managed to find this:
http://www.rakso.de/english/produkte_200g.htm

1. Do you think it's good, non-toxic, chemical-free?
2. I'm not sure which sizes will be available, are any OK to use or is there a difference?

Here's what they write about it in their website; seems OK to use, no?

Looking at the picture I can find from RASKSO steel wool I would say: be careful!


STRIPS VERSUS FIBERS

When you take a look at the RAKSO steel wool you will notice that it is made out of 'fibers': long and thin strings of metal. But, if you take a look at Chore Boy mesh for example, you will notice that it is made of larger 'strips' of metal.

If you put a direct flame on the metal strips from Chore Boy you will notice that not much happens, if on the other hand you point that same flame directly on the steel fibers of RAKSO you will see that it will almost instantly start burning!


CONCLUSIONS

The fact that thin steel fibers will catch fire when touched by flames would make me confident to state that you should NEVER use RAKSO steel wool for a machine or GVG. The chances of it starting to burn are too big and you should not inhale burned metal into your poor lungs.


THEN WHAT?

Where I life, there is also no Chore Boy available in the shops. However, eBay or Amazone can easily give you a vendor that will ship to your part of the world, so order it there. Mine costed me about 6 euro's including shipping, money well spend for my health.


Kind regards,

The Travler

Thanks for answering, The Traveler

I searched it, and Chore Boy is a scrubber. I have those in shops, I even bought one, but after reading that they release toxic chemicals when heated I didn't want to use them. Or is Chore Boy exclusively different?

Yes, Rakso is very thin and could easily catch on fire, but I'm supposed to heat the bottle neck of the The Machine, as I understand, no?

Where did you read that copper scrubbies release toxic fumes?

Whoever made that claim is misinformed. Pure copper, when gently heated (as it is in the GVG) is perfectly safe.

All drawn metals (wire, ribbon, etc.) have mineral oil applied to them during the drawing process. The mineral oil must be removed prior to use in the GVG. One easy way to do this is to wash the entire ChoreBoy pad in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly, then let dry.

All around internet forums when searching for information about building The Machine. It was said that those scrubbers contain various chemicals which are released when heated. Is that really not true?


Yes, but how does one know if e.g. Chore Boy is pure copper? Does it say so on the label?

One can go to their web site and find out for him self that - The copper is 99.997% pure copper.

I compress 5 copper smoke screens together with pliers. Works perfectly

Ah, that's great, thanks


This would be the easiest solution, though I only have steel screens - are they OK or a no go?

The screens will work, even though you'll have some trouble with the spice running right through it, even with 7-8 screens.

I use some kind of Rakso-type steel wool, and while it had some oil on it when I bought it, I held in in the fire until there was no smoke from that protective residue, and the steel wool was completely red. Then, I washed it with water & some home grade ethanol, left it to dry and it works as a charm. No toxic fumes, no funny smell, nothing. Only copper scrubbers are accepted as safe?