Aussies have started taking matters into their own hands as skyrocketing fuel prices push some to extreme and inventive lengths, with a tradie and reality TV star going viral after revealing how he’s started “cooking” his own diesel.
A TikTok video posted by Bruce Dunne — who came fourth on the most recent series of “Big Brother” — has racked up more than 1.4 million views, showing him brewing a homemade fuel alternative using old oil drums, filters and recycled cooking oil.
“I really hoped it wouldn’t come to this but here we are, cooking up our own diesel,” the Sunshine Coast local says in the clip.
“Because politely, $3.15 for a liter of the dino juice is daylight robbery. I’m not paying it.”
“So if you see me ripping down the main strip, smelling like a fish and chip shop, just mind your own yeah?”
The clip quickly sparked a wave of reactions online, with some comparing it to a dystopian movie.
“What in the Mad Max,” one user wrote.
“Tutorial asap pls,” another added, while a third joked: “Everyone will be converting their engines to run on canola oil soon enough.”
Speaking to news.com.au, Dunne said the viral video came after a breaking point at the bowser.
“I went to fill up before it kind of got too expensive,” he said.
“I did the whole jerry cans and all that — ended up paying $500 in one trip to the fuel station.
“I was like, this is ridiculous … nah, this is too much. So I deep-dived and figured out how I can run something else — and here we are.”
The tradie, who works in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and relies on his vehicle daily, said the cost of fuel is hitting especially hard in rural areas where public transport simply isn’t an option.
“Where we are, we need fuel. There’s no real alternative. If you’re not driving, you’re stranded.”
Dunne’s DIY set-up uses old-school diesel engines with mechanical fuel pumps, a key detail he says makes the whole system viable.
“The key ingredient is I’m running mechanical fuel pumps … old school diesels,” he explained.
“At the moment I’m doing a 50-50 mix — vegetable or sump oil with diesel — just to cut the price in half.
“But once diesel’s gone … we’ll probably be running it 100 per cent.”
The oil is sourced for free from used cooking oil, such as from his local fish and chip shops, before being filtered and mixed.
“Runs like a dream,” he said.
What started as a personal workaround is quickly catching on.
“I’ve started cooking it up for my brother and my dad … and I’ve had a lot of my mates asking, ‘can you show us how to do it?’” Dunne said.
“I’ll give it another month or so — I reckon everyone around me will be running this version of it.”
Still, he’s quick to note there are limits.
“I’ve done the research — we’re not allowed to sell it. If it’s for personal use, that’s fine. But commercial, it has to meet proper standards.”
Dunne’s workaround comes as pressure mounts on the federal government to address soaring fuel costs.
Anthony Albanese’s government has been urged to take immediate action amid fears key industries could be crippled.
In Victoria, one transport company on Monday revealed it cost more than $3000 to fill a single truck.
Meanwhile, in Sydney’s southwest, police have alleged a thief was caught siphoning hundreds of liters of fuel from a parked truck.
For Dunne, the situation has gone beyond simple frustration.
“When you’re paying $500 at the servo, that’s the same price as a return flight to Bali,” he said.
“I’m not doing that — that’s absurd.
“I’d rather take out a loan and go to Bali mate.”
David McCowen, motoring content director for News Corp Australia, said while times are tough, people should be careful if they are considering brewing their own fuel.
“Desperate times call for desperate measures, but it’s best not to try this at home,” he said.
“Home-made diesel based on cooking oil is something thrifty car enthusiasts have experimented with for decades.
“But you need to be careful. Modern cars with sophisticated emissions might not work with fuel that does not match the way their systems have been calibrated.
“There are also questions surrounding safety, equipment, training and insurance. I’d hate to see anyone get hurt or lose their home trying to save money on fuel.”
While Dunne admits his car is effectively a “test dummy”, his viral video has struck a nerve with Australians grappling with cost-of-living pressures and a growing sense that fuel security is becoming a real concern.
“It’s taking the piss at this point. Honestly, it’s pissing me off what’s going on. They need to sort this out or we are going to run out eventually, and then we’ll see what happens.”
