Unfortunately, methanol is the least expensive component of glow fuel. It is presently around $3 per gallon. Oil and nitromethane are the price drivers. But I think what may be happening now is that glow fuel suppliers are selling less fuel as modelers move away from glow engines. The glow fuel suppliers still have to pay rent, pay their employees, pay the utility bill, etc, so they have to raise their prices.

I can see the day coming when the fuel suppliers will go out of business and those who fly glow will all need to mix their own fuel. Methanol, nitromethane and oil have huge industrial uses and will continue to be available. It is not difficult at all to mix your own fuel.

I went to the Lebanon PA flea market yesterday. I saw enough used glow engines for sale to keep us all flying glow for several generations to come.