Nitro fuel (sometimes referred to as glow fuel) is a pre-mixed blend of nitromethane and methanol in a base of either castor oil or a blend of synthetic and castor oils used to power glow plug-ignited R/C engines. The methanol serves a dual purpose, acting both as a volatile and to react catalytically with the platinum element in the glow plug to keep it "lit" between power strokes. The base oil also serves a dual purpose as both a carrier for the volatiles as well as a lubricant for the engine's internal components.