How do you test the presence of methanol?

Methanol does not respond to the iodoform test. In fact, the test is given by ethanol and those alcohols which possess -hydroxymethyl group or -CH(OH)- group or carbonyl compounds having acetyl functionality. Methanol can be detected by the oil of wintergreen test. In this test, 1-2 ml of methanol along with few crystals of salicylic acid are treated with concentrated sulphuric acid in a test tube which is then gently heated. A characterstric smell of oil of wintergreen (Iodex type) is obtained due to the formation of methyl salicylate.