Fuel Storage

[Str8shutr]

Hey guys...
I am looking at trying to store fuel long term. For the usual reasons like the fall of society, the damn breaks, zombies attack or Oprah becomes president. I will be storing about 35 gallons of gasoline in my garage. My questions are:

1. How long will it be useable...
2. Should I add an additive...
3. Would it be best to use it on a rotating basis, ie: using 10 gallons every 6 months or so in a vehicle, and then replenishing it with new fuel.

Any help is appreciated
Thanks... Jim

P.S. I was kidding about the Oprah president thing...I would do a Jim Jones if THAT happened!

[Timberwolf]

You need an additive called Sta-Bil - it will allow safe storage up to 12 months - even up to 24 months if you double the amount added.

[olhunter]

If you own the house....

Check your homeowners insurance policy. Many have stipulations about flammable liquid storage. If you're over the limit and it burns down, you might not be covered. Not sure how they would know how much you had, but the FD might. Even a kitchen fire that had nothing to do with the gasoline might not be covered. I would check.

[SVRider]

I found this blog kind of interesting....

http://www.survivalblog.com/2008/05/homestead_fuel_storage_and_rot.html

Personally, I don't care for the idea of the additives that much. I have some, but try to avoid using it. Instead, I just rotate the cans through my car every couple of months. Takes a little more work and you have to be diligent about it, but that way I'm sure it is never more than 2 months old.

[Roccobro]

Personally, I don't care for the idea of the additives that much. I have some, but try to avoid using it. Instead, I just rotate the cans through my car every couple of months. Takes a little more work and you have to be diligent about it, but that way I'm sure it is never more than 2 months old

I do something similar. I numbered them and rotate front to back in the stack (which is 1 - X) too. Yard equipment and other stuff uses most of the 5gal jugs. Car uses rest is off season or I'm slacking on chores.

Just bought some stabilizer today. After having to do a carb rebuild on a mower that only sat 4 months I'm reading all kinds of negative's about short lived Ethanol in our CA gasoline.

ALSO: check fire code for your county/city. Just like too much Black Powder is a no-no, so is gasoline. Shoot, I've been known to store "extra" gas in the bed of the spare truck out back. Plus I keep both its tanks full too. Last, keep flammable fumes away from water heater and animal living quarters.

Justin

[Roccobro]

Ugh... After reading the links on survivalblog I'm on the hunt for NATO Jerry cans now.

Justin

[ireload]

I've stored gasoline double treated with Sta-bil for up to two years before I rotated them. I've used the gas in my wife's suv and my truck with no problem.
I use the Eagle brand safety can. It's metal with a spring tenstion lid that's designed to open when internal pressure build up to prevent it from becoming a gas bomb.
The only drawback with this type of safety can it's a paint to fill up.
I store my gas outside. You can purchase those outdoor plastic deck storages for $100 and can store up to 20 gallons (4 - 5 gallon container). Just make sure the plastic storage is not direct from the sun.

[duckman1]

Ol hunter I have never seen a flammable liquids limit or exclusion in a homowners policy, if you have one could you post it up. Thanks.

[paul0660]

Ol hunter I have never seen a flammable liquids limit or exclusion in a homowners policy, if you have one could you post it up. Thanks.

Nor have I. What ever you do, don't call them and ask.

[Roccobro]

I DID call and ask today. "There are no exclusions" was their answer to how many gallons may be stored.

Also said as long as there wasn't negligence, there would be no problem from the Insurance Company in a disastrous situation with any amount of gasoline or flammables.

California Casualty (aka A+ Insurance)


But still be sure your within county/city/muni codes for storage. Violation of law *may* be used against you.

Justin

[Sunday]

I never use stabilizers . But I used my pressure washer that has been stored for 2 years and after 6 pulls on the starter rope I drained out the float bowl and let it refill then it started the first pull and ran fine the rest of the job I used it on.

[radio2]

Staybill is the worst choice for a fuel stabilizer for long term storage, Try PRI-G for long term storage.
Do a google search and read up it.

[sd_shooter]

Just ordered 4 NATO Jerry cans from here, $49 each shipped from NV:
(cans are brand new, and shipped the next day)

http://www.deutscheoptik.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1718

[odysseus]

Stabil is fine for up to 2 years. Anyway, you should use this fuel and rotate as necessary. The issue of unleaded fuel storage is to have it on hand, not to think of bury and forget it since it is very aromatic and sensitive.

One issue to note is storage of fuel in a home garage. If this is not a detached garage, even worse. Fires can and do start in garage areas for various reasons. Unleaded fuel is especially volatile. 35 gallons of it flashing over is well, very bad news in a contained space. In fact if you were anywhere near it you probably wouldn't have a chance before losing conscious. I would recommend storing it air tight and controlled outside.

[Dirtbiker]

You need one of these.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=297312&highlight=caddy