Thread: Fuel storage

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keeping gas in a 55 gal oil drum:

What stabilize do you recommend?

Should I bother cleaning out any little oil in the drum?

Thanks

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

keeping gas in a 55 gal oil drum:

What stabilize do you recommend?

Should I bother cleaning out any little oil in the drum?

Thanks

I would only store Ethanol Free gasoline (that's all I buy anyway), but I don't like ethanol added gas and the lower efficiency. STA-BIL says their red storage additive protects for two years, 32 oz treats 80 gallons for about $12. It's probably not critical if it's just a bit of oil, but I would definitely clean residual oil from the drum, along with any residue.

Up here in the peoples republic of Massachusetts our gas has 10% Ethanol it's the only thing we can buy. So Sta-Bil is used religiously. We don't have all the problems other places report with E-85 etc.etc.

my new plan is to have two drums, one kept full for emergency and the other I'll use. That way the gas will never be more than a couple months old, so I shouldn't need stabilizer. For that I'll need a third drum for transport.

I bet I'll end up getting an electric pump.

keep in mind those are bombs waiting to go off. on the farms we store it far away from anything. most everything i have is diesel for that reason. i buy premium for my gas mowers and such. last a lot longer than reg. stabil helps a little.

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

That way the gas will never be more than a couple months old, so I shouldn't need stabilizer.

Stored Ethanol Blend fuel will go into phase separation and lose up to 10% of its octane value in a month or less. Your 87 octane will be 80, and the Ethanol will absorb water from the air. Bad idea, IMO.

Ok, then a long term barrel with stabil, and a monthly barrel.

I still keep 20 gallon of gas (4 five Gallon cans) on hand for the portable generator wired to the old house. Until recently the only thing we could get here was 10% ethanol.

I start the generators every 6 months and run them for about an hour and end up burning the old gas 5 gallons at a time thru the ram 50. (Wait till the tank is almost empty pour in 5 gallons and then top it off with fresh gas).

At six months the gas is about at the end of it's shelf life and that was true even with the stabilizer, so I stopped spending money on stabil.

We now have a somewhat local station that sells non-ethanol gas so I'll probably try that next time as see how fresh it stays. 89 octane only and it sells for the same price as 92 "premium" E10.

Personally I'd ditch the "long term" barrel with stabil idea and just rotate drawing gas for from one barrel to the other so the current "standby barrel" always has reasonably fresh gas in it.

Just an old mans' 2 cents.



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I'd use smaller drums like 35 Gallons. Quicker consumption rate. Another thought - is this your own property? If so, as you were... If you rent, better talk with the owner. I'd imagine your insurance company would have some "issues" or concerns as well. We store fuels, both diesel and gasoline, and there are required placards and notices for emergency services, as well as permits and insurance. I don't mean to preach - but be careful.

Most homeowners' policies have restrictions on attached garages. basically, for parking only. storing fuel is a big nono for most. some even restrict working on cars in garages.
mt fuel tank is away from my shop setting all by its self . but it's only diesel.

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

Ok, then a long term barrel with stabil, and a monthly barrel.

I still say it's a bad idea. Can you explain why you believe you need to have fuel stored?

Two midwest fuel refineries caught fire within three weeks. Hurricane expected soon. 55 gal can get me by for a month.

i have a 600 gal diesel tank and a 250 gal gas tank. i dont use the gas tank since i use very little gas. but having fuel stored is a good habit. gas in 15 gal barrels is a very good way to store it. 15 gals will top off most any car or truck.