gas can

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sidecutter

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powernoodles' generator thread got me thinkin; whats the best/safest way to store gasoline ? i'm going to google it , but if anyone has some real world tips i/ we would be interested. generators aint much good without gas. paul :D
 
Hi,

The biggest problem with fuel storage isn't what you store it in. Because most any UL approved container is fine. But rather how long you store it.

Gasoline doesn't age real well. Many small engine fuel problems are caused by old gas. You should use up any stored gas after 6 months and replace it with fresh gas. The Fire Department I'm a member of has a lot of small engines. For use on generators, water pumps, saws, and hydralic pumps. Biggest problem is old gas causing startability and running problems. They often don't get used enough to burn up a whole tank of gas a year. So not only do we start and run them once a month, we also have to drain the fuel and replace it every 5 to 6 months.

So if you need to rely on that generator when the chips are down, make sure you keep fresh fuel in it.

dalee
 
thanx . exactly kind of info i wanted. maybe keep the gas in can for 2-3 mos. then put it in truck. i would only do this in winter. we'll see.
 
You can try adding a fuel stabilizer like Sta-Bil (sp?). I store gas for yard equipment, snow blower etc. as well as diesel for a farm tractor. Before I store any of my gas powered equipment for the winter I add the stabilizer to the items tank and run it for a few minutes. I will also do this for any stored fuel that I have. I put my truck into storage with a full tank and acouple oz of stabilizer. Fast forward 14 months and it started on the second crank. So, that may be an option for ya:)
 
I find that a bottle of fuel stabilizer can be as expensive as the full can of gas that you are storing. I do use it in most of my winter storage for vehicles and such. However, for a gas can I would use it in my truck and refill the can atleast once a month. Also when using stabilizer in a vehicle or yardequipment, remember to add the specified ammount, then let the engine run for a while. That will allow the stabilized fuel enter the float bowl of the carburetor. Then, I do monthly startups and let them run for 10 or so minutes to let fresh fuel into the carb. Gas seems to go bad faster when it is in smaller quantities. Hope this helps.
 
Always a good idea to keep the fuel as fresh as possible, sometimes easier said thsn done. Having said that, I have stabil treated gas in my generator that is well over one year and it passes the montly test runs just fine.
 
I agree with using Stabil. I put it in my container, THEN fill it up with gas. If I don't use the gas in about 2-3 months I put it in my truck gas tank and get some fresh. Stabil might be a tad expensive but what would cost more, Stabil or all your food in the fridge? So far Stabil has not let me down. Just don't add it to your gas can and think you can forget about it.
 
About every 3 months I just toss it in my car and replace it in the cans. Seems to work OK for me.
 
Gasoline is mean't for a good time not a long time. That old saying is true. At one time I didn't add fuel stabilizer to my snowmachines prior to summer storage, and they would often run poorly in the following fall.

I put stabilizer in the fuel in spring, and they start and run well every fall now.

Fuel stabilizer good stuff! I add it to everything that gets strored for a long time including the furnace oil tank.
 
I have WAY too many gas/diesel powered tools and toys (2 ATV's, mowers, tractor, power washer, generator, weed wacker, blower, bass boat, etc). What I've found best (and has already been mentioned more than once above):
1. Sta-bil and Seafoam added to each 5 gal can of gas (put additives in empty can, then take to gas station for fill-up).
2. Monthly running of equipment. I think this is VERY important for a generator that you may have to depend on with little/no advance warning. My gen is battery start, so the monthly running keeps the battery in good shape without having to put it on a trickle charger.
3. Any fuel remaining after 3 months goes into the truck (rarely happens for me since I use power equipment year-round here in the deep south).
 
I keep about 30 gallons on hand in various 4-5 gallon red plastic gas cans. Run the generators about once a month. The last thing I want to be doing in the middle of an ice storm is searching for gas.

I can attest that gas will go bad over time, which we already know. I let some gas sit in a push mower for about 2 years, and the mower would not start until I replaced the gas. So I am a little more careful now to either use it up or use Stabil. Or both.

I clearly recall 9/11/01, when everyone got real panicky and went to the gas stations to top off their vehicles. At least where I live. You almost could not get gas anywhere, due to the rumors circulating and quasi-panic. In retrospect it seems stupid, but when you see 10 cars lined up at the gas station it has the effect of making you want to get in line. Since then I have tried not to let my vehicle get below half full, and keep that little supply of gas on hand for my generators.
 
Just recently I started to upgrade from 5 gallon plastic gas cans to metal ones and been gettin'em from Tractor Supply.

I got tired of fiddling with cheap plastic caps and gasoline that would leak all over me when I would pour it. It seems that no matter how careful I was, I would invariably get gas on me and the equipment.

I don't know if the metal cans will solve the spilling problem but they sure look nice.
 
ALL my stored gas is "STA BIL" and no problems chain saws, blowers, weed eater, generator, mowers ETC ETC good stuff I use it regiliously and NEVER have I had a problem!!!!! Metal will RUST with the ethanol infused fuel (GOVT says:grumpy: at least 10% in ALL fuel) so I USE plastic!! Stabil will HELP with the moisture problem!!!!
 
Any gas that goes in a small engine or outboard really needs about 1 oz. of seafoam per gallon even if it is fresh gas. For some reason the quality of gas these days is so bad that you are asking for problems using gas straight out of the pump. Fuel filtration must not be as good on these smaller motors than on cars or something.

Last year I had to have all three carbs. on my outboard overhauled and as near as I can tell this was due to running two tanks through it without seafoam. It was on a trip and I ran out of the stuff. The mechanic said either use the Seafoam without fail or come back in and have the carbs overhauled again for $150 apiece.

Also, I store gas in those Justrite Safety cans and they work slick. The smaller ones are great for filling lawnmowers, generators, etc. No spills.
 
Any you guys know which product, Seafoam or Stabil, is the better one?

I have used Stabil for a long time and it seems to work fine, but I switched to Seafoam cuz I heard it also has engine protection properties.
 
Well, Seafoam is also a carb cleaner and you can't keep those carbs clean enough these days.
 
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