Storing gas
 

Any recommendations on storing a moderate amount of gasoline? Would a 55-gallon steel drum be suitable?

Also, any safety considerations or other useful ideas would be much appreciated!

Re: Storing gas
 

Don't do this, like some idiots who live nearby:

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/...NEWS/806060343

Re: Storing gas
 

Use a fuel stabiliser. The off the shelf ones will last for a year or two, military stuff will keep it good for ten years but is hard to find - and the military's idea of "good" might not match well with a modern, high compression engine as opposed to an industrial type engine.

Re: Storing gas
 

55 gal drum will work....just remember they will weigh close to 400lbs when full if you plan to move them. Also best if you have some idea what was in it before.....best drums held oil, trans fluid, that kind of thing.....ones I'd avoid are most chemicals and acids.

PRI-G ( or -D for diesel ) is the best fuel stabilizer....I've personally gotten 4 years out of it....probably good for longer. "Stabil" brand ( the one you find most times local ) is good for a year, max.

Have a cool place to store the drum.....something that stays under 70 degrees and is temp stable. DO NOT store close to your house....like in your garage. You are storing a bomb.

Re: Storing gas
 

I've stored gasoline in 55 gal drums for over 4 years without stabil or anything like that.....just make sure the seals on the bungs are good and tight....the volitile light ends win not evaporate and the gas will say good.

Also, try to stick to summer blends...much lower vapor pressure....much less stress on the drum.....only keep a small amount of winter blend for cold weather starting of small engines.

Also, if you can get aviation gasoline...it will last damn near forever....but it is leaded...do not use in your car if it has a catalytic convertor.....also store in a tight drum.

Only use good steel drums that are clean inside....I use like new oil drums.

Re: Storing gas
 

I've had gas for 3 years in 6 gallon plastic containers I bought at pep boys. The new containers seal really well. The gas has not gone bad, but it is kept in an area that stays about 55 degrees even in the winter.

Re: Storing gas
 

You can store long term in a good sealed plastic can....keeping it sealed tight is the key to keeping it good. The plastic cans can get pretty inflated....I've been concerned they might burst....that is why I suggested steel containers.

Re: Storing gas
 

I've got a few used 55 gallon steel drums (previously stored vitamin e oil) that I am in the process of filling up. Half will store gas and the rest will store diesel.

I will purchase the pri-d and pri-g that TnAndy mentioned. I ought to simply pour the designated amount straight into the drum? Should I supply the additive when the drums are near full? Is it correct that gas containing drums ought to contain no more than 3/4 fuel due to the expanding vapors? As to diesel I can fill it up near the top?

The drums are all in a covered shed that is in the shade. Each drum is grounded. I've also got a brass bung hole tool for tightening the caps and a rotary fuel pump for when I will need to use the fuel.

Question: Should I fill up the gas drums with 93 octane in anticipation that the octane will gradually fall so that in the future the fuel will still function well in engines w/o causing misfiring or at the worst knocking? This is what I've been purchasing and just want to be sure it is not a waste of frns.

Re: Storing gas
 

You can fill drum to within a few inches of the top....no problem.

My preference is the Amaco/BP Ultimate....not for the octane rating....but because it is cyrstal clear...no nasty color....I blend it with aviation gasoline and do not want the fuel stains on the wings....that is why I get the clear BP/Amaco gasoline.

There will be no octane loss....if you want to get 87 or 88 octane.

You only need to ground on filling / empty.

Might think about hoarding kerosene and not diesel. Kero can act as diesel but not the other way around. I used kero stored for 15 years with no change in condition. I try to get the undyed kero....again for stain issues.

Re: Storing gas
 

Stabil is what I use at my BO place now for short term storage. Long story short, my cousin rings me for advice about why the lawnmower will not start (newish mower). I happened to be in the area, over 100 miles from home, got her to pick me up in the boat.
Took me to the island. Now she is a strong girl, but I expected it to be a case of her not pulling the start cord hard enough, or not priming it properly.

Nope, it wouldn't start for me either. Dumped out the petrol and it was the colour of weak tea. New petrol in, a few priming pumps to get it through - and it started first pull.
The exact same happened with the cheap 2-stroke generator I have up there. Wouldn't run. New fuel, ran like a dream. Old fuel was brown.

Now I have a 5 gallon drum of MoD stabiliser there in addition to the already treated petrol and diesel I have in underground tanks, as well as a few bottles of Stabil for year to year use.

Re: Storing gas
 

Plastic is only good for a yr or less, I think. I store mine in plastic, but rotate stock. Pump for drum too expensive. Any suggestions?

Re: Storing gas
 

i always keep some ether(engine start)around it will help start engines on old
fuel or even alcohol.

most of that old fuel will run fine if you can get it started unless it has the consistancy of varnish and smells like turps.

Re: Storing gas
 

Run all equipment dry if not using for a few months/season/ or longer.

If it is easy, also pull the fuel line and drain is as well...unless pretty sure it is dry.

Also, even if you have bad/older gas in machine....most of the time you can pull the spark plug, squirt in about a 1/2 teaspoon of fresh gasoline....and get the machine to run....you may have to do this a few times....if still trouble...just dump all the old gas out and start over....may have to drain carb bowl....most have a drain nut/plug on bottom of bowl.

That is the trick to get them to run.....

Easier to just run them out and plan ahead.

Re: Storing gas
 

Easy, cheap pump for a 55 gal drum:

Take the big 2 inch bung....remove from bbl.....drill and tap for an airchuck fitting...or even a small bicycle hand pump.

On the small bung....either get a rubber hose that can just fit inside the hole....or even better go get a stand pipe that will thread into the small bung and go down to the bottom of drum (cut end of pipe on a 45 degree angle so to not seal against bottom of bbl).

Apply air pressure to drum via air chuck or bike pump.....pumps fuel out via air pressure....

Once you make this kit....use it on many drums...only need to make one kit....cost is just a few dollars. Can pump all fuels and oils and even nasty chemicals.....nothing in contact with fluid but the stand pipe.....no mechanical pump touching fluids...

Re: Storing gas
 

seen this done for oil pumping and yes it works but would not recommend
because you are putting compressed air and fuel/oil vapor in the same sealed
metal container add ignition source and hey presto you do have a bomb not
just burning fuel.

have seen the results of this happening when i worked for a oil supply
company back in OZ.