Storing Gasoline?
I have always wanted a generator for
emergency power needs but I've been discouraged with the fact that most
generators use gas and gasoline is difficult to keep and dangerous to
store. The following is my research on
effectively and safely storing gasoline for generators as well as vehicle use
and other gas-using equipment. Here are 5 rules of storing gas taken from http://www.efoodsdirect.com/Blog/storing-gasoline/
First rule of gasoline storage: The very best thing you can do to store gasoline is to
be sure that you keep your car’s fuel tank full. Don’t let your gauge get
down to a quarter tank, or anywhere near empty; instead, try to keep your tank
as full as possible. Try to gas up every time you get below ¾ of a tank.
Second rule of gasoline storage is that you will need to check with your local
government to determine legal limits for what you are able to store, and
how you are required to store it. Also check with your home insurance,
because they often have limits to what they will cover.
If you store more gasoline than you
are legally able to, it can become a massive liability. Syracuse City has a limit of 10 gal stored safely in an attached garage
or up to 25 gal if stored safely in an unattached garage or shed according to
the Syracuse Fire Dept.
(See
Syracuse City Emergency Home Fuel Storage Limits and Guidelines in the article
section of http://syracuse1st.blogspot.com/).
Third rule of gasoline storage is that you need to keep your gasoline in containers
made for storing gas. It is really easy to find appropriate plastic
containers—they are available at gas stations, home improvement stores, and
supercenters. The most common size is the 5 gallon jug, although you can
get smaller gas containers (which are usually used for lawnmowers and so
forth). If you use any other plastic containers, the gasoline will gradually
disintegrate the plastic, and it can seep out. This is actually pretty
dangerous, so stick to plastic containers made for storing gas. There are also
metal containers for gasoline. If you do have metal gas containers, be sure
that you keep the containers “grounded” because otherwise you could have
problems with static electricity igniting fumes from your gas. Never, NEVER store
gas in glass containers! Gas naturally expands and contracts, and it
could burst the glass, creating a big hazard. On a related note, when you’re
filling the containers, remember to fill them while they’re on the ground (not
on the back of a truck).
Fourth rule of gasoline storage is that you will need to add stabilizer to your gas.
Gasoline simply does not last very long. Within a couple months, your
gasoline can become basically a shellac (or varnish) if you don’t add
stabilizer to it, and if it does, you can cause serious damage to your gas
engine if you try to use it. Stabilizer is inexpensive and readily
available. Two popular brands are
STA-BIL and PRI-G. They have been said to extend the usability of the gas
for a year with STA-BIL or two years with PRI-G. Even with stabilizers
added to gasoline, it is recommended to rotate your supply periodically.
Fifth rule of gasoline storage is to store your gasoline in a safe place.
Keep it out of the sun. Don’t store it near something that ignites (don’t
keep it near anything with a pilot light). Keep the gasoline in a place
separate from your house, like a garage or shed. This is important because the
containers sometimes emit vapors, and you don’t want to breathe them.
Plus, if you were to have a fire, gasoline that is not stored in your house
will lead to much less damage. In a lot of places, storing gasoline
underground is illegal, so don’t plan to bury your gas unless you’ve really
researched it and obtained permits.
That is a basic summary of gasoline
storage. If you want to store gasoline, start with keeping your car tank
full. If you decide to store more, stick to the legal limits and
guidelines here in Syracuse. Use approved containers, and add a stabilizer.
Then, just keep the gas in a safe place. Hope this information helps.
