Fuel storage

FLOLDFORD · Jan 4, 2015

A couple of the posts today have got me thinking about buying gas and storing it for my boat for this summer as I don't think these low fuel prices are going to last forever and by the summer it may be back up to where we were a few months ago.I have access to good clean 55 gallon drums but my question is will it store until May or June and still be usable? I've stored avgas for over a year with no problem but this auto fuel we get today may be a horse of a different color. I use about 30 gallons each time I take my boat out fishing so it would be a considerable savings if gas goes back up soon. I know there are quiet a few additives out there for storing fuel but I'm really worried about water contamination due to the high humidity here in Florida. Thoughts on this?

John_PA · Jan 4, 2015

You might want to check with a local fuel supplier. They might let you contract a price in the future, with future delivery. I haven't done it, but I am sure it sounds like something that could be done.

vscummins · Jan 4, 2015

I have used barrels ended up filling em up with Used oil . Now I have a 100 gallon tank in my shed that's made for a pickup and I have an old gas boy pump that I pump with . Dyed fuel is 2.48 a gallon delivered to my house .

gene bender · Jan 4, 2015

You put gas in a barrel then put the cap on so how will moisture get into a closed barrel.

FLOLDFORD · Jan 4, 2015

Here in Florida by May we will have close to 100% humidity and temps in the 90's and as I remove gas from the barrel I will be replacing it with very moist air and I do believe the ethanol in the fuel will absorb moisture. That is my concern

john in la · Jan 4, 2015

You really did not give us enough information to answer your question. So let me ask you a few....

Can you get gas with no ethanol?
Ethanol; long term storage; and humidity do not mix.

What is the RVP of your winter gasoline?
You do know winter gas and summer gas are different. You are most likely getting 9.0 rvp now but the closer it is to 14.7 rvp the more problems you will have with it in the summer heat from evaporation. It may not even work well if you have a modern computer controlled motor.

How will you transport your gasoline home?
You do know it is against the law to transport gasoline in containers over 8 gallons.

How will you store your gasoline at your house?
You do know there are container label; buffer zones; and container restrictions; laws that you have to follow to protect the public; especially firemen that may be called to your house.
Your insurance may even walk away once they find out you were storing gasoline illegally.

Do I need to go on?????????????????

FLOLDFORD · Jan 4, 2015

You have a lot of valid points that I have not thought about especially storing it in my shop. It would seem that it is not worth the trouble. I can buy non ethanol fuel here close but have not checked the price lately. I usually keep no more than 15 gallons in the shop at any given time. But you don't need to talk to me like I'm an idiot.

john in la · Jan 4, 2015

I am so sorry if you thought I was talking to you like a idiot.

OliverGuy · Jan 4, 2015

I bought some ahead from my fuel supplier last week. I bought enough for my company for 2.5 months. There's a very minor chance it will go down another $1, but it could go up $1 tonight if someone bombs somebody maybe. My opinion.

tim s · Jan 4, 2015

We just filled up on all the fuel that we can hold, even filled the tractors all up,,we put in an EPA approved fuel/fertilizer storage 2 years ago, 20,000 gal off road tank and a 5,000 on-road tank, a 1,000 gasoline tank

vscummins · Jan 4, 2015

When I worked at new holland we threw five or six full barrels of oil away because of water contamination this is in a near desert climate .

D beatty · Jan 4, 2015

John the amount you can transport home must differ fromm state to state. Some states ( NEW Yorkfor one) you can use no cans larger than a 5 gallon can and can not transport more than 4 cans at a time.

john in la · Jan 4, 2015

D beatty
I try to stick with federal law because it would be impossible for me to even try to remember what state has stricter laws.

Under federal law you can not haul hazardous materials without following proper bill of lading laws and have a permit to haul them.
No home owner is gona have such so the feds allow what they call Materials of Trade exceptions. This is so a A/C guy can haul a can of Freon or a home owner can get 5 gallons of gasoline home to run his lawnmower without breaking the law.

Gasoline is a Class 3 Packing group II material.
So it is limited to 8 gallon containers and 440 lbs total (gas and can it is in) in the vehicle.
Some states may have stricter rules.

Diesel is not regulated in containers under 119 gallons (bulk package) so you have a little more leeway with diesel as long as it is in a approved container.

Some things like fireworks have real strict rules; but they are laxed just before Jan 1 and July 4 to allow homeowners to get fireworks home. I would have to look up the exact dates but it is something like 2 weeks prior.

IH2444 · Jan 4, 2015

(quoted from post at 19:07:53 01/04/15) A couple of the posts today have got me thinking about buying gas and storing it for my boat for this summer as I don't think these low fuel prices are going to last forever and by the summer it may be back up to where we were a few months ago.I have access to good clean 55 gallon drums but my question is will it store until May or June and still be usable? I've stored avgas for over a year with no problem but this auto fuel we get today may be a horse of a different color. I use about 30 gallons each time I take my boat out fishing so it would be a considerable savings if gas goes back up soon. I know there are quiet a few additives out there for storing fuel but I'm really worried about water contamination due to the high humidity here in Florida. Thoughts on this?

ix it with the proper amount of StarTron fuel additive. Good for a year or more.

caterpillar guy · Jan 4, 2015

Why haul it. If you're going to stock some fuel have it delivered. That solves the transport problem. If it is in a barrel just move the rest to smaller containers as you draw off from the barrel. Like when you get back from fishing then empty the rest of the barrel into your cans.
I'm in MI and store a years supply of gas in one tank for the year. No problems. I can also loosen a plug in the bottom of the tank to leak out the water in the bottom. Then tighten back up. Farm use will exempt you from a lot of the nonsense applied to other facets of the consumer world.

jimg.allentown · Jan 5, 2015

Before I would go taking a lot of risks and going to a lot of trouble....
Do some math. How much would you stand to save, and what might the risks be? If the savings do not add up, it may be better to forget the idea - tempting though it may be. If the savings are not great enough, it may be wiser to just buy what you need when you need it and at the prevailing prices.

gene bender · Jan 5, 2015

Where do you get the water in a barrel if you dont have the opening plugged the gas will evaporate so how does water get in there.

WGM · Jan 5, 2015

I read somewhere where use of ethanol fuels causes to inner tubes in tires to rot.

NoNewParts · Jan 5, 2015

(quoted from post at 20:07:53 01/04/15) A couple of the posts today have got me thinking about buying gas and storing it for my boat for this summer as I don't think these low fuel prices are going to last forever and by the summer it may be back up to where we were a few months ago.I have access to good clean 55 gallon drums but my question is will it store until May or June and still be usable? I've stored avgas for over a year with no problem but this auto fuel we get today may be a horse of a different color. I use about 30 gallons each time I take my boat out fishing so it would be a considerable savings if gas goes back up soon. I know there are quiet a few additives out there for storing fuel but I'm really worried about water contamination due to the high humidity here in Florida. Thoughts on this?

sure, it'll be fine
I have a lot of equipment, and I am not a farmer, so some gas in their tanks has been in there a very long time.
If the gas is old, in a can or gastank, I just add a gallon or so of fresh with it, drain the carb bowl and line and use it.
no issues.

Actually for big engines, I seem to have better luck with this modern gas. It might lose some of it's 'burn' potential but a little fresh added and it's ok.
(with the weather extremes here, whatever era gas..condensation has always been a problem, whether it is mixed in or laying at the bottom...just have to deal with it)
That pretty reddish gas that smelled so good back in my racing days. great stuff....but if it sat too long....varnish mess...

hd6gtom · Jan 5, 2015

You will need some kind of Venting system to keep the barrels from splitting at the seam. I think a pre vent cap will screw into the bung hole. You would need 1 for each barrel. If you do this paint them white and put big RED labels on them this will help cut down on evaporation.

Fuel storage

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