So, you want to store your gasoline for the long haul. Maybe you need to keep extra on hand for farm equipment or a generator. Whatever the reason is, you need to follow the correct steps to maintain your gasoline supply. There are safety guidelines and best practices to ensure you can safely store your gasoline for six months or longer. Keep reading to learn more about long-term gasoline storage.
Get The Storage Unit
When picking a suitable container, it’s essential to look for manufacturer markings that indicate their safety standard compliance. You must also look at a container’s funnel compatibility.
If your container cannot create a complete seal with a funnel or spout, fuel can spill out, and vapors will leak into the air around you.
You may also install a dedicated storage unit or tank on your property that you can siphon fuel off only as needed. You can still use smaller containers for daily use but have a larger supply available when needed.
Always ensure trusted manufacturers have safely approved the tank you’re using.
Label your containers accordingly (gasoline, diesel, etc.) and keep them at least 50 feet away from any heat source.
Choose The Right Materials
There are four available options for picking a container for your gasoline. These include:
- Plastic – This makes for an excellent go-to option, as it is one of the cheapest, safe-storage materials on the market. Plastic cans are lightweight and less heat-conductive than their metal or fiberglass counterparts, and you can hammer out any deformations or patch the material rather quickly. One drawback of plastic cans is that they are porous. This means they absorb the vapors in the gasoline, which eventually warps the can beyond repair and makes it unrecyclable.
- Steel – Steel cans, like Jerry cans, have developed a pretty reliable reputation over the years. Unlike plastic, steel cans are non-porous so that the vapors won’t cause any warping to the can. Steel is also very durable. The container can still warp over time and excessive use, but it will take years to reach that point. The one thing you must look out for with steel cans is rust. If there’s rust in your can, it will contaminate your gas, which will damage your engines.
- Aluminum & Fiberglass – These industrially approved materials are excellent options. However, they can be significantly more expensive than steel and especially plastic.
Your Can Needs a Proper Seal
Gasoline is a highly volatile substance. It’s easily combustible and quickly vaporizes. If there are gaps in your storage unit, they can be challenging to detect and dangerous. A container that is appropriately sealed will often swell due to trapped vapors. This swelling is a good sign, as it tells you that your container is airtight.
To ensure you have the right base cap for you can, check out the three base caps provided by EZ-POUR®. These include the:
- Solid base cap black – solid cap for tank storage or transportation; black cap is fine thread and typically fits older Briggs and Stratton, Rubbermaid, Essence, Blitz and Gott cans
- Solid base cap yellow – solid cap for tank storage or transportation; yellow cap is coarse thread and typically fits Midwest, Scepter and our Chilton adapter, Jerry Can adapter, 63mm “F” Style adapter, and Racing Jug adapter
- Solid base cap grey – fits older Wedco and later model Briggs and Stratton cans. Same threads as the Wedco #84004
Find A Protected Spot
Keep your storage unit away from any potential heat sources (at least 50 feet) that could cause the gasoline to ignite. You never want to store gasoline in your home. Gas inhalation can seriously impact your nervous system. Common symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- General weakness
- Loss of consciousness
- Organ failure
Find somewhere with good circulation. Open circulation helps you identify leaks quicker and avoid gas pockets from igniting. Stay away from basements or underground storage spaces. You want something above ground with ambient lighting for most of the day. Barns and sheds can work exceptionally well.
Check Your Cans and Gasoline for Degradation
Gasoline naturally compromises plastic gas cans, which are also susceptible to wear and tear. You must always check for cracks and other damage to your plastic gas can. Check every time you use your gas can or every couple of months to ensure there are no issues.
Steel is very resistant to the structural issues plastic gas cans face. However, steel gas cans can contaminate the gasoline itself. It only takes about a week or two of negligence to allow rust to build up in your steel gas can. Heat and moisture only make this worse.
Rust contaminated gasoline will damage your engines. Luckily, rust is relatively easy to handle with regular maintenance. When choosing between a plastic or steel gas can, that’s something to think about.
If the structural integrity of the plastic can is compromised, you’ll have to replace the entire unit. However, with steel cans, it’s only of matter of keeping the can from rusting to ensure you can store your gas for as long as you can.
Use Fuel Stabilizers
Manufacturers created fuel stabilizers to prevent evaporation, moisture build-up, and varnish residue. In some cases, these stabilizers can extend your gasoline’s shelf life from six months to two years.
When picking the correct stabilizer for your gasoline, ensure that it’s strictly meant for your fuel, as some stabilizers are meant for diesel fuel. Fuel stabilizers always come with directions on how to combine the stabilizer and fuel.
Long-Term Gasoline Storage: A Review
When storing gasoline long-term, it’s essential to find the right type of container. You’ll want a gas can that won’t be easily compromised, which will stand the test of time. You also want a can with an excellent seal, so moisture can’t get in, and vapors can’t get out.
Make sure to check your can for any damage consistently. This will help you make sure your gasoline is still in prime condition so that it won’t damage your engine.
And lastly, don’t forget to add a fuel stabilizer. A fuel stabilizer will significantly improve the shelf life of your gasoline, making long-term storage possible.
Shop EZ-POUR® Today!
So, you have the gasoline, but you need a proper spout to start filling up those lawn-care machines, vehicles, or generators. Well, you’ve come to the right place.
At EZ-POUR®, we sell only the highest quality spouts, accessories, and more to ensure your old gas can work like new. Visit our website today!