stockpile gasoline?

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Link: http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/113/nation/Y2K_hint__... Comment: At any given time, supplies are fixed. It is impossible for everyone to change his bahavior and do something new, if everyone is thinking of doing the same new thing. Changes always take place at the margin, except during disasters.

So it is with stockpiling anything. Allocations have been fixed by producers and distributors. They cannot reallocate supplies overnight.

So, advice to stockpile goods must fall on mostly deaf ears in order for a few hearers of the word to become doers.

"Don't stockpile!" say those who understand the limits placed on the collective. "Do stockpile!" say those who understand that hardly anyone will listen.

-- Gary North (garynorth@garynorth.com), April 26, 1999

Answers

The National Fire Code allows for a maximum of 30 gallons of gasoline to be stored on residential property for normal usage. I have read, but not confirmed, that this has been reduced to 25 gallons.

-- Buffalo Bob (buff@hal.com), April 26, 1999.

What is the purpose of having a generator if you can't get gasoline?

If you can't get gasoline next year, you must buy it and store it

this year. Forget all the bureaucrats regulations. Just use some

common sense in storing it and don't forget to use a gasoline

stabilizer or the gasoline will turn to varnish in 3-6 months.

-- Jubilation T. Cornpone (skeptic@sit.com), April 26, 1999.


Jubilation,

That's why you're supposed to get a DIESEL engine. It can run on home heating oil which is MUCH less flammable than gasoline and there's no problem getting basement tanks into the hundreds of gallons.

-TECH32-

-- TECH32 (TECH32@NOMAIL.COM), April 26, 1999.


Incidentally, for gas or diesel, its good to get a few cans of "Heat" or other anti-moisture/freeze prevention products in addition to "Stabil".

Condensation in tanks or heavy rains through vents can get moisture into the supply when stored long term. The gas companies have added more of these stabilzers/inhibitors in their products in recent years, so you seldom hear of "gas line freeze" noadays - but it can happen.

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), April 26, 1999.


what about coleman/white gas?what kind of shelf life does it have?? will it turn bunk like gasoline??I'm screwed if it does!!

-- zoobie (zoob@aol.com), April 26, 1999.


Jon -

Thanks for the tip. I've heard that condensation can be a big problem with kerosene; will a gas anti-moisture additive work with kero?

Thanks,

Dano

-- Dano (bookem@blacksand.srf), April 26, 1999.


Keep the can sealed and cool and you ought to have no problems. Sniff it before using.If it doesn't smell clean, you MAY have to replace the lantern or stove generator earlier than planned. As always, YMMV.

Chuck

-- chuck, a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), April 26, 1999.


Jubilation,

Convert the generator to run on propane. Cleaner, safer, cheaper, no storage limits. Just ask Hank Hill, he'll tell you - smartest way to go!

-- @ (@@@.@), April 26, 1999.


Gary North, just a note to remind those who can't find barrels, use my idea in getting used water heaters and clean them out completely. either keep them in the protective insulated metal casing or get down to the actual cast iron tank. Purchase galvanized fittings for the top and an funnel for draining the fuel out the bottom drain. I've done three tanks this way and soon will have kerosene inside and gasoline in the others. Oh you could also bury these tanks ,just use a tar base material like used for basement walls and coat the whole tank. If anyone needs assistance with this I'd be happy to help. Furie...

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), April 26, 1999.

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