I have begun to store gasoline in 55 gallon steel drums. I have about 35 gallons so far. I have recently moved them into a shaded area as the drum that had gasoline was expanding under the sun's heat. I have two questions: 1) should the drums be vented? 2) how cool is cool in terms of where to store them?

-- Tim (tjcrepeau@home.com), August 22, 1999

Answers

Don't know the answer to that Tim- but i was going to post a general gas storage tip though- good as place as any for it I guess. I am not super comfortable with storing large amounts of gas around- and many people-especially those who live in suburban/urban areas- can't safely do so. But one very, IMO,safe way to store gas is in the gas tank of a vehicle that is not being used. We are storing gas in the tank of one such vehicle- will hold about 20 gallons. With gas preserver added. If you look around- can probably find or already own such a vehicle to park on your lot/driveway- also- fill up the tanks of mowers, snow blowers, tillers, tractors, whathaveyou- then- with a siphon- you can access it when needed. Totally legal too- there is no problem with storing a truck with a full gas tank in your garage for instance.

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.net), August 22, 1999.

I think it is totally stupid to store gasoline. It is extremely volatile and dangerous to store. It is obvious by your post that you have no clue how to store it. What do you think will happen, when nobodfy has any gasoline to drive their car and only you are driving around the neighborhood? The hungry will notice!!!! One evening when about 20 hungry marauders come to your home, you will not have a chance!

-- smitty (smitty@sandiego.com), August 22, 1999.

Smitty,

Good Lord, have you really thought this through? What you just said applies to virtually *everything* that can be stored or stockpiled. So, what are you planning to do, just sit there and suffer along with everyone else?

-- Gordon (gpconnolly@aol.com), August 22, 1999.

You should take this question over to the Yourdon Prep forum. You'll get some great advice there, rather than the flames you're likely to get here.

(TIP: NEVER, EVER store gasoline in direct sunlight. Ever. Never. Got a deathwish?)

And the drums should be vented. How were you intending to pump the gas out? A pump on the end of an electric drill WILL kill you.

Be smart. Learn BEFORE you need to know.

(TIP: Don't start strong gas until late September. The gas formula changes to provide easier starting in winter.)

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), August 22, 1999.

"STRONG GAS" should be "STORING GAS".

Sorry.

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), August 22, 1999.

Dennis,

I agree that it is *better* not to store gasoline in the sun, however, all the refineries around me do just exactly that, in million gallon tanks. And venting is a must. You can purchase a weather proof venting gas cap that fits into the drum threaded opening at most farm supply stores. Go get one. Also, while the winter gas has more volatiles in it, that is exactly what causes vapor problems in warmer months. I have seen advice to store before the end of September to get the less volatile summer fuel. So take your pick.

-- Gordon (gpconnolly@aol.com), August 22, 1999.

Dennis and Gordon:

I'm considering buying some gasoline today to store in standard red plastic 5 gallon containers. I'll add STA-BIL and put them alongside a garage wall next to the three 55 gallon drum barrels in which I intend to store kerosene.

If I would have done this earlier in the year, I would have saved lots of money, but because I delayed, the fuel prices have risen.

If the panic happens in September or October, then the prices will be even HIGHER, correct?

And what if fuels are in short supply or simply not available?

I would rather have some less volatile fuel NOW than risk having NONE later in the year.

The more I understand the Just In Time distribution process, the more concerned I am that a consumer panic buying stampede would totally choke JIT, leading to severe and chronic shortages of most products.

-- Randolph (dinosaur@williams-net.com), August 22, 1999.

The drum MUST BE GROUNDED! I asked this question a few weeks ago and got tons of useful how-to advice for doing this. When I find it, I'll post the url.

-- helen (sstaten@fullnet.net), August 22, 1999.

Gordon:

It takes a million gallons a LOT more time to heat up to "expansion" point than for 55 gallons to do the same.

As to the panic, I think the sheeple are going to stay asleep until October at the earliest. After Labor Day, the price of gas should drop.

Well, I'm off to the gun range. Bye for now...

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), August 22, 1999.

http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/bulletin/longterm_gasoline/index.html

Check out this Chevron website on long term storage of fuel...Should answer some of your questions.

Yes, it is stupid to store gasoline....absolutely. No one should do it, you're right smitty...don't do it (so there will be more for the rest of us :@).

DCK

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), August 22, 1999.

Fill your 55 gallon drums to about 50 gallons. In other words leave some expansion space. Use Stabil or other gas stabilizer before you fill the drums. Screw your drum plugs down tight in the COOL of the evening, park the drums well away from the house or other buildings if you can. Park the drums up on wood blocks or concrete blocks to prevent rusting and if on end cover to prevent water standing on the ends of the drums. Rig a cover to keep direct sunlight off of them and quit worrying. Sure, you don't want to build a fire under them, or use welding equipment nearby, but they aren't any more dangerous than a properly installed propane tank. You do NOT need to ground them, but rig a ground wire to whatever you are filling before you open the drum fittings. This will prevent any static sparks. Use common sense and handle as any other hazardous material. It simply is not as big a problem as some people think. Kentucky Bill

-- George W Berge (gberge@kih.net), August 22, 1999.

DCK:

Thanks for the Chevron link. Now I have some more knowledge so I won't blow up the house. I'd rather get flamed here than in my garage.

-- Randolph (dinosaur@williams-net.com), August 22, 1999.

I would really be pissed off if one of my neighbors stocked up on gasoline in his back yard! In fact I would turn his ass in!

-- Y2K ready (Y2K@ready.com), August 22, 1999.

Y2K ready:

I'm not storing any gasoline in my backyard.

The fuels are hidden from public view.

Is that OK with you?

-- Randolph (dinosaur@williams-net.com), August 22, 1999.

Here is my take on this contentious subject:

I plan to use 1 gallon a day or less to run my generator. I'm storing gas now in 55 gallon plastic barrels scattered throughout the woods behind my house. Each is dug part way into a hillside, so they are grounded. I'm filling them all the way to the top--as much gas as I can possibly fit in them. The reason for this is that it's the oxygen in the gas that leads to the breakdown of the gasoline. no air, no problem. Of course it will eventually break down but it should last for at least a year this way. I'm not venting them--just putting the bungs on tight and duct taping over them. then covering the top with plastic and a piece of plywood. They are in the shade and in the ground so sunlight heat will not be a problem.

I'll extract gas from the barrels with a common kerosene syphon hand pump. I'll extend the plastic tube so it will fit all the way down into the barrel. At least that's my plan--I have to see if it really works. Otherwise, Northern Tool sells a couple of different hand fuel pumps to fit into a barrel bung. One is less than $30.

As for static buildup in a plastic barrel, I have a friend who says that at the race tracks they store high octane fuel in plastic barrels and don't take any special precautions (grounding) when using them. So go figure.

Farm Beet

-- Farm Beet (gas@like gold.corn), August 22, 1999.