There are a number of reasons you would want to learn how to store gasoline long term. Right now, I am sure many of you wish you had gas stored from 6 months ago. With the price of gasoline being so high, it would be nice to have some old gas stored.
We are living through wartime and that will have an effect on gasoline prices. While we have seen the price skyrocket and then come back towards normalcy, I think it is just the beginning of gas prices rising even higher. The supply and demand are shaking up all over the world and we will just have to wait and see how it plays out.
Another reason to learn how to store gasoline long term is that disasters strike and when they do the flow of gasoline can be affected. Whether we are talking about things like natural disasters that level entire areas or the Colonial Pipeline hack that happened just a year ago, events like these put tremendous strain on the price of gasoline.
If you have to rush to the pump to fill up then you are left to face the consequences which could mean having higher gas prices or no gas at all.
Safety Tips for how to Store Gasoline Long Term
The single most important thing for you to focus on when storing gasoline for the long term is SAFETY. This highly flammable substance can cause all kinds of problems if it is not stored properly.
Here are some tips for the safe storage of gasoline.
- Gasoline must be stored in approved gasoline containers and you should leave some space in these containers for expansion.
- Keep these approved containers tightly sealed to avoid any accidental spillage.
- Store gas away from potential heat sources like hot water heaters, furnaces, direct sunlight, pilot lights and so on.
- The best place to store gasoline is in a detached garage. You should also keep gasoline at least 50 feet away from any ignition source. Gas fumes can catch fire just like gasoline in its liquid form.
Following these key safety measures will help you with how to store gasoline long term and keep the gas in the best shape possible. It will also keep your home and your family safe from accidents like fire. Safety is critical if you are learning how to store gasoline long term.
How Long Can You Store Gasoline
Gasoline is a highly volatile substance and this is what makes gasoline the perfect fuel for the combustion engine. As a substance, it basically vaporizes very easily. There are parts of the gasoline that will if left to sit for a long time, simply, evaporate out of the gasoline. If you are storing gas in open containers this can happen in weeks!
These vapors are very important to the efficacy of the gasoline and if allowed to escape your gasoline will not work as effectively.
Depending on how the gasoline was stored you can often get between 3 – 6 months out of properly stored gasoline. However, the gasoline will have lost a little punch. If you have older stale gas in a fuel tank and the machine struggles to start, then will have to either change that gas out or add some fresh gas.
Oxidation is the other thing that plagues gasoline when you store it. If you open an old container of gasoline and you smell more of a sour smell than the actual gasoline smell, then your gas has oxidized and it may no longer work. This happens because hydrocarbons in gas can start to change when they are introduced to oxygen.
So when it comes to how to store gasoline long term, you need well-sealed containers to avoid evaporation and oxidation.
Gather Containers
Having the right gas containers is vital if you are going to put these tips into practice for how to store gasoline long term. You would do best to store gas in containers no larger than 5 gallons in size. The 5-gallon increment is plenty even for filling up automobiles.
While it is not important that you have all the same containers you should have containers that are similar. This will help you determine the proper storage location for all of your gasoline. If you are using older containers and newer ones you should inspect those containers to assure that they are all still working properly.
Remember, if there is a mechanism to keep the air out that will help extend the life of your gasoline
Stabil and Similar Products
If you are unfamiliar with the product Stabil it is a fuel additive that you can use to extend the life of your gas much longer than just following proper storage methods. This additive can be purchased at any hardware store and used on all of the gas you plan to store long term.
When it comes to how to store gasoline long term, Stabil is the number one fuel stabilizer treatment on the market but there are other products out there.
Star Tron, JEGS high performance, and Lucas are all similar products that can give your gas a shelf life of up to 2 years!
These products contain hindered phenolics which react to the oxygen before it can get to the gasoline. Keeping that separation means that it radically slows the process of oxidation and evaporation.
These products even affect how much moisture gets into your gas. Moisture in the air will slowly leech into your gas.
Read the instructions on the packaging for instructions on how much additive you need to add to your gasoline. Each product will vary. This is one of the best things to do when it comes to how to store gasoline long term
Rotating Gas
One of the biggest problems with how to store gasoline long term is keeping up with the rotation. The goal should be to use the oldest gasoline first before using the new stuff. That will assure that you have the best gas going into your vehicles and machines.
When you start storing lots of gas it gets really easy to reach for the wrong gas containers and start using newer gas first. That is not gonna save you any money.
The best way to effectively rotate your gas with multiple containers is to use masking tape on each of these containers. When you fill one of those containers you can use a black magic marker and write the date you purchased the gas on that masking tape.
Tools for Managing Stored Gas
Beyond just having gas cans there are a few other tools you will want on hand when it comes to how to store gasoline long term. You should be able to pull gas from fuel tanks and also pour gas into machines and vehicles with ease.
- Siphons
When it comes to how to store gasoline long term, a siphon is useful because it can give you the ability to move gas from one container or gas tank to another. These siphons are very cheap and they work off a little bubble that you squeeze which siphons the gasoline out of the tank and through the hose to another container.
In the spring, when the threat of severe winter storms comes to an end, I am often left with extra gas in my portable generator. The portable generator is a great investment for power outages. It can save the day when you have a refrigerator full of groceries and the lights go out.
My siphon can be used to pull the gas out of my generator so it is not sitting in there for a full season. I can get that gas back into rotation.
- Funnels
Here’s another tip for how to store gasoline long term:One of the best ways to move gasoline from one container of the tank to another is the simple funnel. A quality funnel will allow you to store gasoline long term with ease. Whether you are adding gasoline to your weed eater or just dumping old gas into new or different containers, the funnel will be a big help.
Wrapping Up on How to Store Gasoline Long Term
Though we are in the midst of a changing culture around how we fuel our world, gasoline is still the most important fuel on the planet. We all need it to get from one place to another. However, we are seeing that the price and availability of this fuel are becoming as volatile as the fuel itself! So the smart thing to do is learn how to store gasoline long term and put this knowledge into practice.
The average American is seeing the value in storing a little extra. When it comes to fuel I think it’s a great idea. If you have a sound storage location, effective containers, and some fuel stabilizer this can be easy.
Don’t forget to label that gas and rotate it so you get the best performance from storing gasoline long term. If a disaster strikes or some kind of emergency makes gasoline unavailable it will feel good to know that you are ahead of the game because you learned how to store gasoline long term and did so.
Have you considered preparing a bug out vehicle to help you and your household escape in a disaster situation? Read all about it in Bug Out Vehicle Options and Preparedness.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, John developed a love for the great outdoors early on. With years of experience as a wilderness guide, he’s navigated rugged terrains and unpredictable weather patterns. John is also an avid hunter and fisherman who believes in sustainable living. His focus on practical survival skills, from building shelters to purifying water, reflects his passion for preparedness. When he’s not out in the wild, you can find him sharing his knowledge through writing, hoping to inspire others to embrace self-reliance.