[chuck6877]

Where does a person buy stabilizer for the gasoline??


I bought 25 gals right before Katrina, because I thought the oil fields would be messed up pretty bad. I better add stabilizer or use it I guess.

Chuck

[Klatuu]

Where does a person buy stabilizer for the gasoline??

chuck6877, gasoline stabilizer is available in auto parts stores and some other common US retailers such as Kmart, Wal-Mart, etc. There are a few products for this general purpose available but the two with the best word-of-mouth are Sta-Bil and Sea Foam. Sea Foam was originally formulated for the motorized boating industry but it is also regarded as one of the best for general automotive use. The cost of the fuel stabilizers obviously increases the total cost of your stored fuel but its worth the cost knowing your gas will still be usable in 6 months or a year.

[chuck6877]

Klatuu,
Thank you,
Chuck

[Revi]

Gas has dropped to $2.65 again and there seems to be no problem with supply. Is the crisis over? Should I use the few gallons I have stored or stabilize them? Who knows what the long term answer is, but I'm not betting on fossil fuels. I'm getting an electric assist bicycle, and will experiment with electric transportation for a few years. A friend showed me the Cushman electric vehicles they use in the mills. They look to be a solution for transportation around town. John Howe has one that runs off solar. Park it in a solar panel covered garage, and you make your own energy! Drive right past the gas lines, and wave to all the people there!

[TnAndy]

Fuel on hand today:

Gasoline: 300 gallons in tank on stand
6 - 55 gal drums sealed and stabilized

Diesel : 180 gallons in tank on stand
6 - 55 gal drums seal and stabilized

Kero: 2- 55 gal drums
35- 5 gallon cans ( Home Depot had a closeout 4.94/can )

Propane: 300 gallon main tank full
8-100 lb bottles in storage


This has been my fuel storage plan for many years.

I store gasoline for up to 3 years ( what I'm using now was bought in 2002 for 1.39/gal ) in sealed drums, and rotate out to my gravity fed tank. I actually think it would last longer, but have no proof.

The BEST gas and diesel stabilizer on the market are "PRI" products ( do a web search ) PRI-G for gas, and PRI-D for diesel. "Stabil" brand is good for about 1 year max.

[papalegba]

I store 10 gallons in 5 gallon cans with Sta-Bil, which I rotate out every three months. I do it on the solstices and equinoxes so that I remember. I'll probably double or triple that amount soon.

This obviously isn't a long-term solution to a fuel shortage; it just saves you waiting in line at a time when there will be lots of other things you'd rather be doing.

[Jenab]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('linlithgowoil', 'n')one at all. dont see the point really.

[The_Toecutter]

After I pay for all my textbooks(somewhat broke college student), progress on that electric car I'm working on will resume. After that is completed, solar panels and wind generators will be the next purchase. Imagine it, not relying on anyone for transportation and still being able to have an automobile. That car will be looking mighty good post peak if peak oil happens to be a doomer scenario, although with all the cars off the road I'd just bike and keep what will be an overpowered car for the racetrack...

[KiddieKorral]

I don't have much, just 10 gallons bought pre-Katrina. I try to keep my tank above half at all times also, particularly during the hurricane season.

[SolarDave]

I just bought a 5 gallon container. Currently I fill up the car once a week, but it 's only because I can't go two weeks on one tank. The car is usually 1/4 full. With that container, I will fill up once every two weeks. I'll just empty it into the vehicle on the way to the gas station, and then fill them both up. That way I'll always have at least 5 gallons of gas "in action."

The gas station is not very far out of my way, but cutting the number of trips to the station in half sounds attractive. I'll see if I feel the same way after holding that 5 gallon can 'o gas up next to the filler and waiting unitl it drains a few times.

[JBinKC]

4- 5 gallon plastic gas cans that I cycle within 6 months (or faster) of purchase usually buy during low price points and use when the price spikes. Right now my inventory is full as I bought some more pre Rita.

[grabby]

Just buy it, no need to store it, If we ever run out no one will have any.

[Madpaddy]

What about home heating oil (which is basically diesel without the colorant added for tax purposes). I filled my tank with 700 litres last February (no additives) and it seems to be burning ok. I am due to top up at the end of this month (should take another 700 litres or so).

How long should pure! diesel last in a 1000 litre tank (ball park)

[SoothSayer]

In view of the very confused market, are you stashing away fuel in cans etc? Or maybe just keeping you car tank full to the top? If not, what would make you do so?

Does anyone know if the scale of hoarding is ever significant enough to make the situation worse?
(I think I read a report somewhere that if many people simply top up their tanks to the top, they can totally empty out the filling stations for several days)

In the UK we can only keep 4 gallons max at home - an anti-hoarding measure

[Doly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SoothSayer', '
')Does anyone know if the scale of hoarding is ever significant enough to make the situation worse?

[Leanan]

I used to wait until my tank was empty before buying gas. Now I refill at the halfway point. Not just because I'm afraid there will be shortages, but because I've read that fuel efficiency is higher if you keep your tank at least half full.

I am not hoarding gas otherwise, though I know people who are. Some have found the hard way that gas goes bad after about six months.

[Grifter]

Surely keeping your tank full is heavier and therefore less economical??

[Leanan]

No, they recommend that you keep the tank at least half full. Which isn't to say you should top off every time you're down a gallon or two. That's not good, either. Just fill up at the halfway point, instead of waiting for the gauge to read "E."

[loghomebuilder]

A stabalizer can be put in gasoline to make it last longer than 6 months. Stabalized diesel can last much longer. A real plus for diesel and a good reason to switch to diesel.

[Grimnir]

Why does this improve efficiency? Higher pressure in the gas line means less work for the fuel pump?