Interesting experiences. Some people have had problems with old fuel, but many have not. I wonder if it's climate related? I live in Southern Calif. It's pretty dry here. I bought a one gallon can of Coleman Fuel (white gas) in about 1987. I'm still using it today, and I've had nary a problem. It's been stored in the back of my bedroom closet. Not sure that's the safest storage place, but as an apartment dweller, I don't have a lot of choices. I've had no problems in twenty years, so I suppose it isn't too unsafe.

I use the fuel for my old Whisperlite stove, also purchased in 1987. I don't use the stove a lot anymore which explains why I can go so long on one gallon of gas; I bought a Jet Boil relatively recently which is a lot easier to set up and use. I keep the Whisperlite for winter hikes. I also use the fuel for my two burner Coleman stove, but I don't car camp a lot. I mostly back pack.