With gas prices so low, I'm thinking now is the time to store a little extra gasoline. We had a gas shortage here in Asheville a few weeks ago(due to hurricane related supply interuptions) that lasted over a week, and in any case having some extra fuel around seems like a great idea.

However I can't afford an expensive storage tank, and I'm wondering if there is a cheap or free alternative to those 5 gallon red gas containers. Does anyone know if there are some types of plastic containers(i.e. empty laundry detergent or bleach bottles, or foodservice bulk oil containers) that can safely store gasoline? I know that some types of plastic are broken down by gasoline over time, but since gas cans are made out of plastic as well, I'm thinking there must be some kinds that would work. I'd appreciate any input you guys have.

Of course I will use plenty of Sta-bil and store these in a garage away from any sparks or electricity, so no safety speaches are necessary.

Does anyone here know the "shelf-life" of gasoline stored in those red plastic containers? I was told that gasoline breaks down after a while.

With Sta-Bil added, you're good for at least six months, and perhaps as long as a year. I can attest to the six months.

I am a little reluctant to put year-old gas (even if stabilized) into a high performance vehicle engine. Anyone else feel that way? Of course, in an emergency situation, I wouldn't hesitate.

I have also recently stocked up and filled 4 - 5gal plastic containers and have them stored in the garage.

On it's own, without any additives, most gasoline will last 90 days, depending on the weather. Gasoline is formulated for different regions and different times of the year, and so holding over winter gas into the summer may be problematic. One of the advantages of manufacturing gasoline as they do is the limited shelf life, preventing people from "hording" a cheap supply in anticipation of prices going up and/or supply becoming limited. Gasoline is a hodge-podge of distillates, quite volatile and subject to continuous chemical interaction. Each component also has a weak molecular bond, making it easily decomposible by heat, ionization, depressurization, contamination, etc.

Alcohol would be far better for storage, but internal combustion systems don't seem to like it so much.

Sooner or later, we are all going to need a Mr. Fusion converter.

Those 6 gallon plastic gas containers are already designed for risk mitigation - enough gas to blow up, but probably burn no more than you and your garage. Also 6 gallons is about the top you can expect to hike up a road to a waiting car. If you need to economize, buy the $4.95 containers at Walmart, but watch for leaks eventually. Metal Type II containers provide an element of additional safety, both from sparks and combustion as well as longer term wear.

I recommend thinking different about gasoline before you store it: ask yourself, how much can I *safely* store where I'm at? I think any decision to store your gasoline indoors in your garage says that you have done the risk calculus and can accept the loss of that structure in a disaster, and you can live with an increased risk to you and your family of fire meantime. This gets more serious in attached versus detached garages, and the further away from fire reponse you live. Can you really store additional gas this way? There are local codes and regulations on how much you can actually store, but even in homes its a bad idea to store more than what you actually need and use in a *typical* season, feeding your lawn mower, chain saw etc. The best recommendation I've heard is a dedicated storage unit, with lots of air circulation, away from your house, garage or other structures. We don't always have such a thing, but sometimes we do - I ended up building a nice hut on a concrete pad that once housed a dog run, away from our house specifically for gas and other combustibles, such as excess paint and chemicals. I label the hut appropriately in case the fire dept has to approach it. By next summer I hope to expand on the pad and install a sheltered generator, although it may be exposed to crushing by falling trees so I have to ponder that some more. Meantime I think metal gas cans are a good long-term investment, and provide an important element of safety wherever you store your gasoline -keep an eye out for gas cans at yard and estate sales. I have two (empty) 10 gallon gas cans that are at least 40 years old and still bright and shiny on the inside - they wait for me to apply a new seal to make them whole again. I'm happy with my more modern Type II 5 gallon cans for long term storage though, and don't actually have room to safely store 2x10 more gallons even if I wanted it.

The city I live in allows two 5-gallon gas cans max. You need to check your local codes, and remember, if the worst case happens and your insurance finds you had more than that, they may refuse to honor your claim. That could be an expensive mistake.
To my mind, using an old detergent bottle is just asking for trouble. Just MHO.

I have gas in my boat that is 2 years old. (just not enough time to use it) I took it out and it ran excellent. I use Stabil and Star Brite Star Tron. I keep 100 gallons on hand between the 6 gallon cans and the boat and I have never had a problem. I rotate the cans so that they are never more than a year old. Generator runs great and I've never had a problem when I've used it in my truck.

I have a 5 gallon and 2.5 gallon can that I store gas in for my lawnmower. I usually take them to the gas station every 3 years or so, my mower ran fine (finally seized up after 21 years).

Fortunately, I just filled them a couple of months ago, so I'll put them in my truck. I wouldn't put 3 year old gas in anything but a lawnmower....

I strongly agree with the cautions raised by previous posts. Gasoline storage containers are not a place to cut costs.

I've seen massive expansion (in heat) where the containers were puffed out like a balloon. I've also seen massive contraction (in cold) where the sides were sucked in to an alarming degree.

Approved containers withstood this abuse without a problem. I would not trust anything else. There are enough hazards in life without creating an impromptu fuel-air explosive in the garage.

This is not intended as an attack, so please do not take it that way.

I always have told my soldiers, employees and children the following:

"There are thousands of ways to die out there, just don't let stupid be one of them."

What I have always meant by that is pay attention. If someone says use special containers for combustibles, it didn't happen because they were thinking ahead. Rather, it is because someone blew/burned their butt to pieces in the past.

Remember, safety rules are created AFTER the need for them has arisen. Usually right after the funeral.

Also do ya really think storing a miniscule amount of cheap fuel is going to make up for the cost of the containers.

One last thing, I have to have a permit to store my 5th wheel travel trailer in my own shop inside city limits because it has 50 gal. on board fuel for gen set and fuel station. I also had to agree to store it completely full to reduce vapor explosion risk in event of fire.

While I agree times are tight,(I just added 50gal AUX Diesel tank to my truck to get cheap fuel and get to move farther between stops) I just don't see the benefit outweighing the risk inside a home.

I don't store much more than 10 gallons of gas at home (diesel fuel is a different story though). 5 gallons in the shed, and 5 gallons in the garage. With that said, the can in the shed is mixed fuel (premium gas and synthetic two-stroke oil) that has been treated with sta-bil, and I've had no problems running it in my two stroke engines even when very old. Last time I used it it had to be well over a year old and it ran just fine.

I keep about 20 gallons, I don't know of any local ordinances (I just went on the local city website and checked). In plastic gas jugs, unvented, that I bought from Auto Zone or Pep Boys or somewhere.

I had 20 gallons that sat for about a year, last year, put it in the motor home before moving north from Southern Cal, worked fine. I didn't test the mileage since I was driving with a loaded trailer anyway.

I do keep it away from my water supply, in case of some leeching (leaching?)and check it during hot spells to make sure no pressure build up.

But now, between the propane post and this one, you guys have got me nervous!

1. It's illegal to put gasoline in anything that's not a GAS CONTAINER.

2. As a firefighter, I can assure you that if there's a fire and I see a rack of what I think is bleach - and it turns out to be gasoline - there will be hell to pay in court for you, your homeowner's insurance won't talk to you and you'll be paying fines until the numbers wear off your credit cards.

3. If you must store gasoline, you need to do it in a safe manner. Up to about 20 gallons in 5 gallon containers intended for gasoline is allowed where I live, if stored away from any occupied structure.

In your area, the legality in your area of storing more than 5 gallons of gas without a permit or special tanks is unknown to me, it might not be permitted. In New York City FC2204.4.1.1 requires that portable containers storing gasoline and diesel fuel not be greater than 2½ gallons in capacity. FC2204.4.1 prohibits the dispensing of liquid motor fuels into containers that do not have a tight closure with a screw-type or spring loaded cover. There are more rules than that. Each location is different.

You might want to look into transfer tanks.

4. Use a fuel stabilizer and you can use your stored gas up to 6 months after purchase, if kept tightly sealed.

5. Small engines are more picky about gas quality than most vehicles. I routinely use older/questionable gas in my Jeep with no problem, just don't let the sludge at the bottom of the can get into the tank or you'll be replacing a fuel filter before you know it.

Storing fuels is one of those topics that comes up here several times a year, and all I can say is that I've seen what a shed fire looks like with 100 gallons of gas in it, and you don't want that to happen.

before I sent my old truck off to the junk yard I was thinking of cutting the frame off to make a truck bed trailer. I wondered about keeping he gas tank for a 20 gallon gas storage contriner. Seems like it would be the safest place.

Maybe. Remember that the gas tank in a vehicle is designed to be in a vehicle - surrounded by metal and the frame.

If you'd like, I can PM you some images of burn victims from people messing with improvised gasoline storage. It's worth the money to buy a proper gas can or at least a metal 55 gallon drum.

ditto on the 6-gallon Wal-Mart plastic gas cans being convenient and cost-effective; and I think I even saw those at the Sam's Club (if you're a member) for a dollar or two less than at Wal-Mart.

I have been looking for (new) Metal Jerry Cans, and those seem to be getting really hard to find. I had ordered some from the Garrett-Wade web site about a month ago, only to be sent a notice from them that they had sold out, and would not have any more. Round metal gas cans seem to be plentiful, but the "Rectangle shaped" (what I would consider the classic design)Jerry Cans seem to be going away.
It seems I recall seeing a reference to a "California EPA standard" or something along that line; so I wonder if the Jerry Cans are being legislated out of existence for some reason?

I think the California EPA reference is to the CARB device found on alot of plastic gas cans, its a doohickey that controls the amount of gas vapor that can come out and along the way also makes it easlier to pour from the can - easier to fill a chainsaw without spilling. I haven't seen them on metal Type II gas cans though.

I have found three good gas cans at garage and estate sales for about $5 each, and I have a couple rough looking Jerry Cans I might touch up with some rust treatment and renew the gasket seals, then repaint. I don't consider the brand new metal gas cans from Gemplers or other places to be a bad deal, they are made in the USA and really well built - just an upfront cost, think of it as an investment of sorts in your family's safety. I just don't have a very good opinion on those Chinese $5 plastic gas cans, I'd go upmarket a bit and get a version with the CARB device on it, thicker plastic at least.

Just post the pictures. I fear that not enough of the folks have seen these kinds of things in real life. Obviously some have, and some need to. It is amazing how the sight, sounds and smell of just one burn victim will adjust someone's cavalier attitude toward the handling and storage of dangerous substances.

Maybe by posting one or two, you can make a difference. Now if only you could post the sounds and smells.

Folks, I don't even store fuels at my home in the main structure. It just isn't worth the risk. As I said before, There are a thousand ways to die, don't let stupid be the one that gets ya'. PLEASE

I was meaning keeping it in the frame/bed combination so it would still be contained in the vehicle pretty much.

anybody need a gas can for their BOV (pickup truck bed)?
http://www.gemplers.com/product/97979/5-gal-UNO-DOT-Justrite-Type-II-Safety-Can

I was surprised to see a Gas Can with a built-in Roll Cage... cool!!!

"...Metal Jerry Cans, and those seem to be getting really hard to find..."

I see brand new ones from time to time in hardware stores...

Wow. That's some can.

This Justrite type-II safety can complies with DOT regulations for over-the-road transport of flammable liquids.

I guess the can(s) that I use in my truck aren't DOT approved.

Holy Schnikes!!! That is way too expensive for storing 5 gallons of gas in. Talk about gouging...

The worst burn case I ever worked was a fuel explosion in a workshop. They were working on a snowmobile, they drained the gas tank - all of 1 gallon or so of gas was all that was in the tank - and they drained it into a milk jug. There was a tiny hole in the milk jug, which for milk is nothing to cry over, but for gasoline is a big deal. Well, as they worked, the gas slowly leaked out, slow enough that they didn't notice the increasing gasoline vapors in the shop. Then the kerosene heater - the ones the look like a jet engine - kicked on. The resulting explosion would have been a big POOF - scary and noisy, and a 2nd degree burn or so - if they hadn't had a gallon of gas in a thin-wall plastic container. The container basically instantly melted, dropped the gasoline, which flowed fire onto the two of them. Their synthetic clothing caught fire, and although they managed to get our of the workshop quickly enough, it was not before they had suffered 3rd degree burns on their face, hands, head and genitals. When we got there to put out the fire, the medics were already on scene doing what they could, but their skin was literally peeling off them and exposing charred muscle tissue. They were screaming like you can't imagine, and prepping for the airlift for them was - without a doubt - the worst call for an adult I ever did. I'd much prefer a call for a fatal wreck to a massive burn victim. The only thing worse is a pediatric major trauma. I've only had one of those, and never a pediatric fatality.

To be fair, that's a really top of the line gas can, intended for folks subject to hazmat transportation rules, I think you're paying for R&D, a rollbar, and alot of certification. I don't think its intended for home use, or even transportation by the gardener who cuts my grass (at least I don't think so). A standard 5 gallon uno type ii can is available from Gemplers for $80, less when they go on sale. Other brand 5 gallon cans are even less.

Unfortunately, I know exactly what you mean!!!!!

I was age 16

Oklahoma Highway Patrol ride along. (Dating the troopers daughter in high school)

Multi-Vehicle collision. 45 miles from NOWHERE, but with witnesses. Driver and passenger of 18 Wheeler hauling gasoline trapped in cab. Yep you guessed it, tanker burning and they were both totally cognizant of impending doom. Driver screamed to trooper to please help but couldn't even get close.

Driver and passenger (husband/wife team) begged to be put out of their misery, but witnesses and all trooper could not do it.

Trooper warned me not to try getting the shotgun, because it wouldn't end well for me. I still really think he would have shot me. We could hear the volunteer FD sirens on the way.

I really still can hear their screams, and smell that smell. One of the few smells that have a taste.

Less than a year later, same trooper and I happened onto an accident. Driver DRT. Car fully involved in flame. Burning child crawling out. DOA on scene.

I really hope the potential money saved on cheap gas / containers is worth the risk.

I'm Done

I've been searching for good gas cans. Even the $30 for the 5 gallon ones I see people on expedition portal complain about them so there just don't seem to be any decent ones.

Confirming there really isn't a great way to store liquid fuels without the aid of professionals.

dunno. Some of the guys on expedtion forums are professionals. I've found the word professional to be meaningless because they are just like us, you get some that know what they are doing and others that don't.