How Do You Safely Store Fuel at Home?

Storing fuel isn’t easy, especially when you want to store it at home. Flammable substances need to be handled carefully and stored properly to ensure nothing bad happens. Also, fuel is recommended to be used within a month or two from the time of purchase. This goes for diesel, gasoline, and natural gas. But if you manage to store it the right way, you may be looking at keeping it safe without having the fuel break down. Read on to learn more about how to store fuel safely at home.

The Storage Location

It can be tough to find the right storage location for your fuel. You need to remember that weather conditions can play a major role in the quality of your stored gas. This means you need to keep it away from heat. Fuel can be very flammable, so it shouldn’t be anywhere near an ignition source or sparks. Try to keep it in a place that isn’t affected by high or fluctuating temperatures. Some of the best places for it can be your shed or in a separate garage that isn’t close to your home. Those are the safest methods because it can be dangerous storing it in your basement or attic. Those areas can be difficult to have well-ventilated. Also, remember not to have heaters in your shed or garage if you’ll be storing fuel there.

The Right Container for Fuel Storage

There is a lot of debate regarding the right container for storing fuel. You can use a plastic fuel jug, metal jerrycans, or a fuel tank. Remember to get a container that meets your country’s safety standards. If you live in Australia, most people store their fuel in an Australian-made Kruger poly tank for its durability, portability, and storage capacity. These tanks meet the country’s standards and are a safe option for your fuel storage needs. Overall, the type of container depends on the situation, the type of fuel, and the quantity of the fuel to be stored. You just need to find something easy to maintain in the long run. You wouldn’t want to replace one frequently because of rust or corrosion. Remember to get high-quality containers that will be worth every penny spent.

The Seal

You must store your fuel with a strong, tight seal. Naturally, vapors will fill the air when the fuel gets stored, but when it’s sealed properly, there won’t be any possible leaks. Leaking vapors can be hazardous because they can make the air heavier and it will be difficult to breathe. Also, the vapors might make their way into an ignition source. This is very dangerous, and you need to make sure that this doesn’t happen to prevent any sudden explosions. Having the correct seal, that is certified and tested, to keep the fuel tightly inside the container is crucial for your safety and the safety of others. However, if you’re using plastic containers, you will need to open the seal every week to let the air out because plastic can expand and balloon up over time.

The Filling Process

You need to make sure that you follow the correct filling process for your fuel. When you’re storing any type of fuel, you need to fill 95% of your container. It’s not recommended that you fill it to the brim because it will reduce its quality and decrease its shelf life. The reason behind the 95% rule is, moisture tends to build up and condense inside your container. This means your container’s inner walls will have water and it combines with your fuel. When your container has a small empty space inside, the level of condensation will be quite low and won’t happen to the point that it fills with water. So, it’s safer this way to protect the quality of your fuel and ensure great performance for later usage.

Stabilizing Your Fuel

It’s important to stabilize your stored fuel. The nature of the fuel is that it can change depending on the temperature every day and the fumes are most likely going to contract and expand. Not only is keeping a little space in your container important, but you also need to pour a stabilizing agent that can keep the quality of the fuel intact and make the process of expanding or contracting go smoothly without damages. You don’t want your fuel to break down too quickly and get ruined. So, a nice stabilizing agent or fuel additive can increase your storage time significantly, and your fuel will stay pure and as good as new. Remember that you need two ounces of the additive per 5 gallons of fuel, and you need to calculate how much you’re going to add depending on how many gallons are stored in one container.

Use Wooden Planks or Boards

You should use wooden planks or boards for jerrycans and plastic jugs, but it will not be necessary if you’re using a big storage tank. For the people that use jerrycans or plastic cans/jugs, remember to put them on a wooden board and have another board leaned against the wall too. This will give it extra protection and the possibility of the fuel being contaminated after months will be quite minimal. Also, it decreases the chances of the fuel catching fire, making it a very safe option to store the container.

There are several reasons to use fuel at home, so it only makes sense that you prioritize safety when it comes to storage. Whether you need to store it for protection during storms, backup fuel for generators during power outages, or just for your farm work. You might be looking at 6 months of storage time for the fuel and it may be more in some cases. Storing gas can save you so much time, effort, and money during any disaster situation or constant work that needs fuel. So, remember to use the right method that suits the type of fuel you’re storing and make sure that it’s safe and not out in the open.