Can gasoline/kerosene be stored in the smaller 5 gal 'carry-along' type red (or blue for Kero.) containers (plastic)....outdoors-(i.e.- underneath concrete steps)? I live in a townhouse area with no yard storgage space. And have neighbors on both sides of my house. I don't want to put it in the basement ...because I'm storing food/water there. Any suggestions....anyone???

-- Nubian (tall_nubian@yahoo.com), January 22, 1999

Answers

Of course safety is the priority. I am storing in the red five gallon METAL containers for two reasons: there is no air intake hole on the opposite side of the top (I worried about evaporation from that hole) and metal appeared to stack better. I expect to store 100 gallons (or a little more) in a space approximately 3.5 x 3 (feet). I put a sheet of plywood over 10 cans and stacked another 10 on top of them. Used a metal bar to screw down the top tight. I feel that it is pretty safe. Downside: $27 and now $29 per each can.

-- Vito Barbieri (barbieriv@aol.com), January 22, 1999.

Kerosene is one of the safest fuels to store and use. I have stored kerosene that way for a long while (I live in the country, what I use to fill the heater in my room sits under my overhang on the shed, just outside the door) However, it is easy to have it delivered in 55 gallon drums, which also takes up little space and saves money. sophia

-- sophia compton (scompton@athenians.com), January 22, 1999.

Nubian,Greetings from NC, your question is not that hard to answer,if you live in a Townhouse ,then use the basement for the fuel and the food upstairs,WHY? Because if your sewer system comes back up at you then your food items are not very tasty. If you have a porch ,there are Rubbermaid containers for the yard, like plastic sheds,put together items. Hope it helps...the basement is cooler also for fuel. Heat makes the fumes rise. Furie...

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), January 23, 1999.

Please be very careful about storing gasoline anywhere that children or irresponsible adults might find it. Gasoline vents, even from closed containers, and someone smoking near the steps could get an awful surprise. Better to keep you car's tank full and get a siphon for when it's needed.

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), January 23, 1999.