I went to my local Home Depot and was surprised at the price for 5 gallon gas and kerosene containers and I am planning on buying good quality garbage containers to store my fuel.

-- ron (rrest@hotmail.com), October 19, 1999

Answers

Might want to reconsider or at least research the specs on the plastic. Not all plastic can stand up to petroleum products. This thread leads me to ask - what other short cuts will unsuspecting, well-intentioned people take -only to find it was a BIG mistake. To me this is one of the least addressed, but most volatile issues about next year - human error and misjudgement.

-- April (Alwzapril@home.com), October 19, 1999.

We have quite a bit of K1, LP and gas stored. All in approved containers in a new little shack (as far away from the house as possible). We have set up an LP based kitchen, also, away from the main house. Can't be too careful with things that go BOOM!!!!!

There was a couple awhile back, somewhere up north, that blew their house up via a 20lb LP tank inside running a heater. Cant' remember where, I think it was on TV, cause I have a very clear picture of what was left...

-- BH (silentvoice@pobox.com), October 19, 1999.

Thanks, you set me on the proper course of action. I will look arround for those 55 gallon containers. I hope that anyone else contemplating my original course of action will think twice before they use plastic to store gas.

-- ron (rrest@hotmail.com), October 19, 1999.

It really shoudn't need to be said, but based on some of the comments I've read on this forum...

Do not be so foolish as to store any flammables anywhere within fumes- distance of a spark or flame. Light switches and electrical outlets spark when used. Water heaters and furnaces have pilot light flames.

(Can't believe I actually feel the need to type this...)

-- CD (not@here.com), October 19, 1999.

Ron has GOT to be trying to give polly's fuel for their fire. No one could possibly be dumb enough to store gasoline in a garbage can. Could they?

Geez folks, buy a bike. How long do you think 55 or 110 gallons will last if there are major supply problems.

For those who must store alot of fuel, a local company here that sells LP, kerosine, and heating oil has used tanks for all purposes available for sale. You might want to check around. A few bucks could save your life, your familys lives, your neighbors lives.

Road bike: good for long distance travel on even surfaces

Mountain bike: good for shorter distances on even or uneven surfaces (short trips like to 7-11)

-- the Virginian (1@1.com), October 19, 1999.

DON'T STORE PROPANE IN THE HOUSE!!!

Keep it outside. It's heavier than air, and fill up a room until it reaches the level of an electrical outlet, then - BOOM! No more happy family.

I could care less about the global financial shell game. But a lot of people are going to be handling this stuff for the first time....

Liberty

-- Liberty (liberty@theready.now), October 19, 1999.

Store ANY fuel only in the specifically designed can - don't mix, don't try cheap substitutes.

As above, store the fuel outside, away from sparks and fumes/heat. This includes chain saw exhaust, running lawn mower engines and snowblowers, generators, etc.

Don't take a chance saving a few dollars only to lose your house or equipment or (possibly) your life with the wrong storage can. Keep trash in the trash can.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Marietta, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), October 19, 1999.

Question: What do ya'll think about storing 2 plastic gas and 5 k-1 containers (the ones made for such) in a greenhouse (has 2 small screened windows, is away from house (40'))? The only thing is that there is a lightbulb hanging from roof (spark?) If there's no electricity and/or we don't pull the string to turn on the light would it be safe?

Only other option would be a metal storage house (no electricity, no windows).... Suggestions???

-- Jen (gardengal@myisland.calm), October 19, 1999.

Never store gasoline in a plastic garbage can. Fumes would quickly build to explosive levels. Garbage cans do not seal and, as noted above, may dissolve some plastics.

You cannot be too careful with gasoline (petrol). Because gasoline is highly volatile, fumes build quickly. Cheap containers can burst, spilling their contents. Proper ventilation of any potential storage area is essential. Do not allow fumes to build up.

Never store gasoline or propane in your house. The risk is simply too great. If your garage is anywhere near your house, that it also a poor choice.

We built a small but suitable shed 75-100 feet from our house where all of our flammables are stored (gas, K1, paints, etc.). We found that we had to replace a few of the cheaper 5-gal gas containers due to their inability to contain fumes. We also found it necessary to add several vents to the shed so that fumes would not build up inside the building. We did not run electricty to the shed. We also abandoned the battery powered lights once we discovered that their switches generate small sparks. Finally, we are not storing huge amounts of gasoline - fewer than 60 gallons. We simply believe the risk of storing more than this outweighs the risk of being without gas for a period of time.

Please do not allow your concern for potential shortages put you or your family in danger from what is a very volatile and explosive fuel. Gasoline is extremely dangerous. Treat it as such or the consequences could be tragic.

My brother-in-law is a car hound, and usually has 8-10 cars sitting on his farm at any one time. He is filling the gas tanks with treated (Sta-Bil) gas and then parking them a couple 100 feet behind his barn. This alternate solution won't work for everyone but for those folks who are car buffs, may be ideal and the least expensive.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), October 19, 1999.