Mower gas storage

[rlwhitetr3b]

We just moved to a new house and now I have a question about what to do with the mower/snow plow 5 gal gas can. I have always stored it in the garage, but this one is much tighter and I'm worried about fumes. My first thought was outside under a tarp. Then I got worried about the fumes being trapped under the tarp. I do not have a shed or other out building and will not have anything this winter. My only thought now is under an old garbage can that has a few cracks for ventilation.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Gas fumes are Heavier than air, which is why codes say ya need a step Up, outa a garage into the house,....

Gas fumes can't rise up outa a gas can,....

Yer fears are unfounded,....

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If the cap is on and the vent is closed, you have zero to worry about. You'll have more problems with condensation collecting in the gas storing it outside under a tarp.

Tommy

 

[2tomplum]

Your supply can should be stored in the most temperate location that you can come up with. Keep in mind that the container breathes. By me in our moist environment, people that deal with condensation issues in their fuel are the ones who keep the containers in small damp sheds or areas outside that go through temperature extremes. The fuel warms up, the can expands and when it cools, draws in the cool, moist air. Repeat. Condensation. It's worse if the can isn't capped obviously. Also, as the fuel vapors begin to waft away into the air- so do the qualities of the fuel that make your snowthrower start more easy and stabilize the fuel. Many store the containers in the garage away from the furnace and hot water heaters. Usually the big garage door doesn't seal that tightly.

 

[ddawg16]

I no longer have any gas powered tools in my garage.....all electric.

I realize if you have a large 'area' to mow, yea, you need gas powered devices. My yard can be mowed twice on one charge.

No oil...no gas....no maintenance (other than cleaning)

I don't miss the "Oh ****, I need to go get gas"

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I no longer have any gas powered tools in my garage.....all electric.

I realize if you have a large 'area' to mow, yea, you need gas powered devices. My yard can be mowed twice on one charge.

No oil...no gas....no maintenance (other than cleaning)

I don't miss the "Oh ****, I need to go get gas"

Now it's "Oh ****, I need to get new brushes"...

Tommy

 

[58Yeoman]

I use non-ethanol premium in all my small engines, and the 5 gallon cans are treated with Stabil before I fill them. They sit in my unheated tool shed all year long and I don't have any problems. I have metal gas cans.

Wish I could get by with all-electric tools like ddawg. Wow...would that be saving a bunch of money.

 

[MikeF2316]

I have a 3 gallon can that I store in the back room (11x12) of my garage. I've never had a gasoline smell in there, and it can get pretty warm in the summer. At the end of lawn mowing season I put the remaining gas in my car, and refill. I do the same at the end of snowblowing season too, and use only ethanol free gas.

 

[jimkinney]

I used to keep mine in the unused dog house (no shed), because I had no room in the garage. When that disintegrated (plastic) I moved them to an unused trash can beside the house. It keeps them out of the rain.
Jim

 

[abachman]

I just pour mine into my Model A Ford and it gets used up in short order. I do use Stabil in the gas, but that's alright in the Model A.

 

[Dragfluid]

I keep mine in one of those POS 5 gal plastic cans, out in the garden shed. No fuel containers are allowed to be stored in the big Shed.

OP, just put yours in a trash can.

 

[BADSIX]

I no longer have any gas powered tools in my garage.....all electric.

I realize if you have a large 'area' to mow, yea, you need gas powered devices. My yard can be mowed twice on one charge.

No oil...no gas....no maintenance (other than cleaning)

I don't miss the "Oh ****, I need to go get gas"

THIS ^^ If you don't have a large lawn. my boy has a little patch in front and about a 60 x 80 in the back he mows it with an electric mower says its the only way to go. I just bought him a nice corded back up for 10.00 at a garage sale. I like the cored ones especially if you mowing a larger lawn.
Jay D.

 

[ddawg16]

Now it's "Oh ****, I need to get new brushes"...

Tommy

Not with brushless motors..............

But, then again....I have no idea what my motors have in them...I haven't had to work on them.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I just winterized yesterday. My Kubota takes about 4.5 gallons. I have a metal 5 gal can. I filled up the mower, put in a mess of Stabil and then put the rest of the gas in the car. I just got it from the gas station earlier that day. I just left the empty van in the shed. I also have Stihl products. I use Moto Mix but still had a gallon of 50:1. I dumped it in the blower and hope the stabilizer in HP Ultra holds it out for the winter. If not , off for a new carb. I try not to leave gas in a can over the winter for fear of going bad , more so than blowing up.


I do have the issue DDawg mentioned if we actually get a snow. Oh damn- no gas. Off to the station for snow blower fuel

 

[kbs2244]

If you are that concerned about fumes, put a piece of brad wrapper plastic under the cap when you screw it on,
That will seal off the vent.

 

[fourjeepin]

Or get a NATO metal can. They do NOT leak. I have taken them through big temperature and elevation changes and have learned to open them slowly because they can be visibly sucked in or bulged out. Mine were used when I bought them in 1999 and are still holding pressure.

 

[reader2580]

My plastic gas can are air tight. If the temperature drops dramatically the cans will contract due to getting cold.

 

[EOC_Jason]

The plastic 5gal cans should be air-tight when closed correctly. Mine will expand / contract with the temperature.

Even if yours does leak a little, being winter and colder temps I wouldn't think evaporation would be much of an issue.

 

[astroracer]

I keep three 5 gallon plastic "cans" full all summer and winter long, mower, generator and snow blower fuel. They live on the unheated side of my shop. Kept closed I never notice a fuel smell when I go out there, summer OR winter.
Never add Stabil and the gas is there if the power goes out. I have never had an issue with gas going bad in 2 or 3 months.
I wouldn't hesitate to keep them in the garage if that was my only option.
Mark

 

[kTHREE]

My containers sit empty all winter. Dump the extra gas into the cars.
Time is no friend to ****** corn gas we have around here.

 

[crucible]

Get some safety cans-I have five gallon Eagle safety cans for both gas and diesel....keeping about 20 gallons of each. No fumes, all steel, made in USA.

About $33 or so each on Zoro; sometimes you may find them on Woot and other places for good sale prices.