I searched UA-cam for kerosene long term storage. There you are. I sub to your channel and PP continually answers my questions. Thank you for efforts and phenomenal library! God Bless!
For the past 3 years I've been storing non-ethanol gasoline in a pair of 55-gal, stainless steel, closed top drums. I keep them outside, but also out of direct sunlight. Each drum is filled to 52 gallons and is on a 12-month "use and refill" schedule. I use no additives and have had absolutely no issues regarding fuel quality. Temps in my area range from mid-20s in winter to almost a 100 in summer. Each drum has a 5-psi pressure relief valve.
May I offer a different way to think about this subject? Petroleum oil never goes bad. It never wears out. What does happen, is contamination and thinning of lubricating oil when in service. Growth of algae can occur in stored fuel. Gasoline these days does not store well. The alcohol and additives in today's gasoline create much different fuel than many years ago. It is not a good choice for storage. Diesel is far superior as a storage fuel. What has changed is the constant reduction in sulfur content in diesel fuel. The high-sulfur fuels of years ago naturally acted as an algaecide and a lubricant for mechanical injection pumps. When using the "new" diesel fuels, care must be taken to add additional lubricants to the fuel to protect older injection pumps. When storing the fuel for long periods, it should be treated to prevent microbial growth that will clog fuel filters The diesel will never "go bad" but care should be taken to filter out any contamination before it is put into your tank and causes an issue underway. While not practical on a home scale, contaminated base oil could be refined again, additives mixed in and it will be literally " as good as new. " How about lubricating oil? It NEVER goes bad! Do you have a few old quarts on the shelf from the 60s or 70s? The oil is fine. What is different? The additive package which will not meet the requirements of modern engines. Oil installed in your engine, again, NEVER goes "BAD." Some oil leaks from oil seals and gaskets. Some lube oil "burns" because too much of it stays on the cylinder walls due to worn rings. The rest, down in the oil sump, becomes contained because of blow-by gasses, metal particles and moisture which can form acids. While an oil filter helps, eventually you must change that lubricating oil to protect your engine. Here is something to consider: On a large stationary application such as a passenger liner or container ship for example, the ship may use a diesel electric drive for propulsion. The lubricating oil is virtually NEVER changed. Oil samples are taken and the regular analysis provides a picture of the engine's condition and any developing problems. The lube oil passes through many filter stages. Make-up oil to replace any lost in operation and additives top of the oil supply and the process continues for the life of the engine. That oil never goes bad but is in fact "maintained " as part of the ships operation. To be clear, I am a hard-case for proper maintenance. What I do know is that oil can not "go bad " but it can become useless through contamination. Final thought, even rancid cooking oil full of food particles and solid as a block of frozen butter can be made into a usable fuel IF you take the time to do so. The oil is still there. It is simple badly contaminated.
Thank you! We have to replace our "insert fireplace" and the contractor might not get a new one in this winter due to how busy he is. Thank goodness we are SC so we will be OK. Next option was a kerosene heater and you answered my question!
2:57 Not to be argumentative, but I’m burning Coleman fuel from open cans that is 10 years old. Adding a little bit of HEET to the can will capture the water and hold it at the bottom of the tank. Then I pour it through a filter funnel. Still kicks out tremendous BTUs (not as much as kerosene, of course). With the water removed, it burns smoothly in my lanterns and stoves. The white gas is “an outdoor fuel” in stoves. If you are burning it in your pressurized mantle lantern, you can burn it indoors. The mantles provide complete combustion if the oxygen levels are adequate. I tested this myself once burning my Coleman lantern inside of a car. The doors were closed and one window was cracked about a half inch. I put a carbon monoxide detector on the dash and sat in the car with the lantern for quite awhile. The CO meter never rose above 0ppm. Coleman says their fuel has a 2 to 3 year shelf life. Side note: ALL hydrocarbons will produce carbon monoxide when burned without complete combustion. Generally, that is caused my inadequate oxygen supply. So in cases of poor oxygen flow butane, propane, gasoline, white gas, diesel, kerosene, etc. will ALL produce carbon monoxide.
Thank you. I have been using old diesel and having trouble with my tractor. I need to use the old diesel for parts cleaning and starting fires and use fresh in the tractor.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video no B.S straight to the point best prep video I've had the pleasure of watching thanks again and God bless.
I have been wondering about kerosene. I had the opportunity to clean out someone's old home heating oil tank and store kerosene in it, but since it would be primarily for storage and occasional emergency use, I didn't do it because I wasn't sure how long kero would keep that way. I've heard it would store for 20 years if stored in a full, sealed can, but oil tanks aren't (to my knowledge) perfectly sealed. Plus, it would take me a long time to fill up a 250/75 gallon tank, which means there would be a lot of air space until I got it filled up. Someone did suggest using a 55 gallon drum with the small bungs at the top, as it would fill faster and seal better. I think I could make that work, but utilizing the oil tank would be much more convenient. If anyone has any experience with this, I would appreciate your input. Thanks.
Excellent video - I purchased a portable backup generator in 2020 and 8 metal 5 gallon NATO style gas cans (40 gallons total) to store the fuel in. I plan to use the 40 gallons in my cars so that the fuel does not sit for more than 8 months. I have 3 20LB tanks for the grill & like your idea to keep charcoal for cooking.
Kerosene stores indefinitely. I have used 12 year old kerosene with zero issues. Gasoline stores for up to 3 years if properly treated. We have used 2 year old gasoline with zero issues. Coleman fuel stores indefinitely too, I've used it after 7 years, the issue there is the can that rusts.
Solar..... Also been told adding Stable to your ethanol free gas storage can take it to 4-5 years.. I change the gas out every year and a half just to be safe. So Im not sure on the 4-5 year thing. Now that gas is $5 a gallon I my go every 2 years....
While I fully advocate keeping fuel stabilizers on hand, I am opposed to using it on a regular basis for your fuel storage. I have used gasoline up to 2 years old without fuel stabilizer, and with no ill side effects. Just regularly rotate your fuel. Each month I will dump three or four 5 gallon cans of fuel into my vehicles, and then top them off along with my vehicle when I fuel up. By doing this, I try to make sure none of my fuel gets over about nine months old, and no need for stabilizers. The money you save on stabilizers might buy you another can of fuel over the course of a year. Save those fuel stabilizers for if and when shtf and you want to make your fuel supplies last even longer.
Yes, and to add vehicle gasoline with all of its additives may sour over time; however, more pure gasoline (i.e. Coleman fuel/white gas) does not. The white gas will absorb water and that can be removed with denatured alcohol (or HEET). I’ve burned Coleman fuel out of rusty cans that was over 10 years old. Filter the debris and remove the water and it burns in the lanterns smoothly and in the stoves it still kicks out massive BTUs. So even very old gasoline will still burn just fine in lanterns and stoves. Automobiles are a different story. They have lower tolerances.
In my hometown they constructed new homes with a heat pump system that needs no fossile fuels. It runs on electricity with a cost of 20-39 € (around 23-34 US-Dollar) per month in a not to cold reagion. Temperature goes just o few days to -10 C. This cold be solar powered even in the winter,if a battery storage is avaible. Storage and solar panels ad around 25.000€ for a typical house of this region. I also means you just need 50% of the electricity from the grid. Ever heard of this system?
I am familiar with heat pump systems...they are generally quite efficient. Definitely could be powered with a solar power system year round. Not familiar with this particular system, but it sounds like maybe they don't design it to use all solar because in doing so, they would have to over-design (at a very high price) to meet seasonal demands. Sounds like an interesting system...if you get any more details, send them along. Thanks for being part of the solution!
Hey WD...I am not an expert on this, since we have chosen not to use kerosene heaters. If you do use a kerosene heater, we recommend only using a vented model that takes the exhaust to the outside. The minimal research that I have done suggests that if you use #1 Diesel, it can work, but you should do more research with a trusted source. As with any internet search, there are answers on each extreme and everywhere in the middle. We like options that include wood fired stoves, propane, alcohol, passive solar, natural gas (if available), microenvironments, preparing your home, and lots of blankets as you probably know from our articles and videos. Sorry I am not more help. Thanks for your friendship...and Thanks for Being Part of the Solution!
@@JonathanBJones : )Thank you my Friend, would only be used if my other options where to run out, apparently the diesel burns cleaner and from what I've learned adding a small amount of 90% rubbing alcohol or specific fuel conditioner improves that further, diesel burns odorless they say. Thank you I was unaware they made vented units, that's Great to know: ). Wishing you and your family a Great day/night/life 💞
Your comments on diesel are well shy of its actual shelf life. Stored in steel 55 gal drums in a shed where the drum can't rust its good for 10 years easy. I am currently burning diesel in the farm tractors and bulldozer I purchased very cheaply at the height of the Covid lockdowns. 3 years old. Same for my petrol. Stored in steel 55 gal drums (44 gal drums for us in the Southern hemisphere) its running my quad, side x side, chainsaws, dirt bikes etc perfectly well and is over 3 years old.
Question. Why are you choosing to use it right now? Why not keep adding to your supply? Just curious because fuel prices are going crazy again. I guess I would continue to store fuel for up to its maximum storage time and then begin using it. The average in price you would be paying over 10 years even if diesel goes to 10.00 a gallon, which is likely, over time your fuel price would likely average out in your favor. I would certainly do this only if I could guarantee the life expectancy would be what you say.
I am happy operating with a 3 year buffer. That way if SHTF I can change my ways and make it last longer. But I would have to be a rich man to be able to afford a 10 year buffer. And that much stored fuel could easily become a target by those less honest than most.@@Californians_go_home
Is there a reason not to use charcoal in a woodburning stove, aside from the obvious cost benefit of wood? If it can be used, wouldn't it be cleaner and less polluting?
I see, thank you. My better half says she hasn't seen a mention of heat powered (thermocoupler/electric) fans for wood stoves. She said you have an electric one near your wood cookstove. Have you considered these? We love ours and highley recommend them (Great with or without power, just need a heat source. Ours starts spinning at about 150 degrees F).
Does the wood stove vent to the outside via a chimney WITHOUT leaks? If so, charcoal will be safe; however, it won’t last as long as wood and is more expensive. I like this channel and I’m subscribed, but sadly, the content creators don’t seem to understand carbon monoxide very well. Bottom line, you cannot burn an open flame inside your house of any size larger than a candle or hurricane lantern. Any/every fuel can produce carbon monoxide in an open flame. The fire should be drafted and vented to the outside (sucks air in forcefully and exhausts out of a chimney) or it must suck air in and blow through a catalytic converter or some kind. You want completely combustion of gases, and that requires lots of heat and oxygen.
@@totallyfrozen Of course you can burn kerosene in your home in portable (non-vented) kerosene heaters. I personally know many people who do just that for primary and secondary heat in the winter. It's also very common in Japan where central heating is rare. As with any flame heating source, proper oxygen is the key. I'm the admin of the largest library of kerosene heater information on the net and own and use several heaters, stoves and lanterns/lamps.
I searched UA-cam for kerosene long term storage. There you are. I sub to your channel and PP continually answers my questions. Thank you for efforts and phenomenal library! God Bless!
For the past 3 years I've been storing non-ethanol gasoline in a pair of 55-gal, stainless steel, closed top drums. I keep them outside, but also out of direct sunlight. Each drum is filled to 52 gallons and is on a 12-month "use and refill" schedule. I use no additives and have had absolutely no issues regarding fuel quality. Temps in my area range from mid-20s in winter to almost a 100 in summer. Each drum has a 5-psi pressure relief valve.
I have Coleman white gas fuel from the early 1970s that was opened in the 70s and it still works fine.
May I offer a different way to think about this subject? Petroleum oil never goes bad. It never wears out. What does happen, is contamination and thinning of lubricating oil when in service. Growth of algae can occur in stored fuel. Gasoline these days does not store well. The alcohol and additives in today's gasoline create much different fuel than many years ago. It is not a good choice for storage. Diesel is far superior as a storage fuel. What has changed is the constant reduction in sulfur content in diesel fuel. The high-sulfur fuels of years ago naturally acted as an algaecide and a lubricant for mechanical injection pumps. When using the "new" diesel fuels, care must be taken to add additional lubricants to the fuel to protect older injection pumps. When storing the fuel for long periods, it should be treated to prevent microbial growth that will clog fuel filters The diesel will never "go bad" but care should be taken to filter out any contamination before it is put into your tank and causes an issue underway. While not practical on a home scale, contaminated base oil could be refined again, additives mixed in and it will be literally " as good as new. " How about lubricating oil? It NEVER goes bad! Do you have a few old quarts on the shelf from the 60s or 70s? The oil is fine. What is different? The additive package which will not meet the requirements of modern engines. Oil installed in your engine, again, NEVER goes "BAD." Some oil leaks from oil seals and gaskets. Some lube oil "burns" because too much of it stays on the cylinder walls due to worn rings. The rest, down in the oil sump, becomes contained because of blow-by gasses, metal particles and moisture which can form acids. While an oil filter helps, eventually you must change that lubricating oil to protect your engine. Here is something to consider: On a large stationary application such as a passenger liner or container ship for example, the ship may use a diesel electric drive for propulsion. The lubricating oil is virtually NEVER changed. Oil samples are taken and the regular analysis provides a picture of the engine's condition and any developing problems. The lube oil passes through many filter stages. Make-up oil to replace any lost in operation and additives top of the oil supply and the process continues for the life of the engine. That oil never goes bad but is in fact "maintained " as part of the ships operation. To be clear, I am a hard-case for proper maintenance. What I do know is that oil can not "go bad " but it can become useless through contamination. Final thought, even rancid cooking oil full of food particles and solid as a block of frozen butter can be made into a usable fuel IF you take the time to do so. The oil is still there. It is simple badly contaminated.
Thank you now I know
Thank you! We have to replace our "insert fireplace" and the contractor might not get a new one in this winter due to how busy he is. Thank goodness we are SC so we will be OK. Next option was a kerosene heater and you answered my question!
Very good video. I go to Samsclub and buy the butane cans. I also have a rocket stove and several propane options. Thanks again.
2:57
Not to be argumentative, but I’m burning Coleman fuel from open cans that is 10 years old. Adding a little bit of HEET to the can will capture the water and hold it at the bottom of the tank. Then I pour it through a filter funnel. Still kicks out tremendous BTUs (not as much as kerosene, of course). With the water removed, it burns smoothly in my lanterns and stoves. The white gas is “an outdoor fuel” in stoves. If you are burning it in your pressurized mantle lantern, you can burn it indoors. The mantles provide complete combustion if the oxygen levels are adequate. I tested this myself once burning my Coleman lantern inside of a car. The doors were closed and one window was cracked about a half inch. I put a carbon monoxide detector on the dash and sat in the car with the lantern for quite awhile. The CO meter never rose above 0ppm. Coleman says their fuel has a 2 to 3 year shelf life.
Side note: ALL hydrocarbons will produce carbon monoxide when burned without complete combustion. Generally, that is caused my inadequate oxygen supply. So in cases of poor oxygen flow butane, propane, gasoline, white gas, diesel, kerosene, etc. will ALL produce carbon monoxide.
Thank you. I have been using old diesel and having trouble with my tractor. I need to use the old diesel for parts cleaning and starting fires and use fresh in the tractor.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video no B.S straight to the point best prep video I've had the pleasure of watching thanks again and God bless.
I have been wondering about kerosene. I had the opportunity to clean out someone's old home heating oil tank and store kerosene in it, but since it would be primarily for storage and occasional emergency use, I didn't do it because I wasn't sure how long kero would keep that way. I've heard it would store for 20 years if stored in a full, sealed can, but oil tanks aren't (to my knowledge) perfectly sealed. Plus, it would take me a long time to fill up a 250/75 gallon tank, which means there would be a lot of air space until I got it filled up. Someone did suggest using a 55 gallon drum with the small bungs at the top, as it would fill faster and seal better. I think I could make that work, but utilizing the oil tank would be much more convenient. If anyone has any experience with this, I would appreciate your input. Thanks.
This is the video I have been waiting to hear, and been looking for it! Thank you! New subscriber here.
Excellent video - I purchased a portable backup generator in 2020 and 8 metal 5 gallon NATO style gas cans (40 gallons total) to store the fuel in. I plan to use the 40 gallons in my cars so that the fuel does not sit for more than 8 months. I have 3 20LB tanks for the grill & like your idea to keep charcoal for cooking.
Good Informative Video!!!
Kerosene stores indefinitely. I have used 12 year old kerosene with zero issues.
Gasoline stores for up to 3 years if properly treated. We have used 2 year old gasoline with zero issues.
Coleman fuel stores indefinitely too, I've used it after 7 years, the issue there is the can that rusts.
Do you think e10 fuel will last as long?
Solar..... Also been told adding Stable to your ethanol free gas storage can take it to 4-5 years.. I change the gas out every year and a half just to be safe. So Im not sure on the 4-5 year thing. Now that gas is $5 a gallon I my go every 2 years....
While I fully advocate keeping fuel stabilizers on hand, I am opposed to using it on a regular basis for your fuel storage. I have used gasoline up to 2 years old without fuel stabilizer, and with no ill side effects. Just regularly rotate your fuel. Each month I will dump three or four 5 gallon cans of fuel into my vehicles, and then top them off along with my vehicle when I fuel up. By doing this, I try to make sure none of my fuel gets over about nine months old, and no need for stabilizers. The money you save on stabilizers might buy you another can of fuel over the course of a year. Save those fuel stabilizers for if and when shtf and you want to make your fuel supplies last even longer.
Yes, and to add vehicle gasoline with all of its additives may sour over time; however, more pure gasoline (i.e. Coleman fuel/white gas) does not. The white gas will absorb water and that can be removed with denatured alcohol (or HEET). I’ve burned Coleman fuel out of rusty cans that was over 10 years old. Filter the debris and remove the water and it burns in the lanterns smoothly and in the stoves it still kicks out massive BTUs. So even very old gasoline will still burn just fine in lanterns and stoves. Automobiles are a different story. They have lower tolerances.
thanks for such succinct information!
I used an open Coleman fuel after 19 YEARS of been expired so I don't know where you get your 5 to 7 years information?
Great information, very well presented. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
In my hometown they constructed new homes with a heat pump system that needs no fossile fuels. It runs on electricity with a cost of 20-39 € (around 23-34 US-Dollar) per month in a not to cold reagion. Temperature goes just o few days to -10 C. This cold be solar powered even in the winter,if a battery storage is avaible. Storage and solar panels ad around 25.000€ for a typical house of this region. I also means you just need 50% of the electricity from the grid. Ever heard of this system?
I am familiar with heat pump systems...they are generally quite efficient. Definitely could be powered with a solar power system year round. Not familiar with this particular system, but it sounds like maybe they don't design it to use all solar because in doing so, they would have to over-design (at a very high price) to meet seasonal demands. Sounds like an interesting system...if you get any more details, send them along. Thanks for being part of the solution!
Very good video. Thank you. It answers a lot of questions.
AMAZING info, many thanks, regards.
Can you add a stabilizer to Coleman camp fuel?
What kind of gasoline? I have 10 percent ethenol around here. I can also get rec fuel, which is better for storage?
: ) *Hi my Friend,* wondering what are your thoughts on running kerosene heaters on diesel in place of kerosene
Thanks
Hey WD...I am not an expert on this, since we have chosen not to use kerosene heaters. If you do use a kerosene heater, we recommend only using a vented model that takes the exhaust to the outside. The minimal research that I have done suggests that if you use #1 Diesel, it can work, but you should do more research with a trusted source. As with any internet search, there are answers on each extreme and everywhere in the middle. We like options that include wood fired stoves, propane, alcohol, passive solar, natural gas (if available), microenvironments, preparing your home, and lots of blankets as you probably know from our articles and videos. Sorry I am not more help. Thanks for your friendship...and Thanks for Being Part of the Solution!
@@JonathanBJones
: )Thank you my Friend, would only be used if my other options where to run out, apparently the diesel burns cleaner and from what I've learned adding a small amount of 90% rubbing alcohol or specific fuel conditioner improves that further, diesel burns odorless they say. Thank you I was unaware they made vented units, that's Great to know: ).
Wishing you and your family a Great day/night/life 💞
Can Stabilizer be added to kerosene that's two to three years old, or does the stabilizer have to be added when the kerosene is first purchased?
Very good information.
Your comments on diesel are well shy of its actual shelf life. Stored in steel 55 gal drums in a shed where the drum can't rust its good for 10 years easy. I am currently burning diesel in the farm tractors and bulldozer I purchased very cheaply at the height of the Covid lockdowns. 3 years old. Same for my petrol. Stored in steel 55 gal drums (44 gal drums for us in the Southern hemisphere) its running my quad, side x side, chainsaws, dirt bikes etc perfectly well and is over 3 years old.
Question. Why are you choosing to use it right now? Why not keep adding to your supply? Just curious because fuel prices are going crazy again. I guess I would continue to store fuel for up to its maximum storage time and then begin using it. The average in price you would be paying over 10 years even if diesel goes to 10.00 a gallon, which is likely, over time your fuel price would likely average out in your favor. I would certainly do this only if I could guarantee the life expectancy would be what you say.
I am happy operating with a 3 year buffer. That way if SHTF I can change my ways and make it last longer. But I would have to be a rich man to be able to afford a 10 year buffer. And that much stored fuel could easily become a target by those less honest than most.@@Californians_go_home
We have 2 40lb tanks of propane but will add charcoal as a backup after seeing this video.
Excelente informacion. Thank you very much.
Good
Nice video!
I'm sure life expectancy is different if you live in the desert or tropical, hot or cold climate.
Is there a reason not to use charcoal in a woodburning stove, aside from the obvious cost benefit of wood? If it can be used, wouldn't it be cleaner and less polluting?
I see, thank you. My better half says she hasn't seen a mention of heat powered (thermocoupler/electric) fans for wood stoves. She said you have an electric one near your wood cookstove. Have you considered these? We love ours and highley recommend them (Great with or without power, just need a heat source. Ours starts spinning at about 150 degrees F).
Does the wood stove vent to the outside via a chimney WITHOUT leaks? If so, charcoal will be safe; however, it won’t last as long as wood and is more expensive.
I like this channel and I’m subscribed, but sadly, the content creators don’t seem to understand carbon monoxide very well.
Bottom line, you cannot burn an open flame inside your house of any size larger than a candle or hurricane lantern. Any/every fuel can produce carbon monoxide in an open flame. The fire should be drafted and vented to the outside (sucks air in forcefully and exhausts out of a chimney) or it must suck air in and blow through a catalytic converter or some kind. You want completely combustion of gases, and that requires lots of heat and oxygen.
@@totallyfrozen Of course you can burn kerosene in your home in portable (non-vented) kerosene heaters. I personally know many people who do just that for primary and secondary heat in the winter. It's also very common in Japan where central heating is rare. As with any flame heating source, proper oxygen is the key. I'm the admin of the largest library of kerosene heater information on the net and own and use several heaters, stoves and lanterns/lamps.
In gasoline, use ethanol-free and double the recommended stable and get at least 5 years out of your gasoline.
Your other video on fuels claims that shelf life is 6-12 months, here 18-24!?
Ethanol free gasoline stores longer than the 10% ethanol blend in most gasoline sold today
Good video, but you missed coal.
ha! 2 years for diesel thats funny