Proper Storage of Lawnmower Fuel

[mic2074]

does anyone know where is the best place or proper place to store fuel for lawnmower ? I have it in proper fuel container (the red thick plastic type). Currently, it is half full, and in a metal storage shed - during hot days the container expands to the point that's out of shape. Is this safe ?

[Techhead]

Loosen the small fume valve. This should prevent the container from expanding as the gasses can now escape.

I keep my tanks in my garage and they would expand if the valve is not lose.

[Bazooka Joe]

does anyone know where is the best place or proper place to store fuel for lawnmower ? I have it in proper fuel container (the red thick plastic type). Currently, it is half full, and in a metal storage shed - during hot days the container expands to the point that's out of shape. Is this safe ?

You could have googled this but that's what they're designed to do. As long as the can is a decent brand and in reasonably good shape it's just fine.

Worst case scenario is it'll blow off the vent cap and vent into your shed.

Edit:

Loosen the small fume valve. This should prevent the container from expanding as the gasses can now escape.

I keep my tanks in my garage and they would expand if the valve is not lose.


You can vent it from time to time if you want the gas can to un-bulge, but don't store a full gas can with the vent open, that's dangerous, especially in an enclosed space. If for whatever reason a spark ever gets anywhere near there... It will also all eventually evaporate if you do this.

[gman]

Loosen the small fume valve. This should prevent the container from expanding as the gasses can now escape.

I keep my tanks in my garage and they would expand if the valve is not lose.

If you do that, won't all the gas evaporate eventually? Or, may be you mean to loose it once a while.

[mic2074]

thanks... in most cases, I find RFD to be better than at least half an hour of googling...

[Techhead]

You could have googled this but that's what they're designed to do. As long as the can is a decent brand and in reasonably good shape it's just fine.

Worst case scenario is it'll blow off the vent cap and vent into your shed.

Edit:




You can vent it from time to time if you want the gas can to un-bulge, but don't store a full gas can with the vent open, that's dangerous, especially in an enclosed space. If for whatever reason a spark ever gets anywhere near there... It will also all eventually evaporate if you do this.

Been like this for years now. Not to say that something like that would not happen. I will re-think the way I store my gas containers.

ThanX :)

[MaDgamEr]

You can vent it from time to time if you want the gas can to un-bulge, but don't store a full gas can with the vent open, that's dangerous, especially in an enclosed space. If for whatever reason a spark ever gets anywhere near there... It will also all eventually evaporate if you do this.
WRONG. You're supposed to leave the vent cap loose so that the excess pressure can escape when the air heats up. Also in the winter, the container would colapse in as the air cools if it wasn't vented. Its not dangerous to vent it at all if its stored in your outdoor shed/garage. Its more dangerous if you leave the can closed and then the container ruptures and spills gas all over the place, no?

The rate of evaporation is VERY slow so unless you're storing your gallon of gas for a decade, there's no worries about your fuel all evaporating. Think about it, the bas tank on your car/bike/tractor/lawnmower is venting, so why the heck wouldn't your storage container? Just be sure to close the vent if you're handling the can or it may spill.

[Bazooka Joe]

WRONG. You're supposed to leave the vent cap loose so that the excess pressure can escape when the air heats up. Also in the winter, the container would colapse in as the air cools if it wasn't vented. Its not dangerous to vent it at all if its stored in your outdoor shed/garage. Its more dangerous if you leave the can closed and then the container ruptures and spills gas all over the place, no?

The rate of evaporation is VERY slow so unless you're storing your gallon of gas for a decade, there's no worries about your fuel all evaporating. Think about it, the bas tank on your car/bike/tractor/lawnmower is venting, so why the heck wouldn't your storage container? Just be sure to close the vent if you're handling the can or it may spill.

Can you provide reliable information about this? I've always been told to keep it closed for the following reasons:

Gas vapour is flammable and will come out the vent hole if it is open
Jerry cans are designed to bulge out and take the pressure
Water and condensation (dew) will not get into the gas if the vent is closed
If the pressure builds up enough that something will fail, it is the soft plastic threads of the vent cap that will fail first and then your can will be vented anyways (you can test this buy pulling a vent cap off without twisting it off - this will damage the threads but old jerry cans get like this anyways)

Is the only reason that you believe that the vent should be open that "the container ruptures and spills gas all over the place"?