Gas is often not stored safely. Spraying a gallon of gas has catastrophic consequences if it ignites or explodes. The gas is often stored in 5-gallon drums. Cans are stored in barns, outbuildings and garages with valuable appliances or household items. Some people even store gas in the basement of their homes in unsealed jars.
Our main reason for building this station was to have a safe place to store fuel and to provide some security in case of short or medium term gas outages. We also wanted to avoid unnecessary trips into town just to fill up.
Where are you in the gas supply chain?
My husband and I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina. If the oil and gas supply in the Gulf of Mexico is disrupted, our region will be the last place to get fuel. An accident at the refinery led to a gas shortage a few years ago. If you are in an area that is the last place where critical materials such as. B. Fuel is available and with a small supply at home, you can go to work or school while the materials stabilize. We saw many people who didn’t have the fuel to run their businesses. Those who travel long distances have had a hard time.
Saving just 25 extra gallons can make a big difference for many of these people.
We set up our gas station so that it would cost little – we had a lot of equipment from previous construction projects on site. I encourage you to be creative in your choice of materials. We used sheet metal for our shed, but scrap metal, pallets and shingles would also work well!
Pallet platform
We had a pallet. My husband expanded it with treated wood from other projects. We needed a platform big enough for two barrels to have two types of gas. Regular for our trucks, Kawasaki Mule and off road tractor and ethanol free for our weed killers and chainsaws.
Barn
The frame is built around pallets. Matt used machined sheets and raw sheets to make the roof and sidewall reinforcement. We’ve been working on some barns, so we have a few small pieces of metal lying around. Technically we probably needed them to finish the barns, but on the one hand they were just a blanket they took with them when they dropped the metal. Of course the cover is a different color, but that doesn’t matter. Metal is the thickest material generally used for cladding industrial buildings, so the whole structure should be strong enough for many years. The first thing that will fail are the pallets and wood on which the barrels are placed. Pouring a concrete base and then using wood for the air space between the barrels and the concrete would have prevented this, but we just used what we had.
Drums
Make sure you have a vessel suitable for the fuel. This is essential for safety. Gas fumes are formed, but can be safely collected in the appropriate drum. We are fortunate to live close to a place that sells many different types and sizes of barrels. Matt bought two brand new barrels of oil for less than $30 each. They are filled to 55 gallons and although they are light enough to be lifted by one person when empty, they are bulky.
Make sure they are securely fastened during transport to prevent them from rolling away and from being dented or otherwise damaged. They are painted on the outside to prevent rust, but the paint can peel off quite easily. You can always repaint them in the color of your choice or apply a new coat of paint to make them last longer.
Drum filling
My husband and I live in Mt. Most of our properties are only accessible by a 4×4 vehicle or on foot, so we have to move the gas. Many farms receive gasoline and diesel fuel from local gas companies. There is a minimum purchase, and they should be able to bring it close enough. It would still be impractical for people like us who want to keep a maximum of 100 gallons on hand.
We transport our gas in 5-gallon drums and put it in a barrel. It is not necessary to fill the vessel in one go. We only have five jugs, so we filled our barrels with 25 gallons each.
Fuel stabilisation for long term storage
We use a fuel stabilizer to keep the gas fresh. It is a very cheap fuel additive. Right now I think you can get a Sta-Bil tank that holds up to 80 gallons of gas for just under $12. It would stabilize the gas for up to 24 months. It can last just as long without ethanol, but I doubt regular gasoline with stabilizer will last as long.
Premium without ethanol compared to conventional gas
Ethanol-free gasoline lasts longer at a good level, but is harder to find in some areas. Avoid prolonged storage of gas with high ethanol content. I believe the ethanol content is over 10%.
Pumps
When Matt and I discussed pump options, we agreed that we wanted a very simple pump, with no batteries or electronics. I found a cast iron hand pump. A little work. You have to pump it out a bit before the gas comes out. We don’t have to fill up that often, so it’s not a problem for us.
You may want to buy a pump that doesn’t work as well if you’re not willing to do the physical work of manually running the pump for a minute or two. If you had to pump 10-15 gallons, you could get tired of pumping even if you are in great shape.
Honestly, at first I thought I bought a pump that was broken because it seemed like the gas wasn’t coming out. It just needs a good push and we didn’t know it.
You can get wireless or electric pumps. We bought a pump that can work with a small 12V solar panel, because our gas station is not close enough to generate normal electricity.
I recommend keeping a siphon or hand pump handy in case of a malfunction. The idea is to always have gas available, so a backup pump that doesn’t rely on electricity makes sense. A cheap siphon pump costs less than $20 if you don’t want to spend the money on a heavy cast iron hand pump.
One of the first problems we had was pumping the gas out of the bus and into the vehicle. To solve this problem, we simply purchased a 10′ diameter 1 tube that mounts to the pump head. Be sure to measure the performance of the pump before purchasing the tubing. You have to adjust well.
The 5 gallons of gas in the Kawasaki mule will last 6 weeks, and the gallons of mixed gas in the chainsaws and weed whackers go a long way, so we don’t have to fill up as often on our farm.
Large storage tanks and pumps
For those who plan to store large amounts of fuel, it may be worth investing in a powerful fuel transfer pump. They cost North Tool about $250. If you want to store a lot of gas, you can use an oil tank. If the tank is on a stand, you can add fuel by gravity.
Prevention of gas evaporation
Since we don’t pump the gasoline every day, we remove the gasoline pump and close the barrel with the supplied screw cap. This prevents the spread of fumes. This is important to know because you can lose a lot of gas over time due to evaporation.
Preventing water damage to vessels
The wind can carry the rain away. We noticed that the bottom of our painted metal gas barrels were starting to rust because water was seeping into the front of the gas station. At the front we add a waterproof fabric. We decided to use Sanbrella. You can buy it in your garden on eBay. It is generally used to repair outdoor furniture.
Mud and splash water
Initially we had no gravel around the gas station. We have since added 1 gravel and that has solved the problem. It can also help you level your space before you start building.
The alcohol-based HEET will absorb water from the gas, but it is important to make every effort to prevent water from entering the stored gas. A little water in the gas can be removed quite easily and cheaply. If you’re storing ant in bulk, it’s a good idea to keep a few bottles of HOT on hand, just in case. This device works even if there is already fuel in the tank of the car or machine you want to use. Sometimes condensation can seep into the tank if left for a while, especially in winter.
Octane amplifier
The old gases can be revived to a certain extent with an octane booster. The degree of assistance depends on the age and condition of the gas in question. It may be helpful to have a few bottles on hand for the WSHTF. An octopus booster can be useful if you need to conserve gas during a prolonged emergency. Just because a car doesn’t run doesn’t mean gasoline is worthless.
Gas barrels can make a loud noise when the pressure changes. Gas vessels are designed to maintain pressure. In case of strong temperature fluctuations, the pressure in the vessel may change. This change results in a loud noise that can be alarming if you don’t know what it is. It’s like someone is running and hitting really hard. It’s nothing to worry about, but I think people need to know that so they don’t get scared when they first see it.
Gas storage for Small Demand and Local
Remember, it is always best to store flammable materials away from the main living area. I know it’s hard in many neighborhoods, but a small outbuilding is better than your main house. Here are some storage containers you can buy. Be sure to use a fuel stabilizer when refueling with fresh gas.
Cadillac gasoline
You can buy metal gas cans with a pump and gun online. These carts have wheels and hold about 30 gallons of gas. They are very good and easy to store. The disadvantage is the price. You can expect to pay between $200 and $250.
Metal gas container
Metal canisters can style gas canisters better than plastic gas canisters. Make sure they are tightly sealed and do not touch the ground. A used pallet works well.
Completion
It is important to take measures to ensure the safety of the gas storage facility.
Storing a certain amount of gas protects you against supply interruptions and price fluctuations. The gas can be stored for up to two years if stored in a proper container with a fuel stabilizer. Having extra gas on hand can help you avoid certain trips into town, saving you time and money.
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