Can you store gas in kerosene-safe containers?

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I have 4 55 gal blue plastic drums that I picked up for $10.00 each. I originally considered using them to store more water than I had originally planned, but am now thinking about gas instead. They are rated OK for kerosene, and I'm wondering if gas will therefore be safe in them also. I know the fume issue is an explosive one, but the barrels would not be near anything capable of producing a spark, and even if they were to blow, there wouldn't be anything near enough to be damaged. My only real concern is if the gas will eat through the barrels, or degrade, or what?...

-- STEVE (got@gas.org), November 12, 1999

Answers

My worry would be, how do you plan on getting the gas into the barrel? Gas can build up a static charge when being put into a plastic container that would then cause a spark and then you may go boom. If you are going to pour it in from 5 gal cans, be sure you ground your barrel through a small wire attatched to the barrel and then run into the ground. You should also ground your gan too. I f you are going to fill them at the gas station, place them on the ground before you start dispensing gas into them.

-- Greg (skipy1@prodigy.net), November 12, 1999.

Should be good to go.

-- SH (squirrel@hunter.com), November 12, 1999.

You might be able to *technically* do it, but do you really want those HUGE bombs lying about your place?

Geez, even 5 gallon gas carriers make me a bit nervous, especially on hot days when they're producing vapors!

My humble suggestion is: if you're going to rely on large amounts of fuel, either use a below-ground tank or use propane from one of those big multi-hundred gallontanks (and even then, have it buried underground).

Mr. Nervous (which is why I went w/ the solar solution...)

-- Hugh (hewiggins@mindspring.com), November 12, 1999.


In the state I live in,there is a law which says to use the correct color containers for gas and kerosene.That way the fire department will know what they are dealing with.

-- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), November 12, 1999.

Are those 5 gallon round metal containers with pour spout o.k.,or are they designed for motor oil? Any grounding required for them?

-- Gia (laureltree7@hotmail.com), November 13, 1999.


You shouldn't need to ground them, just make sure they are not sitting on the ground or in dampness as they will rust

-- SKIPY (skipy1@prodigy.net), November 13, 1999.

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