Can You Stockpile Gasoline? - Indiana Gas Prices

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Tuesday, August 19, 2008 10:24:35 PM

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Can You Stockpile Gasoline? Thursday, August 07, 2008
Slate -- Gas prices dropped to an average $3.871 a gallon on Tuesday after a two-week stretch of declining prices. Is it possible to stockpile cheap gas before the prices go up again? Yes, but you have to be very, very careful. If you don't do it right, your stash of gasoline might spoil or blow up. For safety reasons, the EPA discourages consumers from storing more than 1 to 5 gallons, and the National Fire Protection Association proposes a limit of 25 gallons. Local fire codes determine whether your stockpile is legal: In New York City, for example, you can't keep more than 2.5 gallons.
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	Thursday, August 07, 2008 Slate -- Gas prices dropped to an average $3.871 a gallon on Tuesday after a two-week stretch of declining prices. Is it possible to stockpile cheap gas before the prices go up again? Yes, but you have to be very, very careful. If you don't do it right, your stash of gasoline might spoil or blow up. For safety reasons, the EPA discourages consumers from storing more than 1 to 5 gallons, and the National Fire Protection Association proposes a limit of 25 gallons. Local fire codes determine whether your stockpile is legal: In New York City, for example, you can't keep more than 2.5 gallons. Visit Slate for full article

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childoftibet Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,014 Points:8,480 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/19/2008 11:03:39 AM	Ignore childoftibet Report Abuse
	jim92065 Thanks for the explanation, I understand a little better. Based on what you say, I don't believe we should stockpile .. sounds a little dangerous.
dmatte85 Rookie Author Louisiana Posts:91 Points:9,455 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/19/2008 12:45:14 AM	Ignore dmatte85 Report Abuse
	good idea. with the price of gas falling for now this will cause more people to stockpile and the prices will go right back up because demand will be higher.
MikeyGriz Rookie Author Louisiana Posts:94 Points:10,700 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/18/2008 2:07:19 PM	Ignore MikeyGriz Report Abuse
	Buy your own gas station and store it in the underground tanks!
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,450 Points:146,225 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/18/2008 12:08:11 PM	Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse
	A. D. DO
magnumCA All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:851 Points:178,700 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/15/2008 9:13:17 PM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	yes
jim92065 Rookie Author San Diego Posts:95 Points:22,950 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/15/2008 2:10:15 PM	Ignore jim92065 Report Abuse
	childoftibet, Gasoline is made of several different compounds. Some are more volatile than others, meaning they evaporate faster. The more volatile compounds are also the ones that make gas vaporize and combust better. As gas ages, the more volatile compounds, obviously, evaporate faster than others and change the chemical composition of the gas -- eventually rendering it useless. Another chemical problem is oxidation. Oxygen, from the atmosphere, can also change the physical properties of the gas, forming new compounds. This, and evaporation, turn gasoline into varnish. You may say, "Well I have an airtight container, so my gas shouldn't evaporate or oxidize." If you have a truly airtight container (which you won't get at your local auto parts store), then it will help stored gas last longer. Be aware that the volatile compounds have much smaller molecules that "air," per se. They can still leak from an "air-tight" container. There should also be a way to vent overpressure. There are other factors to consider, such as moisture accumulation in the gas, but the main reason you can't store it is the change in chemical composition. There are ways to make stored gas last longer, such as adding fuel stabilizers, using specialized containers, etc. Unless gas skyrockets very high in the near future, though, these would cost much more than the savings in stored gas.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,450 Points:146,225 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/15/2008 12:13:08 PM	Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse
	yep, do dat
childoftibet Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,014 Points:8,480 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/15/2008 10:46:52 AM	Ignore childoftibet Report Abuse
	don1222 I didn't know gas could go bad. At the risk of appearing ignorant, how is that possible? This female isn't very knowledgeable about gas and oil and fluids that go in my car. My mechanic takes care of all those things every 3,000 miles and my husband takes care of them in between. Maybe I should read up on this stuff. But, to my credit I can change a tire. LOL
jim92065 Rookie Author San Diego Posts:95 Points:22,950 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/14/2008 4:40:42 PM	Ignore jim92065 Report Abuse
	POLELANE, En Ingles, por favor.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,450 Points:146,225 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/14/2008 12:41:52 PM	Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse
	wrong mini magdumb; store it in lotsa dem, beverly hillbilly cars lying around the city of anhells
magnumCA All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:851 Points:178,700 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/11/2008 8:10:51 PM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	The long and short of it is NO
Don1222 Veteran Author Michigan Posts:326 Points:27,575 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/11/2008 6:47:59 PM	Ignore Don1222 Report Abuse
	The problem with buying large quantities of gasoline it it goes bad. Not like the cheap stuff at 5/$1.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,450 Points:146,225 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/11/2008 3:12:10 PM	Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse
	not so; big dollar risk; buya buncha 70 road warriors cheap; store 30 gallons in each tank
jim92065 Rookie Author San Diego Posts:95 Points:22,950 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/11/2008 2:43:47 PM	Ignore jim92065 Report Abuse
	Buy oil on the commodities market. It's safer than stockpiling actual gasoline or oil.
magnumCA All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:851 Points:178,700 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:55:04 AM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	seems unsafe
Bill313 Champion Author Kansas City Posts:4,810 Points:675,990 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 12:43:48 AM	Ignore Bill313 Report Abuse
	I would think that it could be done with enough room and the proper equipment
gasboygary Rookie Author Kansas Posts:10 Points:276,500 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 6:39:57 PM	Ignore gasboygary Report Abuse
	I love these people who say gas goes "BAD". What the heck does that mean? I keep 40-50 gallons around all the time. Just dumped 6 gallons in my boat the other day that I bought over 6 months ago. Boat ran GREAT. Gas going bad is a myth. I have NEVER had that happen. I will buy your "Bad" week-old gas from you for 50 cents a gallon to take it off your hands! LOL! Do I save alot of money doing this? Probably not. But it makes me feel better knowing I can my more when it's cheaper and a little less when it's higher. [Edited by: gasboygary at 8/8/2008 6:42:46 PM EST]
MetroSexual Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,496 Points:136,240 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 3:28:31 PM	Ignore MetroSexual Report Abuse
	For RoboRobby: If you really have a stockpile of water from 1999, dump it -- water your plants with it, rinse your car with it. Water goes stale after a couple of years. And be sure to wash the container with a diluted rinse of bleach before refilling. You would be shocked at what can grow and is growing in some of the water around the country. Yes, even tap water.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,450 Points:146,225 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 12:37:59 PM	Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse
	must do it right must do it right must do it right
GasholeMI Sophomore Author Lansing Posts:195 Points:29,975 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:59:52 AM	Ignore GasholeMI Report Abuse
	I can not believe gas will go bad after a week or so. I know several people who fill up and then drive so seldom that they will not fill up again for several months. Besides, I use mower gas every spring after the mower has been put away for the winter.
FawltyPawl Sophomore Author North Carolina Posts:161 Points:24,025 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:03:16 AM	Ignore FawltyPawl Report Abuse
	any idea how many gallons of gas are stored in a city of say 50,000 people?
SomeChick23 Sophomore Author Edmonton Posts:110 Points:74,175 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:01:41 AM	Ignore SomeChick23 Report Abuse
	please not in the city...
FawltyPawl Sophomore Author North Carolina Posts:161 Points:24,025 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:52:48 AM	Ignore FawltyPawl Report Abuse
	Exxon does.
alpenami123 Sophomore Author Michigan Posts:138 Points:22,245 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:47:54 AM	Ignore alpenami123 Report Abuse
	your stash of gasoline might spoil or blow up
imnotadufus Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,123 Points:43,650 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:46:01 AM	Ignore imnotadufus Report Abuse
	"..your stash of gasoline might spoil or blow up." -Really? LOL- Oh boy.
Mooseman1 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:1,576 Points:222,465 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:45:50 AM	Ignore Mooseman1 Report Abuse
	Good advice.
BoerneWatch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,776 Points:738,160 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:44:26 AM	Ignore BoerneWatch Report Abuse
	Funny, but we did it in the 70's. We had a 500 gallon tank and gas cost us just under 40¢ a gallon by buying it that way at that time. The tax alone today is 40¢.
mahenv7 All-Star Author Toronto Posts:740 Points:151,185 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:41:00 AM	Ignore mahenv7 Report Abuse
	we, as a consumer lose anyway.. The money is sitting there and losses its value
TheSultan Sophomore Author Rochester Posts:127 Points:44,150 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:40:53 AM	Ignore TheSultan Report Abuse
	I'm sure this would only be worth it for someone with a large fleet--not an average consumer grade vehicle.
Rageagainsttm Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,448 Points:341,070 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:39:32 AM	Ignore Rageagainsttm Report Abuse
	storing 1 to 5 gallons of gas is not a stockpile. It's called a gas can.
Baroda Sophomore Author Michigan Posts:138 Points:28,475 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:35:34 AM	Ignore Baroda Report Abuse
	More Speculation.
mvosevich All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:857 Points:179,200 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:33:39 AM	Ignore mvosevich Report Abuse
	It's all speculation. How do you know when gas is going to go up or down. Gas does go bad after time. If you sit on it to long waiting for the price to go up you may end up losing. You would be better off in the stock market. If your house doesn't burn-up first.
ramboTX All-Star Author Dallas Posts:603 Points:116,270 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:31:38 AM	Ignore ramboTX Report Abuse
	Gasoline is very volital. If it is in an open container, it dispense into the air. It is heavier than air and will travel which ever way the wind or breeze blows it and stay low to the ground. If it is a very light breeze and the vapor remainstogether, it can explode with the slightest spark. Diesel has a much higher flash point. Gasoline is very, very dangerous. It is like a bomb.
Lengas Champion Author Gary Posts:4,082 Points:1,025,470 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:28:12 AM	Ignore Lengas Report Abuse
	Risky
OKRifle All-Star Author Oklahoma City Posts:751 Points:158,430 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:27:40 AM	Ignore OKRifle Report Abuse
	Not a wise idea!
rogerparry All-Star Author Florida Posts:879 Points:200,020 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:27:16 AM	Ignore rogerparry Report Abuse
	Stockpiling isn't a good idea.
Barry Rookie Author Twin Cities Posts:53 Points:1,643,710 Joined:Apr 2002	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:27:01 AM	Ignore Barry Report Abuse
	The portable gas can I bought from the store is 6-gallon size. If they allow the store to sell 6-gallon gas can, I should be allowed to store 6 gallons of gas. Am I right?
RoboRobby Rookie Author Dayton Posts:17 Points:3,345 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:26:27 AM	Ignore RoboRobby Report Abuse
	people have been stockpiling since the y2k scare. Hmmm maybe I will after I finally get through all those gallons of water from 1999 in my basement.
Blackice Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,340 Points:434,665 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:24:41 AM	Ignore Blackice Report Abuse
	Sounds like BO would love people to run out and start stockpiling gas, so they can say that the demand is up and they can start raising prices again.
brutus Champion Author Alberta Posts:1,292 Points:845,355 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:21:47 AM	Ignore brutus Report Abuse
	Not too smart if you live in a city.
tz2001 Sophomore Author Virginia Posts:103 Points:206,825 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:20:55 AM	Ignore tz2001 Report Abuse
	Shucks, just as I was planning on installing a 500-gallon tank this article comes out. It just goes to show you it's always something.
Rivermedic Veteran Author Fort Worth Posts:414 Points:76,580 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:19:21 AM	Ignore Rivermedic Report Abuse
	It would cost too much to buy the storage tank.
BabeHunter90 Rookie Author New Hampshire Posts:19 Points:15,805 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:19:08 AM	Ignore BabeHunter90 Report Abuse
	Here's the catch: Unless you use a stabilizing additive (expensive), gas goes bad after a week or so.
Toddc2008 Veteran Author Dallas Posts:305 Points:111,705 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:18:27 AM	Ignore Toddc2008 Report Abuse
	If anyone wants to call "der Fuerher" Pelosi, the Phone number for the Capital switchboard is as follows and they will be happy to connect you to her office. We encourage all to call and tell her what you think of her. (202)224-3121
Toddc2008 Veteran Author Dallas Posts:305 Points:111,705 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:16:44 AM	Ignore Toddc2008 Report Abuse
	Go to the topics list and tell all your friends that Pelosi's phone number is there!
markmoore80 All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:658 Points:250,005 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:14:58 AM	Ignore markmoore80 Report Abuse
	Unless you have the money and means to stockpile a couple hundred gallons, you're not going to save much. Then, of course, you gamble paying current prices and the future pice price might (just maybe) be less.
PizzaMon Sophomore Author Philadelphia Posts:125 Points:288,425 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:13:59 AM	Ignore PizzaMon Report Abuse
	I get apprehensive storing gasoline for my lawn mower in the garage.
radicale Veteran Author Calgary Posts:495 Points:146,045 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:13:10 AM	Ignore radicale Report Abuse
	25 gal US - that will fill my tank a little more than once - 5 days.....
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:7,298 Points:1,224,405 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:09:25 AM	Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse
	5 or 7 gallons is one thing. And that's fine for the chain saw, the lawn mower or the leaf blower. But that's not going to get you anywhere vis a vis saving money on gasoline. You'd need to store at least 500 gallons to make a difference. For that you'd need to build a storage tank with containment. I don't think so.....
acknot Veteran Author Seattle Posts:472 Points:560,075 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:07:40 AM	Ignore acknot Report Abuse
	You will become a speculator.