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Two Letters Re: Homestead Fuel Storage and Rotation

Mr. Rawles:
I checked the archives as well as your advertisers for the NATO-style metal ratchet clamp style fuel cans that NC Bluedog recommends, no luck. Do you know of any sources for this product. The Scepter brand jerry can that Ready Made Resources sells are great, but owning 20 of those cans becomes cost prohibitive. Keep up the great work. - PN

JWR Replies: Try searching on "German Army Gas Can", since most of the NATO specification gas cans are German (Bundeswehr) military surplus. OBTW, beware of the French Army surplus cans that use a different type filler neck. The necks for those are scarce!

I anticipate that a larger supply of the new US military fuel can (MFC) design (a.k.a. Scepter) cans will hit the civilian market in the next year or two--either as contract over-runs, or possibly as military surplus. If and when that happens, prices should drop.

For more details on specifications (with photos) see the excellent fuel can article posted at Survival Monkey.

Major Surplus or Cheaper Than Dirt might still have some of the NATO (German) cans in stock.

James,
NC Bluedog just posted about the storage of gasoline. I've got a tested method for long term storage of 93 octane gasoline:

I've found that BP-Amoco 93 octane ("clear") with 4 oz Sta-Bil in 5 gallons stores for 8 plus years with no degradation. I've opened gas stored since 1998 and it was as clear as new, smelled great. The key is to use NATO type 5 gallon steel Jerry cans with good seals (mine are from Sportsman's Guide and Cheaper Than Dirt). I've also found replacement can seals from Army Surplus Warehouse in Montana.

Never store gasoline for longer than a few months in plastic cans - those cans are oxygen permeable. Even without stabilizer I've found the Amoco clear stores much longer than other brands. I'd recommend not storing ethanol blends; here in Pennsylvania, BP-Amoco still does not blend alcohol in their fuels. Fill the cans to the bottom of the filler opening to limit air space. The can sides actually pull in over time as I believe the gas absorbs the oxygen in the remaining air space. This type of gas storage is do-able for homeowners with small outside sheds,--those who cannot reasonably have underground tanks. And a few cans of gas could make all the difference getting to your retreat.

I've found that the best way to pour gas from a can into a car fuel tank is to use a narrow 5/8 inch neck (for the unleaded nozzle opening), 17" long, 5 inch wide mouth funnel. Mine is made by Blitz in black plastic and available from Wal-Mart I have always had leak problems with the clamp-on steel nozzles. It takes a little patience (don't pour too fast), but you can get the whole can into the tank. The NATO can mouth fits fully into the funnel mouth, so you can tip it way up to get the last of the gas out of the can. The funnel dries quickly, too. - BFE

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