Where does everyone keep the gasoline for lawn mowers, etc? I don't have a tool shed and am leery of putting any kind of portable heater in the garage this winter with the gas cans in there. Explosions are cool, except when it's my house that is exploding.

 

I had a tightly sealed metal container that I stored in my garage for years. I set it outside when I was going to have any open flame in the garage. I now have a tool shed.

 

Store the gas in an explosion proof can. It seals the opening tight so no vapors can get out.

 

If you use the regular, Rubbermaid (although I heard they left that market) plastic gas cans, as was stated, outside is good when flames are in use, but also, remember that some of those screw-**** type vents can look closed but be open. Also, temp. changes can cause more pressure to build inside those cans than you might imagine--I'm always amazed it hasn't leaked by the cap or vent when I open them.

I don't know what an "explosion proof" can looks like, but it sure sounds good.

I also try to avoid placement which lends itself to tipover, especially by furry intruders. If I had kids, I'd worry about that too. Tipover>>>>>>>silent spill (if cap/vents are loose)>>>>>>>audible surprise, in theory, you know?

 

Did you ever consider investing in one of the explosion proof storage cabinets. I remember using them when in the Navy to store spray paint , gas, solvents, Really any explosive items could be put in it and you won't have to worry that they are in the garage/workshop.

 

Explosion proof cans are steel & more-or-less look like an old style galvanized watering can. They will either have a screw cap on the spout or a spring loaded one with a rubber seal. They are a lot more money than your cheapie plastic ones.

Flammables storage cabinets are a great idea, but they are pricey. They are available in different sizes, but by the time you get one big enough to hold all the gas cans, motor oil, grease, oil based paints, aerosols, paint thinners and any other flammables that you have kicking around, you could build a pretty nice garden shed for the same money.

At a previous employer we bought one to comply with local fire regulations. We bought one that we thought had room to spare. Once we started picking all the flammables off the general storage shelves and put it in the cabinet, it was stuffed (over) full.

Talk to your safety rep at work. They will have access to a catalog from a safety supply house. Tell the rep you are interested in a flammables cabinet for your home shop & after they pick up their jaw off the floor, I'm sure they will let you browse through one.

If I was in your shoes, I'd either build a garden shed or pick up one of those (inexpensive) Rubbermaid deck boxes & dedicate it.

Cheers,
Eric

 

what about an old military surplus jerry can? would that be a better apparatus to store fuel in?

 

With good practices, it should not be an issue. (proper labeled container, sealed except when in use, stored in a manner to prevent spills or "tumps" as my kids call them)

The lower explosion limit for gasoline is about 1.3% in air... that's a LOT of gasoline. You'd think you had fried the hairs in your nose if you walked into that.

If you have it sealed in a proper gas container, with the lids on, you shouldn't be able to smell it.

We're lucky enough to smell gasoline at many many times below the levels at which it becomes potentially dangerous.

Just an aside, if you have electricity in your garage and if you were comfortable enough to store gas in your garage without a space heater, it shouldn't matter. The spark in a switch would blow it anyway if vapors were that high... (or garage door opener, or electric drill, etc.)

This logic does not apply to heavier than air vapors like those from ether (in many cleaning products), as a "vapor blanket" can cover the floor w/o anyone knowing... potentially igniting when someone turns on the lights... Now you also know why cops hate having to deal with the drug labs...

OK kids, science class is over!

 

Aren't gasoline vapors heavier than air?

 

Why are you keeping lawn mower gas thru the winter? unless it is "mixed" then pour it in the tank and use it. The "mixed" gas for the weed eater or chainsaw is probably a small amt. that you could leave outside or pour on weeds.

 

I don't keep much, but there needs to be some for the snow thrower. This was just more of a curious question when I asked, because I was doing some grinding in the garage and throwing lots of sparks.