Storing quantities of the fuel that your generator and/or automobile run on have some big advantages. The major one being that you will have a much longer period of time to function normally in the event that fuel is unavailable (from a power outage, teamsters strike, oil crisis, etc-and finally the time that "no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark.") Another advantage is that of being able to stock up on fuel when the price is low and possibly make it through a time of higher prices. Also, a quantity deal could possibly be worked out with a local oil distributor.

All fuel (except propane) breaks down with time. As a general rule, diesel lasts longer than gasoline. But either one, if stored for more than a few months, should be stabilized. Probably the most popular stabilizer is Sta-bil, which may be purchased at many hardware stores. The one we recommend is called PRI-G (for gasoline) and PRI-D (for Diesel) made by Power Research Inc. This product is reputed to keep fuel fresh for up to ten years if treated periodically (according to instructions). Other factors that affect the length of fuel life are:

• how fresh it is to begin with
• keeping it cool
• keeping it out of the sun
• keeping water out of it

More Info on Proper Fuel Storage