Most homeowners keep some gasoline on hand — for the mower, the snow blower, or the generator. But fuel storage is easy to get wrong, and the consequences range from hard-starting equipment to a genuine safety hazard. Here's how to store fuel safely and keep it usable.

How long does gasoline actually last?

Untreated gasoline typically begins to degrade in about 30 days and can be noticeably stale within a few months. Treated with a fuel stabilizer, it can stay usable for one to two years. Ethanol-blended fuel degrades faster and absorbs moisture, which is why seasonal equipment often won't start in spring.

Safe storage rules

1. Use approved containers. Store gasoline only in containers designed and labeled for fuel (traditionally red). Don't use random jugs.
2. Store it cool and ventilated. Keep fuel out of direct sun and away from living spaces.
3. Keep it away from ignition sources. No water heaters, furnaces, pilot lights, or electrical sparks nearby.
4. Don't overfill the container. Leave room for expansion.
5. Limit how much you keep. Store a reasonable amount, rotate it, and check local regulations on home fuel storage limits.

Keeping fuel fresh

• Add stabilizer when you buy fuel you plan to store, especially before winter or summer layups.
• Run stabilized fuel through the engine before storage so the carburetor has treated fuel too.
• Rotate your supply — use older fuel first, refill with fresh.
• Seal containers tightly to slow evaporation and moisture intake.

Common mistakes

• Hoarding too much fuel — both a hazard and a waste as it goes stale.
• Skipping stabilizer, then fighting a no-start mower in spring.
• Storing fuel in unapproved containers or near heat and ignition sources.
• Filling containers to the brim with no expansion room.

Getting stored fuel into your equipment cleanly

When it's time to use that stored fuel, the transfer is where spills happen. A battery-powered fuel transfer pump with auto-stop lets you move stored gas into the mower, generator, or snow blower without tipping a heavy can — keeping fuel off your hands and garage floor. DeWay's pumps and gas can pumps make that last step quick and spill-free. (Prepping for outages? See how to refuel a generator safely.)

FAQs

How long can I store gasoline? Untreated gas degrades in about a month; with stabilizer it can last one to two years.
What's the best container for storing gasoline at home? An approved, labeled fuel container (typically red). Avoid unapproved jugs and don't overfill.
How do I keep my generator fuel ready for emergencies? Treat it with stabilizer, store it sealed and cool, rotate it, and keep a transfer pump on hand.