Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Where is a safe place to store gas for stove?

I am wondering where the best place is to store the gas for my stove. I currently have it in the garage, but don't feel completely comfortable with that due to the flammable stuff that is already in there. It's not going to be pretty if the "Big One" hits and those gas containers get punctured. I could put the gas in a metal storage shed behind the garage (it wouldn't fit anywhere else), but it has no ventilation so it gets quite warm inside. My other choice is in plastic trash cans that are outside which I use for my emergency supplies. It probably gets very warm inside those, also. I don't think I want them inside the house, but that would be the coolest place.
This must be an issue for all of us on the board, so I thought I'd get some ideas.
Thanks! Brian

I usually give my extra fuel to someone at the base so I don't have to deal with this issue.

If it's for a stove that burns unleaded gasoline, leave the fuel in the vehicle's gas tank! If it's a can of white gas, keep it outside in a clean, dry location. Inspect the container from time to time for rust. Test and use your stove and lamp at least once a year. Replenish spent fuel.

Are you talking about gasoline or white gas? White gas is not as volatile as gasoline.

In either case, I think you may be overly fearful of heat. Automobiles get pretty warm and I've never heard of an auto gas tank catching on fire because of being in the sun too long or being driven across scorching asphalt.

Keeping your flamables in the shed in sealed containers sounds like a decent choice. Should the containers get punctured, it would likely take a spark or flame to cause the gas to ignite.

Signed, former Jr. Fireman Captain, who still has his gold plated badge issued in the fifth grade.

Liquid fuel or gas canisters are all the same. IF you have a metal storage shed, go to your local hardware store and pick up some ventillation screens. Cut two holes in the shed walls (one high, one low) and cover them with the screens. That should keep enough air circulating to keep it cool. If the gas is on a shelf, make sure there's a strap/lip on the shelf to keep it form wandering off in a erthquake. If you've got 2x4 shelves in a garage, you might even put some simple doors on them with a simple latch to keep stuff from falling off. Also, keep as little as possiblee around your house.

Contrary to what you're worried about, keeping some fuel around your house is a good idea here in earthquake country; its a good supply of back-up fuel, since the most likely scenario in a big quake will be a loss of utilities. Making sure flammables don't fall off shelves, water heaters are braced, and being able to shut off natural gas should be your biggest concerns.

Thanks all for the tips! I definitely was planning to keep some gas around for emergencies. My main concern was if the cans were punctured or exposed to high heat. There is a warning on each can that states they should not be exposed to temps above 120, but the ventilation screens might solve that issue with the storage shed.

Phydeux, are you the same Phydeux who posts on the SGWA message board? If so, I just wanted to let you know my son and I have benefited from your help on that board also.
Brian

Yep, same person. I try to use the same name on most websites I 'troll' on . Haven't been up Mt. Whitney lately (last time was about 5 years ago?); the place is getting ridiculous. Prefer something quiet like the Meysan Lakes area. But still get out in the So Cal Mtns at least once a month. Cheers!