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Does Gasoline Have An Expiry Date?
For the majority of us, gasoline is an entity we use frequently, some may even be thinking to question whether it is possible for gasoline to go bad. Well, the answer is yes. It can go bad if isn’t used efficiently and frequently, but that is only if you allow it to get to that state.
However, its shelf life is dependent on a number of factors such as what type of fuel it is and how you have been keeping that fuel stored.
It is important to make sure that you are taking care of your fuel just like you would any other product, because you could be in a position where your gasoline becomes old and you have no clue what to do with it.
What keeps gasoline going is the humidity it’s in as well as its oxygen levels and heat. As long as that is attainable then you should have a better experience.
Pure gas can be known to live up to 6 months if stored and treated correctly, but other types of gases can have a life as short as only one month.
How Do I Know If My Gas Has Gone Bad?
There are many ways to know if your gas has gone bad, and it is important to be able to identify these factors as using old gas can be hazardous.
Using old gas can easily damage the internal engine it is being used in and could also contribute towards blockages as it leaves residue. That is not a risk that you want to be taking.
The best way to tell if your gas has gone bad is by labelling. Labelling has always been an effective way of management. If you write a date and know how long your particularly gas is meant to last, then you will be able to calculate by using the date alone if it has expired.
Another way to know is by comparing the old gas’ color to the color of fresh gas. Over time, gas begins to darken and this is a clear indication of the age of your fuel. If you see that it is too dark then that is maybe the right time to switch gasolines.
How To Prevent Gas from Going Bad
In order to prevent your gas from going bad and preserving its shelf life, there are some steps which a person can take. Make sure that you are storing your fuel in an airtight container, keep the fuel in a cool environment, and of course, label.
By following these three easy rules you will be decreasing any chances of contaminating your fuel and give it a prolonged life.
Do’s
It is essential to understand the dos and the don’ts of using gasoline. It can be very beneficial for you but can also have negative effects if used in the wrong way.
How To Use Old Gas
Just because gas is old, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be used for some good. The last thing you want is to waste your purchased products. By following these tips, you will be able to find ways to use your gasoline in ways which will benefit you in other areas.
- Ant Killer: I think it’s safe to say that many people can relate to the hardships of getting rid of ants. They are a nuisance and however many times you try to get rid of them they just always manage to find their way back. Ants live in giant colonies with thousands of them there. Even if you kill many you will still find hundreds more of them crawling about. Old gas is a great trick to kill them effectively without thinking about having to buy fancy ant killing products. Simply pour the old gas on the area where the ants are located and allow the fuel to do the rest of the work.
- Weed Killer: Another pest just as bad as ants (or maybe worse than them) are the dreaded weeds. We all know the ones. The ones we are constantly having to get on our hands and knees for and rip out of the soil, just for them to magically grow out again. Well, try using old gas this time. Old gas works so well at getting rid of the weed that growing another plant in that same area after pouring will be a very big challenge.
- Old Lawnmowers/Tractors: Try using your old gasoline for your old tractors or lawnmowers. This is a popular technique that you’d find many people doing, and it tends to work a charm if done right. If you have a new tractor or lawn mower, try mixing the old gas with the new instead.
- Starting a fire: This option out of all of them appears to be the most reckless, but it does work. If you are ever in dire need of starting a fire, just use some of that old gasoline you have hanging around and let it do the work. Hopefully, you won’t need to pursue that option, however, since it can be dangerous to do. Only allow a skilled person to tackle this challenge.
- Mixing your fuel: Another great idea from using your old gas is to mix it with your new gas. Smaller engines will be the nest fit for this tactic too as most smaller engines run on old gas. As mentioned before, this is a great way to bring your old tractors or lawn mowers back to life and is known to work. When mixing, only use a little amount of the old gas as you don’t want to overpower the chemical with an expired product.
Don’ts
Now we have highlighted all of the positives of using old gas, we can now move on to look at the negatives. This is important for your safety and to ensure that you are using your old gas in the best way possible.
There are many downfalls to disposing of your gasoline irresponsibly, and this can have a critical impact on nature and the environment. It is important to do your part and think and act responsibly when disposing of old gas.
- Drain it: You may think one way to dispose of your old fuel is to flush it down the drain. This is the completely wrong way of going about it. Old gas does not dissolve easily in water and in some cases can cause contamination to main water supplies. Contamination due to fuel is also illegal in certain states so not only is it bad health wise, but it is not a legal risk you want to be taking. As well as this, if you choose to pour your old gasoline down the drain you are probably forgetting about the gasoline vapors that remain in the air – this is flammable!
- Throw it away: Throwing your cans of old gasoline in the dumpster can seem like the simple option but this again is a risk. Gasoline is highly flammable, and just because it’s in a dumpster that doesn’t mean that accidents can’t happen. Someone could easily throw a lit cigarette nearby (that’s why it’s not recommended to smoke at a gas station – accidents can happen).
- Toss it: Tossing your old gasoline outside is very harmful to nature. Not only are you killing plants that gasoline may land on, you could be killing wildlife. It can be common for wild animals to snoop around (especially at night), and sniff around/eat. If an animal ingests something that has come into contact with your old gasoline, this can create a sickness for them or worse, be fatal.
If You Don’t Want to Reuse Your Old Gasoline
There has been a big focus on reusing your old gasoline and what’s the best and worst ways to do it, but maybe you don’t want to reuse it. Perhaps you’d prefer to get rid of it the responsible way. There are many ways you can achieve this goal both safely and efficiently, in a way nobody or nothing is at risk of being harmed.
Find A Disposal Center
Disposal centers are a great way to get rid of chemical products you no longer want or need. It is a simple task to find one. Simply look on your local government website for the closest center and check whether they allow the disposal of old gasoline.
If so, use the opportunity to go to that disposal center and get rid of your old gas for good.
When transferring your fuel you have to make sure that you are transporting it in the safest way possible. Whilst handling the chemical fluid it is best to take the right precautions.
Make sure to wear gloves and a mask if you feel this is necessary – this will protect you from any chemicals getting on your skin and stop you from inhaling any unwanted fumes.
Make sure that you are transferring the old gas in the right container. Your disposal center may have certain specifications you need to follow in terms of what kind of container is used to transport the fuel and the type of material the container is made out of.
The container needs to be strong, leak-proof, and durable. At the disposal center the staff will then collect the fuel from you and get rid of the old gasoline in a safe and environmentally friendly way.
Final Thoughts
It can be a lot of hassle not knowing what to do with your old gas. There is also a lot that needs to be learnt in terms of what is the safest way to get rid of the fuel. There is much to take into consideration.
You have to consider the environmental effects, nature, wildlife (even if you don’t see many animals lurking, they’re always around a night), how flammable it is, and most of all you have to think responsibly.
Old gas can easily be used for other things if you do wish to put it to some good use. It can even be mixed with your current new fuel as long as it is done safely.
However, if you are just looking to get rid of it then seek advice from a professional down at your disposal center. Their job is to dispose and to make life a lot easier for people in your position. It is easy to do, done safely, and you can guarantee that no one is going to get hurt.
Gasoline, new and old, is a very powerful substance that still has major effects on its surroundings. Treat your fuel responsibly to ensure the best outcome.
