Insurance for your outdoor power gear
Spring’s in full swing, and the same goes for all of my gas-powered equipment. Read on to learn why this can of mixed fuel is not only convenient, but it’s also protecting my investment.
With the exception of my rotary mower, my 2-cycle gear (leaf blower, chain saw, and string trimmer) requires mixing gasoline with oil in a 50:1 ratio. For years I mixed my own brew; drawing from a big batch mixed in March, and then treating the leftovers with a fuel stabilizer in November to keep things fresh until the following spring. All that mixing and adding fuel stabilizer—that’s more work than I care to deal with on a Sat. morning. So paying $6 for a 32-ounce can of pre-mixed 50 Fuel is worth it, for a few reasons beyond the convenience.
First the fuel comes in a smaller, easy to hold container that is only a tad bigger than a soda can. That means I can hold the can in one hand and the funnel in the other, filling my tank without spillage. I can’t say the same for my giant, red gas jug with its stubborn, flexible nozzle—which I’m guessing is a reason why Americans spill over 9 million gallons of gasoline per year.
The fuel is not only pre-mixed but has also been stabilized to last 4-7 years on the shelf, and up to 2 years once opened. TruSouth Oil, makers of 50 Fuel, pumps nitrogen in to displace any oxygen in the can, keeping the mixture fresh.
Finally, the fuel has no ethanol in it, which is most likely found in the gas from your local station. Ethanol attracts water like a magnet, so any tank with ethanol in it is pulling in ambient moisture from the atmosphere and contaminating the some of the plastic and rubber parts in your tools.
Posted by Sal Vaglica | Categories: | Permalink
(4) Comments
Do you also pay to have your fingernails clipped???
Mixing 50-1 and 32-1 and adding fuel stabilizer takes all of 3 minutes of my time for each two gallon container.
You must be some lazy bum! Do you buy cooked hamburgers, eggs & sausage too?
yep, i'm with steve... mixing gas and oil in a reusable container can be stored during the 'use' period, meaning one does not need to mix every time you need a fill up... ever considered the plastic waste you're tossing out due to your own f'n laziness? your family must be proud...
Fellas, I think you’re missing the bigger picture here—the ethanol. Odds are the gasoline you're using is made up of, at least, 10 percent ethanol. While that might seem like a small amount, leaving a big jug of mixed and stabilized fuel in a humid garage or shed will attract moisture that isn’t helping your small engines any.
I also recycle the cans this fuel comes in.
I collect and use vintage chainsaws. I use only 40Fuel, no rubber eating ethanol, high consistant octane levels are absolutely needed. The cans are steel, not plastic, they can be usefull in other ways or recycled.
Steve and venus need to get a grip, and not sound like kneejerks.