White Plastic barrels/Gas Storage

[NewToy]

I recently bought some white plastic barrels that had pop syrup shipped in them. Anyone know if they are suitable for gasoline storage? They look like that same plastic those big water tanks at TSC are made of. Thanks,

John

 

[Humbleto]

I wouldn't, gasoline is just too dangerous. I worked in a refinery for almost 30 years. The explosivity range of gasoline is pretty wide. A single mistake could be devastating. Just get an approved can.

 

[MikePA]

I wouldn't, gasoline is just too dangerous. I worked in a refinery for almost 30 years. The explosivity range of gasoline is pretty wide. A single mistake could be devastating. Just get an approved can.

I agree, plus not all plastic is the same. Just because it's OK to hold syrup, or water, doesn't mean it's OK to store gasoline.

 

[VistanTN]

Polyethylene is approved for fuel tank use BUT only with gasolene or diesel approved fillers and fittings. Not sure what plastic is used in food-grade barrels (we get them for horse training obstacles), it may be polypropylene (which I think disolves in gas!) or some other plastic. I definitely agree with the other respondents that use of food-grade barrels for fuel storage is not a wise idea. I'm sure if there were a safe way to turn a cheap used plastic barrel into a 55 gallon fuel tank rather than spend hundreds for a steel, aluminum, or polyethylene one, someone would be out there selling them.
VistanTN
40 gal polyetheylene tank from Northern Tool is $399.99
cheapest 55 gal steel tank I can find is $189.99
we pay $8 for the barrels, empty, but unrinsed.

 

[MadReferee]

If you are looking to buy plastic barrels for fuel take a look at US Plastics.

US Plastics Barrels

 

[SteveInMD]

If it's got a DOT stamp on it you should be fine.

 

[NED]

I store my diesel fuel in the white plastic syrup barrels no problems yet.I Just kleen them out real good before i put the fuel in them.

 

[slowrev]

I have a 15 gal plastic barrel I store gas for my genny in. According to the markings it is the same type of plastic as my official plastic gas containers.

 

[3RRL]

Vistan is on to something. Polyethylene and polypropylene are very similar materials but have different properties. They are very hard to tell apart visually. Usually, polyethylene feels "softer"...more pliable than polypro like when you dig your fingernail into it...but that depends on the shore hardness too. For example, I once mixed some 2 stroke fuel in an old plastic oil bottle...the gas ate a hole through it.

 

[texasjohn]

Hmm... I've got several 55 gal white barrels... some sort of detergent came in them. I rinsed them out good... foamed/sudzed a lot in water...
I don't recall markings, must go look... and see if there is a polyethelyne or polyproplyne designation of some sort on the labels. I don't know what they are. Paid $7.00 each for mine.

Anyway, am using two for different herbicides, one for diesel storage... no problems so far.