55gal Fuel Tank - Steel or Plastic?

[WaterDawg]

OK, found a few steel, steel with epoxy lining and plastic 55gal drums on craigslist.

I want to set it up for Diesel Fuel storage. I expect to use about 1+ tanks a year.

What is the best one to use for storage of diesel fuel?
I really like the idea of plastic as I don't have to worry about rust, but don't know what the rule will be for filling up a plastic drum.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Either will be fine but like you I prefer plastic.

Just make sure what ever you buy it has the proper bungs for your pump.

Chris

 

[hosspuller]

Don't use plain steel drums. I used a drum that originally had methanol. Nice shiny clean drum when I got it. Within a year rust flakes covered the bottom of the drum. It didn't have any coating to protect from moisture condensation in the headspace. I cut it up into a fire ring.

 

[WaterDawg]

any more in favor of plastic? They are all under $20 - plastic or steel.

55 Gallon plastic barrels

 

[Gary Fowler]

The only problem with using a plastic drum is if you use a hand pump. The back and forth action stresses the plastic and will easily break out the bung. Using an electric pump would present no problem. I don't know if you considered spending the money for an electric pump, but they are worth the cost in ease of filling, reduce possibility of overflow etc. We had hand pumps on gas tank when I was on the farm and it seems like it always got the last pump of gas on the ground.

 

[WaterDawg]

I would have no problem with electric if I were to find an electric pump around $100 or less, but what I saw, they are $1,000 or more.
Perhaps a Pony Pump?

 

[Diamondpilot]

http://m.harborfreight.com/12-volt-diesel-transfer-pump-66784.html#.Ux0s3nPD_qA

Here you go. These get high praise for the price. I would add a filter on the output side.

With a 20% off or 25% off coupon it will be right at $100

Chris

 

[WaterDawg]

http://m.harborfreight.com/12-volt-diesel-transfer-pump-66784.html#.Ux0s3nPD_qA

Here you go. These get high praise for the price. I would add a filter on the output side.

With a 20% off or 25% off coupon it will be right at $100

Chris

Thanks

 

[WaterDawg]

Well I check with my oil company to make sure they'd fill up the drum. Wanted to find out about requirements, locations, etc.

They offered to supply me with a Epoxy Lined drum at no charge. All I need is the pump which I'll pick up next week.

I had found some plastic barrels about an hour away for $10 ea., but this is even better

 

[WaterDawg]

Diesel Transfer Pump - Save on this 12 Volt Transfer Pump

Here you go. These get high praise for the price. I would add a filter on the output side.

With a 20% off or 25% off coupon it will be right at $100

Chris

Chris and all the others.
Thank You for your suggestions and help

I just set up my "Diesel" Fuel Storage tank.
The oil company gave me a free virtually new 55gal Steel / Epoxy coated drum.
I installed a vented cap on the 2" bung and a length of 3/4" Black iron pipe with a screen filter at the bottom on the 3/4" bung. (kept it 2" off the bottom) I had that pipe threaded so the threads were not tapered and screwed it up through the lid and then installed a coupling on top which both, locked it in place and allowed me to put an elbow on to connect it to the transfer pump.

I added a Diesel Fuel Only sticker which threw the Oil Deliver guy. I had to explain that I just needed to make sure no one thinks its gas or tries to put gas in that tank.

So here it is