I need to purchase a 55 gallon drum for diesel.

[LBrown59]

One thing to consider is that plastic barrels will melt, and a fire will release all of the diesel into the fire. *55 gallons of diesel will do in most structures. A vented steel drum will maintain fluid integrity in most fires.

Chris

*That's why I don't store gas diesel etc in a garage shop house basement etc.
I don't care what the conatainer is I don't want it inside.

 

[IslandTractor]

I can pick up a once used 55gallon steel drum locally for $16. I'd use it for fuel. The only prior use was one shipment of vegetable oil. How would (or would you) clean it before filling with diesel?

 

[AlanB]

If it was clean vegetable oil, I would not worry too much about it Island, just get out all you can reasonably pour, pump or purge and then fill with your deisel.

If you are concerned, rinse with a couple gallons of deisel then pour it out (most places will accept it with used oil) and then fill it.

To be honest, I am a bit baffled by this thread, as all the bulk fuel handlers I am familiar with have drums on hand. I kind of treat them like I do my Oxy / Acy tanks, I keep an empty around, they come out, drop off a full and pick up the empty. We do not have much (if any) heating oil deliveries around here though, so that may be the difference. Either way, whomever is supply your fuel, should have ready access to clean and servicable drums for you at a nominal price.

 

[IslandTractor]

To be honest, I am a bit baffled by this thread, as all the bulk fuel handlers I am familiar with have drums on hand. I kind of treat them like I do my Oxy / Acy tanks, I keep an empty around, they come out, drop off a full and pick up the empty. We do not have much (if any) heating oil deliveries around here though, so that may be the difference. Either way, whomever is supply your fuel, should have ready access to clean and servicable drums for you at a nominal price.

Don't know about the others who are interested in 55 gallon drums for fuel but in my case the island location means I do not have access to a typical bulk fuel dealer's service.

 

[Soundguy]

To be honest, I am a bit baffled by this thread, as all the bulk fuel handlers I am familiar with have drums on hand. .

Our bulk seller will also sell in 55g drums.. etc. Not much of a savings over the pump.. but better than haulin 5g drums' . To the isle poster. Understand that you may not have that available...

soundguy

 

[AlanB]

Don't know about the others who are interested in 55 gallon drums for fuel but in my case the island location means I do not have access to a typical bulk fuel dealer's service.

Where will you get the fuel then? Sorry, but I am just not following along? Do you plan on hauling the drum to a regular fuel station then too fill it? Or maybe there is not a fuel distributor on the island, or wherever the Mainland is?

Sorry, I am probably just slow, but I guess the follow on question would be, where do you plan on getting the fuel?

 

[IslandTractor]

Where will you get the fuel then? Sorry, but I am just not following along? Do you plan on hauling the drum to a regular fuel station then too fill it? Or maybe there is not a fuel distributor on the island, or wherever the Mainland is?

Yes, I will need to stick it in the back of my SUV and take it to the mainland to get it refilled. I can use the tractor to unload it. To date I have been using 5gallon containers at a gas station but I'd like to get off road fuel when I can buy in bulk.

 

[KICK]

One thing to consider is that plastic barrels will melt, and a fire will release all of the diesel into the fire. 55 gallons of diesel will do in most structures. A vented steel drum will maintain fluid integrity in most fires.

Chris

I think you got more problems than worrying if your plastic barrel will melt

 

[KICK]

I have a 20 gallon barrel that I use for fuel.

its not all that heavy when full, I able to pick it up and carry it without much strain..

 

[PA hayseed]

*That's why I don't store gas diesel etc in a garage shop house basement etc.
I don't care what the conatainer is I don't want it inside.

Most people, but not all, keep their home heating oil in 275 gallon tanks in their basements in my neck of the woods.

The reality is that if you have a big enough fire it won't matter if it is in the house/garage or outside, its gone. Diesel is much less combustible than gas. People keep cars, trucks, 4 wheelers, tractors, lawn mowers, weedwackers, snowblowers, tillers in their garages, and they all have flammable liquids inside. Whats another 55 gal (topped off) gonna do differently? I have yet to meet the person who drains their tanks on every item before storing, and fumes are worse than the liquid.