Diesel is a fuel that some consumers are familiar with if they have a diesel car, SUV or light truck or a power generator. With the recent news about potential diesel shortages along with a sudden rise in the price, diesel storage has become a question that some people wonder about.
Plus, many North American gas stations don’t even have a single diesel pump which means you might need to search ahead of time for a station that offers it. So the questions of how to store diesel and in what sort of container are relevant ones.
Diesel fuel containers are yellow to make them easily noticeable and to differentiate them from gas containers. Diesel can be stored for 6-12 months when kept in a tightly closed container in a cool and dry environment under 70° F. While diesel can be stabilized to last longer, it may not be worth it for the average consumer.
Why are diesel fuel containers yellow?
While regular fuel containers are traditionally dark red, diesel containers are yellow so that you can quickly tell the difference. While the canister coloring is traditional, in California it is mandated that gas canisters must be red, diesel cans must be medium yellow and kerosene cans must be medium blue.
The last thing you want to do is accidentally mix fuels – by filling a diesel container with gas and then filling your vehicle with gas instead of diesel – so the color difference helps to quickly distinguish fuel types.
Another reason for a color-coded canister system is so you can quickly deal with a spill should one occur so you know what fuel you’ve spilled and how you should clean it up.
Practical home uses for a diesel fuel container
The average home user would probably only need a diesel fuel container if you have a diesel vehicle such as a car, light truck or SUV and want to keep some spare fuel on hand. You could also have a diesel generator in times of a power failure or for remote power requirements. In this instance you’d want immediate access to diesel and a small supply would be helpful.
If you also have gas-powered engines such as a lawnmower or snowblower, you might therefore also need a container to store gas. You may even have more than one container for gas.
Imagine you store multiple fuel containers for various vehicles and engines and don’t remember what fuel is in a particular jerry can
(fuel container).
If you have a diesel vehicle(s), gas lawnmower, gas trimmer or snowblower or combination of the above, it might be difficult to remember what fuel is in each container especially if you weren’t the one who filled it the last time.
A color-coded fuel container system helps to prevent this from happening and effectively enables you to label gas and diesel fuels to tell them apart.
How long does stored diesel last?
Diesel can last for 6 – 12 months in a self storage diesel container if kept in a dry and cool room of below 70° F and is tightly sealed. Having said that, diesel will start to break down and degrade after 28 days so it’s best to use it as soon as possible.
Diesel – like other fuels – can become stale when it sits around and is unused. While gas gets gummy over time, diesel can suffer from three main issues of degradation:
Hydrolysis – This is the chemical breakdown of diesel fuel when it reacts with water. While water in diesel can negatively affect the performance of the motor with regards to RPMs, rough starting and idling, over time it can also damage the engine through a reduction of lubrication. Condensation (water) may be present in the fuel during filling or it could occur if you store a container of diesel in a humid environment without the lid tightly shut.
Microbial growth – While any diesel fuel can experience microbial growth such as bacteria or fungus, stagnant diesel fuel (stored in a can for example) and bio diesel (made with plants and fats) is especially at risk. To avoid this from occurring, tightly close your diesel can and fuel cap and use the fuel regularly if possible rather than allowing it to sit in storage for too long.
Oxidation – Fuel oxidation occurs when diesel is exposed to oxygen in a way that causes the fuel to eventually gum up or create varnish that may lead to repairs or additives needed in your tank to correct it. This is normally only a problem when diesel is allowed to sit unused for a long period of time.
Why would I want to store diesel?
The price of diesel has gone up due to various global events. At the end of the day though, supply problems from refining are often the culprit and they won’t necessarily get resolved quickly.
Additionally, in North America diesel has traditionally been solely used commercially for trucks. Most consumers have never owned a diesel vehicle or motor of any kind so it’s largely not a concern for the average person.
But for consumers who do own a diesel vehicle or other product such as a power generator, you know that not every gas station even offers diesel which can make it harder to find especially if you live in a small town. Having a small supply on hand in a container might not be a bad idea when you’re in a pinch.
While commercial business owners may need to store diesel on site for regular business operations, a home owner won’t need nearly as much. In this case, storing diesel in a jerry can might help to provide an emergency supply during inclement weather, a power outage or during a supply shortage.
Can you stabilize diesel to extend its lifespan?
While you can add stabilizer to diesel (as with gas) to increase its lifespan, is it worth it for a jerry can of fuel that might only be worth $20 or so? While a commercial business that may store hundreds of gallons of diesel, stabilizer could be worth it for an emergency supply. But for a regular home user holding 5 gallons, it’s probably not worth the bother.
In this case, your best bet is to store a small amount of diesel in a 5 gallon or 10 gallon container for emergency use but swap it out regularly i.e. use it and then refill the container as needed.