Gasoline/Diesel/Kerosene storage containers

[BAK]

I just expanded my storage capacity by building an outdoor shed. I specifically placed it 100 feet away from the house to get some safety while storing flammables. Question is- how do I store 20-30 gallons of diesel for generator, 40-50 gallons of gas for cars and 20-30 gallons of kerosene for heaters and lanterns?
I want it to be relatively portable for easier fill ups and rotation. Also it has to fly under the radar (no permits). I looked at 5 gallon plastic gas cans in Home Depot but they go for $20 which kind of makes it a little expensive when you consider that I'll need 20 of them. What do you guys use for storage?

[Triple-sod]

Not really got into fuel storage yet myself but army surplus Jerry cans seem a popular option.

[SeldomSeenSlim]

55gal drums would be the next cheapest option I think. You might be able to score some kind of fuel grade tank on craigslist. For portability I'd get 2 cans (one for diesel/kerosene and 1 for gas) and fill up the can from the main storage for transport. Though you could use a simple drum pump with a long hose if it will reach.

Just remember that for gas you'll want some form of venting to accommodate temperature change. Also remember gas burns. Vapors explode. I don't like storing a lot of gasoline myself. Scares the crap out of me.

[BAK]

Jerry cans are great but... decent quality ones (not GI Style made in China) cost $50-$70 when you include the shipping. Couple of years ago I couldn't help my self when i saw them while on vacation in Italy... You should have seen the looks I was getting in the airport :-)

I never thought about drums. Sounds interesting. Any ideas on what sort of ventilation I'd need to prevent some major fireworks in my shed?

[SeldomSeenSlim]

Any ideas on what sort of ventilation I'd need to prevent some major fireworks in my shed?

I would assume someone makes a pressure relief valve that would screw into one of the bungs. That would be my concern. As the temperature rises and the vapors expand, popping open the top would result in a flood of vapor into the shed. A little bit of static or spark and things could explode. There might be a specific valve made for just such a purpose. That's one of the good things about using industrial gear. If there is a problem more often than not someone has solved it and unlike the stuff sold to consumers the industrial solution won't usually break.

Of course I've never done it, so I could be entirely wrong and sealing it up would work just fine. Like I said. Large quantities of gasoline makes me nervous.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

you might take a look at this post

https://www.survivalandpreparednessforum.com/showthread.php?3260-Barrel-storage-of-fuel-gas&highlight=gasoline

[WiseOwl]

Couldnt you get some 55 Gallon drums and bury them instead of store em in a shed couped up? I would think that would keep the possible vapors from staying put in that boombox.
Make you a lil drum yard. Plant some bushes or pansies over the top of em. Or just go all big boss and get a big tank.

I sell some Fill Rite transfer tank pumps that could be hooked up 12V to pump whatever out of whatever. They arent too heavy and could be used to go from drum to drum. I am nowhere near an expert or even a semi expert on electricity but hooking one of those up to a car battery would make it mobile.
They even have hand pumps.

[BAK]

Unfortunately at this point my primary location is in the suburbs. 2.75 acres with some privacy but still... neighbors around and inspectors are a phone call away. Can't go around burying stuff- will look too suspicious. Give me a year and a half to finish residency and get on my feet and then it's a different ball game.

Matt- that was a good thread. I really need to start using the search option before posting a new thread. I guess I'm going to go with plastic cans. I searched eBay and Craigslist and the only things available were the same price as Home Depot. Did a quick search of government auctions and came up with nothing. Going to bite the bullet and spend $500 on gas cans over couple of months it seems.

[xdpatriot]

If youre gonna put em in a shed, why not just ground them? I have a pretty good storage of gas and I ran a copper ground rod into the ground and used a length of copper wire to run from the rod to the storage tanks. It's fastened to the tank with a bolt and washer and fastened to the rod with a clamp. The storage tank is lower than the 55 gallon drum I use for transport. I gravity feed into the storage tank out of the back of the truck from the 55 gallon drum. I have a hand pump with fifteen feet of hose to fill a vehicle. We also keep smaller 5 gallon containers here for mowers and such. It's not perfect but it's good enough for us.

[BioG8r]

@BAK - IDK where you are but if you have a Rural King near you... http://www.ruralking.com/about/find-store They have the plastic fives at 9.99 right now. Possibly save a few bucks.

[BAK]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't grounding take care of the static electricity problem? Would static electricity be a concern in my situation? I might be wrong (electricity is not my strong side) but I feel that vapors would be more of a danger for an accident.

Unfortunately there are no Rural Kings around. I'm in New Jersey area. Thanks for the suggestion though

[blackhawk]

Check out northern tools they have tanks and pumps foe gas and etc. in all sizes.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't grounding take care of the static electricity problem? Would static electricity be a concern in my situation? I might be wrong (electricity is not my strong side) but I feel that vapors would be more of a danger for an accident.
Unfortunately there are no Rural Kings around. I'm in New Jersey area. Thanks for the suggestion though

Static electricity is easy enough with simple copper wiring and a copper grounding rod which can be purchased at many hardware stores or electrician stores. The containers and where there are stored should be considered and not store them where this is an isssue. With barrels just run wire and the rod and make a connector like a wire with a set of vise grips to the metal of the vehicle and that will solve the issue. Think hot refuels when you served

[Maid Marion]

Adding one extra 275 gallon heating oil tank to the basement with all its "normal" vents and filler pipes works well for us. The oil company fills it up and we can drain off what we need for use in one of our generators. Storing the basic gasoline is another story. At the present time we have it in a seperate shed to keep from blowing ourselves up. Love to hear what many of you are doing to make ourselves safer.

[Texas Patriot]

I work in the retail fuel distribution industry. All of our below ground and above ground fuel storage tanks use this type of vent. I have never seen an issue as long as they are above about 15ft.

http://abovegroundfuelstoragetanks.com/wp-content/uploads/fuel-tank-vent.jpg