Storage lifetimes of foodstuffs and other goods.

[Smithy]

I would expect petrol to store for many years in truly sealed containers, since nothing can get in or out, however this does not appear to be the prevailing view.

No, I have stored petrol in containers and in a vehicle tank for long enough to make it come out like used engine oil. I have no idea why.

I understand the life is 6 months, and best to choose to start storage in colder months, and this says similar:
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?p=228190

"As general guideline, fuel stored in sealed containers and under shelter will be suitable to use for about 12 months. If the container has been opened or stored outdoors, especially in the sun, storage time should be limited to 6 months."

and

"When stored under appropriate conditions, the storage life of BP Ultimate is one year. Note that the volatility of BP Ultimate will change monthly so that there are seasonal variations in composition. "http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_interne ... timate.pdf

http://www.survival-school.org/Default. ... posts&t=96

[adam2]

I understood that cooking oil keeps for about five years at normal temperatures and in sealed containers, though the date on the pack typicaly suggests two/three years.

However reports on another website suggests that it goes rancid after only a year, unless frozen.

What do others think?

I am sure I have used cooking oil well past the date and it seemed fine.

[fifthcolumn]

I would expect petrol to store for many years in truly sealed containers, since nothing can get in or out, however this does not appear to be the prevailing view.

No, I have stored petrol in containers and in a vehicle tank for long enough to make it come out like used engine oil. I have no idea why.

I'm wildly speculating here, but I think I read there are bacteria which eat crude oil so maybe it's possible there are bacteria which eat petrol and what you are seeing is bacteria poo, rather like alcohol is bacteria pee.

Speculation mind you but feel free to have a laugh if you wish.

[kenneal - lagger]

Cooking oil is a fat and fats oxidise quite quickly. If kept airtight it should last to at least the sell by date and probably twice as long. Keeping it cool and in the dark should help further, just like any food.

[westcoastreticence]

Hi,
New member though have been perusing the posts and articles for a year or so.
Petrol life - over bought for the quad - standard unleaded, no additives, stored in shed in ex mod jerrycans filled 16-4-06. Down to last couple of galllons but no percivable problems with the quad so far. Starts and runs fine on it so 2 years for sure.

[adam2]

Hi,
New member though have been perusing the posts and articles for a year or so.
Petrol life - over bought for the quad - standard unleaded, no additives, stored in shed in ex mod jerrycans filled 16-4-06. Down to last couple of galllons but no percivable problems with the quad so far. Starts and runs fine on it so 2 years for sure.

Interesting, I have stored petrol for a similar time and it seemed OK, but others suggest it detiorates much more quickly.

I suspect that the shelf life of petrol may depend on how well sealed the container is.
If the seal is imperfect then I presume that the lighter/more volatile components evaporate leaving behind a less volatile liquid, perhaps more like parafin.
If however a pressure tight container is used, then the lighter/more volatile fractions cant go anywhere, and the storage life would be extended.
All common plastics are slightly porous to gases and vapours which would suggest that plastic petrol cans should be avoided.
Vehicle fuel tanks are invariably vented, so I would not expect petrol in vehicles to keep well.

[MacG]

Hi,
New member though have been perusing the posts and articles for a year or so.
Petrol life - over bought for the quad - standard unleaded, no additives, stored in shed in ex mod jerrycans filled 16-4-06. Down to last couple of galllons but no percivable problems with the quad so far. Starts and runs fine on it so 2 years for sure.

Interesting, I have stored petrol for a similar time and it seemed OK, but others suggest it detiorates much more quickly.

I suspect that the shelf life of petrol may depend on how well sealed the container is.
If the seal is imperfect then I presume that the lighter/more volatile components evaporate leaving behind a less volatile liquid, perhaps more like parafin.
If however a pressure tight container is used, then the lighter/more volatile fractions cant go anywhere, and the storage life would be extended.
All common plastics are slightly porous to gases and vapours which would suggest that plastic petrol cans should be avoided.
Vehicle fuel tanks are invariably vented, so I would not expect petrol in vehicles to keep well.

Moisture is a killer also. Since they add 2-5% ethanol to most gasoline nowadays, the gasoline can absorb moisture, making a mucky gel-like thing of the gasoline.

Over here we have "alkylate" or "environmental" gasoline, intended for small engines - ultra-pure and stores indefinitely in sealed containers. Some filling stations have it in pumps, and then it cost something like ?1.1 per liter.

[kenneal - lagger]

and then it cost something like ?1.1 per liter.

That's cheap!!

[adam2]

I recently found a stash of forgotton about batteries, "ever ready gold seal alkaline"
Expirey date 1993 marked on pack (presumed production date 1987)

6 packs of C size, and 4 packs of AA size, none had leaked, and all tested so far have worked fine.
I would not advise keeping batteries that long, but find this un-intended test somwhat re-assuring.

Ever ready no longer produce batteries called gold seal,they were replaced by energiser alkalines.
The use by date on alkaline cells is generaly 7 years from production, except for 9 volt batteries for which it is 5 or 5 years.

[contadino]

Petrol mixed with 2-stoke oil will turn to gel within a month or two. It's apparently the biggest cause of repairs in lawnmower repair shops.

Vegetable oil (without preservatives) will degrade in flavour & nutritional content from the moment it is pressed. I wouldn't use olive oil for cooking older than 18 months, but to your British palates several years shouldn't be an issue (so long as no water has entered the oil.) Older oil can be used for lighting, soap- & detergent-making, treating wood, waterproofing, or for making fuel indefinitely.

Each year at the moment, I buy several woolen jumpers from the second-hand part of my local market. They're of varying thickness. It'll be several years before I can start spinning wool to make clothes, so my stockpile will keep me going until then. Last year we bought 7 jumpers, 4 fleeces, 3 pairs of trousers, and a coat for less than €20.

Dried beans obviously avoid the need for canning or refrigeration, and what you don't use in the year you can use for seed. The same applies to ceci, peas, and things like squash seeds (which will store well for a year intact.)