Hi all, just wanted some advice on a sensible amount of diesel to store in the event it becomes scarce / needed for a diesel heater in the winter. My car’s tank is 62l and generally keep it topped up, I was thinking 20L for the boot and another 40L for the garage, would that be too much or too little? (The car is quite fuel efficient)
Be careful with the types of containers and how much you're storing as there are legal limits. Not complying with the limits (apart from getting into trouble legally) might also have consequences for house insurance whether the fuel was involved in a claim or not.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/petroleum.htm
Thanks, I have checked this out already and as it’s diesel you can store up to 1000l so nothing to worry about there!
Just convert your entire boot into a fuel tank, get a roof box for your shopping /s
All my vehicles are petrol (1 car and 2 bikes) I’ve got about 60 litres of petrol in my garage, and top my car back upto full every time it gets to 50% combined I’ve got enough to get me any where in the UK and back to my house from said location.
Edit - I just looked online and this seems to be double the legal amount so to stay legal I’ll now stick 30 litres in my garden 🤷
Seems bit silly this tbh, I understand why to some extent but I store petrol because I race motocross and can easily burn most of that petrol in a weekend with no fuel pump facilities.
For completeness:
Petrol is limited to 30 litres without notification to local authorities. This is because it is regarded as highly flammable.
Up to:
You may use combination of any or all providing the total is less than 30L.
Between 30L and 275L you must notify the local Petrolium Enforcement Agency.
Above 275L you need a fuel storage certificate and license.
Diesel is not regaeded as highly flammable. There are no legal limits for diesel at home, but you must store it in a manner which prevents potential pollution incidents. For larger quantities, this could mean bunded tanks or catch trays with a capacity greater than the fuel tank size (110% of largest container or 25% of total volume, whichever is the greater) . They are mandatory above 2,500L, advisory below. For businesses bunds are mandatory above 200L.
When things look dicey I surge/ store around 160 litres of diesel and a further 60 petrol with additive to preserve the centane for the generator.
if you're prepping for a run on fuel, then empty jerry cans are going to be the thing in immediate short supply, just having like 5 empty 20L jerry cans, in the attic untouched, would allow you at the first sign of trouble to quickly go down to the petrol station and get 100 extra litres. A run on fuel should be well telegraphed, like the only real one i remember in 2005 ish when lorries blockaded the ports.
if you're prepping for the ability to get out dodge quick, then your 62L should be good for 500miles?, which should get you to the highlands from anywhere in the UK.
60 litres total in I’m assuming 20l metal cans? Yeah sounds totally reasonable. If moneys no option id say maybe 80 litres stored. You will only get 2 years life out of the fuel. But its easy to cycle, as you just fill your car up when its low then take the empties to fill at the station.
Even with additives and stabilisers, max you’re going to get is 2 years on Diesel storage.
Why is it going to become scarce?
I do understand storage if you’re out in the sticks but fuel storage for “Prepping” is a bit ehhh.
"Why is it going to become scarce?" Are you new to the UK? It has happened before - and there was electricity for the pumps. This is not Africa where fuel stations have backup generators - and that is IF there are still deliveries.
I don’t think you really understand the the meaning the word scarce.
Even in 2021 it was nowhere near as bad as was made out to be and I was driving all over the country for work.
I’m not adverse to fuel storage for generators but it’s unstable shelf life just means it isn’t really a feasible long term solution.
True, and perhaps fuel storage isn’t the most apt idea, I’d definitely be cycling it through the car using the oldest stuff first, but a bit like pasta and tinned food just curious how much people would recommend to have on hand if the worst should happen :)
Supposedly you are only allowed to store 30 litres in the UK as a private person for safety. However these regulations were written in the aftermath of WW2 where people were still dealing with rationing and very very cold winters therefore using just about anything to transfer vehicle/heating fuel. These regulations are overkill today. Basically with a modern UN certified metal Jerrycan (Waverly are the best-British company, but even the ones on Amazon for 25 quid are pretty good) you can store car fuel for 6 months. Diesel is safer than petrol but make sure to add stabiliser and 'vent' the can every 2 weeks (take it outside and open the lid of the can to expel built up vapours) and you should be fine for 6 months. Most people do not want to pour the petrol/diesel into their cars with a funnel as static electricity might cause a fire so buy a plastic syphon system (8 pounds amazon) and keep the jerrycan on the ground. Takes much longer to fill a tank but removes the risk of static electricity starting a fire. Also try to store the jerrycans in a shed (DO NOT store them indoors in your home) as storing them outside will allow moisture to get in them potentially ruining the fuel.
The regulations are about limiting the total energy and thus explosion or fire size.