# How long can I keep gasoline?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-i-keep-gasoline/331938
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 20, 2005, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-i-keep-gasoline/331938 "2005-11-20T15:51:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Surbey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surbey)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2005, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-i-keep-gasoline/331938/1 "2005-11-20T15:51:26Z")
If I used a steal drum, how long could I keep gasoline in there and still have it usable in a car, lawn mower, etc?
Also, how long could I keep it in plastic before it ate through the container?
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### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-i-keep-gasoline/331938/2 "2005-11-20T16:11:06Z")
> [@Surbey](#):
>
> If I used a steal drum, how long could I keep gasoline in there and still have it usable in a car, lawn mower, etc?
>
> Also, how long could I keep it in plastic before it ate through the container?
Many plastics will hold gasoline indefinitely without the gasoline damaging the plastic. The main issue is the volume of the gasoline you will be storing. Anytime you get beyond the few gallons you might store in a shed you are dealing with a signficant safety issue, and there might be municipal regualtions limiting these amounts in residential neighborhoods.
IMO the dollar a gallon you might save if the cost goes back up is not worth the risk and investment in a tank and pump.
[Storing Gasoline and Other Flammables](http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000701-d000800/d000760/d000760.html)
[Gasoline Storage Practices](http://www.alpharubicon.com/altenergy/gasstoretg.htm)
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### Author:  [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2005, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-i-keep-gasoline/331938/3 "2005-11-20T18:01:37Z")
[Here’s an article](http://www.chevron.com/products/prodserv/fuels/bulletin/longterm_gasoline/background-info.shtml) from the nice folks at Chevron.