I have read that Coleman fuel has a shelf life of 1 year or so. I would like to keep a good supply of this fuel on hand for potential emergency use. Is there a way to extend it's life, via STABIL or some similar product?
Unopened Coleman fuel, in metal can will store indefinitely. I bought a case of the plastic 1 quart bottles on clearance and ALL of them were empty a year later. Still sealed, mind you. But empty. Stick with the metal cans. I would try to use up partial cans or decant them into smaller fuel bottles to reduce the air contact. Coleman fuel is naphtha. It won't break down to gunk like auto fuel will. Mike
No need add anything, it would almost certainly do more harm than good. I also keep a few cans on on hand. I write the date on the can when I buy it, and rotate the stock by using oldest stuff first.
Centuryhouse, Welcome to CCS. I keep a "few cans" around just in case. NEVER had a problem with Coleman fuel in a metal can. These are sealed at the factory with a metal seal and very little air inside. I'd open one at a time and try to use in a timely manner. Found an stray open can in the back of my old shed when I moved. It was around 15yrs old and still plenty potent. It smelled fresh as new. I think that fuel starts a down turn once pressurized with air and moisture. For that reason I worry more about what is in the stove fuel tank that what is in the can it came from. For that reason I try to occasionally; 1) Use 'um 2) Burn 'um dry(except 123&8R) 3) Leave them uncapped to dry out until their next use. AR
Great, thanks for the feedback. I've read in several places that it was only good for a year or two. That said, one of the stoves I bought was filled with old fuel - the seller said the fuel was at least 10 years old - and it burned.
I have some vintage cans I bought last winter with a '70's era Coleman stove. Forgot to check the fuel before I handed over the money. The fuel was great still. It'll last for years. Duane
Hey AR, Where do you get cans of Coleman fuel with a metal seal? None of the ones I open have a seal. I wouldn't mind if they did.
I have some Coleman fuel i bought back in the late 90's. Unopened and the only thing i did to it was to open and expel as much air as possible so they would be stored in a state of vacume. They have not lost the vacume and the fuel inside remains as good as ever. Recently i opened one to use and it was still sweet in aroma. I expect them to last well into the 2020's lance
itchy, Those cans could have been very old stock from an era before child proof caps. Don't know if they still do that and not sure if I still have any that old kicking around. AR
Centuryhouse, I highly recommmend AGAINST burning the old fuel that's been in the stove. As AR stated, and Lance and I obviously agree, Keeping the air and moisture out of the fuel is paramount. That is impossible IN the stove. Once you put it in the tank and pump it up you add air(oxygen) and water(from humidity) to the fuel. As the stove runs, the air will require replenishment and more water and dreaded oxygen are added. Oxygen, UV light, and water with destroy nearly anything given enough time. That's why the instructions say to rinse the tanks with fresh fuel regularly. Mike
