Larger diesel canister for hunkering down for several weeks?
Discussion
I stocked up on food for a couple of weeks after the snow meant I was not able to get my van out until it thawed and also in anticipation for this next round of snow which is incoming.
I use diesel for the heating and the 10 litre container it uses will probably last about 2 weeks including with a 5L jerry can topup.
I was thinking for a bigger buffer on that front I could get a 30 litre. Diesel is good for 6 months isn't it? so would be good for the whole winter period.
Is a 30 litre canister still small enough to lift up to tip and pour or would I be looking for another method at that point. Hmm even if it is probably will be awkward to angle it to pour into the container which is in the front passenger side where the tank is for the heater and don't wanna spill it in there!
I imagine maybe the way then is to have it raised and have a tap to pour to the smaller 5L can to transport to the destination tank?
What is the general method after a certain size becomes unwieldy to tip?
Or.....alternatively I could syphon from my van's main tank but how? Not gonna try the old suck technique with the mouth and risk getting it go in and have to spit it. Probably a messy way and one of last resort with the above being preferable? Also, no, I have no intention of tapping the main fuel tank withe the diesel heater.
I use diesel for the heating and the 10 litre container it uses will probably last about 2 weeks including with a 5L jerry can topup.
I was thinking for a bigger buffer on that front I could get a 30 litre. Diesel is good for 6 months isn't it? so would be good for the whole winter period.
Is a 30 litre canister still small enough to lift up to tip and pour or would I be looking for another method at that point. Hmm even if it is probably will be awkward to angle it to pour into the container which is in the front passenger side where the tank is for the heater and don't wanna spill it in there!
I imagine maybe the way then is to have it raised and have a tap to pour to the smaller 5L can to transport to the destination tank?
What is the general method after a certain size becomes unwieldy to tip?
Or.....alternatively I could syphon from my van's main tank but how? Not gonna try the old suck technique with the mouth and risk getting it go in and have to spit it. Probably a messy way and one of last resort with the above being preferable? Also, no, I have no intention of tapping the main fuel tank withe the diesel heater.
Whilst you can legally store 30 litres of petrol at home (max 20 in metal, 10 in plastic), there is no limit for diesel, it being less volatile. Diesel certainly has a better shelf life than E10 unleaded does now. 
You can store 30 extra litres in the vehicle too:
https://www.autohit.co.uk/uk-fuel-storage-laws-com...
Yes, nobody else would know, but you need to consider the insurance implications.
You can store 30 extra litres in the vehicle too:
https://www.autohit.co.uk/uk-fuel-storage-laws-com...
Yes, nobody else would know, but you need to consider the insurance implications.
Regbuser said:
Or, buy another jerrycan, or even two !
Mind = blown!Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. Certainly better than buying a transfer pump for this outlier usage.
Maybe a middle ground of a couple of 10 litre ones? which would still be manageable to lift?
I suppose my question is more along the lines of what is the maximum size an average human can handle to pour with no electrical aids or by using other manual (none electric) means of transfer. Electric ones might be cheap but I prefer simple solutions for simple problems. Less to go wrong/upkeep and such/power sources/wire runs/recharges and such.
I have a bunch of 20 litre jerry cans. They are liftable by me (not powerfully built), but a bit of a ballache to hold while pouring all 20 litres into a tank/funnel without spilling, if you can't rest them on the bodywork somehow in the correct position for the nozzle to remain in the filler.
10 litre jerry cans are a doddle, less likely to spill etc. I'd be tempted to just get a couple of them as the easiest solution.
Also have tried transfer pumps and syphons but the hoses get covered in diesel and dirt sticks to it and becomes messy to store/clean up. Useful if you need to regularly transfer >100 litres or something but for small amounts I wouldn't bother.
10 litre jerry cans are a doddle, less likely to spill etc. I'd be tempted to just get a couple of them as the easiest solution.
Also have tried transfer pumps and syphons but the hoses get covered in diesel and dirt sticks to it and becomes messy to store/clean up. Useful if you need to regularly transfer >100 litres or something but for small amounts I wouldn't bother.
https://www.gbfuel.co.uk/product/red-diesel-205-li...
The Barrel is included with a £15 deposit
https://www.amazon.co.uk/KATSU-Tools-Workshop-Refu...
One of those to sort out transfer; Sorted!
Extreme? Probably outside the scope of what you’re looking for, but as a long term store that you could top up with jerrycans / tap into as needed, seems like it’d be more convenient than regular trips to get more?
The Barrel is included with a £15 deposit
https://www.amazon.co.uk/KATSU-Tools-Workshop-Refu...
One of those to sort out transfer; Sorted!
Extreme? Probably outside the scope of what you’re looking for, but as a long term store that you could top up with jerrycans / tap into as needed, seems like it’d be more convenient than regular trips to get more?
Edited by Haltamer on Thursday 8th January 20:18
If you're in a rural area, head to your nearest place that services tractors. They'll have endless used plastic drums that are usually 20 or 25l and will have originally contained oil or hydraulic fluid.
Ask nicely and you'll get as many as you like for free - it's what I use for storing diesel for my tractor. I think I have about 100l in the workshop.
20l isn't too bad to carry and pour - you don't have to fill it all the way up so maybe stick in 10 and see what you think.
Ask nicely and you'll get as many as you like for free - it's what I use for storing diesel for my tractor. I think I have about 100l in the workshop.
20l isn't too bad to carry and pour - you don't have to fill it all the way up so maybe stick in 10 and see what you think.
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