Ethanol in small engines

I remember it being a problem for decades. I bought two ATVs in early 90s at a very good price because both carbs were clogged with varnish deposits and wouldn't run. I've had automotive boat engine carbs clog in the '70s. I learned to take precautions. Two stroke engine carbs running premix seemed to avoid the problem-I suspect because gas evaporated down to the oil and never completely hardened into varnish.

At least for me it boils down to either keeping carb bowls full, some kind of effective additive, or completely running them out of gas before long storage.