Stabil or Seafoam for long term gas can storage?

[profdant139]

First, I can't believe that this is the first time this question has been posed, but my search of the archives came up empty?!

Anyway, which of these two products (Sta-bil or Seafoam) is better for storing gas for a long time in a can? And how long is too long?

Thanks in advance!

[Charlie_D_]

Sea Foam is good but I use Stabil Red in everything. I exercise Generators several times a year and have no issue.
If I have issues I use Berryman B-12. Seems to work as well as Seafoam.

[JoeH]

I use both stabil and seafoam-- sort of depends what I have on hand. I also use non-ethanol gas for my boats and other small engine toys. If I know I'm not going to use something for for a few months, I fill it with 100LL ( airplane fuel) I get at the local airport. I've had that stuff in one of my boats for several years and it fired right up.

[JIMNLIN]

I've used nothing but red Sta-bil since E-10 hit the streets around here. I don't use anything in the cars/trucks as we drive lots of miles per month in both.

My 2001 5500-8500 surge gen set has had nothing but E-10 and red Sta-bil. In the winter months I keep four 5 gal gas cans full and ready with Sta-bil. However non of my gas sets over maybe 3-4 months in the winter season.

I also have a 2011 60" zero turn and a 1992 Cub Cadet mowers that mow about 5 acres per week in warm season. During winter months their not used and set with nothing but Sta-bil and E-10 or reg gazz if I think about it.
Same with my pressure washer....two chainsaws....string trimmer.

[Bobbo]

Bumpyroad wrote:

Bobbo wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
I use stabil in mowers, sea foam in boat.
bumpy

Just wondered why? If you think one is better than the other wouldn't you use it in everything?

I think that they both work just fine. a convenience thing. full cans of sea foam get dumped into boat. Measured ounces in the bottle of stabil go in small 1-6 gallon tanks.
bumpy

OK.

I buy Seafoam in gallon cans and refill a couple of the pint (or is it quart? anyway, the little cans) cans I have. I have a 3 ounce RX bottle that I liberated from work. (I am a retired Pharmacist.) I use that to measure the Seafoam for my gas cans. (The 5 gallon cans take two pours, 3oz and 2oz.)

[Bumpyroad]

Bobbo wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
I use stabil in mowers, sea foam in boat.
bumpy

Just wondered why? If you think one is better than the other wouldn't you use it in everything?

I think that they both work just fine. a convenience thing. full cans of sea foam get dumped into boat. Measured ounces in the bottle of stabil go in small 1-6 gallon tanks.
bumpy

[profdant139]

Lots of great tips here -- thanks!!

[TurnThePage]

Just to add to the mass confusion. I have been using that evil red Stabil and non-ethanol premium in all my engines, aside from daily drivers, for over 20 years. I did have a chain saw become petulant in that time. As it happens, it wasn't actually used for over 10 years, though it was started once about 5 years previous. One weed eater went about 4 years before I remembered it was there. After a challenging 5 minutes, it ran great. I'm sure the other products are great, but I'm very comfortable sticking with what I know works.

[RAS43]

I have a boat, mower, generator and snow blower and treat every gallon of ethanol gas I use with Sea Foam. I do not drain the tanks or run the carbs dry in off seasons. I have never had to remove a carb to clean it - and the boat motor has 4 carbs. Been doing this for many years. And as far using non ethanol gas, it is very hard to find here and really expensive. More then the ethanol gas with the Sea Foam combined so I don't see a need in my situation.

[Cummins12V98]

How bout good ol non ethanol gasoline.

[Bobbo]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I use stabil in mowers, sea foam in boat.
bumpy

Just wondered why? If you think one is better than the other wouldn't you use it in everything?

[Bobbo]

Except for automobiles, every drop of gas I buy is ethanol free and gets Seafoam.

I had several pieces of lawn equipment almost die from the carburetors gumming up. I started using Seafoam at double concentration and by the end of the summer, they were all running like sewing machines. (I then cut back to the recommended concentration.) When I found a station that sells ethanol free (labeled "recreational gasoline" and sells for 150% of the price of 91 octane) I went to that exclusively for my small engines.

[wilber1]

I don't store my generator with fuel in it anymore, I drain the tank and run it till it quits, then I burn the drained fuel in my car. I keep a can of non ethanol premium with stabilizer in it and if I haven't used it in four months, it gets burned in the car and fresh fuel goes in the can..

[BarabooBob]

I keep 20 gallons of gas on hand for my generator. Every month I dump 10 gallons of that stored gas into my truck and refill the cans with fresh fuel. My gas sits no more than 2 months in the cans. I don't use any stabilizer. I always use gas without ethanol. Simple solution, just takes some planning. IN the summer, the gas may go into the boat, motorcycle, atv or truck.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Last year(2018) I ended up filling the generator in November--and then not using it for about 12 months. I started with premium fuel which doesn't have ethanol and used the recommended amount of seafoam.

On November 21, 2019 I was using the generator--and after about 3 hours in eco mode it shut down. I looked at the fuel and it had a milky look. I bought some gas line deicer and added some. I topped up the fuel with premium--and the generator returned to life.

I'd say the lifespan for seafoam is a little less than a year.

[wopachop]

mobeewan wrote:

wopachop wrote:
Star Tron is my favorite.

X2 for Star Tron.

I took two generators to a small engine shop about 4 years ago to get the carburetors replaced on both of them. They sold Star Tron, Stabil, Seafoam and about three or four other brands. They highly recommended the Star Tron over all the others. I've been using it ever since and haven't had any more problems in any of my small engines.

Same with the local motorcycle shop. A semi clogged carb is very apparent on a little ATV or dirt bike where you fluctuate RPMs. I switched from stabil to Star Tron a couple years ago.

To the OP if you can find a 5 gal metal gas container that will help prolong life. Plastic gas cans breathe. If you know anyone with off road toys they might have a 5 gal metal gas can they can give you. Race gas is commonly sold in metal. Could even visit a local MX track if one is close.

Keeping the tank or gas can completely full also helps prolong life. For something like a portable genny or power washer keep the tank full.