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If you have ever attempted to use diesel fuel that you had in storage only to find that it was no longer any good, you could have wondered what happened. Many people suggest keeping tanks of diesel fuel on hand in case of emergencies, so you could be wondering what went wrong with the fuel that you had stored. However, you should know that improper storage can cause your fuel to disintegrate, particularly if you have had it stored for more than a few months. There are a few storage mistakes that can cause this, and determining which mistake you made and learning a little more about it can help prevent the same issue from happening next time.

1. Your Tanks Were Not Kept Full

One common mistake that people make when storing fuel for the long-term is not filling up their tanks to their full capacity. If there is extra room at the top of the tank, however, it can promote the development of condensation. This condensation can water down your fuel and make it much less potent, which means that it simply will not work when you attempt to use it. This is why it is better to either fill your tanks all the way up or switch to a smaller tank that will be kept full with your supply.

2. You Did Not Add a Stabilizing Product

There is one critical step that a lot of people forget about when they are attempting to store fuel for an emergency: adding a stabilizing product. Actually, what you really want to add is algaecide, which is exactly what it sounds like—it's designed to prevent algae from growing in the tank and contaminating the fuel. The best way to add an algaecide that will not affect the quality of your fuel is to purchase a stabilizer that is meant for this purpose, which will mostly include algaecide and perhaps a few other preservation ingredients.

3. You Did Not Use the Right Type of Storage Tank

Many people think that as long as they have fuel in storage, everything will be okay. However, not purchasing tanks that are made for this use can be a bad idea, since the insides can break down and contaminate the fuel. Plus, it's not safe to store any type of fuel in any type of container that is not rated for this type of use.

For more storage tips, contact your diesel fuel supplier (such as Nelson Petroleum).