Fuel...how much to store?

[meredith14]

Our camping stoves and lights run off of white gas and one small BBQ runs off the little propane cans. How much fuel should we store for a family of 9? When ever we use it for camping we seem to use very little but I'm sure that if we did not have power for a week and used it for EVERY meal it would not go as far as is does when we camp. (we only camp for a couple days at a time and not everyone is with us when we go)
So I'm looking for a guide line. How much do you store? and should I plan on a 3 months supply or just a month.
I know from our past record of power outages with just a nasty wind storm we can be without for 4 days or so. So with social unrest or ______??? who knows how long it could be.
M

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

There is no easy answer to that question - it depends on so many variables.

If social unrest or whatever happened, would you need to leave your home, or would you bunker down?

Fuel needs to be rotated, gasoline goes bad in 6 months to a year - I'd assume white gas does something similar.

A 1 year supply of food gets really dang nasty with no way to cook it or heat it.

If you were to ask the church, I'm thinking their basic answer to your question would be along the lines of:

* Get out of debt first.
* Get a 3-month store of stuff second.
* Save money for a rainy day third.
* Work your way up to a year of storage.

LM

[meredith14]

* Get out of debt first. Done that four years ago!
* Get a 3-month store of stuff second. Done!...we have about 1 1/2 years worth of food
* Save money for a rainy day third. Done..we have enough money for 5 months of bills set aside.
* Work your way up to a year of storage. Done...see note above.

Do the little propane tanks go bad too? I did not know that white gas would go bad. In fact I thought they never go bad, so I guess I need to find out the question too.
M

Originally Posted by meredith14

* Get out of debt first. Done that four years ago!
* Get a 3-month store of stuff second. Done!...we have about 1 1/2 years worth of food
* Save money for a rainy day third. Done..we have enough money for 5 months of bills set aside.
* Work your way up to a year of storage. Done...see note above.

Do the little propane tanks go bad too? I did not know that white gas would go bad. In fact I thought they never go bad, so I guess I need to find out the question too.
M

For storage life, Propane is the best in that field. I dont believe it has any problem with storing. In fact, I used to stay in a cabin that had one of those really large propane tanks. They fuel was in there for over 5 years.

[SundaeSarah]

I found on Cabela's site that the 8 oz. butane canisters have a shelf life of 8 yrs. Butane also doesn't burn unless the temperature is 5*C. Propane burns above -40*C.

One thing you have to be careful with Propane is that it can be a pretty good source of carbon monoxide poisoning when used indoors. Some Propane appliances have ways to deal with this. If you plan on burning it indoors, make sure your appliances are rated for use indoors and it wouldn’t hurt to have a carbon monoxide detector. Butane is not as bad by a long shot. Just FYI.

[MorningStar]

That's a good question. If gas is ever low again though (ha ha ha ha ha), I'm going to stock up!

[lostnfound]

The bible tells us to not worry about what we will eat or drink or wear.. Although it is good to be out of dept and plan for rainy days.. Why food storage like the LDs teach?

[Misshalfway]

Originally Posted by lostnfound

The bible tells us to not worry about what we will eat or drink or wear.. Although it is good to be out of dept and plan for rainy days.. Why food storage like the LDs teach?

Look to Daniel in the OT. Seven years and seven years......

Joseph of Egypt also helped prepare the country for hard times.

[lostnfound]

Originally Posted by Misshalfway

Look to Daniel in the OT. Seven years and seven years......

Joseph of Egypt also helped prepare the country for hard times.

These are oldT references..but in the NT I don't see guidance in that. Daniel is a prophetic book ..are you refering to Daniels reference of the 7 year tribulation of the endtime?