Monthly New Jersey Roll Call

Please log into the forum, and check in here:

http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=308&t=12914

The Record Heat Waves

With the record heat waves and drought across the nation, the American Preppers Network hopes that you have been prepared.  Disasters of any type can and do happen anywhere, at anytime, and without warning.  We are now witnessing and will continue to witness a prime example of how one disaster can cause a chain reaction leading to other disasters.  Here are some potential disasters to be aware of as a result of the drought and heat waves.


1) Water shortages.  Water is the number 1 most important necessity to survival.  The average human can only survive 3 days without water, and even less in a heat wave.  I hope you've stored some.  If the water system shuts down or does not have enough, you could turn on the tap only to have a few drips.  If you run into a situation where there is not enough municipal water supply to your home, start looking for other sources of stored water.

• Your hot water tank may have 30 - 50 gallons of water stored. 
• The top supply tank to your toilette is typically clean water that you can use.
• Your plumbing in your house could have a few gallons.  Open a higher faucet in your house as in a shower, sink, or upstairs source to relieve pressure, then open a lower outside faucet to retrieve water from your plumbing system.

Don't short change yourself on water!  Make sure you have plenty for personal consumption.  If you stop sweating, that means you are dehydrated!   

Got Water?

2) Heat.  Heat poses many risks, including but not limited to:

• Heat Stroke.  Watch family members closely, especially the elderly, watch for slurred speech and disorientation.  When in doubt, call for help.  Time lost is brain lost.  Never leave pets or children in a vehicle, and keep them out of the direct sun.  Drink lots of water.
• Fire.  Fires are much more common in the heat.  Things dry out and become more flammable.  Keep dry brush and trash picked up.  Do not store fuel in or around your house, and keep well ventilated in a cool area out of the sun.  Keep grass cut short, especially if your city is rationing water and not allowing watering of lawns.  Do not store any flammables in the direct sun or in your attic.  
• Vehicle breakdowns. Avoid driving unless it's absolutely necessary, or drive at nite. Check your fluid levels and make sure your oil and coolant are topped off.  Bring extra oil and coolant with you in case you need it.  DO NOT top off your fuel tank!  Make sure your tires are property inflated and not over or under inflated.  Bring extra water with you in case you do break down.  Drive with the A/C off when going uphill.  Watch your vehicles tempature when climbing grades.  If your car starts to overheat when going uphill, pull over at a safe location to let it cool.  Check to make sure your thermostat is working before you make your trip.

3) Blackouts.   The nations grids are maxed out.  With everyone using A/C, expect rolling blackouts.  If you are in a blackout, you can wrap sleeping bags around your refrigerator or freezer to help insulate it.  To conserve power, only use what you absolutely need.  Keep lights turned off and keep your A/C set to the warmest temperature that you can safely stand.  Do you have a generator?  Be prepared to use it.  Do you have plenty of non-perishable food stored?  If there is an extended blackout, you may need it.  Stores and gas stations will be shut down in a blackout.  Do you have an emergency battery powered radio and flashlights?

4) Food Prices   Expect food prices to increase.  Especially meat.  Many ranchers are butchering all of there livestock as there is not enough food and water to care for them, this means shortages in the future.  Produce crops are drying up. Prices of corn, wheat and other grains will increase.  Even produce grown in unaffected areas may increase in price as well due to demand.  If the blackouts are too severe, stores, gas stations and truck stops may close down temporarily disrupting the supply chain and preventing food from making it to the stores.

Stay safe during this heat wave and dought.  This is a serious and potentially devastating national disaster.


If you have tips, ideas, news, videos or pictures that you wish to share regarding this heat wave you can submit your article to americanprepper@yahoo.com.  If your article is chosen we will post it on your states preppers network blog.  Top articles will get posted on APN.  The top article of the week will win a free flashlantern valued at $49.95 (made in the USA).  Articles must be submitted before 7/29.

Feel free to copy and repost this article in it's entirety.  Credit source as AmericanPreppersNetwork.com

Here are some free helpful pdf files to download

Fire and Heat Waves
- ARC - Are You Ready - Fire

- ARC - Are You Ready - Heat Wave

- ARC - Are You Ready - Wildfires

- Fact Sheet: Fires

- Fact Sheet: Fire Safe

- WildFires

Water
- ARC - Food and Water in Emergency

- Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water 

- How To Make A Solar Still (Plastic Cover)

- Purification Of Water On A Small Scale 

- Simple Solar Still For The Production Of Distilled Water

- Slow Sand Filters

- Water Purification

- Water Treatment

Fire Safety 

- Fighting Fire 

- Fire Safety

Get More Free Downloads here:
http://preppers.info/Free_Downloads.html

A Quick Start Guide to Emergency Preparedness for Apartment Dwellers

A Quick Start Guide to Emergency Preparedness for Apartment Dwellers
From: Bernie Carr
Website: http://apartmentprepper.com/

If you live in an apartment and want to prepare for a disaster, you may initially feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done, and the feeling worsens when you realize a disaster can happen at any time and you don't have any supplies at all.

Don’t let all this worry get you down; the most important thing to do is to get started. Whether you live in a small apartment, or a small home, there is always a way to prepare regardless of your lack of space. Just focus on a few things at a time.

Here are a few steps to get you started:

1. Focus on the basics. You need water and food to survive, so focus on those first. Each time you go to the grocery, pick up extra gallons of water, and extra cans of food that your family likes. You need one gallon of water per person per day. Pick up foods that do not need heat to be edible: canned pasta, tuna, canned fruit and vegetables, cereal or granola bars etc. If you have babies, make sure you pick up extra formula. Keep going until you have at least two weeks worth of water and food.
2. Buy enough toilet paper and other sanitation items (diapers, trash bags, sanitary napkins etc) to last for two weeks. Toilet paper is a necessity, so don’t put this off. Pick up disposable plates, cups and utensils, so you don’t have to use dishes in an emergency.
3. Assemble a First Aid kit or buy a prepackaged First Aid kit. There are several available-I picked up a fairly large one at Sam’s for under $20. Add medications or prescriptions your family normally uses.
4. Stash emergency cash in case ATMs or debit cards don’t work. The amount is whatever you think the family would need for a few days. Start with just $20, and keep adding to it.
5. Pick up battery-powered flashlights, radios and extra batteries, and store them within easy reach in case power goes out.
6. If you have a space issue, get creative with your storage. You don’t have to store all food and water in the pantry. Store your stash in a closet, under the bed, or behind the couch. Just keep track of where you store things, so nothing gets forgotten.
7. Make copies of your important documents: licenses, ownership statements, 401k statements etc and keep them in a binder.

This is not a complete list by any means, just a few steps to take as a fast track way to get started. Once you have a few supplies set aside, you will feel encouraged by the feeling of security you get, knowing that you are taking steps to prepare yourself and your family. If you are interested in additional preparedness tips for apartment dwellers, please check out my blog at http://apartmentprepper.com

Helpful links: 
Year Supply of Basics
Apartment Prepper Store


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New Jersey Preppers Roll Call - All Preppers Please Check In

The American Preppers Network is conducting a network-wide roll call.  Whether you are a member or not please check in and let us know what you are doing to prepare.

This is a good opportunity to network with other preppers near you.

New Jersey Preppers, to respond to the roll call please follow this link:
 http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=307&t=9272

• Reply to the Roll Call and let us know what you have been doing to prepare.

If you are not yet a member of the forum you can register here for free:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/ucp.php?mode=register

More gun control

More gun control and rights lost:



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Aquaponics 101 discussions on APN

Saw this post on the Arizona Preppers Page and thought it was outstanding, so here it is.......

If you missed the posts on APN blog and forum, check out the following series called Aquaponics 101 contributed by APN Sponsor AquaponicsUSA ...

Here is a snippet from Part One (links to the series below):

What is Aquaponics and why should I care?

Aquaponics is an ancient food growing technology that has been around since the Earth has had water with fish and plants growing together naturally. Aquaponics is nature at work. In nature, the fish eat whatever they find for food, and their waste is broken down by the bacteria in the water creating nutrients for the plants. The plants then absorb these nutrients; and in doing so, they clean the water for the fish.

The word "aquaponics" comes from two separate words. The first word is "aqua", which, of course, means water; but in this case, the "aqua" is from another compound word "aquaculture" (the raising of fish). The second word is "ponics", which is latin for work, and comes from its use in "hydroponics" (working at growing plants in water, hydro).

So, aquaponics is raising fish and growing plants by using the nutrient rich water provided by the fish. ...

Links to Aquaponics 101 series on APN forum:

Aquaponics 101 Part One: The Process

Aquaponics 101 Part Two: The System

Aquaponics 101 Part Three: The System, Continued

Aquaponics 101 Part Four: System Start Up

Aquaponics 101 Part Five: Fish to Water Ratios

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How to Survive Total Economic Collapse

There is a continuing belief that the economy of the United States is under attack by the current administration and it's backers. I'll check my politics at the door for a moment and just deal with the steps you need to take to prepare for a collapse that is not necessarily nature driven.

As the U.S. dollar weakens and the price of goods such as oil, grain and gold rise, many fear for the economic stability of the country. So how does one survive total economic collapse? The U.S. dollar is weak and it may be too late to save the finances of this debt-driven economy. However, it's not too late to learn some basic survivalist skills. Following are some tips and resources. Here's how to survive a total economic collapse.

Original article: How to Survive Total Economic Collapse
By WriterGig, eHow Member

Educate yourself before hand if possible. Read everything you can on how to survive a total economic collapse. Start with "Financial Reckoning Day: Surviving the Soft Depression of the 21st Century" and "Empire of Debt: The Rise of an Epic Financial Crisis", both by William Bonner, for a historical perspective and very well-written analysis of the current situation. Also read "The Great Bust Ahead: The Greatest Depression in American History" by Daniel A. Arnold. (See the Resources section, below.)

Plan

Make a plan for how to survive a total economic collapse. List your debts and assets. How quickly can you pay down your debt, while still purchasing necessary supplies? Your goals should include no debt and the procurement and storage of valuable assets. Your preparation timetable should be as short as possible.

Nix debt

Pay off debt and avoid new debt by paying with cash instead of credit. Concentrate on paying off high-interest debt, loans with adjustable rates and unsecured debts first. Sell expensive vehicles that have loans to pay off what you owe, and buy cheaper replacements using cash. In order to survive a total economic collapse, you need to have assets, not liabilities. (Note: storing food and resources are higher priority than paying down debt for families of modest means.

Buy Silver

Change liquid savings into silver and gold. If the dollar collapses, having precious metals will preserve your money and it can be used as currency or exchanged for a currency with value, such as Swiss francs. As the dollar continues to lose value, silver dollars preserve their value or go up in value, thus protecting your assets in the event of a economic recession, allowing you to financially survive a recession or depression.

Invest wisely

Re-evaluate your stocks and funds. In order to financially survive a total economic collapse, your investments must be secure. Consider putting some of your stocks into gold (GLD) or opening a precious metals IRA. Research stocks that will survive a total economic collapse through sites like Daily Reckoning Day.

Store grain

Purchase goods and valuables such as guns for hunting and personal protection, and basic food supplies such as whole grains and legumes, which are easy to store. Invest in water purification bottles and tablets, and keep some bottled water on hand to meet immediate needs in the event of a shortage. All of these will make it more possible to survive a total economic collapse.

First aid

Prepare a First Aid Kit, sewing kit and other practical necessities of daily life to aid in survival of a total economic collapse. These are good things to have on hand anyway, for regular daily life as well as unforeseen emergencies.

Build community

Get to know your neighbors and build a community wherever you are. In the event of total economic collapse, life will become very local and survival will depend on working together with others, beginning with families.

Grow food

Grow some of your own food and raise animals for meat. Chickens and rabbits are small and easy to tend. Chickens provide eggs as well as meat and are excellent sources of protein and fat, both critical for survival. In economic downturns such as a recession or depression, being able to produce food is a important skill to have.

Barter

Learn how to barter, and stock items to trade. Think about necessities (wool blankets, soap, boots, duct tape, ammunition) as well as luxuries (chocolate, tobacco, alcohol). Useful tools will be more valuable than money if there is a currency collapse. Useful barter items will be helpful to have on hand as you prepare to survive an economic collapse.

Sources:
Top 10 Ways to Prepare For the Coming Economic Collapse

Could You Survive Total Economic Collapse?

How to Prepare for the Economic Collapse



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Now the FED's are in the city of Newark

By hikenlightguy

Well I guess that the NJ State police's assistance was not enough so now the Feds have been dispatched into the city of Newark to help w/ the carjackings & other violent crimes. I have been told from the local LE agencies, "....it's like the wild West on the streets of Newark now" Not good, we can only hope for the best !! 
Here is the link from NJ.com :
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/0 ... elp_s.html

To respond to this post please go here:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=308&t=8416

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How to Build a Campfire for Cooking

I got my regular email from http://www.pioneerliving.net/ and clicked on the link to see what was new. While browsing I cam across the "How To" of building an open fire cooking pit. Always interested in what folks have to say on such things I checked it out and found it to be quite informative.

The Article basically lays out 4 simple steps:

1. Preparing the site
2. Laying the Kindling
3. Grading the coals
4. And finally cooking

Since I love to cook in my Dutch Oven these steps are perfect for doing just that. Head on Over to Pioneer Living and check out the article on Building an Open Fire Pit

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Ten Essential OTC Medications to Stockpile by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

When we speak of a changing world that, initially at least, will break down so bad we won't enjoy the consumer habits we have today, we often think of storing food and batteries and the like. But what about basic over the counter medicines? People who strategize the first year of a total breakdown often speak of the first and second waves of death. The first wave would be due to the fighting and looting, the second would be those who need medicine to live. This column I read over at SurvivalBlog.com instructs us to start looking at long term over the counter medicines that everybody should have a supply of when our consumer system fails.
The Column was written by a Physician who has written some books on Armageddon Medicine so it is with particular interest that I read the info. I'll blast a quick summary, but please JUMP TO the original post for the full story......

1. Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) - Among the OTC anti-inflammatory medications, ibuprofen is probably the most versatile.
   
2. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - Acetaminophen is the only OTC pain-reliever that is not an anti-inflammatory drug.
3. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - An inexpensive antihistamine, diphenhydramine is primarily used for drainage due to respiratory infections and nasal allergies...
   
4. Loperamide (Imodium) - The most effective OTC medication for diarrhea is loperamide, which is available both as tablet form and liquid for children.
   
5. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) - Pseudoephedrine is effective at relieving congestion of both the upper and lower respiratory tract due to most common causes including infection, allergy, chemical irritation, and mild asthma or bronchitis.
   
6. Meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine) - This antiemetic drug is available both over the counter and by prescription. It relieves nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, and vertigo-like dizziness.
   
7. Ranitidine (Zantac) - Although several medications are available OTC for the treatment of heartburn, ulcers, and other acid-reducing conditions
8. Hydrocortisone cream - The 1% version of hydrocortisone is the strongest steroid cream available over the counter.
9. Bacitracin ointment - This ointment is best used to prevent skin infections when the integrity of the skin has been breached, as by an abrasion, laceration, insect bite, or sting.
   
10. Clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin) - The same antifungal medication, clotrimazole, is contained in both Lotrimin and Gyne-Lotrimin.

Other Links for TEOTWAWKI Medicine:

Armageddon Medicine
Unlikely Sources of Anti-Biotics
TEOTWAWKI Medicine & Minor surgery
Diabetes & TEOTWAWKI
Doctor's Thoughts on Antibiotics, Expiration Dates, and TEOTWAWKI

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FROSTBITE IQ

This months Backpacker Magazine has a nice quiz on Frostbite to test your knowledge. I'll sum it up here.

1. Frostbite has two stages: Freeze and Thaw. Thaw is the most dangerous because the thawing releases inflammatory substances that cause blood clots, reduce blood flow and further harm the tissue.
2. Your toes fingers, ears and Nose are the most susceptible to frost bite because as the the body chills it constricts blood flow to the extremities in order to preserve major organs.
3. Your body is predisposed to frost bite if you are : Dehydrated, Fatigued, and Hungry. Your body needs calories, water and energy to preserve it's temperature. That's why people who are lost and without shelter suffer most.
4. Tissue that was frostbitten once is more susceptible in the future.
5. The medical term for frostbites black dry tissue is Mummification and the area may be saved. It takes 6 weeks plus to determine which tissues are dead. Hence the trem "Frostbite in January, amputate in July"

Those are a few answers to a really good quiz. You can take it in the magazines current issue.

I was trained regarding Frostbite while in the Army and what they showed and taught us has haunted/stuck with me since. Trust me you don't want to see the final results of frostbite.

Before going outside in extremely cold temperature:

• Apply skin moisturizer to the face, hands, and any other body part that may be exposed to the cold.
  
• Dress warmly, wear dry clothing, and stay out of the wind. Wear a face mask for extra protection. Wear heavy mittens instead of gloves in freezing cold weather. When the fingers are together in a mitten, their collective body heat keeps the hand warm. Dress in many loose layers, the base layer being an absorbent one like tech-wik.
• Children playing outside should be watched carefully to make sure that they do not lose or remove mittens or head-coverings.
• Be extremely careful when pumping gas into your car if the temperature is below freezing. Gasoline on exposed skin evaporates very quickly, lowers the temperature of the skin, and makes it more susceptible to frostbite.
• When you exercise in below-freezing temperatures, wear layers of clothing. The more layers you wear, the better insulated you are. The innermost garment must be nonabsorbent and loosely woven.
• Go inside, if possible, when you feel too cold. Remember that fatigue, lack of oxygen in high elevations, and consumption of alcohol may cause you to disregard discomfort and cold.
• Avoid smoking or drinking before venturing out into extreme cold. Tobacco decreases circulation by constricting blood vessels, and alcohol interferes with the body's ability to regulate temperature.

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Water Storage - Continued

Back in March of 2009 I had a post here about Water Storage. Basically I ran the math on how much you need depending on your situation and number of people to keep alive. And essentially it's like this:

• This is a highly personal decision, but I urge you to store at least three days worth of water for each family member--including pets. A minimum of 1 liter per person per day (for drinking purposes only) is the bare minimum for survival. For our family of 4 people and our dogs, we have stored in excess of 60 liters.

But what about "storage" and how is that best accomplished? Well research says three things.

1. Water has no expiration date, it's water
2. Keeping it commercially available plastic bottles most likely wont harm you. So yeah, keep buying those gallon jugs at the store and storing them in a cool dry place out of sunlight to get the max time out of them.
3. Stored water may eventually develop a disagreeable appearance, taste, or odor.

Inspect your water supply at least every six months (I inspect ours every 4-5 months) to see whether the containers have leaks or if any of the above problems have occurred. And to increase the shelf life of water stored in translucent containers, group the containers together in dark plastic bags to keep out the light. Polyethylene plastics (water, milk, and bleach bottles) can be permeated by hydrocarbon vapors. Store your water supply away from gasoline, kerosene, pesticides, or similar substances.

A good policy I came across is to store water in two different home locations, in case you are unable to access one stash. A suggestion would be half is stored in the basement, while the other half is stored in a freezer. These frozen jugs of water help to improve the efficiency of your half empty freezer, and in the event of a power outage will help to protect the food from thawing. After a disaster, the jugs can be used in a freezer to provide you with an icebox.

A post I came across on the expiration of water was kind of funny but poignant:

Your bottled water wont go bad. Want proof? Put some bottled water in your shelter and wait for the next apocalypse. When your choices of water consumption is a decision between feces infused rot-water from the puddle with the chemical sheen on it or the expired bottled water in your bomb-shelter you'll understand that bottled water doesn't go bad.

Some additional links for Water Storage tips:

FEMA
American Preppers Forum Water Thread


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Rotating your Food Storage

Why rotate my food storage? Because it is wise and you want to provide the most nutrition and taste for your family. In order to do that, all stored food should be rotated as frequently as possible. Rotation of long-term storage prevents throwing away unused, expired goods, which saves you money.

Rotation also allows you and your family to get accustomed to eating stored and dehydrated food, essential in effectively dealing with emergency situations. Lastly, eating your long-term storage is healthy. Most food storage items are lower in fat and higher in nutrients than most convenience foods.

How do I remember to use my food storage?

Many families keep food storage in the basement or in the back of their food pantries. These are ideal places to keep food storage because they are usually dry, cool, and dark, which increases the life span of food. These out-of-the-way places, however, don't usually prompt us to use food storage on a regular basis. To help overcome this problem, try the following solutions that have been volunteered by food storage professionals:
Keep small amounts of your food storage in the kitchen.

Stock your kitchen shelves with small containers filled with egg mix, powdered milk, etc. This will serve as a subtle reminder that you have these items without taking up your whole kitchen. Stock your shelves with canned items, too. The more you see these items the more often you will use them.
Make a one-week menu consisting only of items in your food storage and then live on it.

This exercise will really put your food storage to the test! You will probably notice that your food storage isn't as rounded out as you'd like it to be. Perhaps you don't have enough items for breakfast, or your food supply lacks essentials like proteins or vegetables. After completing this exercise, you will have a better idea of what you need to purchase to make your year's supply complete. And your family will be better prepared to eat meals made from stored food, especially in disaster situations. You'll also find yourself looking for and creating recipes using your food storage items.

If you don't know where to start in creating a menu that uses food storage products, Marlene's Magic with Food Storage, Magic Mixes, Country Beans and Cookin' with Home Storage are very helpful books. They contain some great recipes and meal ideas.
Mix food storage items with everyday foods.

One of the best ways to form rotation habits is by incorporating food storage supplies into your favorite recipes. Some habits formed by the pros are:

• Use cheese powder to make homemade macaroni and cheese.
• Grind wheat to make pancakes.
• Substitute powdered milk and eggs when your fresh supply runs out.
• Make homemade cold cereal with oats, honey, dehydrated fruits, etc.
• Include dehydrated fruit in lunches.

How do you make your stored food last longer?

• Store all your foods in a cool (40-60 degrees F), dry, dark place.
• Physically rotate all foods, dating and placing all new purchases towards the back.
• Store off the ground, away from the condensation near the floor.
• Don't ever let your food storage be exposed to freezing temperatures.

By learning to rotate, you take advantage of the best nutritional value and flavor of your food storage. Plus, you can save money by not wasting food. Enjoy peace of mind by knowing you can provide for your family's nutritional needs. Be wise in preparing so that an emergency won't turn into a crisis.

Sources: Marlene's Magic with Food Storage by Marlene Petersen and The Sense of Survival by J. Allan South
http://beprepared.com Rotating Your Food Storage
American Preppers Network Food & Water Forums

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Gasoline, Diesel Storage, and Restoration

On the way into work this morning I was thinking about my ability to have a large quantity of Gasoline stored on the property, for you know, whatever. So the first thing I thought about was how long it would last and was it easy to deal with preservation. So I went in search of some info and found a nice bit of info over at BatteryStuff.com, and since I use the website frequently and have found it reliable and trustworthy, I thought I would share the info here. I've snipped some bits out in the name of brevity, whole web page HERE

Gasoline, Diesel Storage, and Restoration


There are many situations where fuel storage and restoration need to be considered, like when equipment is put into storage more than a couple weeks, such as RV's, motorcycles, boats, classic cars, etc.

Some of the most current documents we have found on fuel storage dates back to the 80's and fuels have had many major changes due to environmental concerns over the past 2 decades.

The fuels we buy are made for seasons and regions, therefore gas and diesel fuels are blended for the ambient temperatures of the area where they are purchased. For example, the winter time fuel needs are quite different in Tampa, Florida than Minot, North Dakota. If you store fuel purchased in the summer you may experience wintertime operation problems. In the case of diesel the fuel may cloud or gel. In
the case of gasoline, the gas may not vaporize well and cause starting problems. If you are storing fuel in a boat, RV, generator, tractor, auto, etc., it is best to leave the fuel tank full and use a commercial grade fuel stabilizer prior to equipment storage.

Fuel Treatments.

Today over 30% of gasoline sold is oxygenated and gasoline does not store as well as non-oxygenated gasoline. If you have a choice, pick gas without MTBE or ETBE additives.

There is no advantage to using gasoline with octane higher than what the manufacturer calls for; in fact, high octane gas can be a disadvantage in many newer design engines and engines operating with a governed speed such as a generator. You should use what your operator's manual instructs you to use. Obviously this does not apply the same way in older cars, where today's formulated fuels are often lacking. For those, we recomend Octane Supreme

Kerosene is what is added to diesel fuel for sub zero wintertime use; at the truck stop they call it #1 diesel fuel. I suggest that Kerosene be treated as diesel fuel using PRI-D Fuel Treatment when storing and preventing algae growth. Here are some tips for storing diesel fuels and gasoline in barrels, tanks, and other types of containers. Keep fuel in a cool area and avoid wide temperature swings. Keep storage
containers free of water and harmful metals. If you are storing in plastic type containers be sure these containers can handle fuel. Be sure the tanks are clean.

To keep fuel free of water, above ground tanks should have no contact with the ground. Underground tanks should be set in soil and rock for improved water drainage. Wide temperature swings can be avoided by placing tanks in the shade or painting them with reflective paint. Metals such as copper and galvanized/zinc
should not be used in fuel storage. If you use plastic, fiberglass, or other epoxy composition tanks, be sure they will stand up under the long-term hydrocarbon contact. When a large fuel tank is exposed to wide temperature swings, it should have a 2-way check valve to relieve pressure and vacuum. Most fuels produce
microorganisms when water begins to collect in tanks. Commonly called algae, this stuff can be a real problem. The fuel contamination plugs filters and causes fuel system corrosion. Biocides have been developed to kill and prevent algae, bacteria, and fungus in fuels. When using fuels that have been in long term storage, don't
pump from the very bottom of the tank, and filter the fuel.

There are a lot of variables that effect fuel storage. In general the use of a commercial grade fuel stabilizer on an annual basis will extend the useful life of fuel for an extra year. This annual procedure can be repeated between 5 and 10 times, thus giving fuel between 5 and 10 years of storage life.

Now comes the self-serving part. BatteryStuff.com sells commercial grade fuel treatments and additives. Power Research Incorporated (PRI) treatments preserve and restore fuel freshness. PRI-G for gasoline, and PRI-D for diesel, kerosene and home heating oil extends fuel storage life for all fuels. PRI recommends that for
long-long storage, all fuels be re-treated annually at the normal dosage rate to ensure maximum freshness and performance. While laboratory tests show that PRI chemistry can preserve fuel freshness with just one treatment for 5 to 10 years, the length of fuel preservation is affected by the original condition of the fuel and the storage conditions. For maximum protection, follow the suggested re-treatment regimen.

PRI Fuel Treatments are capable of restoring and rejuvenating old fuels. PRI must be blended (shaken, stirred, or re-circulated) and left several minutes to several hours to restore fuel quality. In most cases the fuel will recover to engine manufacturers' fuel specification.

I want you to be aware that all manufacturers recommend the use of fuel stabilizers to protect fuel quality. Yes, I mean Ford, GM, Cat, Detroit, Cummins, Mercury Marine, Briggs & Stratton, etc. Folks run out and buy highly advertised Sta-Bil or other over priced fuel products that may or may not work.

Original post author credits to Batterystuff.com


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