Big Storm...How much gas do you have on hand for generator?

[HeatherC]

Just curious about how much gas everyone keeps on hand for their portable generator when a big storm is coming?

We are waiting for the latest blizzard to hit and prepared a bit for possible power outages.

I filled our generator and think we have about 25 gallons of extra gas on hand for that as well as the snowblower. Sounds like a lot, but in the past we have lost power for a week at a time. Running the generator will allow us to have heat during any power loss. We have also had gas stations not be able to pump the gas after an extended outage so we are prepared for that too.

What about you? How much do you keep?

 

[kirstenb1]

We're slackers compared to you! We have a couple 5 gal containers, a 2 gal, and a 1 gal sitting around. We fill them whenever a big storm is predicted. Tonight's storm will be next to nothing in Central Va, but I'm looking at next Monday. Our local gas station always has power (they must have a monster generator), because other places will close, due to power loss.

 

[JanaDee]

Just curious about how much gas everyone keeps on hand for their portable generator when a big storm is coming? We are waiting for the latest blizzard to hit and prepared a bit for possible power outages. I filled our generator and think we have about 25 gallons of extra gas on hand for that as well as the snowblower. Sounds like a lot, but in the past we have lost power for a week at a time. Running the generator will allow us to have heat during any power loss. We have also had gas stations not be able to pump the gas after an extended outage so we are prepared for that too. What about you? How much do you keep?

We don't have a generator. No need for one here.

 

[hereyago]

Sounds like a decent amount.

I live in Va and of course it wont be bad like the NE will get it.

But I know when we have hurricanes/tropical storms, I like to have a lot.

Be safe OP.

 

[aprilchem]

None; we don't have a generator. We lost power for 14 days for a hurricane about 10 years ago and were fine; we have a camp stove, gas fireplace, and solar charger for our phones. We just grilled up all our freezer food and had a neighborhood party. We live in Va so big snows don't ever happen here.

 

[dis-happy]

Just be careful. A friend's DH tried to refill the generator while it was running during an extended ice storm / power outage here. A flash happened, the entire house burned down and an elderly family member that lived with them died.

 

[Tozzie]

Knock on wood I have never lost power but for the one time every 3 years where I might lose power I see no reason to invest in a generator. If I lose power no big deal, I have lots of blankets, 5 cats and 2 German shepherds to keep me warm. I have a gas stove and it will be cold enough that I can put everything in the fridge/freezer outside. During Superstorm Sandy, I knew people who lost power for 2 weeks problem was there was also no gas to be had for those two weeks so the generators they had were useless

 

[maleficent32]

I think we have 2 5 gallon containers but I have no idea if they are filled. I know there is no gas in the generator right now.
If we loose power, we may have to rely on the fireplace and the camp stove.

 

[Patch'sD]

I think we have 2 5 gallon containers but I have no idea if they are filled. I know there is no gas in the generator right now.
If we loose power, we may have to rely on the fireplace and the camp stove.

I have three cans fillled about 10 Gallons. That should get me about four days. I have to run the boiler, fridge, and hopefully the cable box and TV. I burn about 2 gallons per day on the Generator.

 

[TLSnell1981]

We keep around 20 gallons for emergencies.

 

[barkley]

ours is plumbed to a propane tank so we always have a minimum of 200 gallons (if we've used it allot and are near fill up time) up to a maximum of 1000 gallons.

for those who say they could go without-I felt like we could as well until we were without power for a week and the snowfall caused damage to our roof which could have been resolved such we wouldn't have had to evacuate for a week IF there had been a power source for electric tools.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

No generator here. We made it through Sandy with no generator for 2 weeks, but then again it wasn't so cold. We have plenty of blankets, firewood, gas stove and water heater. Keeping our fingers crossed electric will be ok.

 

[monorailsilver]

I think my husband has about 5 or 6 bigger gas cans filled. He filled up last week at stop and shop with my 70cents off.

We lost power for a week from sandy and Irene. At least with them, the weather wasn't this cold and I think sandy my kids were outside all day playing vs glued to electronics and me forcing them outside.

We have a pellet stove but a battery back up for it.

I can hear the winds now. It is slowly picking up.

I am in south east CT near where the CT rivee goes into LI sound.

 

[marthachick]

Not in the path of the storm here. Just wanted to say I hope you all stay safe and warm!

 

[North of Mouse]

We keep a generator, plus rotating gas, and we've needed them for both hurricanes (mostly) and the occasional ice storm.

 

[hereyago]

None; we don't have a generator. We lost power for 14 days for a hurricane about 10 years ago and were fine; we have a camp stove, gas fireplace, and solar charger for our phones. We just grilled up all our freezer food and had a neighborhood party. We live in Va so big snows don't ever happen here.

Yea, Isabel was fun,not.
Thankfully,I had a generator. A tree fell on and a limb came in with me here. The power was restored 2 weeks later, but I still had to ne disconnected because of the damage,about a month later was able to get a temporary power pole until the house was fixed again.

And we are not known for major storms, but it also doesnt take much to have infastructure stop because we dont have the resources. I still remember the ice storm of 98 and a couple times in past 10 years my city had a foot of snow.

And as I am writing this, snow is falling, lol. Thankfully it will be a dusting. Cold weather,yuck

 

[shortbun]

We keep about the same, 25 gallons. We don't run the generator in the daytime if it's sunny and we move some of the groceries into the garage if it's cold. Our generator runs either 1 furnace or 1 a/c and 1 fridge as well as appliances on the wall with the fridge. We have one TV hooked up to it and we use an attennae to get local television. once, we lost power in extreme heat and we had to drive to the suburbs to get gas and ice. My husband would take some friends and his big truck with the trailer. They'd fill up everything including the coolers with ice. I was so glad I kept old plastic milk containers frozen in the freezer...it held well. The outtage went on for 8 days-they told us we were the 'last 56 homes to be restored." We also had a/c which made life tolerable. We had neighborhood BBQs to use the food that was defrosting.

 

[ellone]

We have 5 gallons in a tank. My husband also has something he bought that allows him to siphon gas from the cars if need be for the generator. We have a generator big enough that we can run the whole house normally during an outage. We also have a big battery back up to plug the fridge into when we don't run the generator.

 

[taitai]

Our generator is tied to our natural gas line and flips on automatically when the power goes out. So, no need to keep gas on hand. In theory, it could run indefinitely and powers the entire house.