Propane keeps indefinitely in a sealed, undamaged cylinder and kerosene keeps for years, but both need storage that respects their hazards: propane is heavier than air and pools in basements, drains and low ground, while kerosene is far less volatile than gasoline yet still burns. Store cylinders upright outdoors in shade, find leaks with soapy water and never with a flame, and keep kerosene sealed, labelled and free of water.
Part of Fuel Siphoning & Storage
Propane and kerosene outlast gasoline and diesel by a wide margin, which makes them the backbone of long-term cooking, heating and lighting, provided they are stored with their different hazards in mind.
Propane And Kerosene Keep Because They Are Simple, Not Because They Are Harmless
Propane (LPG). The parent article gives its shelf life as indefinite in a sealed, undamaged tank. It is stored as a liquid under pressure and becomes gas when released. It burns cleanly with little residue. Because it is heavier than air, a leak runs along the floor and settles in low spots, which makes a basement the worst place to store or use it. The odour added to commercial propane is a warning, not a guarantee; a rusty tank can lose its smell, so trust a soap test over your nose.
Kerosene. The parent article gives 2-5 years in a sealed container. It is the oil used for lamps, heaters and some stoves, and it is less volatile than gasoline, so it is safer to handle and store, though it burns readily. In an emergency it can run a diesel engine; the parent article notes the lower lubricity and suggests adding 1% motor oil.
Natural gas. Pipelines stop when compressor stations stop, and the gas left in lines escapes within days. It is not a salvage fuel unless you are beside a wellhead (parent article).
Butane canisters. Camping stove canisters behave like small propane cylinders: stable, pressurised and heavier than air.
What You Need
- Soapy water in a bottle, for leak tests.
- An outdoor, shaded, level storage place with the ground clear of grass and rubbish.
- For kerosene: sealed metal or approved plastic containers; see Approved vs. Improvised Containers.
- Labels and a marker.
Method: Inspect, Test, Store
Step 1: Inspect each cylinder for rust pitting, dents, damaged valves or collars and a smell of gas. A cylinder with any of these stays where it is, upright, in the open, away from people. Do not move a leaking cylinder indoors.
Step 2: Soap-test the valve and fittings once the cylinder is connected or before storage: brush soapy water on the joint and watch for bubbles. Bubbles mean a leak.
Step 3: Store cylinders upright and outdoors, shaded, with the valve closed. Heat raises the pressure inside a cylinder, and a cylinder can vent through its relief valve if overheated, so keep it out of full sun and away from fires and stoves.
Step 4: Use cylinders in the open, and keep a connected stove or heater in a ventilated space.
Step 5: Store kerosene sealed, labelled, on a firm base out of the sun, and away from living space. Filter it through fine cloth if it looks cloudy. Water settles to the bottom; draw from above it.
Common Mistakes
- Laying a cylinder on its side to use it. Liquid can enter the valve and the burner.
- Looking for a leak with a flame. A flame at a leak ignites the gas.
- Storing propane in a cellar. The gas collects at the lowest point.
- Decanting propane between cylinders without equipment. Overfilled cylinders can vent liquid and rupture; leave this to trained people with the right fittings.
- Treating kerosene as risk-free. It burns, and the low vapour level makes it deceptive.
Safety
Escaping propane collects low and ignites
A propane leak builds up in low and enclosed places, where a spark, a pilot light or a switch can ignite it. If you smell gas, leave the space, do not operate switches, lighters or engines, and let it ventilate from outside. Always find leaks with soapy water; never with a match, lighter or candle. Cylinders must stay upright and away from heat. Kerosene gives off far less vapour than gasoline, but it still burns, so keep it away from stoves and flames, and never pour it onto an existing fire.
What’s Next
- Learn next: Storage & Safety — storing everything together safely
- Combine with: Lamp Fuel — burning kerosene and its alternatives for light