mike early

In the cardboard box, climate controlled, how long shall it last before some sort of chemical breakdown?

Les Nessman

I wouldn't give it long in the cardboard box, maybe a couple minutes before it leaks out.

Les Nessman

Sorry, I couldn't resist. I have had nitro fuel in my shop for years and it seems to stay good. I have recently gone to one gas engine, and I don't think that will stay good for as long as nitro fuel. Make sure you keep the lid tight so the fuel can't atttract moisture, and like you said climate controlled so you don't get condensation in the fuel.

carrellh

It should last many years if the cans or bottles are well sealed.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

Keep it away from UV light or the Nitro methane will form Dinitromethane

carrellh

He's keeping it in the cardboard box so UV rays should not be a big issue.

JCINTEXAS

Glow fuel can be kept for several years...
IF it is kept in tightly sealed containers...
IF it is kept at moderate temperatures...
IF it is kept away from sunlight (opaque containers are best)...
and finally...
IF your father doesn't use it as a starter fluid for lighting charcoal grills.
Regards
JC

mike early

hey...that's not a bad idea. I love the smell of burning castor oil, why not the taste, eh?

crossman

Fly more. Then it won't be a problem.

mike early

my little Saito .40 uses about 2-3 ounces a flight! I have 5 gallons at the house.....

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

What happened to your bigger Saito's?

mike early

I fly them too. But I always have my .40 in the car, ready to fly at a moment's notice. I drive by the field on my way home from work and stop most evenings. My newest plane is the 39" wingspan Combat Spitfire and is currently my go-to plane. And my fastest.

But I noticed that I have stopped using fuel and that is what prompted this thread. TWO ounces for a 7 minute flight! The last gallon lasted TOO long. The last couple inches in the gallon was ruined by finally absorbing too much water from the air and from draining my fuel tank back into it. That's never happened to me before. I've always used them up before that happens, but this summer is unusually hot and humid, and like I said, I've been flying the .40 more than ever.

I'll get some bigger ones out this weekend.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

Sunlight has always been my enemy with glow fuel and not moisture.

The high nitro is worse than the 10% about going bad.

5 use a square 1 gal metal can at the field. My other fuel stays in the boxes at home in the dark.

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

20 year old glow fuel in cans and plastic bottles that had all previously been opened and used. Videos shot when it was over 100°F and my brain was frying.

Part 1) http://www.vimeo.com/8645449

Part 2) http://www.vimeo.com/8645671

Part 3) http://www.vimeo.com/8645712

Part 4) http://www.vimeo.com/8645730

Part 5) http://www.vimeo.com/8645744

Part 6) http://www.vimeo.com/8645765

Part 7) http://www.vimeo.com/8645794

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

I didn't look at the vids this time but I remember from before that they all ran pretty good.

d_bodary

My Feedback: (85)

Now that's funny

mike early

Answer:
Long Time!

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

Yes, that is indeed the end result. But, the videos tell a story, the way I produced them, and it is sort of funny to watch.

Sport_Pilot

Why did you not run the K&Bfuel? It appeared to be unopened.

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

I don't remember. Maybe because it was over 100°F and by the time I ran the other three my brain was fried.

Augie11

That's why I switched from adding 3% castor to 3% olive oil in my fuel ; )

DeferredDefect

Hello!

I flew last season on 15+ years old fuel that I got for free - ran fine, no problems. I do not know of how they were stored, but they were in the standard jugs, lids on.

cutaway

I had a half gallon of pure nitromethane stored for 30+ years in a dark cool basement in a tightly capped metal can. Mixed up a batch of fuel with it a couple of years ago and it was fine.

scooterinvegas

My Feedback: (1)

Ran Powermaster 10% today that was bought in 2003, and it was opened back then for a couple of flights.