Nitromethane

[Bootlegger]

 
 Fellow's I am looking for a good and safe way to store Nitromethane, does any one have any suggestions?

           Thanks

[Gordon Tarbell]

I keep mine in 5 gal. steel cans with about 1" air gap, not full . Do not put in plastic fuel jugs . It seems many plastic containers are somewhat subject to porosity allowing water in. Nitro is not as hygroscopic  as methanol but why risk ruining it . Steel cans are the way to go.

[Fredvon4]

MY first Torco Gallon (2014) came in a typical clear jug I immediately transferred into 2 ---1/2 gallon metal cans

My second, (2016) and most recent, Torco order, came in a heavier gauge White Opaque Gallon Jug ----that I deemed good enough to store inside my AC controlled, and no direct light, under counter storage location

I don't blend and burn enough to keep more than a gallon (of Nitro) on hand...

If I did suffer the expense of 3 to 5 gallons of the good stuff every year
 I would have a particular protocol for storage and usage... that would not be too concerned with longevity because obviously, I would be consuming the ingredient

If (and it may happen) I suspect a shortage or some product--- like Nitro methane-- that may get unreasonably priced or unobtainable....
MY preservation of the Nitro ( and Methanol) would certainly ensure controlled temp environment, no UV (sunlight) and rust free tightly sealed container(s)

I have NO economical way to purchase 5 or 25 or 55 gallons at a time ---- and if I did -----each would be a different method of decanting and back filling the original container with some inert gas. This of course would be for what I tend to think LONG TERM storage would need to ensure the chemical did not deteriorate

For what it is worth... I bought several quarts of Sig Champion 25%N all castor for my Cox 1/2 engines---- later to have given to me an unopened Pint can of Cox fuel from the 70s

The Red can Cox fuel was clean, and run just fine in the lil .049s just as well as the new Sig fuel

MY take away was that in an air tight and UV free container...Methanol glow fuel has a good long shelf life

BTW 2 for Gil

In another thread I had told you of what I thought were good containers from Carry company

In the photo was a 1 gallon , 4 --1/2 Gallon and 5 ---Quart cans...

The note is:

 One of the quart cans had a side seam defect that very slightly seeped fuel outside the can... I decanted the remaining fuel into a better looking Qt can and just pitched the defective one

JUST a FYI
Yes, I did thoroughly inspect all the rest of the cans I bought...just the one was defective

[Fredvon4]

Gil asked about safety and I focused more on storage and preservation

Gill is old AF and I retired Army aviation

I suspect both of us are well trained Safety Nazies.....most of the rest of this is pontification...Gill already knows the answers

Storing Any fuel has a common sense component, most can appreciate:

Concerns should be:
Fire prevention
Fire extinguishing
Loss of property
Loss of Life
Potential/vs real Risk

OK! Common sense,
Pretty easy IMO

Risk first: How do I safely store my potentially hazardous flammable or explosive materiel where it MIGHT/COULD cause loss of life or property?

Mitigation....Never ever store and Haz mat in a home or structure that YOU can NOT afford to loose ----and anywhere you would be severely devastated if a friend, neighbor, or loved one dies as a result of your lack of planning, understanding, and active prevention....not withstanding the potential law suit or criminal problems

Good Question for your insurance provider:
Am I covered in the event of a fire/explosion where I was storing Hobby Fuel inside my garage, detached shop, attached shop, basement, bedroom etc etc.....?

I have USAA ---and have had this conversation with my adjuster (no indecent, just a conversation)

Reality...The conversation started when I went in search of additional insurance due to the expenses of my Wife's Quilting  and my HAM Radio, and aero modeling/ wood working  SHOPS....Many insurance companies have various riders for increased coverage for fine art, jewelry, or guns

Her quilting machines and shop, and my HAM Shack/model shop, as well as a fully tooled wood working shop  ----greatly exceed our art, jewelry or gun collections values...so I wanted to know my risk in a tornado or fire... no theft or flood risk ---- with this company I could NOT by a rider to increase coverage

Not to bore all with the details of how badly we are screwed in a major disaster---- I was interested in the adjusters comments ---that IF during the
 (post loss indecent) inspection, I (any home owner) had NOT followed published, or prudent, or common sense precautions the claim would most likely be denied....or significantly reduced

The example given was a house fire.. total loss...caused no doubt by a leaking 5 can of (lawn mower) fuel in the garage near a Gas water heater with pilot lite

Claim, in entirety, denied -----and the adjuster clearly told me this was not typical, but one of many examples where the company got hard nosed because the home owner was so negligent

Thus, my take away, on many of these concerns ---is that a Pilot, modeler, crafter, home owner, must attempt to take at least the minimum due care and diligence, under stand the potential risk, and demonstrate some meager attempt to follow common sense best practices

SO --in closing ---Model Fuel safety has several components,
Economic
Criminal
Moral/Ethical

I store all of my 7+ Gallons of components or blended fuels inside my environmentally controlled (detached) hobby shop. Good air tight sealed containers, NO smoking when dealing with the fuels, and 2 small Wally World Fire extinguishers ready and easy to get to

In the event of a terrible event, I have had enough visitors and family here to attest, in deposition, that I did a adequate job of mitigating the known risk...

[Skip Chernoff]

I've been mixing my own fuel for the last 40 years at least. I usually  only have one gallon of Nitro on hand at any given time. I place it in a one gallon tin can and leave it  on the garage shelf with my other ingredients .I've never had a problem ,Thank G-D. BTW Torco is a good source of Nitro .$54 to your door for one gallon.

[Howard Rush]

Keep it away from alkalis or amines, e.g. epoxy hardener, which could cause it to become shock sensitive and blow. Some nitro has yellow dye which turns blue when it's contaminated with something evil.