Storm Prep and the right gas for generators.
What are the advantages of gasoline without any ethanol derived from corn for gasoline powered generators?
As residents along the Texas Gulf Coast prepare for arrival of the uninvited Hurricane Beryl, many are starting their gasoline powered generators for the first time since the last weather-related snarl knocked out the power. Others who may be new to the area are purchasing one of these portable power plants and expect them to perform flawlessly for a long time.
While none of us at SwampButt Underwear are mechanics or even own any tools, we do have opinions based on negative experiences using regular gasoline to operate lawnmowers, string trimmers, edgers, and yes gasoline powered generators. We learned the hard way that only ethanol free gasoline will work for any length of time in small 4-stroke engines. Here are more details about this and why.
Pure Gas
Gasoline without any ethanol—often referred to as pure gasoline or E0—has several potential advantages over ethanol-blended fuels like E10 (10% ethanol and 90% gasoline), which are more commonly found at gas stations. The following are some of the advantages of pure gasoline:
1. Higher Energy Content: Pure gasoline has a higher energy content compared to ethanol-blended fuels. Ethanol contains about 33% less energy per gallon than gasoline, which means that the more ethanol in the blend, the lower the fuel economy. Vehicles running on E0 may experience better fuel efficiency and thus more miles per gallon compared to those using ethanol blends.
2. Compatibility with Older Vehicles: Some older vehicles, particularly those not designed to use ethanol-blanked fuel, may run better on pure gasoline. Ethanol can be corrosive and may damage rubber seals, gaskets, and other components in the fuel systems of older cars or those not designed to handle it.
3. Longer Storage Life: Ethanol attracts and binds with water from the atmosphere, which can lead to water contamination in the fuel. Pure gasoline without ethanol is less hygroscopic (less prone to absorbing water), which can extend the shelf life and stability of the fuel when stored for long periods, as in the case of classic cars, boats, lawn mowers, and other small engines.
4. Reduced Engine and Fuel System Issues: Ethanol can be corrosive to certain metals and may cause issues in the fuel system over time, such as rust in the fuel tank or clogging in the fuel system from deposits. The absence of ethanol can lead to fewer such problems and may also lead to cleaner emissions due to the presence of fewer contaminants.
5. Lower Risk of Phase Separation: In the presence of water, ethanol blends can undergo phase separation, where the ethanol and water mixture separates from the gasoline, leading to engine starting problems and can even cause damage to the engine. Pure gasoline does not have this risk since it does not contain ethanol.
6. Environmentally Sourced Arguments: While ethanol is often promoted as a renewable energy source derived from corn, some argue that the environmental costs of growing and processing corn for ethanol may offset some of that benefit. Pure gasoline, while a fossil fuel with its own environmental considerations, bypasses the issues associated with ethanol production, such as land use changes and high input energy requirements for corn cultivation.
7. No Food Competition: The use of corn for ethanol production has been a contentious issue, as it diverts agricultural resources toward fuel production rather than food production. With pure gasoline, there is no direct competition with the agricultural sector for food supplies.
There are more arguments against the use of ethanol free gasoline, but in situations like hurricane preparation, those are left for another time.
Why Does An Underwear Company Care?
SwampButt Underwear is not just another men’s underwear company. It is underwear meant for times when the weather is hotter and the specter of a sweaty backside leaving butt-prints on public seating more embarrassing than normal. For those who sweat more than a normal person does, being in public is a challenge. “That’s why,” Heraldson concluded.
About SwampButt Underwear
SwampButt Underwear is a real company though many of its ‘news’ announcements are not. Consider satire the most flattering form of flattery. We make and sell a product that helps solve a problem; the challenge of visible butt sweat. SwampButt Underwear is trademarked in the USA and foreign countries. We paid a lot for it so please do not use it without permission. To learn more visit: https://swampbutt.com.
Caption: Ethanol free gasoline is available from popular destinations like Buc-ees. There are likely others, but this is the one best known in this part of the world.