Gasoline on gravel -- good idea/bad idea?

Daybright · #1 05/03/13, 10:22 AM

We may need to drain and dispose of some old gasoline (not a huge amount -- I'd estimate 1-2 gallons). We also have a long gravel driveway that is being invaded by various weeds. I am thinking about trying to kill two birds with one stone by sprinkling the gasoline over the driveway (well, part of the driveway -- I don't think it would cover the whole thing) and lighting it on fire.

Is this a bad idea?

Some possible drawbacks that came to mind -- if it lit too quickly, someone might get hurt. If the fire spread beyond the driveway, that could be very bad. If the gasoline sank below the gravel and did not burn, we would have polluted the ground under our driveway for no benefit.

If it did work, though, it seems like it would be a nice, efficient solution to two problems, plus most likely being interesting to watch.

What do you think?

simi-steading · #2 05/03/13, 10:29 AM

When I worked in small engine shops we'd pour all the old gas into a metal 5 gallon bucket and light it and let it burn until gone.... Granted, not so great for the air, but it's not as bad as pouring it on the ground and lighting it..

Be warned though... DO NOT have any significant amount of water in the bottom of the bucket.. if you do it will start to boil and you'll have a huge out of control burn on your hands...

Alice In TX/MO · #3 05/03/13, 10:42 AM

I would sprinkle, but NOT light a fire. The gasoline will kill the plants.

The volatile components will vaporize quickly, and there will be no fire hazard in a day.

simi-steading · #4 05/03/13, 10:46 AM

The nice thing about if you do pour it on the gravel is it will sterilize everything and you won't have to worry about it growing back for a long time.. I used to use diesel for just that... Great along fence lines..

fordy · #5 05/04/13, 03:36 AM

..................Fire Ants !!!

**Ross** · #6 05/04/13, 06:43 AM

Diesel pollutes gasoline evaporates. Very dangerous stuff though the best way to be rid of it (if you have one) is a hazardous waste collection point at your local landfill, or maybe regional garages offer the service?

dkhern · #7 05/04/13, 09:08 AM

like said pour on fireants or plants no fire danger no poultant danger w/2 gal

farmerDale · #8 05/04/13, 10:48 AM

A couple gallons per driveway? Sheesh, and people think farmers using a twentieth of that volume of a herbicide on AN ACRE of land is poisoning the soil? Funny how gas volatizes and becomes harmless, yet herbicide pollutes.

I find this thread very telling.

Back to the topic: To get rid of the gas, blend it back into a couple hundred gallons of new gas. I would NEVER dribble that much gas on my driveway, or anywhere. And I am a farmer who uses all those nasty herbicides yet! With all the respect in the world, I am surprised people would still do this.

Daybright · #9 05/04/13, 11:09 AM

I don't really want to just pour the gas on the ground and leave it there -- that's why I was thinking about burning it. I figured it would get rid of the gas just as if it had been used to run an engine and would kill the plants once but then be gone. If it does sterilize the ground for a long time, that seems like it would mean it's not completely volatilizing and there's some sort of toxic residue that could end up in the groundwater, which I would prefer not to be contributing to if it can be avoided.

Unfortunately, farmerDale, we are not likely to have a couple hundred gallons of new gas at one time for the foreseeable future -- our two cars, one lawn tractor and one small generator have probably about 35 gallons of capacity combined. If burning the gas on the gravel will not work, then we may just dispose of it in the officially approved fashion and use herbicide on the driveway.

Cash · #10 05/04/13, 11:50 AM

I just got rid of two gallons of old gasoline today by mixing it with new gasoline in a five-gallon gas can and then pouring it into the half-full tank of my pick-up. If you think your old gasoline might have water in it, add some dry gas or just let the ethanol in regular gasoline take care of it.

fireweed farm · #11 05/04/13, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmerDale

A couple gallons per driveway? Sheesh, and people think farmers using a twentieth of that volume of a herbicide on AN ACRE of land is poisoning the soil? Funny how gas volatizes and becomes harmless, yet herbicide pollutes.

I find this thread very telling.
.

I wouldn't knowingly eat anything from your farm.

arabian knight · #12 05/04/13, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simi-steading

The nice thing about if you do pour it on the gravel is it will sterilize everything and you won't have to worry about it growing back for a long time.. I used to use diesel for just that... Great along fence lines..

You are talking about TWO different things here. Gasoline ands Diesel are completely two different animals.
I have spilled splashed, washed my harnds in gas and cleaned my aitr filter for the lawnmower for Years in one spot and Grass is STILL growing, weeds are Still growing, no matter how much has been poured on over the 15 years I have been here.
But diesel fuel has OIL in it. And it IS THAT which is givening you the Residual effedct and nothing growing on the fence lines.
Gasoline will Not have that effect on such things
And as far as the OP in asking about pouring a gal or two and let the sun and air evaporate the gasoline, no big deal at al.

fordy · #13 05/04/13, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arabian knight

You are talking about TWO different things here. Gasoline ands Diesel are completely two different animals.
I have spilled splashed, washed my harnds in gas and cleaned my aitr filter for the lawnmower for Years in one spot and Grass is STILL growing, weeds are Still growing, no matter how much has been poured on over the 15 years I have been here.
But diesel fuel has OIL in it. And it IS THAT which is givening you the Residual effedct and nothing growing on the fence lines.
Gasoline will Not have that effect on such things
And as far as the OP in asking about pouring a gal or two and let the sun and air evaporate the gasoline, no big deal at al.

.................have you ever noticed that , on some newly built roadbeds , the contractor will laydown a very generous coating of some kind of thick , heavy oily liquid before they pour the asphault ! No one seems to be complaining about that facet of road building as.....'pollution' ! , fordy

arabian knight · #14 05/04/13, 02:42 PM

Boy isn;t that the truth.
I have that happen right past me as it is a county road. ever few years they come by and "Spray" or dribble that liquid on the road surface. Followed by that "pea gravel" that you drive on for months as it then sinks into that liquid and makes a viable road surface for the few years. And nobody can tell me that liquid doesn't get onto sides of the roads in the ditches etc etc. But Not One Peep out of the "green folks" when things like that take place day in and day out all over this country. But just let a farmer put a little too much manure on HIS land and oh my some of that going into a stream etc., or a farmer putting on the SMALLL Amount of chemicals it takes to grow more food for a ever growing world population and BINGO the green folks have a heart attack and come out of the woodwork then. LOL

farmerDale · #15 05/04/13, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireweed farm

I wouldn't knowingly eat anything from your farm.

Why not? You have me very curious. That is an interesting statement, when you have no clue about my farm. lol!

farminghandyman · #16 05/04/13, 06:23 PM

My guess is the EPA would love this thread, and then go visiting your places, they would defiantly enhance there revenue that day,

So if your going to dump hazardous wast, make sure you post it on the Internet,

Alice In TX/MO · #17 05/04/13, 06:37 PM

I'm wondering if folks realize there are naturally occurring bacteria that break down hydrocarbons.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0611110824.htm

farmerDale · #18 05/04/13, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

I'm wondering if folks realize there are naturally occurring bacteria that break down hydrocarbons.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0611110824.htm

And herbicides. There are many soil microorganisms that actually eat, yes, eat herbicides. Like you said Alice, with oil and gas.

emdeengee · #19 05/05/13, 01:16 AM

There are a lot of harmful additives in gasoline that are not volatile and faster than you can burn it or it evaporates on its own they will seep into the ground. Burn it but you will have residue. You will never get rid of it. We have found residue from burn outs and fuel spills at mine sites from the 1950s.

The way CASH decribes it is about the best way to rid yourself of old gas - burn it in a clean combustion.

farmerj · #20 05/05/13, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmerDale

A couple gallons per driveway? Sheesh, and people think farmers using a twentieth of that volume of a herbicide on AN ACRE of land is poisoning the soil? Funny how gas volatizes and becomes harmless, yet herbicide pollutes.

I find this thread very telling.

Back to the topic: To get rid of the gas, blend it back into a couple hundred gallons of new gas. I would NEVER dribble that much gas on my driveway, or anywhere. And I am a farmer who uses all those nasty herbicides yet! With all the respect in the world, I am surprised people would still do this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireweed farm

I wouldn't knowingly eat anything from your farm.

why not?

He's probably got a better understanding and comprehension of WHAT he is doing as a land steward than most people.

I get such a kick out of people that claim farmers are the causes of all the river pollutants. Go look at the rate people are putting fertilizer on their yards for a stupid weed called GRASS to make it look bright and thick.

Then go pull test samples from THAT AND the farmers field and have them tested for chemical levels.

Guess who's doing the major polluting? It isn't the farmer.

How about the idiot that goes down to Menard's or the local hardware store and puts on 2-4D five or six times a year? It's the "same" chemical the farmer uses. But a farmer might only apply it once a year. Which one is polluting the water? It isn't the farmer.