This article is going to cover two of winter’s great saviors, snow blowers and fuel stabilizers.
They work hand in hand to help you keep your property as snow-free as possible during the cold winter months.
But what exactly is a fuel stabilizer, how does it work and why are fuel stabilizers so vital for your snow blower?
We will answer all of those questions and more in this article…
Why Is Fuel Stabilizer Important For A Snow Blower?
If fuel is left unused in a snow blower it can start to degrade in as little as 30 days. Bad fuel can clog up the fuel system and prevent your snow blower from running properly or, at worst, mean you can’t start it at all. Fuel stabilizers can keep fuel fresh for up to two years, alleviating the problems associated with bad fuel.
What Do Fuel Stabilizers Do?
Fuel stabilizers have been around longer than you might imagine.
Sea Foam was founded in the 1930s and STA-BIL in the 1950s (other brands are available of course).
In recent decades the market has become big business, and fuel stabilizers are particularly important when it comes to snow blowers.
But why exactly?
In short, it can prolong the life of fuel.
If you leave regular fuel (with ethanol in it) in your tank, it can begin to degrade in as little as 30 days.
It is the ethanol in regular fuel that is the main problem, as it attracts and absorbs moisture.
As this moisture is heavier than the fuel it is in, it sinks to the bottom of the tank where it can turn into a varnish-like substance that can block up the fuel system and cause parts to corrode.
The result? When you get your snow blower out for the winter it doesn’t start, or if it does start it doesn’t run properly.
And it is all a result of stale fuel gumming up the carburetor and fuel lines.
Now if only there was something that could prolong the life of your fuel and stop it from going stale so quickly…
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This is where fuel stabilizers come in.
A fuel stabilizer will reduce the evaporation rate of the ethanol compounds by bonding with the fuel.
It forms a protective layer over the top of the fuel, that prevents moisture from being absorbed.
And with no moisture absorbed there is nothing to sink to the bottom of the fuel and block up the fuel system.
Some stabilizers also have detergents that dissolve fuel system deposits entirely.
Fuel stabilizers can keep fuel fresh and effective for up to two years. Much better than it starting to go stale after 30 days right?
Fresh and effective fuel means a snow blower that starts more easily and runs more smoothly.
It is no wonder fuel stabilizers are becoming increasingly popular.
How Do You Use Fuel Stabilizers?
It is pretty simple, add the required amount of stabilizer to the fuel and then run it through the engine for around five minutes to ensure it is thoroughly distributed through the fuel system.
If you are storing gas in an approved can, you can also add stabilizer to that and it will keep the fuel fresh in the same way.
Either way, you want to add the stabilizer to the fuel when it is as fresh as possible. Note that fuel stabilizer isn’t a miracle worker either, adding it to already stale fuel will not turn it good once again!
You certainly don’t need to add much fuel stabilizer to fuel to keep it fresh. Usually a tablespoon or two (which works out at one or two ounces will be fine).
Just follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and you can’t go wrong.
The role of fuel stabilizers also comes into play when considering whether you should store your snow blower with or without gas when you are done for the season.
I am in the drain your snow blower dry at the end of the season, but many people do like to store their snow blowers for the winter full of gas to keep the fuel system saturated all year round.
If you are a fan of this approach then you will need to stabilize the fuel to keep it good for the next 9 or 10 months.
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What is the Best Fuel Stabilizer for Your Snow Blower?
Picking a good fuel stabilizer for your snow blower has become more and more difficult over recent years.
Not because there aren’t many options, but because there are SO many options!
Here are a few to consider (please note the below are affiliate links, which take you to Amazon, but don’t affect the price you pay):
- STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer
STA-BIL has been at the top of the fuel stabilizer market for years now and its fuel stabilizer comes with the highest reputation. It will keep fuel fresh and prevent corrosion and comes in a wide range of sizes to suit your needs.
Check the price on Amazon.
- Sea Foam SF-16 Fuel Stabilizer
Another gold standard fuel stabilizer, Sea Foam has been around since the 1930s and many people swear by it. It is as good for small engines as it is for marine and automotive vehicles.
Check the price on Amazon
- Star Tron Enzyme Fuel
Star Tron’s Enzyme Fuel is awash with positive reviews from happy users, with one saying: “I’ve tested many products and this seems to be the only product that can keep Ethanol at bay”. It even claims to be able to rejuvenate old fuel.
Check the price on Amazon
The options don’t start or end with these three products though, check out the huge range of fuel stabilizers you can buy on Amazon alone.
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Final Thoughts
So as you can see fuel stabilizers can make a real difference to the life span of your fuel.
If you use regular, ethanol-based gas, a fuel stabilizer can keep it fresh for up to two years, which means a happier snow blower.
In fact, you can use fuel stabilizers for all types of gasoline and diesel engines, it isn’t just limited to your snow blower, it can work for chainsaws, lawn mowers, leaf blowers and much more.
It is easy to use, just add it to the fuel, and for the problems and hassle it can save you it is relatively inexpensive.
If you want the peace of mind that your snow blower will run smoothly and reliably over the winter, it will be one of the best investments you could make.