For years I’ve used premium gas in my tiller, mower, weed-eater, etc. because our local station had ethanol-free premium. Now I see that the premium contains “a trace” of ethanol and I’d feel better using Stabil or some kind of additive. Anybody have any experience with and opinions on the better additives that are available?
Most additives are for storage purposes —- just make sure if you have older equipment , the lines can handle ethanol — In my opinion regular ethanol free gas might be a better alternative, but I do notice more power with premium
A couple years ago I watched some Youtube Videos where the guy added 10% water to 10% ethanol gas — let it sit a few days and the water pulls all the alcohol to the bottom — then he had a valve to drain off that crap from the bottom
Believe me, if we had ethanol-free regular available here, that is what I’d be buying. Everything in our local stations is 10% ethanol.
I have been using stabil for several years now in gasoline for mowers and my tiller without issue. I am in a fairly dry climate so there is not much water to absorb, but it sits quite a while between uses as the grass grows slowly. Not sure if that answers your question or not, but it is my experience.
Kirk
My main worry is with the ethanol. I have friends who tell these horror stories of their fuel lines and seals crumbling away due to ethanol exposure. Hasn’t happened to me yet presumably because I’ve been able to use ethanol-free gas until now. It looks like Stabil will prevent that.
I use the treatment for long term storage but only in non ethanol gas. Around here the non ethanol gas is premium grade. I maintained a fleet of small Honda engines. Before switching to the non ethanol gas, I was relacing carbs regardless if treatment was used. Since the change, no more carb trouble and 1 pull starts after long storage. Never had any luck trying to clean the small carbs once they corrode. The ports are just too tiny.
Is Stabil the treatment you prefer or?
Star Tron
https://www.amazon.com/Star-Tron-Enzyme-Fuel-Treatment/dp/B00EXIVUMM/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=startron&qid=1650478425&sr=8-6&th=1
Cheaper at parts store than amazon.
Stuff works incredible.
I just treat the big gas when getting fuel at the station, then you do not have to remember for each machine.
I still use Stabil for long storage but for everyday use this Star Tron stuff is it.
Tillers and what not are actually low compression so the premium is not going to do anything and actually has a slower flame travel.
According to Pure-gas.org, there are 4 stations in Colville that sell ethanol free gas. It may benefit you to check them out.
https://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=WA
I think most fuel treatments protect against fuel degredation due to age, but I don’t think many of them protect against damage from ethanol.
No matter what type of Gas I use — with small engines — I always turn off the petcock and run the carb out of gas (prevents lots of problems) — Also several years ago I started putting repair type tags on my generators, pressure washers , etc , even my 5 gal gas cans — I label when I ran it last ,changed oil and date the last fueling — when my fuel in my cans get to around 5-6 months old (non ethanol) I put it in one of my vehicles — easy to loose track of all this stuff — long term I empty tanks , no treatment additive
Thanks Muto. I’ll try to find that Star Tron stuff here in the parts stores.
Thanks for finding that site, Perception. That info hasn’t been updated for awhile but the phone numbers are there. I can save myself some legwork and call to find if they still have ethanol-free.
Much appreciate it, guys. 
Use BioBor EB. The best. Kind of spendy, but works amazing for storing equipment or engines sensitive to ethanol gasoline. It’s really only good for older engines or equipment that sits for long periods or wasn’t designed for E10 gas though. Modern engines are fine to use with E10 gasoline as long as you don’t let them sit for long periods with gas in the fuel lines or carb.
i have been using this : STA-BIL 360
https://www.amazon.com/STA-BIL-22240-Marine-Vapor-Technology/dp/B001CAW2DK?th=1
Not sure what counts as a small engine. My motorcycle is 800CC and is carbureted. Used to use Stabil. (Sometimes Berryman B-12.) Discovered alcohol free gas and haven’t bothered with any treatments since. Used to have a station that had ethanol free regular and I certainly prefer that. My bike is designed for regular and the premium yields a significant MPG drop. Other than the MPG drop I can’t see a difference in the Premium vs the Regular in terms of storage effects. Bottom line is that since I started running the tank down in late fall and filling with ethanol free fuel before parking for the winter the bike starts right off in the spring. No performance issues whatsoever. Much better than it ever was even when using Marine grade Stabil with ethanol fuel. Perhaps the Premium does have some trace amount of ethanol but I sure can’t tell a difference between what they say is ethanol free Premium or ethanol free Regular. Both work better for me for long term storage than any treatments I have used. The only thing I don’t like about Premium is the inherent loss of power (MPG) due to the fact that the bike does not have the appropriate compression ratio to utilize Premium.
I haven’t noticed any problems with seals due to using ethanol fuel. Don’t mind using it at all so long as it is being burned regularly. When it sits, especially with a carbureted engine, is when the ethanol causes issues. I can even tell if I don’t ride for a week or two the bike does not start instantly like it does when run regularly or has ethanol free fuel in the tank. I think it is because the ethanol attracts water and that is what causes problems. Keep it moving and everything is fine.
I use Stabil.
Around here Shell premium is ethanol free while the other grades contains ethanol….so far. Some other gas stations are also the same but usually double check first.
Most Stewart Shops have ethanol free.
works well in boat motors.
Bottom line is that ethanol treatment will get you a year or two. Past that and you will have varnish in your gas tank. The brand whether it’s Lucas or STP makes no difference. 1 year, no problem, 2 years with luck. After that, don’t even think about starting your engine with that crap in the tank.
The ethanol in the fuel rots out the translucent fuel lines used on most outdoor power equipment and can also gum up the small jets in the carb. If you can get E-Free gas, you will have less problems with maintenance.
Yep, I’ve messed up the carburetors in a few small engines using ethanol fuel, and rotted the fuel lines in a 90hp outboard engine. We now have ethanol free Recreation fuel 89 octane at many stations. And up in the lake areas, the 90oct premium at the marinas and some stations have no ethanol.