With a winter storm hitting the Bogart area this weekend, many of our neighbors have recently invested in portable generators. While a generator is your best friend during a power outage, it can quickly become a paperweight if it isn’t stored properly between uses.
At BrownCo Power Solutions, we see too many high-quality machines end up in the junkyard because of “stale gas” or “gummed up” carburetors. Whether you’re tucking your generator away after this storm or prepping for a long season of non-use, follow these steps to ensure it starts on the first pull when you need it most.
1. Combat the Ethanol Threat
Most pump gas contains ethanol, which attracts moisture and begins to degrade in as little as 30 days. This creates a varnish that clogs the tiny passages in your generator’s carburetor.
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The Fix: If you aren’t using ethanol-free fuel, you must treat your gas. We recommend AMSOIL Quickshot for cleaning and stabilizing, or AMSOIL Gasoline Stabilizer for long-term storage (up to 12 months).
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Pro Tip: Run the engine for 5–10 minutes after adding the stabilizer to ensure the treated fuel reaches the carburetor.
2. Drain the Carburetor Bowl
Even with stabilized fuel, the best practice for long-term storage is to keep the carburetor dry.
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The Process: Turn the fuel valve to the “OFF” position while the engine is running and let it run until it dies. This consumes the fuel remaining in the lines and bowl, preventing clogs.
3. Protect the Engine Internals (Fogging)
When an engine sits in a cold, damp garage or shed, condensation can form inside the cylinder, leading to rust on the cylinder walls and piston rings.
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The Solution: Remove the spark plug and spray a burst of AMSOIL Engine Fogging Oil into the hole. Pull the starter cord slowly a few times to distribute the oil, then replace the plug. This creates a protective barrier against corrosion.
4. Change the Oil Before Storage
Used oil contains acidic combustion byproducts that can eat away at engine components over time.
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The Upgrade: Drain the old oil while the engine is still warm and refill it with a premium synthetic like AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Small Engine Oil. It’s designed specifically to withstand the high heat of air-cooled engines and provides superior protection during cold-weather starts.
5. Tend to the Battery
If your generator has an electric start, the battery will naturally lose its charge over the an extended period of storage time (more than 30 days). A dead battery is the last thing you want to deal with during a midnight blackout.
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The Maintenance: Connect a battery tender or trickle charger to keep the battery topped off. If you don’t have one, disconnect the negative terminal to prevent parasitic draw.
Stewardship Starts with Maintenance
A generator is a significant investment in your family’s safety and comfort. By taking thirty minutes to store it correctly, you’re practicing good stewardship of your equipment and ensuring it’s ready for the next Georgia ice storm.
Need help getting your generator storm-ready? BrownCo Power Solutions offers comprehensive generator tune-ups and winterization packages. We focus on honest diagnostics and long-term reliability—not quick fixes.
Visit AMSOIL.com to stock up on AMSOIL storage products and save up to 25% by setting up a Preferred Customer Account.
Stay warm, stay safe, and keep those engines running.
