The Importance of Not Using Ethanol Gas in Lawn Mowers, Leaf Blowers, and Other Outdoor Power Equipment
As you drive around town, there’s a good chance you’ll see gas pumps with labels of “E10” or “E15.” This indicates that gasoline contains ethanol, a type of alcohol commonly made from corn. And even though electric vehicles are becoming more popular, most cars still run on ethanol-blended gasoline. But what about your lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws? Is ethanol-free fuel the best choice for power equipment?
First, you may be wondering what ethanol gas is. Ethanol-blended gasoline is commonly sold at gas stations and used by most drivers. It typically contains between 10% and 15% ethanol, meaning it has been mixed with regular gasoline at a ratio of 9 parts gasoline to 1 part ethanol. E10 (10% ethanol) and E15 (10.5-15% ethanol) are both widely available and often cheaper than premium, non-ethanol fuels. While drivers choose ethanol gas over premium non-ethanol fuel to save money, non-ethanol fuel is better for your power equipment.