Which Pre-Mix Gas Do You Use? Are They All The Same?

[Freudianfloyd]

Since getting my first chainsaw, I have been only using pre-mixed fuel. Usually 40:1 but sometimes 50:1 if they are out of the 40. When I got my first Husky saw, I used Husky fuel, and when I got my first Stihl saw, I used Stihl fuel. Since then, I have basically just been using whatever is on sale. Whether it is VP, Stihl, Husky, TruFuel, or Powercare.

Has anybody noticed any big differences in these fuels? Is it basically the same as going to BP vs Shell, and it's all gas, one isn't better than any other?

In all honesty, I have not noticed a difference between running any of these.

I would be happy to hear other's thoughts on these brands, or which they prefer and why.

 

[cuinrearview]

Gas station 100% dead dinosaurs, 90 octane. Dolmar synthetic oil. 40:1. Every tank. No need to overthink it.

 

[Cycledude]

My last new saw came with a deal where if you bought some pre mixed gas the factory warranty was doubled so I bought some but haven’t bought any since. For some low use folks buying the pre mix I think is a pretty good idea, for myself it would add a lot to my operating cost so I just buy premium fuel and mix it at 50:1 myself.

 

[s sidewall]

Same as cuinrearview but Husky oil

Steve Sidwell

 

[Bobby Kirbos]

Pump gas, ethanol free, 91 octane and whatever JASO spec. oil at 32:1. I mix 5 gallons at a time. Buying canned fuel would eat into the savings of this whole heating with wood thing.

 

[Cycledude]

Actually I don’t think folks save much if any money by heating with wood, but yes the biggest share of my home heat comes from firewood.

 

[1Alpha1]

I've been using 40:1 TruFuel, cause I got a bunch of it free @ Home Depot. As far as I'm concerned, it's as good as any canned fuel.

Once it runs out, I'll be back to mixing my own once again.

 

[user 122190]

Actually I don’t think folks save much if any money by heating with wood, but yes the biggest share of my home heat comes from firewood.

$20 for a wood cutting permit, for all the wood I can cut. Keeps me toasty warm in Sub-zero and near zero weather for the 4 to 5 months I burn wood. Gas bill $0, electric bill $50 to $70 a month all year round.

 

[user 122190]

Nobody uses pre-mix in my area. Sometimes the occasional saw user straight gases his saw, but other then that Ethanol Free premium mixed correctly is all you need.

 

[Mad Professor]

Actually I don’t think folks save much if any money by heating with wood, but yes the biggest share of my home heat comes from firewood.

I get all my wood free from the woodlot on my property. I've not had to cut a live tree in years, but do have to deal with stoirm damage/blowdowns and EAB killed ash trees. About 4-5 cords worth of ash and hard maple came down last storm, some blocking my woodroads. Have to cut it up anyway......might as well split and stack too.

 

[Deleted member 117362]

Actually I don’t think folks save much if any money by heating with wood, but yes the biggest share of my home heat comes from firewood.

Bought wood about 30 years ago and ever since it has been no cost. Cost of chainsaws, chains, bars, oils, files, grinders, ppe just falls under hobby costs. I hated being held hostage by LP suppliers, no natural gas here. If a person says they cannot find firewood around this area, one of two things, blind or just too lazy to get it.

 

[Freudianfloyd]

I agree that if saws were used constantly that mixing it myself would make sense, but the closest station to me that sells non-ethanol is 45 minutes away, so that doesnt save me any money either.

But the point of this thread wasnt whether it was worth it to mix it or not, I was specifically asking about what brands of pre-mix do you use.

 

[Bobby Kirbos]

Sorry dude. Typical AS thread derail. Look at the bright side.... this didn't turn into another oil thread.

 

[Freudianfloyd]

Sorry dude. Typical AS thread derail. Look at the bright side.... this didn't turn into another oil thread.

Not a big deal, I like all viewpoints. And if I had access to non ethanol gas, I would mix mine too.

 

[Goofaroo]

I feel bad for you guys that can’t get real gas. I can get 87 octane about 200 yards from my house. 50:1 with Golden Spectro or PJ1 and my dirt bikes, saws, trimmers, and blowers run nice and crisp and stay clean.

 

[Cycledude]

I have only used one brand of premixed and that was Husqvarna 50:1 , I highly doubt there is any significant difference between brands.

 

[user 122190]

I agree that if saws were used constantly that mixing it myself would make sense, but the closest station to me that sells non-ethanol is 45 minutes away, so that doesnt save me any money either.

But the point of this thread wasnt whether it was worth it to mix it or not, I was specifically asking about what brands of pre-mix do you use.

Sorry, have to pic a point. I fill a 5 gallon can with Ethanol free gas, that is used in the John Deere mower/plow/etc, the generator, 25T wood splitter, the saws, etc. Saves me a huge hassle to have equipment that I can count on to fire up when I need it. 45 miles is a drive, but it has to be done anyways for trips to Home Depot, Walmart, Cabelas, and others.

The money for per-mix is outrageous, and the 45 mile trip more then pays for itself in buying pump gas at 1/10th the cost for just a single gallon.

 

[Alongshot]

I've used trufuel and the husky brand. No difference in how the saw runs. Honestly your wasting money on the premix period. It's expensive premixed and nothing more. I used to buy some for end of season to run some if I left some gas in a machine. Fine for that. I get non ethanol 91 or whatever and mix my gas with that. Separate pump so I know it's non E. I mix at around 40-45 you should go that direction honestly, my saw likes the 45 mix better than the premix 50. In my opinion.

 

[Country bumpkin]

I agree that if saws were used constantly that mixing it myself would make sense, but the closest station to me that sells non-ethanol is 45 minutes away, so that doesnt save me any money either.

But the point of this thread wasnt whether it was worth it to mix it or not, I was specifically asking about what brands of pre-mix do you use.

I like the VP fuel. It smells good burnin & reminds me of my racing days. I usually just mix unless I’m storing it & run vp through it.

 

[Kenskip1]

What is my opinion?Well for the past three years, I have been using 88 octane with Amsoil mixed at 40/1.I have never had a problem.Yes I mix it a gallon at a time.Lower octane mix produces more power as it ignites easier than your 90+ octane.Also my mix is kept out of the sun and the can is sealed. I believe that you are wasting your $$$ if you are using your two cycle equipment regularly. I have six chainsaws and one weedeater and a blower.I have never had an issue with gas related problems.Ken