Stop Spilling Gas When Filling Your Lawn Mower With This One Hack

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When it comes to lawn mower maintenance, choosing the right gas for your mower and replacing it regularly tops the list. That's because it only takes 30 days for fuel sitting in a mower to start thickening, creating a gooey, gummy substance that can clog the engine and prevent it from functioning properly or even starting. If you're planning a long-term pause (such as in the winter), you'll need to empty the tank and safely get rid of the old gas, then refill it from scratch. Alternatively, adding a fuel stabilizer can keep gas intact for up to 24 months. Even so, you won't be able to get out of the cumbersome task of refueling your mower.

It's a universal truth that refilling your lawn mower's gas tank can quickly turn into a frustrating struggle as you simultaneously try to press down the safety latch, tilt the heavy canister to the perfect angle, and try not to spill any fuel. Luckily, there is a simple and affordable solution: Change the spout on your gas canister. The most basic option is to swap in a spout replacement with a rigid nozzle and no safety latch, which costs around $13 on Amazon. Even better, though, is ditching the spout for a battery-powered stick fuel transfer pump that will stop spills once and for all.

If you're tired of fighting with your gas canister and want to stop stressing about potentially spilling gas on your lawn mower, which can pose a real safety risk, using a stick pump is a great solution. But somehow, many people are unaware of this hack, even though it's easy to use, affordable, and prevents most spills and leaks. This simple contraption is made up of a stick component, which is inserted into the gas canister, and a filler hose that dispenses the fuel. It eliminates the need to lift the canister, making it easier on your body, and gives you full control of where the fuel stream actually goes. Another upside is that it can be easily cleaned and shared between multiple canisters, as needed. And of course, the fact that the pump is battery-powered is a huge bonus.

There are numerous models available online, but one of the top-rated options on Amazon is DeWay's battery-powered stick fuel transfer pump, which costs $34.99. To use it, insert the stick portion into your canister (it's an ideal fit for 2.5- and 5-gallon containers), then remove the gas cap from your mower, insert the pump portion, and turn it on to release fuel at 3.2 gallons per minute. What's more, at the end of the season, the same tool can be used to remove excess fuel from your lawn mower simply by reversing the stick and pump pieces.