Yes, you can learn how to store a snow blower for summer easily. This guide will show you the simple steps to keep your machine safe and ready for next winter.
Spring is here and the snow is gone. Your trusty snow blower did its job all season long. Now you need to put it away for the warm months.
I’ve stored my own snow blower for many summers. I learned a lot from my mistakes over the years. The right steps make a huge difference.
This guide will walk you through the whole process. We’ll cover fuel, cleaning, and the best storage spot. Follow these tips and your blower will start right up when the snow flies again.
Why You Must Store Your Snow Blower Correctly
You might think you can just park it in the corner. That’s a big mistake I made once. My blower wouldn’t start the next year.
Old fuel turns into a sticky mess inside the engine. It clogs up small parts and causes big problems. You don’t want to deal with that repair bill.
Moisture from summer air can make metal parts rust. Mice love to build nests in cozy engine compartments. They chew on wires and make a huge mess.
Learning how to store a snow blower for summer prevents these headaches. It saves you time and money down the road. A little work now means easy starts later.
The process isn’t hard or expensive. You just need to follow the right order. Think of it as putting your machine to bed for a long nap.
Step 1: Safety First – Prep Your Work Area
Always start with safety. This is the most important part of the whole job. I can’t stress this enough.
Work in a well-lit spot with lots of fresh air. Your garage with the door open is perfect. Never work in a closed space.
Let the engine cool down completely if you just used it. Hot metal can burn your skin badly. Give it a few hours to cool off.
Disconnect the spark plug wire before you do anything else. This stops the engine from starting by accident. Wrap the end of the wire with tape so it doesn’t touch metal.
Gather all your tools and supplies before you begin. You’ll need a fuel container, a funnel, and some basic wrenches. Having everything close by makes the job smoother.
Step 2: Handle the Fuel the Right Way
This step is critical for engine health. Bad fuel causes most storage problems. Treat the fuel system right.
First, check your owner’s manual for specific advice. Some newer models have special fuel requirements. The manual knows best.
For most machines, you have two good choices. You can run the engine until the tank is totally empty. Or you can add a fuel stabilizer to a full tank.
I prefer the stabilizer method myself. It keeps the seals inside the fuel system moist. This prevents them from drying out and cracking.
Add the stabilizer to the gas can first, then fill it with fresh fuel. Shake it well to mix everything together. Then fill your snow blower’s tank with this treated fuel.
Run the engine for five minutes after adding the treated fuel. This gets the stabilized gas into the carburetor and fuel lines. Now the whole system is protected.
Step 3: Give It a Deep Clean
A clean machine stores much better than a dirty one. Salt and grime from the road can eat away at metal. Let’s get it sparkling.
Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to rinse off the outside. Avoid spraying water directly into the engine area. Focus on the auger housing and the chute.
Scrub stubborn dirt with a soft brush and some soapy water. A plastic bristle brush works great. It won’t scratch the paint.
Check the auger and impeller for packed-in snow and ice. Use a putty knife to gently scrape it away. Make sure everything spins freely by hand.
Dry the whole machine with old towels or let it air dry in the sun. Moisture leads to rust during storage. A dry blower is a happy blower.
This is a key part of learning how to store a snow blower for summer. A clean unit is easier to check for problems later. You’ll spot leaks or cracks right away.
Step 4: Change the Oil and Lubricate
Old oil contains acids from engine use. These acids can damage internal parts over a long summer. Fresh oil is cheap protection.
Run the engine for a few minutes to warm up the old oil. Warm oil drains faster and more completely. Do this after your fuel stabilizer run.
Place a drain pan under the engine’s oil drain plug. Remove the plug and let all the oil flow out. Replace the drain plug tightly when it’s done.
Refill with the type and amount of oil listed in your manual. Use a funnel to avoid spills. Check the dipstick to make sure it’s at the right level.
Now lubricate all the moving parts. Put a few drops of oil on the auger shaft bearings. Grease the chute control cables and pivot points.
Spray a light coat of silicone spray on the inside of the discharge chute. This prevents rust and makes snow slide out easier next year. The Consumer Reports website has good tips on engine upkeep.
Step 5: Protect the Engine and Moving Parts
Your engine needs a little extra care before its long sleep. A few simple steps keep it in top shape.
Remove the spark plug and add about a tablespoon of engine oil into the hole. Pull the starter cord slowly a few times to spread the oil around. This coats the cylinder walls to prevent rust.
Put in a new spark plug or clean the old one with a wire brush. Set the gap according to your manual. A good spark plug makes starting much easier.
Check the scraper bar and skid shoes on the bottom. These parts wear down from contact with pavement. Replace them if they look too thin.
Spray the auger shaft with a rust-inhibiting spray. Pay special attention to any spots where the paint has chipped. Bare metal rusts fast.
Learning how to store a snow blower for summer means thinking about rust. Moisture is the enemy. A light coat of oil or spray fights it off.
Step 6: Choose the Perfect Storage Spot
Where you store the machine matters a lot. A good spot keeps it safe from the elements and pests.
A dry garage or shed is the best choice. The floor should be concrete if possible. Dirt floors bring in more moisture.
Don’t store it directly on a dirt or gravel floor. Put down a wooden pallet or a plastic tarp first. This keeps moisture from wicking up into the machine.
Keep it away from lawn fertilizers and pool chemicals. These can give off fumes that corrode metal parts. Find a corner away from other supplies.
Make sure the storage area doesn’t flood during summer storms. I learned this the hard way one very wet year. A few inches of water can ruin an engine.
Cover the snow blower with a breathable fabric cover. Don’t use plastic tarps because they trap moisture inside. A canvas cover lets air flow through.
Step 7: Prevent Pest Problems
Mice and insects see your stored blower as a perfect home. They’ll chew wires and build nests. Stop them before they move in.
Stuff steel wool into the exhaust opening and the air intake. Rodents hate chewing on this stuff. It’s a simple and effective barrier.
Place a few mothballs or dryer sheets around the base of the machine. The smell keeps pests away. Just don’t put them directly on painted surfaces.
Check for any openings where small animals could crawl inside. Look near the engine shroud and under the housing. Seal small gaps with duct tape for the summer.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, proper storage prevents pest infestations. A clean, dry machine is less attractive to critters.
Part of knowing how to store a snow blower for summer is outsmarting the local wildlife. A few minutes of prevention saves you from a nasty surprise.
Step 8: Battery Care for Electric Start Models
If your blower has a battery, it needs special attention. A dead battery won’t charge up again next winter.
First, remove the battery from the machine. Clean the terminals with a wire brush if they look corroded. A mix of baking soda and water cleans off the white crust.
Check the water level if you have a lead-acid battery. Add distilled water if the plates are exposed. Don’t overfill the cells.
Connect the battery to a maintenance charger or trickle charger. This keeps it at full charge all summer long. A smart charger is a great investment.
Store the battery in a cool, dry place off the concrete floor. A wooden shelf in your basement works well. Extreme heat kills battery life.
Mark your calendar to check the battery charge level in mid-summer. Top it off if needed. A little upkeep keeps it ready to go.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve seen people make the same errors year after year. Avoid these pitfalls for a stress-free fall.
Never just park it with old gas in the tank. This is the number one storage mistake. Stale gas turns to varnish and clogs everything.
Don’t store it outside, even under a cover. Rain, sun, and humidity will damage it over months. Always find indoor storage.
Avoid putting a plastic bag directly over the engine. Condensation will form underneath and cause rust. Use a breathable cover instead.
Don’t forget to release the tension on the auger control cable. Keeping it tight all summer can weaken the spring. Check your manual for the right way to do this.
Never skip the lubrication step. Dry pivot points will be stiff and hard to move next season. A quick grease job keeps things smooth.
Learning how to store a snow blower for summer means avoiding these common errors. They seem small but cause big headaches later.
Quick Checklist for Summer Storage
Let’s review all the steps in a simple list. You can print this out and check each item as you go.
First, safety prep. Cool engine, disconnect spark plug, gather tools. Always start safe.
Second, fuel system. Add stabilizer and run engine, or drain tank completely. Protect those fuel lines.
Third, deep clean. Wash off salt and grime, scrape out packed snow, dry thoroughly. A clean machine stores best.
Fourth, oil and lube. Change the engine oil, grease moving parts, spray the chute. Fresh lubrication is key.
Fifth, engine care. Fog the cylinder, check/replace spark plug, inspect wear parts. A protected engine starts easy.
This checklist covers the core of how to store a snow blower for summer. Follow it and you won’t miss a thing.
When to Start This Process
Timing matters for storage prep. Don’t wait until the last humid day of summer.
Do the storage prep on a nice, dry spring day. Pick a weekend when you have a couple of free hours. Rushing leads to mistakes.
Make sure you’re truly done with the machine for the season. Check the long-range weather forecast. A late spring snowstorm can happen.
I like to do my storage prep in late April or early May. The weather is usually good for working outside. The machine is still fresh in my mind.
Don’t put it off until July or August. You might forget important steps. Get it done while winter is still recent.</
