Post-Winter Appliance Care & Storage

Before you chuck your snowblower and other winter appliances into storage, it’s important to perform some maintenance to keep them in top condition. Your winter appliances (such as snowblowers, log splitters, chainsaws, etc.) can get damaged if they’re not stored properly post-winter. Heavy seasonal usage, temperature changes, dirt, rust, and more can make your equipment vulnerable to breakdowns. 

That’s why our experts at AppliancePartsPros.com have created this guide to maintain and store your winter equipment so that you can extend the lifespan of your appliances and easily rev them up next season!

At AppliancePartsPros.com, we’ve got a range of genuine parts for winter appliances, such as snow removal equipment, log splitters, chipper shredders, chainsaws, pruners, trimmers, and more. Check out our options today!

Benefits of Performing Winter Appliance Maintenance

As winter comes to an end, your seasonal appliances must be properly stowed away. This is especially true for equipment that utilizes fuel, such as snowblowers. 

By properly preparing your winter appliances for storage, you’ll be able to:

• Prevent breakdowns and costly repairs
• Get it ready to use next year
• Extend the appliance’s lifespan 
• Troubleshoot any problems early-on

Ultimately, it’s advantageous to take an hour or two to put away your winter appliances the right way and save yourself trouble down the road.

Tools for Winter Appliance Maintenance

Time: 1-2 hours

Parts: Get any genuine OEM replacement parts on AppliancePartsPros.com for winter appliances such as snow removal equipment, log splitters, chipper shredders, chainsaws, pruners, trimmers, and more.

Tools:

• Gloves
• Eye protection
• Sturdy boots
• Screwdriver 
• Wrench

Warnings 

Perform Maintenance Outdoors

Ideally, you should perform any maintenance tasks outdoors to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. (For example, if you run your snowblower to use up any remaining fuel, it’s critical that you’re in a well-ventilated area.) Also, make sure your appliances are far away from any open flames. 

Disconnect Spark Plugs & Power Cords

Before you get started on any winter appliances, you’ll want to make sure they’re safe to perform maintenance. Disconnect any spark plugs and power cords from your appliances to prevent them from kick-starting as you work.

Servicing Your Snowblower

If you live in a cold weather state, your snowblower or snow removal equipment is likely your most used winter appliance. It’s essential to follow these steps to prep these outdoor appliances for post-winter storage.

1. Drain the Fuel

First off, you should drain the remaining fuel in your snowblower at the end of the season. That’s because gas can oxidize and gum up your fuel tank and carburetor. Siphon the gas safely into a separate container and run the appliance until the rest of the fuel burns off. The snowblower will shut off on its own. 

Pro tip: Alternatively, if you don’t plan to store your snowblower for a long period, you can utilize a fuel stabilizer instead. A fuel stabilizer is added to the fuel and the appliance is then run for a few minutes to prevent gum build-up. This should only be used in short-term situations. 

2. Change the Engine Oil

Next, you should change the engine oil so that your snowblower is ready at a moment’s notice next season. This is simple enough to do. 

First, warm up the oil by running your snowblower for a few minutes. Now power it off and wait until it’s cool enough to handle. Disconnect the spark plug for safety and then set an oil drain pan under the oil plug. Let the oil drain out. Once it’s done, you can check that all the oil has been drained and then reconnect the oil plug. 

Now you can fill the oil port with the right oil for your appliance (double-check your user’s manual). Fill it up to the right level and then fasten the oil port back on. At this point, you can reconnect the spark plug and restart your snowblower. Check for any oil leaks before shutting your appliance off.  

3. Troubleshoot for Any Damaged Parts

In addition, it’s important to troubleshoot any worn-out or damaged parts. Some common areas of concern for your snowblower include:

• Spark plug: Check for any cracks and wear-and-tear, and replace as needed. Make sure it’s dry and wipe it off if damp.
• Air filter: Inspect the filter and replace it if dirty. 
• Belts: Look for cracks and replace them as needed. 
• Screws and bolts: Tighten any loose screws, especially on the underside. 

You may also need to replace other snowblower parts due to wear-and-tear, such as skid shoes, spiral assemblies, wheel assemblies, throttle control boxes, augur cables, and more.

4. Deep Clean Your Snowblower

After you’ve tuned up your snowblower, it’s time to wipe it clean. Remember that any salt residue on or in your snowblower can corrode and damage parts. Use a wet cloth and soap to wipe down the machine, specfically any metal parts. (In particular, check the underside of the snowblower.) If needed, you can also use a hose to wash down the exterior. After cleaning, be sure to let your appliance dry properly before storing it.

5. Apply a Rust Preventative 

Now that your snowblower is clean and dry, you can use a rust preventative to keep it storage-safe. (Head to your user’s manual for recommendations for your model.) This will help prevent rust and corrosion during the off-season.

Servicing Other Winter Appliances

Similarly, your other winter outdoor power equipment (such as log splitters, chainsaws, pruners, etc.) should be tuned up for post-winter storage. While the exact steps will depend on your equipment, here are some must-dos:

• Safely drain and store any fuel (if applicable)
• Troubleshoot for damaged parts
• Deep clean your appliance
• Store it away properly

Be sure to follow the instructions in your appliances’ manuals for recommendations on maintenance, cleaning, and storage for each.

Servicing Non-Mechanical Tools 

During the winter, you may also use non-mechanical appliances such as a handsaw, loppers, or other tools. Be sure to clean these tools after use and sharpen the blades before putting them into storage. It’s also a good idea to apply a rust preventative for any frequently used items. 

How to Safely Store Your Winter Appliances 

Storing your appliances post-winter is essential to protect them from extreme weather, rodents, rust, and dust. 

Where to Store Winter Appliances

Storing Equipment in a Garage or Shed

We recommend storing your snowblower and other winter appliances in a garage where it’s protected from the outdoors. Even though your snowblower will be protected from the elements, you should also add a cover or tarp to prevent dust and grime build-up. 

Storing Equipment Outdoors

While you can store winter appliances outside, you should be aware that it’s not ideal. In this case, you’ll want to invest in a snowblower cover or tarp. In addition, you should keep the appliance elevated off the ground whenever possible and add pet-safe traps underneath it to prevent rodents from chewing through the wiring. 

Maintain Your Winter Equipment With AppliancePartsPros.com

Great job! You’ve now properly serviced your winter appliances and put them in storage for the off-season. Next time you need to pull out your snowblower or other winter equipment, it will be ready to start up! 

Keep in mind that you may need replacement parts when tuning up your snow removal equipment, log splitter, chipper shredder, chainsaw, pruner, trimmer, and more. Just head to AppliancePartsPros.com to find the genuine OEM parts you need to get your winter appliances in tip-top shape!

Winter Appliance Care FAQs

Is It Better to Store a Snowblower With or Without Fuel?

As you put away your snowblower for the season, you need to have a plan for the remaining fuel. For long-term storage, it’s best that you drain the fuel tank to prevent gas from oxidizing and gumming up your fuel lines and carburetor. If you don’t plan on using it until next year, this is your best choice. 

However, if you plan to use your snowblower in the short term, you may opt to add a fuel stabilizer instead. Essentially, you can add a stabilizer to the fuel to keep the gas from oxidizing until its next use. In this case, it’s very important that your snowblower is stored safely away from any fumes or open flames. 

Can I Store My Snowblower Outside Without a Shed?

Yes, you can store your snowblower outside, though it’s not ideal. To prevent rust and damage, you’ll need to take some precautions. For example, you should use a snowblower cover or tarp, elevate the appliance off the ground and use anti-rodent traps. 

How Do I Keep My Snowblower From Rusting?

To prevent your snowblower from rusting, it’s important to follow two general rules. First, you should always tune-up your snowblower before storing it. Specifically, draining the fuel and wiping down any salt residue from the appliance is vital to stop rusting. 

Second, you should store your snowblower properly. Ideally, you should do this indoors (such as a garage or shed) and use a cover to prevent dust and rust from accumulating.

Can I Use WD-40 on a Snowblower?

While you can use WD-40 on a snowblower chute to help unclog it, it’s not recommended. First, it’s a petroleum-based product, so it’s not as safe as other food-based options. Plus, it’s not a proper lubricant and will evaporate off the surface quickly. If you don’t want to buy a commercial snowblower lubricant, try Pam or another cheap cooking spray instead. 

However, the best option to protect your snowblower is a commercial lubricant such as Fluid Film, DuPont Lubricant Aerosol, Liquid Wrench Silicone Spray or CRC Heavy Duty Silicone Lubricant. 

Check Also:

• Parts for Snow Removal Equipment, Log Splitters, Chipper Shredders, Chainsaws, Pruners, Trimmers, and More
• Your Winter Checklists for Prepping Outdoor Equipment
• 8 Things to Do Before Winter Weather Hits
• How to Deal with Removing Snow This Winter
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