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No matter what industry you work in, there’s a high chance that your business relies on machinery in some way. Whether you run a farm that uses tractors to lift hay bales or your logistics company relies upon a fleet of vehicles to transport cargo from A to B, you will likely need machinery to ensure the smooth running of your organisation.

With this in mind, you will certainly need to keep your machinery well-maintained at all times. Failing to do so will surely cause problems in your production and supply chain, costing your company time, money and customer loyalty. One of the most effective ways to maintain your machinery and keep it in good condition is to keep it oiled with the correct lubricants.

Interested in the importance of machinery lubricants? Here’s everything you need to know:

Why do you need machinery lubricants?

Whenever two surfaces rub together, they create a force called friction. There are two types of friction: static friction, which is the force created by two surfaces moving against each other, and kinetic friction, which is the force created by the movement of two dynamic objects. Put simply, friction is a force which creates resistance to movement.

Friction is extremely useful in many circumstances, such as when you’re walking along a polished floor. With enough friction between your shoes and the floor surface, you shouldn’t slip over. Additionally, when you want to stop or slow the movement of a machine, such as a tractor or lorry, you will rely on the friction created between the vehicle’s brake pads and brake disks to do so.

Despite this, there are situations where excessive force can lead to damage. Over time, continuous use of your business’ machinery can cause components to develop general wear and tear which, while inevitable, should be prevented for as long as possible. Repairing mechanical machinery is time-consuming and costly and is something you can avoid by lubricating components frequently.

How does lubrication work?

How do lubricants prevent wear and tear? Put simply, they make it easier for two surfaces to move against each other. Ultimately, lubricants form a barrier between mechanical components and make them more slippery, which makes it more difficult for them to resist movement. In turn, this reduces the friction created between the mechanical parts.

With reduced friction, it becomes easier for them to move without becoming worn down. Corrosion is something you want to avoid when using expensive machinery, as over time, metal parts can wear down and start to grind against other important components, causing broken parts and excessive heat production. By applying the correct type of lubricant to your business’ machinery, you can take some of the pressure off the moving parts and keep them in better condition.

Types of machinery lubricants and their properties

No matter what industry you work in, making sure you choose the right lubricant for your machinery is essential. There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution and you’ll need to do your research. When deciding which lubricant to opt for, there are two main types to choose from: oil and grease. Some of the main differences include:

Oil-based lubricants

Oil lubricants are produced by mixing oils derived from crude oil or petroleum and additives to form a useful barrier between two moving objects. Typically, oil-based lubricants, which are produced from either synthetic or mineral oils, are used to lubricate machines that run at high speeds. These include vehicles and hydraulic systems.

Due to the fact that oils have a low viscosity, you are not advised to use them in environments which need to be kept clean; oils can drip and pool, which could be unsafe in particular environments.

Grease-based lubricants

Grease lubricants are often manufactured using oil and thickeners, and as a result, are thicker and more adhesive than oil. Their thickness means they offer more protective qualities than oil-based lubricants and can help to prevent metal corrosion. It’s best to use grease lubricants in situations where you need to prevent contaminants from penetrating your machinery or you require the lubricant to stay in place for a long time.

However, as grease is more adhesive than oil, it’s not as effective a lubricant for machinery operating at quick speeds. Instead, its stickiness can cause components to resist movement. For this reason, it is best used to lubricate smaller parts, such as bearings and linkages.

Commercial lubricants for different industries

Whether your machinery requires oil or grease-based lubricants will depend on your equipment’s properties and how it’s used. Below, we discuss some of the properties to consider depending on the industry you work in.

• Automotive: When choosing the right lubricant for automotive equipment, you need to think about the key mechanical components of vehicles such as brakes, exhaust pipes, steering systems and the engine. The chosen lubricant must be able to withstand high speeds and temperatures while keeping the components clean, which is why oil is primarily used. Examples of automotive lubricants include engine oil, gear fluid, hydraulic fluid and brake fluid.

• Marine: It’s highly important that any lubricant used within the marine sector can function well in high-pressure environments and at high speeds. For this reason, oil lubricants are typically used, such as crosshead cylinder oils and trunk piston engine oils. However, there are many applications, such as the lubrication of ship bearings, which require grease for its water-resistant properties and ability to seal components off from contaminants.

• Agriculture: The agricultural industry is another sector which relies heavily on the use of mechanical equipment, including irrigation tools, field cultivators, tractors and balers. Both oil and grease lubricants have many applications within this sector; gear fluids, transmission oils engine oils and hydraulic oils are required for fast-moving equipment, while lubricants like calcium grease are used for machine bearings and harvesters.

• Industry: If you work in the industrial sector, you’ll know just how important it is to keep your machinery well-lubricated. As the mechanical equipment used in factories and processing plants operate at high temperatures and force, lubricant oils are typically used. Depending on the machinery you use, these may include hydraulic oils, gear oils, turbine oils and air compressor oils.

When choosing the right lubricant oil for your business’ machinery, it’s always recommended that you discuss your requirements with a reliable lubricant supplier.

How to find a trusted lubricant oil supplier

One of the most important steps towards finding the right lubricant oil for your machinery is to find a trusted supplier. As an established and reliable lubricants supplier ourselves, we’ve listed below some of the factors to consider when finding a company.

• Experience: Before working with a company, make sure they have plenty of experience in the industry. You want to make sure your chosen suppliers are going to deliver your purchases in a timely and efficient manner.

• Testimonials: What have previous customers said about their experience? If the company in question has lots of negative customer reviews and testimonials, it’s time to look elsewhere.

• Stock: It’s important to make sure your chosen suppliers stock a variety of lubricants from leading brands and can deliver the volume you need.

• Delivery: It’s imperative that your chosen supplier offers a delivery service. Otherwise, you’ll be responsible for transporting large volumes of fuel and lubricants yourself.

• Budget: Before you commit to working with a supplier, make sure you receive a free quote. This will give you the chance to compare their prices with those of their competitors.

With a top-quality service and competitive prices, we at Stoddards are proud to be the go-to lubricant and fuel supplier in the Stoke-on-Trent area. We offer same and next day delivery options for a range of commercial lubricant oils, available in volumes from one litre to 1000 litres, in addition to bottled gas, oil tanks, Adblue and fuel.

We also offer a pick-up service from our depot in Cheadle, so you can fit your lubricant or fuel collection around your business’ commitments. For more information about our range of services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Stoddards today.

Whether it’s for home, your commercial business or for agriculture use, anyone storing oil in a container with a capacity of more than 200 litres must follow UK oil storage regulations to ensure the safety of surrounding homes and wildlife. Regulations depend on the size, type of container and the fuel you wish to store in them.

In the UK, control of pollution (oil storage) regulations set out the guidelines for storing your commercial heating oil. These fall on the person responsible for the property or premises, for example the homeowner, business owner or site manager. Failing to comply with these regulations can result in fines and even legal action.

Under UK regulations, an oil tank is considered domestic if it has a capacity of 3,500 litres and under and the fuel tanks primary use isn’t for commercial purposes.

Do I need a bunded Oil Tank?

All non-domestic oil storage tanks over 200 litres are required to be bunded.

Bunded oil tanks are a legal requirement at most domestic installations, where sighting of the tank requires it according to OFTEC’s requirements.

To understand whether your home needs a bunded oil tank, it can be helpful to have an oil storage risk assessment carried out by OFTEC (form TI/133D). This can help you to be sure that you have the right oil storage solution for your property.

Although it can vary depending on the location, bunded oil tanks are usually required for homes in certain circumstances.

You need a bunded oil tank if your tank:

• Has a capacity of more than 2500 litres.

• Is located near an open drain or loose fitting manhole.

• Is within 10m of controlled water such as a river, stream etc.

• Is located where any spillage could travel over hard ground to reach controlled water.

• Is located within 50m of a borehole, spring or well.

• If the tank vent is not visible from the fill point. (Such as an extended fill point)

• Will be used for a building other than a single family dwelling.

• Have any other unique hazards to your site.

Contact Stoddards today if you require more information on any of your home, commercial or agricultural fuel needs such as whether you need a bunded tank or where the best place for an oil storage tank is on your premises.

During winter, we all use our heating system far more often than we do in the warmer months. As the temperatures drop and icy conditions set in, keeping our homes warm is extremely important for both our health and comfort. However, with Christmas just around the corner, you may be looking to save some money on your costly energy bills so that you can spend a little bit extra on presents. Below, we take a look at a few ways to keep your home warm and cosy this Christmas without cranking the heating too high.

Get cosy with rugs

If you have wooden floorboards, heat can easily escape through gaps. Laying down rugs in your home is a great way to make it feel more cosy while keeping in warm air. Throwing down a rug is a quick-fix solution for those who don’t have time to seal their floorboards.

Use your curtains

Your curtains can be used as an extra layer of insulation in your home and can help keep draughts and cold air out. During winter, hang up extra thick curtains to help trap warm air in your home. Open them during the day when the sun is out and make sure you close them once the sun has set to keep out cold air.

Bleed your radiators

If your radiators aren’t heating at the top, bleeding them will help fix this. All you need to do is buy a radiator bleed key (which are cheap and can be found in most DIY shops) to open the valve at the top of the radiator. Use the key to release the trapped air at the top of the radiator. You should hear air hiss – once you see a drip of water, close it again.

Insulate the loft

Heat rises, which means that you could be losing a lot of heat through your loft and roof if it’s not insulated properly. Insulating your loft or roof is an effective way to reduce heat loss and keep the cost of your energy bills down.

When it comes to keeping your property warm, kerosene is a clean, cheap and reliable way to heat your home. At Stoddards, we offer the best domestic heating oil prices in Stoke-on-Trent. Visit our website for more information.

Here at Stoddards Fuels, we take pride in fueling customers across Stoke-on-Trent. We supply and deliver fuels throughout the area. We also take great pride in being based in this wonderful city.

We wanted to share some of our favourite places to visit with you, so that you can enjoy them just as much as we do.

Gladstone Pottery Museum

Stoke-on-Trent is notorious for its pottery throughout the world. So, it only seems right that we take a look at the pottery past of the area. We think the best place to experience this is Gladstone Pottery Museum.

At the museum, you can understand lots of traditional pottery-making skills. With demonstrations throughout the day, you can get a real feel for how earlier generations lived and worked. There’s also a café serving hot and cold food with a beautiful view across the museums’ courtyard.

Potteries Museum & Art Gallery

If taking in the culture and history of the local area is something you would like more of, then you’re in luck. Home to a collection of artifacts and art from across Stoke and the county of Staffordshire, this experience looks wider than the cities pottery past.

Currently, the museum is home to the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold to ever be on display, as well as Staffordshire plane designer Reginald Mitchells’ world-famous Spitfire on display too.

The art gallery houses work from renowned artists from across the world. So, for a day of education and engagement, this is the place to visit.

Trentham Monkey Forest

We understand that perhaps you would like to visit somewhere outside. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. You can take a visit to some of the more unusual residents of Stoke-on-Trent. The Trentham Monkey Forest, offers the chance to walk with and watch 140 free-roaming Barbary Macaques.

You’ll be able to take a walk along the ¾ mile pathway through the woodland, seeing the endangered macaques engaging with one another, free from cages and bars. We’re sure that this is a place that the entire family will really enjoy.

Stoke Ski Centre

For those of you looking to get the adrenaline pumping, we have just the thing. You don’t need snow to ski, just visit the Stoke Ski Centre! It’s a great place to take your first steps into skiing, with junior ski lessons available for those between the ages of 4 and 16.

There’s also the option to go tubing on weekends and during bank holidays. Tubing is fun and easy to pick up, so almost anyone can give it a go.

About Us

At Stoddards, we stock a range of fuels and gas cylinders from our base in Cheadle. We cater to domestic, commercial, and agricultural customers, specialising in being on hand to help when you’re most in need. We aim to offer speedy deliveries to our customers throughout Staffordshire.

Contact our knowledgeable team today for more information about the services that we have to offer.

Energy is something most of us take for granted on a daily basis. As long as you can heat food on the cooker and drive your vehicle, you probably don’t think much about it. However, energy suppliers are always working behind the scenes to help improve the lives of those around them, particularly their clients.

Fuel Supplier Benefits

What kind of benefits do fuel suppliers offer? They are useful in many areas and while gas or heating oil may not be the most glamorous things to work with, they are very necessary in today’s world. After all, everyone needs fuel at some point, as well as heating.

Here are a few other ways they can benefit the general public:

Fueling Vehicles

Petrol is essential in keeping vehicles running, but commercial vehicles usually run on diesel. This is provided by energy companies and it offers some specific benefits, as well. Diesel is available in different grades and is often used for the following reasons:

Improved fuel efficiency: Diesel generates more power from the same amount of petrol, which means it is far more efficient than regular gasoline cars. Diesel engines are also built to be used in commercial vehicles and have more power than the average petrol engine.

Reduced fire hazard: If there is an accident or if someone lights up near a tank of diesel, it’s highly unlikely anything will happen. While diesel can catch fire, it has a much higher flashpoint than petrol and will not burn as easily. This makes it far more stable and therefore, safer.

Less maintenance: Another thing that people like about diesel is that the engines using it are built to last much longer and don’t require as much maintenance as other engines. This is due to the lack of a sparking ignition system. Instead, it uses compressed, super heated air as a method of igniting the fuel.

Keeping Farms Running

Energy providers offer a lot of benefits, but one of the big ones is that they help farms run more efficiently and on a budget. The most common uses for farms is keeping the home warm and running farm equipment.

Without fuel, there is no forward movement and no fields will be tilled. Tractors and just about every other type of machinery on the farm will require fuel in order to function. Without these essential pieces of equipment, the farm would most likely fail. Therefore, fuel serves a very important purpose on the farm.

You may also want to look for AdBlue suppliers to help your fuel be more eco-friendly. This liquid solution contains urea and it produces ammonia. When mixed with the nitrogen oxides in the exhaust pipe of your vehicle or farm tractor, it turns it into nitrogen and water, both of which are environmentally friendly. It’s a relatively simple way to reduce your impact on the environment while using fuel. Often, the same companies that sell the fuel will sell AdBlue.

Providing Alternatives

With most energy providers, you’ll have several options to choose from when it comes to fuel, whether it is for heating or running a vehicle. They’ll provide you with a variety to choose from, including oil, diesel, and canned gas, so you can make the best choices for your home and vehicles.

Heating Homes: What Are Your Options?

There are multiple methods of keeping your home warm, so how do you choose the best one? Let’s take a look at some of your options:

Oil

When you heat your home with oil, you need to have a boiler that will provide heat through radiators. This is considered a wet system, since water is heated and used to transport the heat throughout the home.

Oil heating is very efficient and if you have a modern boiler, it’s probably over 90% efficient. Boilers do get old and leaky though, so you will need to replace it after 10-15 years. It’s very simple to replace these and get the heat running again.

Unfortunately, there are also some downsides to using oil for heating, as well. It can change prices rapidly, which means you may end up paying more some months than others. It is also not a clean energy, as it is a fossil fuel. It won’t burn clean and produces carbon monoxide, which can be lethal.

Gas

Far more cost effective than most options, gas is used in quite a few modern boilers. It also has the advantage of being piped directly into your boiler, so you don’t need to worry about storing it or filling up a tank when you need it. If there is no piped gas in your area, you may need a gas cylinder or a large, outdoor tank that can be filled on a regular basis.

Gas is considered more efficient in many ways, but it is also more flammable, so care must be taken when handling it. You may use gas in both heating and cooking in the home, so it’s a very useful option to use.

Coal

You can also burn coal, but this is not only messy and difficult, it can also produce some pretty toxic fumes. The world is moving away from coal and that’s for the better. However, if you live in an older home, it may still be an option for you to heat the house with coal. You should attempt to switch to a better option as soon as possible.

Wood

This is the traditional method, which requires burning logs in order to heat the home. That can be a good option if you have no access to fuel, but it does cause smoke and can be more dangerous in that way. Also, you need a good wood stove to keep your home warm, since a regular boiler won’t handle wood.

Wood is not great for the environment either. It produces smoke and, depending on the method of collection, it may not be very sustainable, either.

Solar

While solar power is both sustainable and efficient, it tends to be expensive to install and isn’t for everyone. Most people choose to move slowly over to solar power, if they do that. However, if they do install solar power, it has to produce enough power for the home. This isn’t always possible, depending on the number of appliances they have in the home.

If you opt for solar power, you’ll have to install expensive panels and a system to store the energy created. Since heating a home requires a lot of energy, you may have to look at alternative methods to electric heating.

A solar heater doesn’t provide electricity, but it does offer solar heat by heating air or water in the sun and then passing it through the home.

There are plenty of choices when it comes to heating your home. In today’s world, we have the ability to select what we want, according to our needs. From eco-friendly to super-efficient, there’s something for every need and energy suppliers offer a wide range of choices for you to look at.

Domestic Heating Oil

Domestic heating oil can be used in your home boiler and it can help you keep your space warm enough to weather even storms and snow. As mentioned above, it can be a good way to heat your home and it is often used with boilers to provide wet heat throughout the home.

Domestic heating oil is usually trucked in and you’ll need to have a suitable oil tank for it. A good oil tank will be large enough to hold the oil you need for at least a few months. It should also be non-reactive and somewhat flexible so you don’t have to worry about it. Plastic works very well for oil tanks and it can be used above or below ground, depending on your needs.

As you can see, energy suppliers have a lot to offer and are flexible in their offerings, as well. If you aren’t certain what you need, they will be eager to help you find a solution to your problem. Whether you need to heat your home, run a more fuel efficient vehicle, or something else that involves energy, you’ll find that you can get plenty of advice from your energy supplier.

Are you looking for a better solution for your energy needs? Contact Stoddard’s today to learn how we can help you with all your fuel needs.

Oil and natural gas are the two driving forces for much of our industrial development over the years and are two of the most expensive commodities on Earth. We spend billions drilling for oil and gas for our farms, factories and vehicles and having been doing so for years and years. However, where does it all come from and how is it made? Here we discuss how oil and gas come to be and the process of extracting it.

What Exactly is Oil and Gas?

Both natural oil and gas are formed from the fossilised remains of prehistoric creatures and plants from hundreds of millions of years ago. These prehistoric creatures and plants were covered by layer upon layer of silt and sand at the bottom of the oceans and, without oxygen and under immense pressures and temperature, the organic material was not able to decompose which turned it into what’s known as ‘source rock’. This ‘cooking’ process turned the matter into gas and oil over aeons within the source rock.

Over incredibly long periods of time, the gas and oil within the rocks moved up through pores and cracks in the rocks up towards the surface from deep within the Earth. Some of this oil and gas escapes through the ground, but much of it remains in ‘reservoirs’ of rock which contain the oil and gas and can be mined.

How Do We Extract and Use It?

Oil has been mined for centuries and, until the 1900s, was largely based on luck. There were some vegetation signifiers that indicate that there is oil below, but science has caught up and geologists can now accurately identify where oil is likely to be. We then drill down to the area where the oil is and hope to strike!

Stoddards: Your Fuel, Oil and Bottled Gas Supplier in Stoke-on-Trent

Here at Stoddards, we’ve been supplying fuel, gas and oil for a number of years. As leading fuel suppliers in the area, we have helped a huge number of local businesses in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheadle with their fuel and oil supply.

To find out more, please feel free to contact us today. You can find us at Greenhill garage, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, ST10 1JF, call us on 01538 752 253 or email us at [email protected].

In the modern age, our world depends on all sorts of energy to power utilities, be it fossil fuels, renewables or kinetic energy sources. Our energy needs have increased greatly since the Industrial Revolution and fossil fuels and fuel oil produce the amount we require to meet this growing demand. These fossil fuels include coal and natural gas. In this blog, we’re going to explore the third type of fossil fuel – oil, or fuel oil.

From the different types of fuel oils to their uses, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about fuel oil, delving into the benefits of using it.

What is fuel oil?

To start, what exactly is fuel oil? There are many different fuel oils available, whether it’s for transportation or cooking, but fuel oil is essentially oil that is used as fuel in an engine or furnace. Different examples of fuel oil depend on the process of distillation whereby, usually, the oil starts as crude oil or refined petroleum. From this, these oils can transform into different fuel oils such as kerosene, lubricating oil, jet fuel and more, and these are then used to heat homes, power machines or transport goods.

Working out the amount of fuel oil you require and the estimated cost can also be tricky. However, by contacting the fuel suppliers directly for assistance or simply using an online fuel calculator to get an instant online quote, you can be sure to get an accurate assessment.

Fuel oil is used for different things and is known by different names such as:

• Diesel fuel
• Kerosene oil
• Furnace oil
• Home heating oil
• Industrial heating oil
• Marine fuel

But what are the many different uses of fuel oil and how are they applied? Here, we explore where fuel oil can be used.

Domestic: Heating oil & fuel oil

When in the home during the winter, there may come a time that you feel you need to utilise your heating system and many people use heating oil to do this. Domestic heating oil is the most common form of fuel oil in domestic settings and there are two different types, commonly known as kerosene or home heating oil. Although this started as lamp oil in the 19th century, used to light up households and street lamps, kerosene was refined from crude oil and now is used to heat homes.

Wanting to keep a warm home during the colder months of the year is only natural and many households use heating oil systems to do this. If you’re looking to keep warm and cosy in the cold rather than suffer whilst wrapped in hundreds of blankets, heating oil burns at over 70 degrees Celsius, meaning it is hotter than other gas-based or electrical systems, ensuring that a household will heat up quickly and efficiently.

Commercial: Diesel fuel for fleets

As well as heating oil for homes, this same oil can also be sold commercially for businesses, whether it’s to heat a warehouse floor or a small city-based office. However, the most common use of fuel oil within commercial industries is diesel. Although you probably know what diesel is, this fuel is usually used in diesel engines, including machinery and vehicles.

From transporting goods to powering manufacturing machinery, commercial fuel is a crucial part of many business operations and without it, transport would be hindered and profits would suffer. National and international trade is the life-blood of many commercial industries, meaning that diesel fuel plays a huge part in getting our bread to our bakers, our veg to our grocers, our essentials to our supermarkets and our fashion to our clothing stores. For this trade to take off, fleets of vehicles are required to navigate the country, collecting and delivering a whole host of items; diesel fuel is used to keep these lorries moving and on schedule for success.

As well as vehicle fleets for trade, there are other commercial fleets that might require diesel fuel, such as removalists companies, car rentals, taxi services, public bus companies, emergency service departments, haulage companies and much more.

Agriculture and Construction: Red Diesel & Gas Engine Oil

Similar to commercial industries, agriculture relies heavily on vehicles to get the job done, from hay baling to harvesting. However, there is a different sort of fuel available in this industry, namely gas oil or ‘red diesel’.

Commonly used in construction and agricultural vehicles, gas oil is used to operate vehicles and machines such as excavators, cranes, tractors and combine harvesters. Essentially, this fuel is very similar to road diesel (‘white diesel’) but a red dye has been added to make it distinguishable by the VOSO and the police if it’s being misused. It can be used by standard road vehicles and you could face a heavy fine if caught doing so.

To help farming and construction industries along, gas oil is essential for running these vehicles. And, did you know that gas oil is also used by travelling fairs and carnivals to power their generators?

The benefits of using fuel oil

With different energy options out there, why do so many people opt for fuel oil as a means to generate heat, electricity or movement? Here are some of the top benefits of using fuel oil:

• Cost-effective – when it comes to domestic oil prices, heating oil is considered one of the cheapest options for heating a home. As many homeowners tend to own their own tank, this means they also save money on rental fees and are free to stock up on oil when it suits them and their budget. Finally, heating oil is also cheaper than mains gas, LPG, renewables or electric systems. But more than this, general fuel oil, such as diesel, tends to be cheaper than its counterparts.
• Safe – fuel oil doesn’t have the same level of risk as it is non-explosive and will only ignite in an advanced furnace system meaning, if there is a leak, it won’t explode when exposed to a naked flame. With this in mind, this factor makes heating oil particularly popular with many households around the UK as it ensures peace of mind.
• Efficient – although fossil fuels and oils are considered damaging to the environment and we should be aiming to cut down where possible, most fuel oils are actually a very efficient energy source. For example, heating oil systems perform at 90% efficiency meaning that every pound spent, 90 pence of this will be used to heat your home. This is compared to gas-based heating systems (70%) or electrical systems (30%). Diesel oil is also more efficient compared to petrol and equates to higher fuel efficiency. With this in mind, a fuel oil system can give you a decent return on your investment.
• Warmer – if you’re using your oil for heating purposes, an oil heat flame burns at 70 degrees Celsius meaning that it heats up a home a lot quicker than an electrical or gas-based system would.
• Popular – because of popularity, fuel oils will be in demand for a long time to come. From heating homes to running their business fleet, domestic, commercial, agricultural, construction, industrial and marine sectors will continue to need fuel oil for years to come.

Stoddards – Reliable fuel suppliers for domestic, commercial and agricultural industries

With so many applications and uses for fuel oils, from kerosene to diesel, there’s nothing that can’t be achieved. Whether you’re in need of fuel oil for domestic, commercial or agricultural purposes, Stoddards in Stoke-on-Trent can help. We are a professional and reliable fuel company that can provide high-quality fuel options for your home or business – for more information, get in touch with us or use our online fuel calculator to get a quote today.

Getting fuel delivered is necessary for a variety of reasons, and you’ll be thankful to know there are a range  of options to suit your lifestyle. Whether you use fuel or gas for indoor applications (such as cooking or portable gas heaters) or outdoors (for anything ranging from barbecues, patio gas heaters, camping gas stoves or a caravan), using the services of a gas supplier gives you the benefits of liquid petroleum gas – wherever you are. With this in mind, below we will outline some of the main benefits of using a fuel and gas supply service.

Online services

If you have access to the internet, you’ll be happy to know that the majority of fuel suppliers will have their own website in which you can directly order fuel as well as a check to see if you are eligible for delivery. All of this makes checking your bills, ordering refills, and making payments simple. You don’t have to wait for the local shop to open to purchase your gas or or any other types of fuel. You can make an order online and you’ll have a company representative at your door ready to replace your gas tank in no time at all.

Delivery services

Perhaps the most obvious, for various reasons, people may not want to drive a vehicle around at certain times of the day due to traffic, which in most parts of the country can get highly congested. Not to mention the fact that no one wants to be stuck for long periods on their way to get fuel. The most convenient part of using an energy supplier is that they offer you a delivery service. All you need to do is,go online,  access your account and then you can order gas, it really is that simple! This will allow you to get gas ordered to your home as soon as possible.

Emergency delivery services

Dealing with an energy supplier who has an emergency delivery service is ideal for anyone who has concerns regarding being caught short in a situation without gas. This is particularly relevant if you live in a rural area with difficult access or do not have transportation yourself.

A good fuel supplier will have a varied fleet of tankers able to handle all kinds of weather and road conditions and restricted access will not be a problem. on-site storage capabilities allow them to act fast.

Whether for your home or business, here at Stoddards we stock and deliver a range of butane and propane bottled gas throughout Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. We proudly offer an efficient and reliable service, tailoring our butane and propane bottled gas deliveries to suit your requirements. For more information regarding our services, contact us directly – we’re always happy to help.

One of the most important things you can do in regards to keeping your machinery running and in top quality is to make sure it is properly lubricated.

You may be wondering to yourself,  what is machinery lubricant and how does it affect operations when it’s used? This blog will answer these questions and more by covering the fundamentals of lubrication. We will discuss how a lubricant works to remove friction, the physical and chemical properties of the lubricant, and the many functions of a lubricant.

Many people believe that a lubricant is simply used to make things “slippery.” While it is the primary function, there are more advantages to using the right lubricant.

What is a lubricant?

In order to avoid failures of this nature, we lubricate our machinery to minimize the resistance to movement, and as a result, minimize the amount of heat produced. The heat that is produced by the equipment is transferred to the oil so that it may be removed by a lube oil cooler.

There are a lot of considerations that must be applied when selecting the type of lubricant we need to use: viscosity, additives needed, properties, etc. Essentially, it is used to reduce friction.

What makes up a lubricant?

All lubricants start with a base oil. There are three types: mineral, synthetic, and vegetable. In industrial applications, we mostly deal with mineral and synthetic.

Testing lubricants

Lubricants reduce friction around any moving machine. A schedule of good lubrication maintenance extends the life of large machinery equipment and parts.

Lubrication is one of the first and most important of maintenance checks. Look for signs of excess oil or grease build-up on pistons, also look for leaks around oil seals.

Ensure to use the right lubricant. There are significant kinds of oil and grease for every component. Check the manufacturer’s guide for further guidance.

Getting the lubricants frequently checked is a good way to diagnose problems with large machinery. Experts analyze particles in the used oil. The makeup of any contaminants will indicate which part may be suffering from wear or breakdown.

Here at Stoddards,we’ve been stocking Morris machinery lubricants for well over 50 years. As Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire reliable team of professionals, we keep your business, farm and leisure machinery and vehicles ticking over with our high-quality lubricants. From engine oil and tractor fluid to gear oil, we stock an extensive range of machinery lubricants six days a week with same or next day delivery across Cheshire and Derbyshire. Get in touch to find out more about what we can do for you.

With energy bills and environmental worries increasing year-on-year, some people are turning their attention to alternative ways to heat their homes. At Stoddards, we’re here to say that heating oil as many benefits and could be the solution you’re looking for when the trees aren’t as green and the cold winter fully arrives.

Switching to domestic heating oils, also known as kerosene, could be the answer as they are one of the cleanest, cheapest, safest and most reliable ways to heat a home in the UK. Here are three top benefits of using domestic heating oil.

Price

Heating oil is the cheapest option when it comes to heating a home. It’s also cheaper than all other heating options, including mains gas, LPG, renewables or electric systems. Many homeowners who use heating oil also own their own tank, meaning they don’t have to pay any rental fees and can stock up as and when they please, meaning this cuts costs. Coming into the summertime, it’s a good idea to stock up now when the prices are dropping and the demand is not so high too. As a heating oil consumer, you will also have the freedom to choose a different supplier each time when the price fluctuates. If you’re based in and around Stoke-on-Trent though, consider Stoddards for reliable heating oil and prices today.

Safety

An oil-based system is much safer than gas systems as it doesn’t have the same level of risk associated with it. Heating oil, or kerosene, is non-explosive and only ignites by an advanced system with an oil-burner or furnace. Any leaking oil won’t explode either, unlike leaking or exposed gas that comes in to contact with an exposed flame, so you can have peace of mind that you and your household are safe. Any issues with an oil-based system are easier to identify than that of invisible gas, meaning it can be fixed quickly and efficiently too.

Efficiency

Heating oil burns at over 70 degrees Celsius, making it hotter than electricity or gas systems, meaning that a home will heat up a lot quicker. Also, heating oil systems perform at 90% efficiency meaning that every pound spent, 90 pence of this will be used to heat your home. This is unlike gas systems that only operate at 75% and electric systems which come in at roughly 30%. A domestic heating oil system will give you a good return on your investment and heating.

At Stoddards, we are Stoke-on-Trent’s leading supplier of domestic heating oil. Whether you’re looking for a top-up oil service or need an emergency delivery of heating oil, we can help. Get in touch with us today for more information about our services and the products we supply.