While I do use E0 if its going in a can.....so mower, sxs, chainsaw, power washer, etc.....some people hype it to be the best thing in the world.
I know we have been dealing with ethanol for 20+ years now....and people tend to have a shorter memory.
Ethanol runs fine in small engines, the problem with some early small engines is that some of the rubber/fuel lines werent compatible and turned them to mush and you would have problems.
But pretty much any small engine made in the last 15-20 years...this is a non-issue. And I find it comical that there are some that point to ethanol as always the problem. No matter what the issue is, if a small engine isnt running right, some just insist its the gas.
But everyone saying things like "ethanol is fine if its burnt right away and not allowed to sit for a year or so".....do we all really have that short of a memory that we forgot that you cannot leave even pure gas sit for a long time? Remember before ethanol, if something sat for awhile the gas would varnish.....and you would still have to tear apart and clean a carb?
Yes its true that ethanol has lower BTU per volume. IE less energy. So less MPG. But whether the cost difference is worth it depends on everyone's unique situation and vehicle. Driving habits, how its tuned, etc. Gotta do your own math and see. Might actually be cheaper to run regular gas laced with ethanol. OR if you have a FLEX, E85 might actually be cheaper in terms of $$/mile.
In my unscientific approach....I always used regular gas in my scag mower. Havent had an issue in the 15 years since I have owned it. And it takes EXACTLY a 5gal can to mow my yard every week. This hardly ever waivers. Since a Sheetz went in a few years ago and I have a source for E0 I have been using it. Honestly dont notice any difference. Starts the same, first spring startup the same, and same exact 5 gal to mow.
And yes, it truly is E0 because I have done the water test mentioned earlier in this thread, and compared regular pump gas and (which is 10% around here) and E0.
Basically put some water in a pint jar, bout an inch. Take a sharpie and park the water line. Fill the rest with gas and shake. If it settles where the water line is right where you marked it that is E0. If there it apprears as the separation line increased.....that is the ethanol being pulled from the fuel and binding with the water. So that gas has ethanol.
Now if you want to measure how much the water increased in relation to the amount of gas you added....that is your ethanol percent.