Putting Your String Trimmer Away for Winter, the Right Way
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The short answer
Gas: run the tank dry or use stabilized/canned fuel, clean the air filter, and pull the spark plug to check it. Battery: store the battery indoors at about 40–60% charge, off the charger. For both, clean grass out of the head and replace line that's gone brittle.
Canned 2-Cycle Pre-Mixed Fuel
Won't go stale in the tank over winter.
Gas trimmer checklist
- 1Empty the tank into an approved can, then run the trimmer until it stalls.
- 2Or fill with canned pre-mixed fuel, which doesn't go stale.
- 3Remove and tap out or wash the air filter.
- 4Pull the spark plug; replace it if the electrode is worn or fouled.
- 5Clean grass wrap off the shaft and head.
Battery trimmer checklist
- 1Remove the battery and store it indoors above freezing.
- 2Leave it partly charged — not full, not empty.
- 3Check it once mid-winter and top up if it's low.
- 4Wipe the tool down and store it hanging, not on the head.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I drain gas from my weed eater?
- Yes, or use stabilized or canned fuel. Two-stroke mix goes stale faster than straight gas.
- Can I leave a trimmer battery in the garage?
- Not in freezing weather. Store it indoors at room temperature.
The Gear We’d Buy
Everything referenced in this guide, in one place.
Canned 2-Cycle Pre-Mixed Fuel
Top pickWon't go stale in the tank over winter.
Typically $20 - $30
Trimmer Spark Plug
Cheap tune-up before storage.
Typically $5 - $10
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Key Takeaways
- Gas: dry tank or canned fuel.
- Battery: indoors, partly charged.
- Refresh or soak line before spring.
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A step-by-step guide to restringing a bump-feed weed eater, with photos in words: line length, winding direction and the mistakes that cause tangles.
Reviewed by
The Lawn Tool Hub Test Bench
We buy, borrow and break lawn tools on our own yards — clay in the back, sand-cut Bermuda in the front — and write down what actually changed the result.
Keep reading
Draining Mower Gas Before Winter: Siphon, Run Dry or Stabilize
Three safe ways to deal with gas in your mower before winter storage — siphon pump, run it dry, or stabilize — and which one your mower needs.
How to Winterize Lawn Equipment for Storage
Gas mowers, edgers, trimmers and battery tools all need proper winter storage. We cover fuel, oil, batteries and blades so everything starts in spring.
String Trimmer Line Sizes Explained
The right string trimmer line size depends on what you're cutting. We break down 0.065, 0.080, 0.095 and 0.105 line, plus round, twisted and serrated shapes.
Top pick
Canned 2-Cycle Pre-Mixed Fuel