Summer diesel in a farm tank come November is a problem waiting on a cold night. Here's what gelling actually is, and why the switch happens before the cold, not after.
Diesel has paraffin wax in it. That's normal — it's part of the fuel and part of why it burns the way it does. The trouble starts when the temperature drops far enough that the wax comes out of solution and clouds the fuel.
Keep going down and those wax crystals stop passing through the filter. That's gelling, and in western Minnesota it isn't a rare event. It's a season.
It rarely announces itself. Usually the engine fires, runs a minute, then loses power as the filter plugs — or it won't start at all. Either way you're thawing out a tractor instead of doing what you got up to do.
Everything about the fix is cheaper before it happens than after:
Anti-gel works by stopping wax crystals from forming in the first place. Once the fuel has already clouded, pouring it in doesn't undo the problem.
We carry Cenex Wintermaster, a premium diesel blended specifically for cold-weather operation. It's the seasonal answer to exactly the problem above — a fuel meant to keep flowing when the thermometer stops cooperating.
Alongside it we stock Fieldmaster for off-road equipment and Roadmaster XL for on-road trucks, so the whole operation can be on the right fuel for the season and the job.
Talk to us about timing the switch. It depends on what you're running and how it's stored, and it's a much better conversation to have in October than in January.
Every partly empty tank breathes. Warm days and cold nights pull moist air in, and that moisture condenses on the tank walls and settles to the bottom.
In July that's a nuisance. In January it's ice in your fuel line, and no amount of winter blend fixes water. Drain bulk tanks before the freeze and keep them topped up through the winter.
None of it takes long. All of it is easier now than during the first cold snap.
Tri-County Co-op delivers bulk fuel, premium diesel, and propane to farms and homes in Chokio, Graceville, Wheaton, Dumont, and the surrounding areas.
Not sure what your operation should be running this winter? Give us a call at 320-324-7151 and we'll work through it with you.
Get winter-blend diesel in your tanks before the first hard freeze. Tri-County Co-op keeps western Minnesota moving through the cold months.
Email: office@tricountyco-op.com
Learn more: tricountyco-op.com
📞 Call 320-324-7151Cenex® branded propane retailer
Applications & uses
Furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, cooking, and backup generators. Automatic delivery scheduling available.
Grain dryers, irrigation engines, livestock building heat, and portable farm equipment. Bulk delivery, competitive ag pricing.
Forklifts, generators, fleet vehicles, laundry & food service. High-volume contracts and dedicated account management.
Grills, fire pits, patio heaters, and portable cylinders. Cylinder exchange available in-store — no delivery needed.
Delivery programs
We track your usage and schedule delivery before you run low. No calls, no worrying, no running out. Best for primary home heating.
You monitor your gauge and call when ready. Order at 20–30%. Typical 2–3 business day turnaround. Emergency same-day available.
Large-volume for grain dryers, livestock buildings, and farm equipment. Harvest-season priority scheduling. Ag-specific pricing.
New customer?
We work with licensed installers to get your tank set up. Call (320) 555-0197 and we’ll walk you through the process.
Safety guide
Propane has an added odorant (ethyl mercaptan) — it smells like rotten eggs or a skunk. Listen for hissing near appliances or the tank. Look for dead or discolored vegetation near buried lines. Frost on the outside of your tank can also indicate a problem.
Put out all flames immediately. Do NOT touch any electrical switches. Leave the building and leave the door open. Turn off the main valve on your tank if safe to do so. Call us and 911 from outside or a neighbor’s phone. Do not re-enter until cleared by emergency responders.
Never let your tank drop below 20% in winter. Keep snow and ice clear from tank vents, regulators, and lines. Do not use a heat gun or open flame to thaw frozen regulators — call us instead. Note: propane contracts in extreme cold, so your gauge may read lower than expected.
When a tank empties fully, air and moisture enter the lines. All appliances must be inspected and re-lit by a certified technician before use — this is a safety code requirement, not optional. Call us immediately at (320) 555-0197. We’ll deliver and send a technician for the re-light.
Have all propane appliances inspected by a licensed technician every year. Check that burner flames are steady blue — not orange or yellow. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Never attempt DIY repairs on gas lines or appliances.
Pricing programs
Propane prices fluctuate seasonally — rising in fall as winter demand builds. We offer programs to protect your budget.
Limited time
Pre-buy propane & lock in this season’s price before winter
Pricing varies by volume, delivery location, and program. Call us for a current quote — we’ll find the program that fits your needs and budget.
Frequently asked questions
Call when your tank gauge hits 20–30%. In winter, deliveries can take 2–3 business days, so don’t wait until it’s below 10%. Automatic delivery customers don’t need to monitor this — we handle it.
It depends on your original installation. Leased tanks are tied to a specific supplier. Owned tanks can be filled by any provider, including us. Check your installation paperwork, or call us at (320) 555-0197 — we’ll help you find out.
Yes, if you own your tank outright. We cannot fill tanks leased from another provider as those remain their property. Call ahead to confirm before scheduling your first delivery with us.
Residential deliveries typically have a 100-gallon minimum. For smaller tanks or unusual situations, call us — especially for first-time customers or emergency fills where we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
We use your usage history and weather data to estimate when you’ll need propane and schedule delivery proactively. You’ll receive a notification before we arrive. No calls or monitoring required on your end.
Residential tanks from 100 to 1,000 gallons, agricultural bulk tanks, and commercial tanks of various sizes. We also sell portable 20 lb, 33 lb, and 100 lb cylinders at our C-store location.
Request delivery
Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch to confirm your delivery. Need it sooner? Call our propane line directly.
Or call our propane scheduling line: (320) 555-0197 · Available Mon–Fri 7am–6pm · 24/7 for emergencies
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Looking for an affordable, reliable energy source? Propane is a clean-burning fuel ideal for heating, cooking, hot water, and backup power—perfect for rural homes, farms, and small businesses.
💡 Why Choose Propane?
Lower emissions than oil or gasoline
Highly efficient energy source
Works during power outages
Safe and versatile—use it indoors and out!
🚚 We Deliver – In Bulk!
As a member of our oil co-op, you get competitive pricing on bulk propane deliveries—straight to your tank, when you need it. No middlemen, no hassle.
👥 Member-Owned, Community-Focused
Your energy dollars stay local, supporting neighbors and building energy independence for our region.
Cenex lubricants deliver superior protection and performance for engines and equipment. Formulated with advanced additives, they help reduce wear and extend equipment life.
Tri County Co-op has DEF available at the pump for quick, convenient access. Save time and stay compliant by filling up your diesel equipment or vehicles right here.
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