I've found it's the residual fuel that's left in the carburetor after the fuel line is turned off and the engine quits that causes the most problems. And it's really not so much the fuel but all the additives that leave trace elements. I now make it a habit to drain float bowls before storing anything with a small engine, even if it means removing the bowl to drain it completely. The small jet in the bolt that holds the bowl to the bottom of the carb on lawn mowers and edgers are notorious for clogging up from fuel residue. Thankfully, the carbs on my two ATV's and portable generator have drain screws on the float bowls. Those fuel additives have failed me too many times when it came to storing small engines.

Not sure if it’s fuel or additives, but I have also noticed that shutting the fuel off and running till it won’t anymore doesn’t prevent issues. I have better luck just leaving fuel in it and starting it every few months.

I do like redchevy and just run them from time to time, and I do put the non-ox gas in them and run em a bit prior to short term non use.

What Texas Dan said reminds me that when I needed to use the big walk behind tiller a couple weeks ago, it wouldn’t run. I had to pull the carb and clean the jets, and there was a good bit of jellied goop in the bottom of the carb bowl. I don’t run non-ox gas in that one, but do use stabilizer. Been about 3 years since I had to clean that carb. Happily, it’s easy to work on.

I have a generator mounted on a cargo trailer that lives a hard life outside 24/7. I always run it dry, it doesn’t get used much anymore. But I do start it up about once a month. I splurged about a year ago and bought another cover for it. And it gets a dose of stabilizer every now and then.

I have a chainsaw that hasn't idled right in years, even after taking it to the shop. It's only been fed Tru fuel it's entire life. After reading this thread I went to Wally World and purchased Mechanic in a can. Poured it in and let it sit for 24hrs. Fired up on the 3rd pull and now it purrs like a kitten. I tell you what...that stuff flat out works.

I've heard good stuff about it, never used it,personally.