As for winterization, I'm of the opinion that Sta-Bil is a mower's
best friend. I don't believe in draining the carb bowl because even if
you do that, there is still fuel residue in all of the jet orifices
and passages -- and THAT's where gum is the big problem. Just top off
the fuel tank, pull the spark plug and spray some WD-40 in the
cylinder, gap the plug and reinstall it.

But -- I run Sta-Bil in ALL my fuel all summer long, not just for
winterization. That may make a difference. I get gas in a 5g container
and just add the Sta-Bil to that and it lasts the summer and then
some. Never had an issue with year-and-a-half-old gas.