Fuel can- viable alternatives?

[vavet]

I know there are a lot of people unhappy with the current state of affairs with fuel cans. We typically use these for lawn mowers, generators, etc. It seems a law was enacted around 2009 requiring all new fuel cans to be fitted with an anti spill device, which makes them awkward to use.
I have a larger lawn and a thirstier lawn mower now than I did the last time I bought a fuel can. I’ve drug my feet on buying a new one because of the stupid features on the new cans. I’d love to have a 5 gallon can instead of my piddley little 2 gallon can that gets me through less than 2 full mowings of my lawn.

So...what about the “utility jugs” used by racers?
Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJ7MCA6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I’m sure you’re not supposed to use it for lawn mower gas, but why not? Viable?
Last time I needed gas for my mower, I loaded it in my trailer and drove to the gas station. I filled it up and filled up my can to get as much gas as I could with a single trip.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a few of them in the race trailer. I also have a 2.5 gallon one for regular gas that I bought at Summit.



https://www.summitracing.com/search...Default&SortOrder=Ascending&autoview=SKU&ar=1

 

[Garett]

I have a couple of 25liter(6.6gal) plastic Jerry cans and some smaller ones. The big ones are for lawn equipment medium for the track and the small ones I premix gas/oil in. Those VP ones are pretty but too spendy for me.

 

[Wamsutta]

Get the No-Spill and then add a vent kit from Amazon.

 

[Jawn]

+1 for No-Spill

http://www.nospill.com/

I like these better than the pre-2009 ones.

 

[xjfish]

I too have a No-Spill and don't have issues using it without an added vent. The other style nozzles on the market now are complete garbage IMO. You can buy "regular" nozzles and vent kits and make your new style gas can great again... I forget the popular mfg. off hand.

 

[xjfish]

EZ-POUR

 

[southalabama]

I went with ez pour and made my own.

 

[Lamakocklee]

Holy smokes!

2 gallons get you less than 2 mowings.. now that's a lawn!


How about the eagle safety cans? I have those in 1, 2, and 5 gallons. Easy to use when fueling small engines.. A little awkward when trying to fill your car.

 

[Wamsutta]

I too have a No-Spill and don't have issues using it without an added vent. The other style nozzles on the market now are complete garbage IMO. You can buy "regular" nozzles and vent kits and make your new style gas can great again... I forget the popular mfg. off hand.

If you don't install the vent, the bottle will expand in the heat like a balloon, and then look like an elephant stepped on it when it cools. It stresses the plastic to heck and back.

 

[WWheeler]

Get the No-Spill and then add a vent kit from Amazon.

+1 for a No-Spill. Best gas cans ever made by anyone.

-1 for adding a vent kit. There is zero reason to add a vent kit to a No-Spill can. It serves no purpose and if there is any air coming in through a vent you have ruined the No-Spill feature, which is the best thing about the cans.

Pours super fast. Never spill a drop. You can do it with your eyes closed.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O7L4Umc_kUk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Cheepbeer]

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai...MI5PDOubOA3QIVDL7ACh2ZygP5EAQYASABEgJCtfD_BwE

I like this one from Jegs. It's got a lower handle.

I've got a few of the no spill, I've vented them all. They work fine vented, if you're paying attention, like you should. If you close the vent it'll still work as intended.

 

[Wamsutta]

+1 for a No-Spill. Best gas cans ever made by anyone.

-1 for adding a vent kit. There is zero reason to add a vent kit to a No-Spill can. It serves no purpose and if there is any air coming in through a vent you have ruined the No-Spill feature, which is the best thing about the cans.

Pours super fast. Never spill a drop. You can do it with your eyes closed.

You misunderstand. The vent kit is for the bottle when it's not in use. The idea is to keep the bottle vented so that it doesn't inflate and deflate when undergoing temperature extremes. The plastic is not elastic enough to take that abuse.

 

[rlitman]

You misunderstand. The vent kit is for the bottle when it's not in use. The idea is to keep the bottle vented so that it doesn't inflate and deflate when undergoing temperature extremes. The plastic is not elastic enough to take that abuse.

It is elastic enough, and venting the volatiles from your fuel rapidly degraded the fuel, plus helps it absorb moisture from the air.

 

[VocaTexas]

I think the idiot that came up with these 'no spill' fuel cans should be put against a wall and shot. Trying to fuel farm equipment these things are a joke. I spill lots more fuel with these new cans than I ever did with the old ones. I bought several of the VP fuel cans and use them now. By the time you buy a vent kit for a no-spill, the VP is nearly the same price.

 

[zendriver]

I have one like this. Nothing to dislike about it whatsoever. The funnel folds down when not in use.

The funnel will overspill, if filling a larger tank quickly, but, but it is designed to cut the end off to make the opening larger., if desired.

 

[dacan23]

While their quality is not 100% of what it use to be, I have a bunch of the Just Rite Type II safety cans, got a few on Amazon, actually the best price is Zoro with a 20-30% coupon.

I lose power all the time, use them for filling cars and yard equipment. For the price of plastic cans and then the ezpour adapter, you can almost get a nice metal can. Luckily I have a few plastic pre2009 ones, agreed the person that made these new saftey pours should be crucified.

 

[kythri]

I think the idiot that came up with these 'no spill' fuel cans should be put against a wall and shot. Trying to fuel farm equipment these things are a joke. I spill lots more fuel with these new cans than I ever did with the old ones. I bought several of the VP fuel cans and use them now. By the time you buy a vent kit for a no-spill, the VP is nearly the same price.

How do you spill with a No-Spill can? You stick the spigot into the filler neck, and push the button.

You aren't supposed to vent them - venting a No-Spill is an idiotic practice that defeats the system.

I've got a 1.25g and 2.5g No-Spill for my small engine stuff, and they're fantastic.

 

[rlitman]

How do you spill with a No-Spill can? You stick the spigot into the filler neck, and push the button.

You aren't supposed to vent them - venting a No-Spill is an idiotic practice that defeats the system.

I've got a 1.25g and 2.5g No-Spill for my small engine stuff, and they're fantastic.

I believe he's referring to generic CARB cans, and not the actual No-Spill branded ones.

 

[kythri]

I’m sure you’re not supposed to use it for lawn mower gas, but why not? Viable?
Last time I needed gas for my mower, I loaded it in my trailer and drove to the gas station. I filled it up and filled up my can to get as much gas as I could with a single trip.

You're not supposed to use any can of that style for "street legal" fuel transport/dispensation because those cans don't include the so-called "safety features" that have been mandated on gas cans in an attempt to prevent idiots who pour gas on open flames from catching themselves on fire/blowing themselves up.

There's no flame arrestor or safety-spigot on those, so they're not legally allowed to be sold as fuel cans for "street" use.

VP sells a "Motorsport Container" with this disclaimer:

NOTE: The VP Motorsport Container is intended only for use as a rapid refueling device for racing vehicles used in professional o road and closed course competition racing events. It is NOT a portable fuel container as described by ASTM, EPA, ARB or other state or federal agencies. Intended for racing fuel only; not to be used for street legal fuels.

And, they sell a "Sportsman's Container" with this disclaimer:

Sportsman’s Containers may not be used to store or transport fuel, but rather are excellent for storage & transport of:
• Water
• Automotive & industrial uid
• Deer corn, milo & oats
• Feed pellets, bird seed
• Rock salt
• Oil & liquid absorbents

That's all CYA legalese. Ultimately, they're all made the same, and will transport/dispense fuel without issue - they're just not allowed to be sold as such.

So long as you understand that such a can isn't going to have a flame arrestor or a spigot system that would "shut off" if you dropped the can, then, there you go. You most certainly won't be the first or last person to "misuse" one of these.

For my own personal use, I picked up a quantity of 20L/5.3g "Jerry" style plastic cans at Costco when they were $14/each (I see them sold online for $20-$30), and bought a quantity of EZ-Pour spouts, and I store them next to each other, because it would be bad and wrong to modify a safety can, and I would never do such a thing.

 

[rlitman]

You're not supposed to use any can of that style for "street legal" fuel transport/dispensation because those cans don't include the so-called "safety features" that have been mandated on gas cans in an attempt to prevent idiots who pour gas on open flames from catching themselves on fire/blowing themselves up.

There's no flame arrestor or safety-spigot on those, so they're not legally allowed to be sold as fuel cans for "street" use...

FYI, flame arrestors are not mandated (by DOT at least), and I am not aware of many plastic gas cans that include them. In fairness, a flame arrestor should not be necessary on a gas can that is storing fresh fuel. But when a can has been vented, it is possible after a few months for the headspace to get between the LEL and the UEL, and then bad things can happen without a flame screen.

Self closing spigots are mandated by CARB, but not for safety purposes. They prevent the venting of volatiles (mostly butane) for environmental reasons. There are good solutions that allow for easy filling without venting. It's just that Blitz, B&S and Spectre's solutions sucked. No-Spill has a good spout. Sure-Can has a fantastic one.

I can think of several problems with using "water" cans for fuel.
1) They are made from a more porous plastic that will lose volatiles directly through it, prematurely aging your gas
2) They do not include anti-static properties
3) The seals and caps (among other parts) are often made of materials that break down in the presence of fuel.

 

[bushmechanic]

Buy a real jerry can. You'll find a vendor on Ebay who specializes in them.

Those CARB spouts do one thing and one thing alone: They leak like hell.

In the entire history of hypocritical stupid inventions, that's one that's in the top ten. They're worthless, serve no purpose beyond pointless regulation, and are environmentally damaging and UNSAFE. Indeed, they should be banned, not the other way around. Period. There can be no argument otherwise.

Buy the real thing with the cam-lock cap and pick up an associated spout.

You'll never have to buy it again, it's extremely safe, even if you manage to catch it on fire, which is difficult, as they hold up well with temporary exposure.

They also do not leak, and you'll always be able to get replacement seals if you want.

 

[LNKMK8]

You can get nice used "pre-ban" cans on auctions and estate sales all the time. I've bought and sold over 100 in the last year. Anything from 1 gall to 6 gallon from Blitz, Chilton, Eagle, Scepter, Rubbermaid/Gott. Much better than most current offerings and most can be had for $5 or less, often with a gallon or two of good fuel

 

[Bretny]

I tryed the scribner plastics cans sold by speedway. The cap quickly cracked so i went with VP racing cans about 2 yrs ago. The VP cans are the only ones you can actualy pour with no spout on them. They have the correct shape neck so the fuel dosnt dribble down the can, unlike the rest.

I have 4 VP cans, 2 schribner plastics cans, 4 Blitz with the double handle and 4 other random brands. The VP are my favorite and the only ones i buy anymore.

Amazon sells a 2 pack of the VP cans for $54.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AVQB2KU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

These are also one of the few cans you can get that give you the ability to make your own spout. The "no spill" dont do that.

 

[AA/FC]

EZ-POUR

.
I have four fuel cans with the EZ-POUR kit installed. It's the only way to go! I bought my EZ-POUR kits at Menards.

 

[shoeless]

I have one of these:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/SureCan-5-Gallon-Plastic-Gas-Can/1000033473

And then I bought these to put on any can that I find that has one of the EPA nozzles(I have a bunch of cans for hurricane times):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CYNDNM8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I have one like this. Nothing to dislike about it whatsoever. The funnel folds down when not in use.

The funnel will overspill, if filling a larger tank quickly, but, but it is designed to cut the end off to make the opening larger., if desired.

+1 on these types of cans! The justrite seems to be better than the eagle in my opinion. I love the ones with the flexible metal nozzle. The yellow plasitc funnels on the eagle ones tend to break near the neck. The D.O.T. approved versions are top notch as well. The NATO style jerry cans are great. I pass on the old G.I. style ones. I dont like the large round threaded hole for filling and needing to screw on the nozzle. I will never use the plastic **** again.

 

[WWheeler]

You misunderstand. The vent kit is for the bottle when it's not in use. The idea is to keep the bottle vented so that it doesn't inflate and deflate when undergoing temperature extremes. The plastic is not elastic enough to take that abuse.

I do not misunderstand. It's a common a misconception that the cans can't handle the expansion and shrinking from changes in temp. I assure you are wrong about that. They are super air-tight and made to handle the shrinking and expanding that goes along with it. We have 7 or 8 of these No-Spill cans that we have been using for years now. I've posted about this before on similar threads ...

There is no need to put a vent in it. That ruins the No-Spill feature which is what makes the cans so great in the first place.

Yes, No-Spill cans are air-tight / Leak-tite as all-get-out. If you fill one in the summer come winter it will collapse and look crippled, and likewise if you fill it when it's cool then leave it in the sun it will blow up almost round to where it looks like it might burst, but in either case it doesn't hurt it at all, or at least it sure hasn't any of ours over the past several years now.

First time I saw the can all blown up I was definitely like 'Holy ****!', so for a while I would push the button or loosen the cap to let air in/out to equalize the pressure just because it really looks like that needs done. That didn't last long though. After I while I figured out it was totally unnecessary, though yeah, I'll still do it sometimes, especially on a jobsite because if I don't people will see it and start pointing to me about it. It's kind of amazing how the cans can stay so sealed under pressure like to shrink & expand that. I've never seen another can like it.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

this
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vpr-3522?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-vp-racing-fuels-inc&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk_TbBRDsARIsAALJSOZRUSUGi2gogt3aoH7ggDslWUEvZwQEhmhKI5u0wm45QGMBfuyYdj4aAgjtEALw_wcB


and this

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vpr-3044/overview/


All I will use..

 

[marineman]

I just use whatever gas cans are cheapest, take the spout off and pour into a large funnel while filling

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[AA/FC]

I do not misunderstand. It's a common a misconception that the cans can't handle the expansion and shrinking from changes in temp. I assure you are wrong about that. They are super air-tight and made to handle the shrinking and expanding that goes along with it. We have 7 or 8 of these No-Spill cans that we have been using for years now. I've posted about this before on similar threads ...

Snip>

There is no need to put a vent in it. That ruins the No-Spill feature which is what makes the cans so great in the first place.

Wait, you actually like the new government mandated no-spill, no-vent gas cans? Weird. You are certainly in the minority on this topic. Sure the nozzle may be okay to control flow, but without a vent the fluid pours at a snails pace. I got better things to do than wait for gas to pour. I hate watching paint dry, too. lol. Vent-less gas cans ****!

To each his own I guess.

 

[WWheeler]

Wait, you actually like the new government mandated no-spill, no-vent gas cans? Weird. You are certainly in the minority on this topic. Sure the nozzle may be okay to control flow, but without a vent the fluid pours at a snails pace. I got better things to do than wait for gas to pour. I hate watching paint dry, too. lol. Vent-less gas cans ****!

To each his own I guess.

No-Spill pours super fast. The vent is in the spout. There's no restriction of airflow while you have the button pushed & it's pouring. That's also what stops the flow automatically so you never spill a drop. Stick the nozzle in the tank and push the button & hold it. Don't let go of the button until after it stops pouring. It can't spill (unless you ruin it and put a vent in it). Best gas can ever made.

As a tree company owner they are a godsend. No-Spill blows away all of our Just-Rite and Eagle safety cans that cost 4-6 times as much that don't get used any more. No more crop circles left in customer's yards where crews were filling their chainsaws is a nice plus.

Edit: Watch the vid by No-Spill Jill showing how they work:

 

[aarkie]

Decent cheap ones are still made. They're just "blue" now.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/scepter-5-gallon-military-style-water-can

 

[AA/FC]

No-Spill pours super fast. The vent is in the spout. There's no restriction of airflow while you have the button pushed & it's pouring. That's also what stops the flow automatically so you never spill a drop. Stick the nozzle in the tank and push the button & hold it. Don't let go of the button until after it stops pouring. It can't spill (unless you ruin it and put a vent in it). Best gas can ever made.

As a tree company owner they are a godsend. No-Spill blows away all of our Just-Rite and Eagle safety cans that cost 4-6 times as much that don't get used any more. No more crop circles left in customer's yards where crews were filling their chainsaws is a nice plus.

Edit: Watch the vid by No-Spill Jill showing how they work:

I understand how they work, I have used many different designs of the "new" gas cans. I don't like them. I use gas cans all the time for work, too. I still prefer the old style. In MY opinion, the new gas cans "solved" a problem that didn't exist in the first place. lol.

Like I said, to each his own.

.

 

[ptgarcia]

I spilled more fuel in the first week owning a "no spill" can than I did in the previous 25 years with standard cans.

 

[Bretny]

No-Spill pours super fast. The vent is in the spout. There's no restriction of airflow while you have the button pushed & it's pouring. That's also what stops the flow automatically so you never spill a drop. Stick the nozzle in the tank and push the button & hold it. Don't let go of the button until after it stops pouring. It can't spill (unless you ruin it and put a vent in it). Best gas can ever made.

As a tree company owner they are a godsend. No-Spill blows away all of our Just-Rite and Eagle safety cans that cost 4-6 times as much that don't get used any more. No more crop circles left in customer's yards where crews were filling their chainsaws is a nice plus.

Edit: Watch the vid by No-Spill Jill showing how they work:

As a tree company im sure you know you need OSHA approved cans then?

 

[Bretny]

Decent cheap ones are still made. They're just "blue" now.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/scepter-5-gallon-military-style-water-can

Those arnt the same as the old fuel jugs. There realy cheap and thin plastic. Like drop it once, you will get a split and spil 5gal of fuel.

 

[kythri]

FYI, flame arrestors are not mandated (by DOT at least)

OK - they may not be mandated, but it seems everyone selling a gas can nowadays is putting them in as a CYA, since the refusal to put them in is ultimately what sank Blitz from a liability standpoint.

I can think of several problems with using "water" cans for fuel.
1) They are made from a more porous plastic that will lose volatiles directly through it, prematurely aging your gas
2) They do not include anti-static properties

When it comes to entities like VP Racing (or most other manufactures of red gas cans and other-colored water cans), they're made of the same plastic, with a different color. VP specifically addresses this, as I quoted above.

3) The seals and caps (among other parts) are often made of materials that break down in the presence of fuel.

This may very well be likely with some manufacturers, though I would doubt it in the case of VP's race cans.

 

[kythri]

I spilled more fuel in the first week owning a "no spill" can than I did in the previous 25 years with standard cans.

I understand how they work, I have used many different designs of the "new" gas cans. I don't like them. I use gas cans all the time for work, too. I still prefer the old style. In MY opinion, the new gas cans "solved" a problem that didn't exist in the first place. lol.

Have either of you actually used the No-Spill trademarked brand spigots, or are you using "no-spill" as a catch-all for the so-called safety spigots that come in a new variant every year?

There's a huge difference. The brand No-Spill is phenomenal - my only issue is the inflexibility of the spigot for transferring to an automobile. Using these for small-engine stuff, though, is phenomenal, and the only way you're going to spill is if you're using it wrong.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have 4 of the VP Racing fuel jugs that I use to refill my boat. Not cheap, but they hold close to 6 gallons (I would not put that much in them because they swell a lot in the sun). I made my own "spout" with a brass threaded to barb adapter and a 3' long piece of clear hose. This is still not ideal because you have to rest the jug on something while emptying it.

The simple homeowner solution is store it on a shelf that is higher than the gas tank you want to fill and buy a jiggle siphon. Not fast, but effective. I have also seen some cheap battery operated immersion pumps. Those work will, but they are also cheaply made that I don't think would last more than 10 uses.