I use quite a bit of gasoline around the property. I probably have at least 8 gas cans of various sizes at any given time. I have had roughly equal failure rates for both metal and plastic fuel cans over the 20+ years I have lived here. The metal ones have failed at the seams and the plastic ones have failed at the sides above the lettering. I store them all in sheds well away from the house and away from the pine trees. And I keep all of the cars, EV or ICE out of the garage. They are more weather resistant than my tools and toolboxes.
Where do you store your gas cans?
- Thread starter Hobby_Man22
- Start date
Old Moparz
Well-known member
Right now my full cans are in my garage on a dolly right at the backside of the roll up door. It's not an air tight door so fumes, if any, dissipate. I was keeping them in my shed but had to bring them into the garage for the snow blower & generator.
I also hate the newer style cans with the spring loaded cap/spout. Of the 5 different cans I have I am happy that only one of them is like this. I transfer the gas into smaller cans before I fill anything.
I also hate the newer style cans with the spring loaded cap/spout. Of the 5 different cans I have I am happy that only one of them is like this. I transfer the gas into smaller cans before I fill anything.
Metallitubby
Well-known member
On a steel wire shelf by one of the shop doors currently. I'm trying to get one of the fire cabinets from work when they go through the next round of "shop cleaning".
racecougar
Well-known member
In a steel cabinet in this block building "garden shed" separate from the shop.
OP
Hobby_Man22
Well-known member
I sure hope they don't come up with lithium ion batteries to start our cars.
OP
Hobby_Man22
Well-known member
So the metal ones leak out the bottom?
Depends on the design. I had a couple of what looked like an old non-safety design, and they leaked around the top crimp seam. I've also had a Justrite or Eagle (can't recall which) leak at the bottom seam
bassJAM
Well-known member
Most of my gas cans are metal (Justrite & Eagle), mostly because the designs have wide bases and are less likely to tip over in my truck, I've had 2 different plastic cans tip over and leak out on the drive home from the gas station before and I'm admittedly lazy and don't want to strap them down.
But metal isn't immune to issues as has already been pointed out. Moisture destroys metal cans and UV rays destroy plastic cans. I keep both in a detached garage sitting on a wooden shelf so the metal cans don't pick up condenstion from sitting on the concrete floor.
Oh and adding a cheap vent to those Eagle cans make them pour like a dream!
But metal isn't immune to issues as has already been pointed out. Moisture destroys metal cans and UV rays destroy plastic cans. I keep both in a detached garage sitting on a wooden shelf so the metal cans don't pick up condenstion from sitting on the concrete floor.
Oh and adding a cheap vent to those Eagle cans make them pour like a dream!
OP
Hobby_Man22
Well-known member
Put them at the very front of the bed if you dont want to tie them down. Anywhere else and grandma could knock them over on her daily drive to the grocery store.
bassJAM
Well-known member
That's where I have always put them, but its not a guarantee.
OP
Hobby_Man22
Well-known member
I guess I always have enough junk back their already to keep them from tipping over
NWOhioChevyGuy
Well-known member
Detached garage &/or Shed where mower is stored.
While using a particular device, chainsaw, pressure washer, etc., for a project the appropriate fuel can will likely be in my attached garage.
While using a particular device, chainsaw, pressure washer, etc., for a project the appropriate fuel can will likely be in my attached garage.
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
I keep mine in the back room of my garage which is only for storage and no running equipment, working/grinding, etc. Right now they're just sitting on a wooden shelf but in the spring I have a nice metal cabinet to put in that place and put my flammable fluids in there.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
When I/we renovated the house and property and added a garage, I allowed for underground cool storage for flammables. The space is covered with the concrete sidewalk and stairs. Access is not convenient but it is out of site .
Two years ago our news reported an enclosed haul trailer blowing up. It was determined that the owner had his gas powered lawn equipment stored in the trailer. The fumes from the tank vents were ignited on a hot 41C day.
Two years ago our news reported an enclosed haul trailer blowing up. It was determined that the owner had his gas powered lawn equipment stored in the trailer. The fumes from the tank vents were ignited on a hot 41C day.
OP
Hobby_Man22
Well-known member
Typically in the corners. They like to **** in on themselves during the heating and cooling of the day. This causes a crease. I think these cans are double layered though. They usually leak up by the handle after a while.
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Hobby_Man22
Well-known member
If you keep them full they won't expand and contract. I usually leave the cap a little loose to prevent it because evenentually it starts leaking in the area where it keeps creasing
toyotadriver
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- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
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I like metal NATO cans for fuel storage. Wavian/Valpro brand only. I have 14 for gas and 5 for diesel. I store 12 gas cans in a large metal Job Box and 4 diesel cans and several propane bottles in a little smaller Job Box. I keep 2 gas cans and 1 diesel can out for use and have a rotation plan in place. Gas lasts for many years if stored in an airtight container. When I open the Job Box to get a can of gas, there isn’t a hint of gasoline odor. I store the Job Boxes under a covered area out of direct sunlight.
Nothing in this post should be misunderstood, interpreted, misinterpreted, or construed to be of a political nature.
Nothing in this post should be misunderstood, interpreted, misinterpreted, or construed to be of a political nature.
rayra
Well-known member
oh you are right, but you don't know the difference between possible and probable.
I use some very good thick plastic jugs, from Scepter. They're about 2/3 the wall thickness of the plastic jugs used by NATO militaries. Which are quite thick and robust. They stand up to wide range or conditions and temperatures. They're prices have more than doubled in the last 10yrs though.
Anyone that keeps a cheap plastic gas jug until they embrittle is a dummy.
Mine are in my garage, as I don't yet have a secure side yard to keep them in. And to keep them out of the Vegas sun and heat.
Back in L.A. I had a purpose built well-ventilated shed. Water jugs over fuel jugs. I was at ground zero of the Northridge quake and was caught with no preps. I keep about 50gal of both water and fuels in portable jugs, ever since.
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rayra
Well-known member
a little loose means that the volatiles are evaporating out. It's a bad idea.
bluedog225
Well-known member
Bad both ways. Failed due to expanding and contracting. Or gas vapor getting out and air getting in.
It’s an interesting idea that a full can won’t expand and contract as much.
It’s an interesting idea that a full can won’t expand and contract as much.
SlotlessMan
Well-known member
About 40 gallons of storage gas is in the utility shed. I also have about 15 gallons with a hose nozzle that sits in a detached garage for easy fills for the toys. No gas is stored in the attached garage.
I am not going to start worrying about how much is stored in the tanks of the vehicles. I do top them off before putting them away and I will take my chances. I am just not that paranoid...yet.
I am not going to start worrying about how much is stored in the tanks of the vehicles. I do top them off before putting them away and I will take my chances. I am just not that paranoid...yet.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Gasoline expands and contracts 1 percent for every 15 degrees in temp change as a liquid.
Fill up that can full with no airspace at freezing and in the summer heat it’s grown 4 or 5 percent in volume it’s a sure fire way to split a can.
Same reason propane tanks are filled only to 80 percent.
Filling and liquid container up with no air space is a very bad idea.
denis4x4
Well-known member
I have a 300 gallon above ground gravity feed tank under a tree and have home delivery of non-ethanol gas.
OP
Hobby_Man22
Well-known member
They have a safe fill line. That is what I consider full. That 32oz of space up top isn't going to make the can **** inwards
I have a pair of cheap 50 gallon resin deck boxes behind the garage. The dimensions are perfect for holding four Midwest 5610 cans in each one. The boxes keep the cans out of the weather and sunlight (mostly shaded area anyway). I also keep them locked in case my kids wander back there and get curious. Because the boxes were cheap, the lids don't seal tight and allow for airflow without having to drill any additional vent holes. Going on four years, seems to be working well.
I looked into that 15 or 20 years ago and none of the local suppliers would deliver to me. Might have to check again.
FryZ
Well-known member
I have a few metal 5 gal Eagle cans and a few I gal plastic ones for 2 cycle that I store in the garden sheds. The 1 gal ones are at least 10-15 years old and are pretty thick plastic, with the old school nozzles with a screen and a snap on cap and snap vent on other end. Never had a problem with them. The Eagle cans are about 8 years old and still in great shape. This time of year I keep one 5 gal in the attached garage near the OH door with the snowblower. Don’t want to walk 125ft to the back sheds in a snow storm to fill the snowblower.
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Hobby_Man22
Well-known member
Wonder why? Not enough volume?
No, at the time nobody delivered to my area at all. A quick web search seems to imply that that may have changed. If I get around to it, I will see how it compares costwise.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Our Co op nor the other refined fuel supplier in town will not fill a gravity tank anymore.
Not only is it unsafe for the delivery driver to crawl up a ladder while hauling a hose on soft ground or inclement weather but the tanks themselves are environmentally unsafe.
To many large fines for contaminated dirt and water due to the single wall tanks rusting out, hoses failing to age, or hoses being forgotten in the fuel tank and being ripped off the tank.
They wont even set a new single wall tank even in a dike anymore. Only dual wall tanks for new sets.
And if the company is going to spend the money for the tank they expect several deliveries of 200 gallon minimum a year as tanks are outrageous now. Not many people buy that much gasoline especially the more expensive ethanol free.
nadogail
Well-known member
Gas cans and the generator are parked in a Rubber Maid shed in the back yard.
Leaflessshadetree
Well-known member
I've got a neighbor that uses one to mark the spot where his mower ran out of gas last spring. This spring I bet he moves it to the spot where his mower ran out of gas last fall.
micromind
Well-known member
But what if the automated trash truck picks up the gas can trash cans and they spill in the truck and it blows up sending thousands of flaming pieces in every direction and the entire neighborhood burns down?
Y'know, that'd make a good cartoon!
crewchief888
Well-known member
5 gal straight gas in the front corner of the garage
2 1/2 gal of mix gas in the shed
2 1/2 gal of mix gas in the shed
My gas cans are scattered around the garage. I want to use an old plastic gas tank from a car/truck and mount it somewhere...that way I can just use a small pump to fill what I want...or just fill a gas can if I need to transport some.
Dagny
Well-known member
Where ever I used it last.