Liquid Fuel Cans

Basics

• This page aims to go over Portable Small Pouring Storage Containers for Liquid Fuels
• Think “Gas Cans” but MOST of the information also applies to Diesel , Fuel Alcohol , and Kerosene etc

Types

“Ye Olden”

• Just a can with a capped spout
  • Although Gas Caps are worthy of a page as well
• For the MOST part, “Just Works”
• Main downsides are:
  • No Flashback Arrestor
    • So for low Flash Point fuels like Gasoline or Fuel Alcohol especially, refueling Warm Equipment can cause a fire/explosion
    • This was one of the MAJOR issues with Alcohol Fireplaces early on
  • Poor Ergonomics for Handling, and potentially also stacking etc (Re: Stackability )
  • Depending on the design, they MAY be difficult to fill as well
    • For Instance: If it has a “pour spout”, that may need to be removed before filling
    • The lack of an Integrated Fuel Filter is bitersweet, they are easy to loose/break, and are unnecessary in “clean” conditions, but can be nice

Jerrycans

• These were one of the first “MODERN” fuel cans
• Just about every feature is intentional
• RE Jerrycan for further details, but all in all these are a GREAT choice short of some potential downsides such as:
  • Metal is better, but thus Coatings/Paint become VERY important to “get right”, and unlike LDPE / HDPE which short of VERY poor mold quality/funky dyes etc will be inert and monolithic, a GREAT metal can could have a crappy liner or outer coating etc
    • Another aspect of this is Dry Weight , although the aforementioned ergonomic benefit allow it to easily be turned into a Team Lift thus reducing the weight per person by 1/2
  • Poor Stackability
    • While certainly “good enough”, having a form factor more akin to Aquabrick ‘s Interlocking Blocks would aid transport/mass storage
      • Although having more fuel cans than one can fit in a Flammables Storage Locker is moreso a sign you need a dedicated Stationary Fuel Storage Tank / an Auxiliary Fuel Tank / Flexible Fuel Bladder etc
  • Lack of a Flashback Arrestor
  • Lack of an Integrated Pour Spout
    • Not HORRIBLE given this also means it is an easily exchanged part, but this does potentially cause issues (Them becoming lost, not having one when you need one etc, minor more evaporative emissions/leaks due to having to thread the thing on there etc
• All in all though, modern mechanized warfare was enabled by the invention of these, so they can DEFINITELY work for some basic Small Engine equipment / your car or truck etc

Regulatory (Maliciously) Compliant Cans

• These are MOST of your modern cans
• (At least in a USA Context) Various Laws were passed (Insert the Specific Laws / CFRs here etc) that tried to reduce Evaporative Emissions (Bad in their own right ( Evaporative Losses ) , but also a potential Fire or Explosion Hazard for Semi-Confined Spaces such as Garages or Trunks etc
  • Other aspects of the law were Childproofing etc
• Due to most people’s fuel cans of choice being cheap, and companies COMPLYING (but not following the Spirit of the Law / focusing on making something profitable, not something “good” etc) most cans on the market spill a ton / aren’t that great
• As with Diesel Particulate Matter / NOx emissions and the resulting system of DPF + DEF requiring SCR systems, this has lead to widespread mistrust/hatred for said regulations, despite most people being fine with their core aims
  • This also is a sentiment very useful to various powers that be that would prefer there to be no EPA so their power plant can pollute to their heart’s content etc, but that’s a whole other matter
• All in all these are about the WORST choice, but CAN work
  • Especially as an Empty “Emergency” 1-2 Gallon Can for VEDC
    • Even if you follow the Half Full is Empty / Quarter Full is Empty rule, it still could come in handy for helping others etc, and a small cheap empty plastic can doesn’t take much room in a vehicle

Improved Compliant Cans

• These tend to be more expensive, but are “compliant” while actually not being horrible to use
• They also tend to have better build quality such as higher Wall Thickness etc
• Modern Jerry Cans with some sort of “Safety Spout” also fit in here as well
• Surecan would be another example
  • Although Spare Parts Availability / Right to Repair aspects AREN’T GREAT for a 50+ USD can, TO AN EXTENT old ones could just be disposed of

Recommendations

By User: Eric

• Bit of editorializing, but i have used a ton of bad ones at work + am a nerd on this for whatever that’s worth lol :3

Avoid if Possible

• Crappy Cheap Maliciously Compliant Fuel Cans
• Non-Compliant Cans
  • Malicious Compliance ‘’’IS’’’ annoying, but no reason to have a garage full of Gas Fumes, or roll the dice on you becoming an OSHA Training video etc, especially when technology exists that can prevent all thay
• (Almost) ANYTHING made by Eagle or Justrite

Good

• UN F-Style Metal Can
• Less Crapy Compliant Cand
  • Midwest Can and “Press n Pourl / Non Crappy Easy Pour spouts fit in here too

Better

• UN F-Style Metal Can (with a built in Flame Mitigation Device under the cap such as TruFuel does, and either a built in pour spout, or an attachable one and/or a Liquid Fuel Funnel )
• Surecan Safety Can
• ”Standard” Jerry Cans such as Wavian Fuel Cans etc with the standard Metal Attachable Pour Spout

Best

• ”Upgraded” Jerry Cans with a Flashback Arrestor
• Potential New/Novel Designs
• Most importantly:
  • NOT USING THEM IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO!
    • Good ol’ Substitution, even better than Engineering Controls
  • This can be:
    • Using Battery Powered Landscaping Equipment
    • Using Skid Mounted Fuel Storage Tanks with “Gas Station Style” Fuel Pump Assemblies + Hoses and the Automatic Cut Off Fuel Dispensing Nozzle
    • Using Work Truck bed mounted Auxiliary Fuel Tanks with a similar system
    • Making a sort of Expeditionary Fuel Farm for Events/Construction sites etc with:
      • A Dispensing Area (essentially a mini-gas station, just 1 or 2 pumps)
      • A Containment Berm for Secondary Containment
      • One or more Fuel Storage Bladders or (semi-) portable storage tanks
      • Automated Leak and Fire Detection+Suppression systems
  • All in all though having about 2 cans for each fuel (POTENTIALLY more if you have more than one Work Crew ) is sufficient, although the Half Full is Empty rule being applied to vehicles/the integrated fuel tank on most Small Engines could probably reduce this to 1 can should the need arise

Internal Links

• Safe Fuel Storage
• Liquid Fuels / Liquid Fuel Storage