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"Safe" gasoline containers

4K views 29 replies 18 participants last post by  msmith10 
#1 ·
Is it just me or does it seem like whoever designs "safe" gasoline containers are trying to kill us ? Each time I purchase one of these plastic containers and try to use it they seem more complex and now you almost need two people and four hands just to pour gasoline out of them. Much of the time I end up with gasoline all over the place because so many contortions are required to operate the things. And I'm not exaggerating much. :)

The latest container has no way to hold it except like a football, no handle, and then with the other hand you are expected to twist a safety locking feature around the spout and then pull it in towards the center of the container to release the gasoline all the while attempting to keep the spout inside of whatever you are filling with gasoline trying not to spill it.

One or two more "safety" features and the containers will be completely unusable.

/rant.
 
#2 ·
What do you expect when a government (California - CARB) selects and then mandates the mechanical design of 'gasoline containers'?
Ask yourself what other government designs and programs are 'successful' beyond the 'theoretical' but never quite functional in actual practice.
 
#4 ·
A pet peeve of mine also.
If your referring to the spouts with the green twist lock here is a way to make them a little more user friendly. Take a dremel tool and slice the green knob then peel it off. That gets rid of the lock. Although you still have to retract the spout, it gets rid of the locking mechanism.

Mike
 
#5 ·
I agree, too. Instead of relying on the finicky spouts I've resorted to using a siphon to get gas out of the newer containers. A long length of plastic hose attached to the inbound end of a gas line squeeze bulb and a 4" to 6" piece of hose on the outbound end works very well. Once the squeeze bulb gets the flow going be careful about potential overflow.
 
#9 ·
I agree!
On top of this, military fuel cans are illegal now! (to buy new ones) I've been trying to buy some new ones because they are virtually indestructible and don't leak. Good luck. I'm going to have to drive to Canada so i can pick some up and they are MUCH cheaper there. (Scepter Fuel Cans)
 
#10 ·
There for many siphon devices on the market, they all work well supposedly before they all wrap up in the package.

Be the time you need it, they all curved up and pain in the butt to get them stay put at the bottom of the tank. I prefer the one that has a straight rigid pick up hose.
 
#15 ·
There for many siphon devices on the market, they all work well supposedly before they all wrap up in the package.

Be the time you need it, they all curved up and pain in the butt to get them stay put at the bottom of the tank. I prefer the one that has a straight rigid pick up hose.
One may tie a short straight stick to the end that goes into the fuel can to maintain a ridgid suction end. I've not had to do that yet, but it is relatively unbreakable.:)
 
#11 ·
The biggest problem with the new containers comes when they sit in the sun for several hours. The gas expands, the can resembles a balloon, and you must looses the cap and allow those explosive vapors to escape. Then, after tightening the cap, the sun goes down, the temperature falls, and the plastic can caves in like it was stepped on by the Jolly Green Giant. Totally idiotic.

Gary :cool:
 
#17 ·
The new cans are designed to keep all the harmful vapours in (much like the system in your car is) however, as the people making these cans are building and designing them as cheaply as possible.. you always wind up making a mess and even MORE vapours are released because of the spilled fuel.

I give it a 50/50 on both the industry and the government for the bad idea and it's implementation
 
#20 ·
rockdawg's right, the scepter military fuel cans (not the ones they make for wal-mart) are the best for travel. virtually indestructible. much better than the old steel jerry cans. I just like the fact that i don't have to worry about them leaking, even if they take a big hit. The spouts work well too. The only problem is finding them. In the states you can pay as much as $200 for them. Much cheaper in canada (where they are made).

There is no equal.

2 Scepter Fuel Cans MFC | eBay
 
#24 ·
So I am not only one that is scratching my head with these new gas cans? I never spilled a drop with old gas cans with just a tube. These new ones with the lock and compression mechanism have caused spills that never happened..

This is government incompetence at the highest level. Curious, has anyone sued the government over the environment damage being caused by these gas cans?
 
#25 ·
I have a cheap 5 gallon one, that you have to kind of push down on the spout to get it to pour, and it works great. No more spilled gas! I have no idea what brand it is, as it was the last one left and had no labels or anything on it, and may have been a return as it did smell like gas when I got it, but I needed it and did not want to run to another store. I got it at Job Lots, and it was around $15.
 
#29 ·
I've had to transfer fuel from 5-gallon jugs at sea more times than I can remember. A siphon is my first choice, but I can use a flexible spout without spilling a drop, too. Those new spouts seem best at spewing diesel all over the deck. Whoever invented (mandated) those achieved exactly the opposite result they wanted...unless the object was to increase the amount of fuel oil in the ocean.
If I ever find the guy whose idea this was...well, I doubt any jury would convict me!
 
#30 ·
I want to thank Benesailor for his recommendation of the Scepter cans. I ordered 2 of them on Amazon for $35 shipping included. They came today and are exactly what I wanted- well, almost- the spouts aren't flexible, but they're well-made, vented, no BS gas cans.
 
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