Portable gas can rant, and a really good solution
My old plastic gas can developed a crack in the nozzle housing -- user error (I overtightened it). So I discarded it appropriately, and went in search of a new one. Everywhere I went, the cans were essentially the same -- there is a nozzle that is carried INSIDE the gas can, and you take it out and hook it up when you want to use it.
Except for two big problems -- first, when you pull it out of the gas can, the nozzle is now dripping wet, and second, the nozzle requires you to push down hard on the "target" to open the valve -- not so good when filling smaller equipment. Plus (third) there is no easy way to avoid over-filling.
Unfortunately, when I discarded my old can, I forgot to note what kind it was -- but it had none of those drawbacks. After a search of Google Images, I figured out that this was made by "No-Spill." (See link below.) It solves all three of those problems -- no mess, no drip, no overfill, no pushing down on the target to get the valve open. (There is a push-button -- much easier.)
So here is my rant -- this product is clearly superior to the other cans on the market (at least in California). But it is not carried by most hardware or auto parts stores. I discovered that the only places near me that carry it are lawnmower repair shops, which is kind of strange.
My guess is that the retailers do not carry this product because it costs more than the cheap junk they currently offer. But wait a minute -- this is America, land of fifty different laundry detergents in every store! Why wouldn't a smart retailer give the customer a choice to spend more for a better product?
Anyway, here is the link -- there are some helpful videos and so forth -- I have absolutely no connection to this company, by the way:
No Spill Gas Cans
Except for two big problems -- first, when you pull it out of the gas can, the nozzle is now dripping wet, and second, the nozzle requires you to push down hard on the "target" to open the valve -- not so good when filling smaller equipment. Plus (third) there is no easy way to avoid over-filling.
Unfortunately, when I discarded my old can, I forgot to note what kind it was -- but it had none of those drawbacks. After a search of Google Images, I figured out that this was made by "No-Spill." (See link below.) It solves all three of those problems -- no mess, no drip, no overfill, no pushing down on the target to get the valve open. (There is a push-button -- much easier.)
So here is my rant -- this product is clearly superior to the other cans on the market (at least in California). But it is not carried by most hardware or auto parts stores. I discovered that the only places near me that carry it are lawnmower repair shops, which is kind of strange.
My guess is that the retailers do not carry this product because it costs more than the cheap junk they currently offer. But wait a minute -- this is America, land of fifty different laundry detergents in every store! Why wouldn't a smart retailer give the customer a choice to spend more for a better product?
Anyway, here is the link -- there are some helpful videos and so forth -- I have absolutely no connection to this company, by the way:
No Spill Gas Cans
