Safety Gas Cans

[coolbreeze01]

Saw this video on another site. Shows how to modify plastic fuel containers to be user friendly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lcnwdIYEfI

[mlts22]

I used those gas cans in 20 degree weather this year. Getting the piece to notch on the rim of the generator, finding the other catch, then letting it slowly glug into the generator while freezing my buns off... was not fun. Older gas cans at least had a vent hole so it didn't splash all over the place. New cans, one has to be very careful and take 5-10 minutes, or else more gas would wind up on the generator than in it.

I also wonder about RotoPax. You can buy them, then buy the "water rated" spouts which from what I see, are just like the gas can spouts before the EPA came in with their heavy hand.

Of course, there are always Type 2 cans and NATO jerry cans.

My next rig, I'm looking at either the metal jerry cans or the RotoPax containers. Either of those can easily be locked to the vehicle, trailer, or cargo carrier via the mounting system.

[pnichols]

This is similar to what we carry the extra gasoline in for the 2nd generator in our motorhome. We keep this in a closed exterior storage bay and have never had a spill or any odors in that compartment. You have to pay for this level of safety, though:

http://www.omarksafety.com/Justrite-AccuFlow-Type-II-25-GalSafety-Gas-Can_p_6397.html

[jwmII]

After drilling the vent hole for the tire stem he did not check for and remove any plastic cuttings that could have gone into the can. Why introduce them into your fuel system if you don't have to. Regarding the gas attacking the rubber tire stem. They are cheap and obviously easy to change. I don't see that as a problem when you compare the kind of problem 5 gallons of gas could be.

[LarryJM]

Dog Folks wrote:


2. I personally would not trust the long term resistance to gasoline wetting the rubber tire stem.

Just my humble opinion. Don't claim to be an engineer.

O.K. I can see a potential issue with the rubber valve stem and another video had a link to the old style vents you could buy. Alternatively I guess I could do what I've had on my 10+ year old can that the vent cap retainer broke and I lost the cap. That is a wooden down with a point on it that I "JAM" into the hole with a string on it so I don't loose it.

You didn't originally say the "UNSAFE" comment was purely an opinion, but was presented as a statement of fact IMO and that's why I questioned it.

Larry

[352]

A lot of people out there have used gas cans for years. From metal to plastic. Have there been millions of people killed by ( Unsafe gas cans? ) Probably not. How can a gas can be UNSAFE? You fill it up and pour it out the spout. As kids we used to fill up whatever we could find around to get gas at the station for our mowers. Who the heck would have thought someone would pay $70 for a SAFE 5 gallon gas tank. Would you possibly think that maybe one politician needed to give an earmark in an exchange for a political contribution. UNSAFE GAS CANS BULLSHEAT

[SaltiDawg]

Re "safety," is not the elephant in the room being ignored?

I refer to the dozen or more cans of gasoline in plastic cans in his garage/workshop.

[Gdetrailer]

Dog Folks wrote:

LarryJM wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:
Get the good metal cans that work well from the start for a few bucks more, rather than spending the time to make a cheap plastic unsafe.

Safety has no price.

Please explain EXACTLY what in that mod in the link in the OP makes it as you say "UNSAFE".:h

Larry

1. EVERYTIME that man uses a clipper or razor knife to remove elements, he is removing safety. He does this about four times in the first two minutes.

2. I personally would not trust the long term resistance to gasoline wetting the rubber tire stem.

Just my humble opinion. Don't claim to be an engineer.

#1. The items he removed has NOTHING to do with "safety" unless you think it is safer to never FILL the can in the first place which was two of the mods by cutting off the push in that prevents the darn nozzle from being removed in order to fill the can..

Try this, put your can out in 32F or lower temps and try to push that little tiny piece of plastic in so you can fill the can in the winter.. That plastic gets pretty darn hard at those temps..

He removed that darn little side button which makes you have to use a thumb to push in the button while trying to squeeze the handle. There is no need for that stupid locking button.. Meanwhile you are trying to hold a 5 gallon can with one hand and doing crazy things with your other hand that was not meant to do..

#2 Simple fix, buy a METAL stem and use O rings rated for alcohol/oils and if you want a valve in the stem use one rated for use in A/C units (those must survive refrigerant which has oil mixed in)..

There, ALL of your "safety" concerns fixed in one post..

[pasusan]

Gdetrailer wrote:
The EPA "carb" cans were NEVER designed to be "safe" for the USER.

They were designed to "save the world" of carbon fuel vapors.

In reality they are far more dangerous for the user AND the world since no matter how careful you are you ALWAYS end up spilling fuel all over the item you are attempting to fill.. Causing a greater risk of fire, wasted money in fuel and not to mention MORE fuel vapors ending up in the air..

Those new can manufacturers should be mandated to automatically give you lifetime hazmat cleanup kits..

The mods in the video are dead on and make the can MORE environmentally friendly by not spilling fuel each time you attempt to use it.

I personally have adapted older style spare spouts I had laying around and added replacement closeable air vents to mine.. Now they work better and are no longer a hazard to me and the environment.

This has been my experience also! :M

Warning to those who want to do this mod... Read the comments after the video and you will see that the rubber valve stems do fail because they aren't meant for use with gas.

[Dog_Folks]

LarryJM wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:
Get the good metal cans that work well from the start for a few bucks more, rather than spending the time to make a cheap plastic unsafe.

Safety has no price.

Please explain EXACTLY what in that mod in the link in the OP makes it as you say "UNSAFE".:h

Larry

1. EVERYTIME that man uses a clipper or razor knife to remove elements, he is removing safety. He does this about four times in the first two minutes.

2. I personally would not trust the long term resistance to gasoline wetting the rubber tire stem.

Just my humble opinion. Don't claim to be an engineer.

[mbopp]

I've picked up a few "old style" plastic gas cans at flea markets. I shy away from old metal cans, usually they have a lot of rust on the inside.

[Gdetrailer]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
But it is no longer SAFE


Looked at a 1 gallon gas can yesterday for gas/oil mixture for chain saw

Had to 'push' in on locking tab then 'push' down on spout before fuel could flow.
Tried it on a chain saw in store.....if it had fuel in can it would have: not flowed or have flowed all over
Easiest was just unscrewing/removing nozzle and just pour :S


Needless to say..didn't buy a new gas can

The EPA "carb" cans were NEVER designed to be "safe" for the USER.

They were designed to "save the world" of carbon fuel vapors.

In reality they are far more dangerous for the user AND the world since no matter how careful you are you ALWAYS end up spilling fuel all over the item you are attempting to fill.. Causing a greater risk of fire, wasted money in fuel and not to mention MORE fuel vapors ending up in the air..

Those new can manufacturers should be mandated to automatically give you lifetime hazmat cleanup kits..

The mods in the video are dead on and make the can MORE environmentally friendly by not spilling fuel each time you attempt to use it.

I personally have adapted older style spare spouts I had laying around and added replacement closeable air vents to mine.. Now they work better and are no longer a hazard to me and the environment.

[LarryJM]

Dog Folks wrote:
Get the good metal cans that work well from the start for a few bucks more, rather than spending the time to make a cheap plastic unsafe.

Safety has no price.

Please explain EXACTLY what in that mod in the link in the OP makes it as you say "UNSAFE".:h

Larry

[Dog_Folks]

Get the good metal cans that work well from the start for a few bucks more, rather than spending the time to make a cheap plastic unsafe.

Safety has no price.

[TubaPete]

I just loved the venting method. Solves a lot of problems.

Sort of off topic but it was my understanding that the EPA required all those changes not for your safety but because they have fixed so many sources of air pollution that gas cans without pour caps and open vents became a leading cause of air pollution. )Just how much pollution can gas cans cause?)

[GordonThree]

I picked up two EAGLE steel safety cans from Amazon during a 50% off sale. They're 6 gal and have a wide round base, short and squat so they're hard to tip over.

Only downside is the attached funnel has to be removed to refill the can, and I see that eventually busting the funnel as the plastic turns brittle from UV and hydrocarbon exposure.