Photo: furkanfdemir

Is it better to store gas in metal or plastic?

For long-term fuel storage, metal cans are better than plastic. Plastic chemicals can leach into fuel, and plastic will degrade over time. Metal can rust, but in general will last longer than plastic.

theprepared.com - Best gas can - The Prepared

How far can a 2x6 span on a lean to?

How Much Weight Can a 2×6 Support Horizontally? A 2×6 can support up to 50 pounds per square foot of weight without sagging with a maximum span of...

Last updated Dec 28, 2020

Is urine considered GREY water?

The water from the shower goes straight to your gray water tank, and urine should go to the black water tank.

Last updated Mar 24, 2020

Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

If an emergency struck right now, do you have enough fuel to drive hours away or power your home? The US Department of Energy warns that if “natural disasters and other hazards” lead to fuel shortages, it will likely be rationed and you’ll be last in line behind first responders and critical infrastructure.

Last Updated: May 12, 2021

Having a ready supply of fuel is a good prep. This review covers fuel cans that can be safely stored in an outbuilding or garage for the long term. Five-gallon metal cans are the best solution for most people. They’re small enough to carry and easily store but large enough to hold a sufficient amount of gas. You can buy several and use a sticky note or a piece of tape to write down the date the fuel was purchased.

The most important bits:

Experts recommend storing enough gas to fill your main vehicle, which is roughly 15-20 gallons. If you have a generator, keep enough fuel on hand to fill it at least once.

Common fuel cans are available 1, 2.5, or 5 gallon sizes.

Fuel cans are typically metal or plastic, and are color coded for specific fuel types. Red is Gasoline, Blue is Kerosene, Yellow is Diesel, and Green is oil. Metal safety fuel cans are available in two variants, Type 1 or Type 2. Type 1 cans fill and dispense fuel from the same opening. Type 2 cans have an extra spout which can act as a vent, making them easier to pour. For long-term fuel storage, metal cans are better than plastic. Plastic chemicals can leach into fuel, and plastic will degrade over time. Metal can rust, but in general will last longer than plastic. Check local and state laws about fuel storage. Some areas have stringent regulations about what types, how much, and where can it be stored. The best place to store fuel is in a well-ventilated shed or garage. Keep your fuel containers away from potential ignition sources.

More: How to store gas at home (and does gas go bad?)

After 10 hours of research, including reviewing 20+ products, these are top choices to help shortcut your shopping. We stuck to US Department of Transportation and Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines for our recommendations, so you can feel confident buying the safest possible cans for fuel storage. The top picks are durable metal cans that self-vent to relieve pressure build up. Unlike plastic cans currently on the market, which are hampered by Environmental Protection Agency regulations, our picks are easy to pour, won’t belch gas everywhere, and won’t implode or balloon up. Our Picks Eagle 5 Gallon Type 1 Steel Safety Can Durable and easy to use. 100% leak tested. Galvanized steel construction. Manufactured in the USA Justrite 5 Gallon Type 1 Steel Safety Can Made from high-grade coated steel. Easy to use. Tested for leaks. Manufactured in the USA

Metal fuel cans:

Can you use plywood for shed siding?

There are two excellent reasons why plywood siding is a popular option for shed builders: it's very affordable, and it covers a lot of area very...

Last updated Apr 14, 2020

Are PVC doors termite proof?

Parasites like termites cannot damage it, uPVC windows & doors are 100% termite free solution. They do not also bend nor dent even if many years...

Last updated Oct 22, 2021

Promotion

Plastic fuel cans:

Be prepared. Don’t be a victim. Want more great content and giveaways? Sign up for The Prepared’s free newsletter and get the best prepping content straight to your inbox. 1-2 emails a month, 0% spam. Subscribe Leave this field empty if you're human:

What about Jerry cans?

Jerry cans, like the Wavian USA fuel can, are excellent fuel canisters. They’re well built, carry a lot of fuel, and are great if you have to jump in a vehicle and evacuate a location. Although they’re popular among preppers and we have a few ourselves, the reason cans like the Wavian aren’t the main recommendation is because they are vapor-tight, meaning they will not vent and pressure can build up over long-term storage. If you do end up with this style, try to get in the habit of manually venting the can once in a while, maybe as part of your annual preparedness review. Wavian Jerry can. Great for temporary fuel storage, especially for vehicles. Not necessarily the best option for long-term storage.

Plastic vs. metal fuel cans

Fuel cans are made of either plastic or metal. Metal cans are heavier and more expensive, and last longer. Plastic cans are cheaper and lighter, but can break down over time and leach chemicals into your fuel. For long-term fuel storage, metal cans are better if you can afford them. Not only are they more durable, but the regulations around them are more reasonable than plastic cans, as we’ll explain later. Tip: Never store gasoline or diesel fuel in your house, but rather in a ventilated garage or outbuilding. Always keep a fire extinguisher by the door wherever you store your fuel.

More: Best fire extinguisher for your home and vehicle

Fuel can size

Most gas cans in the American market come in roughly 1-, 2.5-, or 5-gallon sizes. There are some oddball sizes like 2.2 gallon, so take that with a grain of salt. We recommend investing in 5-gallon cans for maximum optionality. Since gasoline weighs about six pounds per gallon, five gallons of gas is 30 pounds. If you struggle to lift that much, just put less gas in the can, or look at a larger can that is equipped with wheels. There are larger sizes available, but five gallons is about all most people can reasonably lift and tip. Beyond that, you’d probably want some sort of a pump to fill your engines. There are also good safety reasons to limit containers to five gallons, which is why OSHA limits portable fuel containers to that size.

Understanding fuel can colors

Fuel cans are color coded based upon the type of fuel they store:

Red: Gasoline

Blue: Kerosene

Yellow: Diesel

Green: Oils

It’s important to store fuels in the appropriate color-coded container so they don’t get mixed up. You don’t want to put kerosene in your car by accident, nor do you want to mix diesel and gasoline. In a pinch, is it safe to put diesel in a clean gasoline can and vice versa? Yes. Tip: Don’t store water in a metal fuel can. It will break down the inner lining and cause rusting, which will decrease the life of your fuel can.

Can you paint over green mold?

Painting over mold only hides the problem and doesn't serve as a true solution. The moldy spot will continue to grow even after the paint dries....

Last updated Jul 25, 2022

What is a good workshop size?

If the shop is to be used primarily for woodworking, the minimum recommended area for the workshop is 75 square feet. An ideal shop would measure...

Last updated Feb 22, 2019

Promotion

Type I vs Type II cans

There are two types of safety cans. Type I cans have only one opening for filling and pouring and usually need a funnel for filling. Here’s a video showing how Type I cans work: Type II cans have an opening for filling and another for pouring and they usually have an attached spout. Here’s a video showing how they work: Type II cans tend to be twice as expensive as Type I cans. We don’t think the Type II cans are worth it for most people. As demonstrated in this YouTube video, if you combine a funnel attached to a Type I can with another funnel in your vehicle, you get a perfect, mess-free pour. Like the EPA-approved cans, safety cans don’t pour freely, but their opening mechanisms aren’t flimsy plastic buttons. Instead, they have big pull handles. Metal gas cans won’t collapse or balloon up like plastic ones, either.

Fuel safety standards and the dreaded EPA nozzles

Over the past few years you might have noticed that gas cans look different than they used to. Instead of just plain red cans with a flip-top vent and a simple hose nozzle, they have all sorts of spring-loaded contraptions for dispensing gas. Some work better than others, but many people hate them. You can blame or thank EPA regulations for that. Since 2009, gas can makers have been required to have only one automatically closing opening for both filling and venting. Instead of pouring freely, they usually require either pushing a notch against the rim of the fill hole and pushing it in or pressing a trigger. The idea is to prevent gas fumes from leaking into the atmosphere, but many people have trouble using them and end up spilling more gas than they did with the old designs. Since there isn’t a rear vent to open and promote airflow, these cans can “burp” out gas, causing spills. Again, some work better than others. However, there are a couple of bits of good news. E-Z Pour makes replacement spouts and add-on vents for your plastic gas cans. Decades before the EPA stuck its nose in the gas can business, the Department of Transportation had its own standards, which OSHA mirrors. These are sold as “safety cans,” and must meet the following criteria:

Be made of metal

Hold five gallons of fuel or less

Feature a spring-closing lid and spout cover

Have a means to relieve internal pressure to prevent explosion (venting)

Include a flash-arresting screen

These specifications minimize fires and explosions.

theprepared.com - Best gas can - The Prepared

Can I get a government grant for solar panels?

The RHI is a government scheme which, as it says on the tin, promotes the use of renewables. Solar thermal panels are available through this...

Last updated Nov 2, 2022

Can you make 6 figures in carpentry?

Now, if you decide to get in business for yourself, you can definitely experience six figure a year income. Of course this includes having your own...

Last updated Jul 3, 2020

These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

Learn More »

Promotion

Will the price of lumber go down in 2022?

Since the pandemic, lumber prices have skyrocketed to record highs, adding to new-home construction costs. But prices are now coming down. Lumber...

Last updated Sep 23, 2020

Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

What wood is best for sheds?

Shed floors are best done with plywood. The wood of normal exterior plywood is not particularly resistant to rot, as it is glued with weather-...

Last updated Nov 12, 2021