Although automotive technology is slowly shifting toward electric power, good old-fashioned gasoline isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Sure, it’s less efficient and not as eco-friendly, but one thing that will probably keep it popular and useful for many years to come is its superior mobility. You can take gasoline in a can with you anywhere you go. Below are some of the best gas cans that can help you in several ways, from keeping some spare fuel in your trunk when venturing into remote areas to using it to power lawnmowers or camping equipment.
Eagle 5-Gallon Type 1 Safety Gas Can
This gas can is one of the safest on the market. Like all Type 1 safety cans, it comes with specific design elements to minimize any risk of spills and other potential hazards. These include a single opening for filling and pouring, a non-spark flame arrester that prevents sparks from entering the can, and a self-closing cap that helps prevent spills. It’s also made from strong galvanized steel.
Key specs:
- Size: 5 gallons
- Material: galvanized steel
- Dimensions: 12.5 inches wide, 13.5 inches high
- What makes it special: its premium build quality
Briggs and Stratton Press ‘n’ Pour Gas Can
This gas can is one of the easiest to use and features an innovative system that helps you pour gas without risking any spills. There’s a button on the spout that only allows the flow when you press it, so taking your finger off will instantly stop the gas from pouring. This can be very useful when fueling equipment, as you don’t have to worry about gas leaking when you take the funnel out. It’s also made from plastic, which makes it less resistant to impact but much lighter and easier to carry around.
Key specs:
- Size: 2 gallons
- Material: plastic
- Dimensions: 7 inches wide, 10 inches high
- What makes it special: its user-friendly design
Justrite 1 Pint Type 1 Safety Gas Can
This gas can’s tiny size and ergonomic shape make it ideal to carry in your trunk or on camping trips. It’s also easy to use, mainly due to its two-position funnel that folds down when you fill it and then goes back up when it’s time to pour the gas. Also, just like the Eagle 5 can, it features Type 1 safety features and is made from strong galvanized steel.
Key specs:
- Size: 1 pint
- Material: galvanized steel
- Dimensions: 4.38 inches wide, 6.75 inches tall
- What makes it special: its compact size and safety features
Scepter Fuel Container With Spillproof SmartControl Spout
If having total control of your gas can’s flow is important to you, you’re going to love this container. It takes the Briggs and Stratton can’s Press ‘n’ Pour technology one step further and introduces the SmartControl controllable flow rate, which means that the harder you squeeze, the higher the gas flow. It also has other useful safety features, including a multilayer construction that helps prevent accidental leaks.
Key specs:
- Size: 5 gallons
- Material: plastic
- Dimensions: 12 inches wide, 16 inches high
- What makes it special: its squeeze-based controllable flow rate
No-Spill Gas Can for Fuel With View
One annoying thing about most gas cans is that their thickness makes it hard to see how much fuel they have left at any given time. This can has a simple solution to this problem in the form of a small translucent plastic stripe that allows you to see inside. Another distinctive feature is its extra-small 7/8-inch funnel spout, which makes it the right choice if you’re using it to fill the fuel tank on smaller equipment. However, this makes it unsuitable for cars and other types of motor vehicles.
Key specs:
- Size: 5 gallons
- Material: plastic
- Dimensions: 15.9 inches wide, 10.1 inches long
- What makes it special: translucent view stripe helps you see how much fuel you have left
Tips on Staying Safe When Using Gas Cans
Gas cans are useful to have, but safety should always be your top priority when dealing with flammable vapors or liquids. These tips can help you use your gas can with minimal risk.
Always Use a Funnel
You may think that spilling only a few drops is no big deal, but it only takes an unfortunate sequence of events to turn a minor inconvenience into a dangerous situation. For example, pouring gasoline into your lawnmower on a sunny day and spilling a few drops on its hot metal surface may cause that fuel to ignite. Your gas can’s funnel is a vital accessory, and you should always use it.
Gas Doesn’t Always Need a Flame To Ignite
Keeping your gas can far away from open flames or devices that may produce sparks is a good idea, but other things may have the same effect. For instance, spilling gasoline on a hot light bulb may cause it to ignite and burst into flames. Always check your surroundings when working with flammable materials.
Store Your Gas Can Safely
Though all the gas cans in this guide adhere to strict safety standards, you can never be too careful about preventing fires. Gas may expand slightly, so it’s never a good idea to fill your container 100-percent. After putting gas in, make sure the can is tightly sealed, and store it in a relatively cool place away from heat sources such as the sun, a heater, or a furnace.
Don’t Use Your Gas Can To Store Other Potentially Hazardous Liquids
Gas cans have specific safety devices, and you should never put any other potentially dangerous substances inside them. When choosing a can for a specific purpose, you can identify the right one based on its color. All gas cans are red, kerosene cans are blue, diesel cans are yellow, and oil cans are green.
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