Pet peeve, Gas cans. Let's fix it!

If you are like me, I can not stand the new safety gas cans. From making it take 3 times longer than it should because you wait for the gurgle, to needing 3 hands to operate the safety valve, it gets old VERY fast. I can honestly say that I have spilled more with the safety equipped cans than I EVER did with the old ones. Typical government required irony once again. Address a problem and make it worse.

Here is a way to restore your sanity, save the environment and gain the time wasted holding a gas can for no good reason waiting for it to empty.



Here is the culprit. This is a Briggs and Stratton branded can but others can be done in a similar manner.

The green safety is a pain to use. You have to twist and push down at the same time and it has to go.



Take the threaded collar off first as you would if you were putting the filler neck into the can for transport.



Then pull the 2 halves apart. You can push down and open the flapper valve and pry the keeper apart but it's easier to just pull. It is made with plastic pins that are tapered for a locking system on the shaft on the top part. I've done this on all the ones I have with no issues. After apart, slide the green collar off. You can cut it off with a knife too without taking apart but it is tough plastic. I've found pulling it apart is easier.



Then just align it again and push in. It'll snap back into the locked position. Now we have a one hand closing valve. The valves can be handy and "can" save spilling. It just doesn't need the 3 hand feature when trying to hold a can.



Now to fix the venting. First, make sure the can is empty and dry. You can stick an air hose in there and let it blow at a low pressure to insure that if you wish. I saw where some use a valve core but some of those won't hold up to fuel over time. They are also a little hard to install as you have to fish a wire through to pull it in. I've found these are WAY easier to use. You can get them from several Ebay suppliers and I'll attach a link to the style I got. Don't know the seller but $5.00 shipped to your door is fine by me!


10 black Fuel Gas Can Jug Vent Cap Blitz Wedco Scepter Essence Midwest Eagle



For these you need to drill a .500 inch hole. I'm using a drill press but a hand drill can also be used. One tip is to make sure you avoid drill in a seam or thicker area of the can. Notice I'm off to the side some here as the center is where it was joined to together. Being too thick or irregular in thickness can cause leak issues. Another tip is to make sure to hold down on the tank well. Once you break through, the can wants to walk up the drill and thread itself. Holding it down tight and going slow will prevent that. that is why I like the drill press. Going slow also will bring most all the shavings out and prevent them from going inside the can. Doing it the way I suggest will basically allow you to have no shavings to get out of the can. I do still blow some air through and look to make sure.



This is what you are looking for. A nice clean hole with no burrs. If you have burrs, trim them out and try to prevent them from falling in.



Close up with no clean up.

 

The first couple of these I did I'd chamfer the hole. I have found though that is not needed. Just stick it in the hole and push down. Sometimes a flat plat of something will help but fingers work okay for me.



Snapped on place and ready to go.



With the cap on you can let it gurgle if you wish. I leave it open and slowly roll the can so it can pull air in with no spilling. It allows you to empty a can a lot faster and your not wasting time waiting on it while babysitting the can. More time to do something productive!



All done and ready to use. After doing one you'll find it is really quick to do. takes less than 5 minutes when you get the routine down and as I said, I spill less, and less vapors to the atmosphere now than I did before which was "supposed" to be the goal.

 

Great write up. I use no spill Jill's and have no issues, but they are a little pricey.

 

I've been switching to these. They work great.

 

I've been picking up these Eagle metal cans when I find them on sale.

http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-UI-50-F...qid=1454688603&sr=8-1&keywords=eagle+gas+cans

So far I have one 5 gal and two 2.5 gal cans. I want to find another 5 gal and maybe a 1 gal and I'll be finished. But I've added vent plugs to all of them, it really does make a HUGE difference in the pour time.

 

Best gas can there is. Bar none.

 

Nice write up Kevin.... I hate the new cans and refuse to use them. What's the point when your spilling fuel all the time.

I went on a mission a couple years ago and went to all the garage sales I could and picked up old round 2.5 gal.Eagle or Falcon galvanized cans in good condition. Bought the replacement fill spouts on Ebay and have leak free cans now.

I'm staying old school on the gas cans.

 

Glad I'm not the only one hating those gas cans! I've bought replacement spouts for mine. I like the do it yourself method. I never thought about tearing into one. Silly me!

 

I brought a set of funnels, like 10 in 1 funnel kit, I screw off the nozzles on the can and pour down the the funnel.

bob

 

I usually just drill a hole in em and thread a screw in it. . But it's good to know the push in vents are still available.

I also use a 2.5gal no spill can and they work great! Although a 5gal can might be tough to hold the button and can at the same time.

 

Good ideas.

I use the No-Spill can for my chainsaws just because they are so precise in filling and never spill a drop. Plus they seal up perfectly and contain all vapors which is great when I'm making a fuel run in my car.

I have the regular "safety" style tanks for filling my mower. They have the push-type spring loaded things that fail to function within a week of buying it. I just place a large funnel in the gas filler, unscrew the entire can spout, and pour. But it's still a bit slow and the funnels always splash a tiny bit. Plus fuel always runs down the side of the can when I pour from the neck. So I might try modifying these cans before I shell out big money for full sized no-spill.

On second thought, I might buy the No-Spill anyhow just because they are so secure for transport.

It really does bother me that the EPA mandates these things, and the vast majority of them don't work at all, causing people to do other things that spill more fuel. I'm sure things are less environmental than before. It's been several years and yet nothing has been done to make this actually work. If you're going to stick your fingers into something to "fix" it, actually fix it!

 

Gas cans that don't work?? Don't get me started!!

 

I don't like the new cans either. I used a buddy's new style once.

They suck.

I'm using old school ones too.

 

Yes they do! Have 3 now..lol..

 

Wow I have never even seen a gas can like that! That thing looks like a clap trap.

 

Now kevin in ohio the epa is goen to arrest you for showing folks how to fix their ##!@ing ratrap. Lol great info on fixing the pita spouts, thats pretty cool. I roll with old gas cans my dad seems to have a huge hoard of them. This is good info in case i ever have to use a new (epa) style can.

 

All I have to say about this is - I understand the premise of the new regs. Voted in by guys that probably cant pump gas for their car never mind fuel machines. But here is the reality - how about the stuffed suits that voted the law in try to put 15 gallons of fuel into a skid steer with one of these cans. It takes a ton of time and most guys take the fill tube off and free pour to save time and frustration - they spill more then the can saves. You can but the metal cans - they are great - but $60 for 5 gal. How about the next time they take there plane back to visit district on weekend they have to stand on wing in the cold and pour from one of the new cans...only fair...

 

The EPA needs to go to their own official who approved this design and kick him so hard he doesn't have the ability to reproduce.

Like I said and others have confirmed. I spilled more with their"improved" junk.

Cost more and takes longer to get the job done. - A perfect Government description in a nut shell.

 

It should also be either raining or 10 degrees below BEFORE the 40 MPH windchill!