Jerry Cans - Metal vs Plastic
- Thread starter kurm
- Start date
Pathfinder I
The metal open and close tool free, and swell less in the sun when carrying fuel. I don’t love the spouts for either but both work equally well with a siphon from the roof to my fuel tank. The metal stack better if you’re storing them on a flat surface. The metal pour better into a LARGE in regulated fuel opening such as on a commercial lawn mower. The plastic obviously have the advantage against rusting, internally or externally.
Metal have the advantage price wise unless you want wavian cans in the US(the best brand I’ve used) which thanks to the EPA now cost more than new Scepter cans from Canada.(a close second imho) For the record rounding out third place are the valpro cans available sans spouts from several importers.(typically have a “not for fuel use” sticker somewhere to skirt EPA regulations)
Metal have the advantage price wise unless you want wavian cans in the US(the best brand I’ve used) which thanks to the EPA now cost more than new Scepter cans from Canada.(a close second imho) For the record rounding out third place are the valpro cans available sans spouts from several importers.(typically have a “not for fuel use” sticker somewhere to skirt EPA regulations)
Pathfinder I
Every other can I’ve tried went in the rubbish bin, or was immediately posted back for sale locally. Including blitz, Rotopax, scepter US market “jerry cans”, eagle/justrite safety cans, and jegs race jugs.
Pathfinder I
No problem, I bought all three I liked to be sure the mounts I built would fit any of them in the future since it’s unclear what may be available in the future given the regulatory climate.
The scepter water cans are the way to go for potable water if you don’t have a built in tank/system.
Plasmajab
Rank IV
Off-Road Ranger I
Other issues I know of personally are with the scepter cans, they only have so long of a service life before the plastic degrades. I think its 10 years off the top of my head. Which might be fine but if youre buying them from a surplus store they might already be beyond thier factory life, not to mention the weird nozzle you have to carry with them. We have a less then politically correct term for the jerry can nozzle of course.
The metal ones tho. As long as you keep the rust out of them and the rubber gaskets intact have a great lifespan.
The metal ones tho. As long as you keep the rust out of them and the rubber gaskets intact have a great lifespan.
Jeep backroads
Rank IV
Enthusiast III
Enthusiast III
Plasmajab
Rank IV
Off-Road Ranger I
Off-Road Ranger I
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Tried, true and tested. I use the old steel jerry cans. I've been using these for decades, and who knows how old they are? At least 45 years old. I use one of these nozzles and never spill a drop. Plastic fuel cans? I don't think so. 
