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Canadian Gasoline Cans?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Stevewoods, Sep 11, 2019.

  1. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Unfortunately, I could use another gasoline can. But, here in the USA, we are stuck with worthless California Air Resources Board compliant containers.

    I live close enough to our northern frontier, that I was wondering, do the Canadian cans also suck?

    Mexico is too far.....:LOL:
     
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  2. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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  3. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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  4. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Used them. They work just fine; like the pre C.A.R.B. ones.

    The current gas cans were implemented by a law signed by George W. Bush, not Obama as some would have you to believe.
     
  5. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Actually?

    I haven't used them personally, but know of some who have.

    I was merely illustrating the fact that you are not alone in your loathing for CARB.

    I'm in Hurricane country and I "have" to regularly mow a lot of grass on my beautiful 5 acres of paradise.....and yes, I know some would say that i do not "have" to - but they do not have to battle insects and other vermin.
    YMMV

    I also have a house in town - SO - out of necessity I have a tactical and a strategic fuel reserve.
    The latter consists of over a dozen Blitz cans the contents of which I regularly drain, run through a vehicle, and refill with "fresh" gasoline.
    My baseline for storage is about 6 months, and if the containers are gas (meaning vapor) tight then gas will stay "fresh" for a much longer period of time than most people realize.
    I've done all of this for over 20 years...and so I have a fairly good record for storing and rotating a fairly large quantity of fuel.
    In a world where long term power outages are possible and you care for people with long term health issues you do not have to be a crazy prepper to go a little beyond the "3 days 3 ways" rule.
    Also, since I work in telecommunications, I don't have the option of evacuating before a storm and not being able to get fuel is NOT a proper excuse for not being able to get to work!!!!

    So....
    The Blitz cans are GAS TIGHT, otherwise they would be unsuitable for long term storage, but you can't argue with dot.gov when they're in the mood to regulate.
    So....I feel you on the whole Nanny state gas can thing.
    In a fair and just world, I'd be able to replace my aging Blitz cans with the Nanny-cans and just keep the Nozzles....but NOOOOOOOOOOOO.

    Most of the spout openings on the Nanny-cans are not compatable with the old Blitz can spouts.
    Dot.gov is sneaky like that.

    So....
    Unfortunately, there's no cheap solution.
    Even if common sense broke out and they repealed the law/regulations/edicts no sane company would spool up a production run of non-CARB cans for the same reason that US automakers are planning on keeping to the old CAFE standards that were agreed to during the last administration.

    As stupidly expensive as it is to overpay for the plastic container, throw away the nozzle and buy a replacement, you're going to be money ahead over buying a metal "Jerry" can and a funnel.
    If you're looking for a long term solution, you may be better off with something like one of these:
    U.S. Military Style Steel Jerry Can, 20 Liter, Reproduction - 213243, Garage & Tool Accessories at Sportsman's Guide

    NOTE: They're "illegal" since they're not colored 'red' and they're not CARB compliant, so you might want to be careful out in WA if you leave your garage door open.
    You've been warned!
    I'm thinking about replacing my Blitz cans one at a time with the cheaper Jerry Cans and just using a funnel. My small generator is dual-fuel, so I have the option of keeping Propane for now to augment my petrol supply.

    There are also people who are in the boating/camping/airplane world that regularly have to deal with fuel quantities in excess of those that most suburbanites have to, and some of these have experimented with......ummmmmm....."other" fuel storage devices and containers.

    Since one might imaging a dystonian future where things might get even worse, I'll stick with mostly approved fuel cans myself for reasons that should be fairly obvious - less the repro Jerry cans if they prove to be useful.

    As always:
    YMMV
     
    #5 ETC(SS), Sep 11, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2019
  6. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Red paint takes care of "Nanny Neighbors".
     
  7. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Part of the cost is for the company's insurance.
     
  8. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Probably a NON trivial part......
     
  9. scona

    scona Active Member

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    Regrettably Canadian gas cans are not an improvement over the ones that you can purchase in WA.
     
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  10. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Yeah, one of the major brands(Blitz?) got out of the gas can business over the liability costs.
     
  11. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    The current gas can regulations in the US came about, because of users almost never capping them off and sealing them, after pouring out the amount that they need.

    All plastic gas cans and gas tanks in vehicles made of plastic are subject tp VOC (volatile organic compounds) pass through the permeable walls of the can. As I recall, most of them are a combination of HDPE (high density polyethylene) and polyamide (nylon).

    My dad once had a number of the Scepter military fuel cans currently used by the US and Canadian armed forces. I still have a Canadian one label POL (petroleum-oil-lubricant). I files some eight of these with non-ethanol gas and put in the required amount of Stabil brand gasoline preservative.

    After six years, about 5-10% of the VOC's had permeated through the walls. The gasoline was, however, still usable when mixed with fresh gasoline, which I burned in my dad's old Mazda MPV van. There were no issues.

    Currently, I have a supply of gas stored for 1-7 years using Stabil. I have learned my father's lesson. Mine is now stored in the current version of the welded steel WWII German made by Midwest and widely available at Harbor Freight.

    I currently tested one six years old 5 gallon can of gas with absolutely no issues. No VOC's had permeated through the metal walls of the can.
     
  12. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    5gal Red Tuff Jug

    I have a couple of the above jugs. They work quite well for emergency storage Local store sells them for $30. They are perfect for storing generator gas in the winter. But too clunky for use with the chain saw and weed eaters.

    Don't remember if I discovered them myself or if I found them on the web....maybe even on PriusChat?

    Anyway, they are great for the winter prep, but not for everyday use. Too heavy for my old bones.
     
  13. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    I have a lot of gas burning machines, so have 4 cans. 2 x 5 gal., a 2.5 gal,. and a 1 gal.. It also helps to see how accurate the pump meters are.
    my 2 older smaller plastic containers are fine. Both my newer 5 gal plastic cans have issues with the spouts. The older of the two has a broken spout, but the threaded cap is still good. But the stopper didn't work without the spout turned into the can. But I was able to jury rig a new stopper that fits nicely under the cap and seals the can. My newer plastic can last winter experienced some unknown chemical burn on the threaded cap of the triggered spout. That can sits empty with an over sized cap on it while I search for a cap to seal it again.
    If that 3 pack came as a decently priced 1 pack, I might be tempted.
    Still looking for a cap that's the right size from other household containers.

    which spout would you choose?
    Gas Can Spout for sale | eBay
    https://www.ebay.com/b/Gas-Can-Spout/71495/bn_55189371
    my two older cans use this type of spout.
    Vintage Chilton Gas Can Vented 5 Gallon With Screened Spout Mod P500 for sale online | eBay
     
    #13 vvillovv, Sep 12, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2019
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I got this on Amazon.ca a while back, have yet to use it. Daughter called up with real low gas, but got someone else to help, so I just thought to get it for next time. Not sure how it compares to US cans. I did grind off the child-proof feature on the cap.

    IMG_1168.JPG IMG_1169.JPG IMG_1170.JPG IMG_1171.JPG IMG_1172.JPG IMG_1175.JPG

    I mighta also clipped something off the vent cap retaining ring? I forget:

    upload_2019-9-12_12-31-51.png
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Sep 12, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2019
  15. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Don't know why, but I like essence for gasoline.
    Maybe I'll use it next time petrol starts getting used in a discussion.
     
  16. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    L'essence is French for gasoline. There are Canadians who prefer to speak French.
     
  17. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    I have one of these from the US pre-C.A.R.B. requirement days. It is made by Wedco. It looks exactly the same as the one you have.
     
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  18. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I'm down to 20 gallons in my strat reserve (been running my winter gas through vehicles), and I'm about to do the semi-annual cleaning of my 20-year-old Blitz cans before I refill them.
    Gas is < than 2 gallons and I'm thinking that I've pushed my luck for the year, storm wise.

    I've been surprised and pleased at how well they have stood up over the years, but i can't help thinking that pretty soon I'm going to have to start replacing them.

    If I do not use the Jerry Cans, these look promising:
    https://www.menards.com/main/tools/automotive/automotive-tools-shop-equipment/midwest-can-6-gallon-gas-can/6610/p-1444439611141.htm
     
  19. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Midwest is a good can. It has two handles instead of the one on the Scepter.

    The spout is OK. Pushing down on the red lock on the spout is tedious and inconvenient when holding a heavily filled can.. That is easily solved, however, by twisting it off with a pair of pliers. It comes off completely easy. Then, all you'd have to do is place the nozzle onto the filler and push down.
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I had no clue lol.

    So this answers @Stevewoods initial question?

    All I saw was on the Canadian can I purchased was a "tamper proof" cap, which was a pain, and I opted to tamper with it.
     
    #20 Mendel Leisk, Sep 12, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2019
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