Plastic gas cans for water

[DrRod]

So we are gathering at the farm and my daughter's husband shows up with two big red plastic gas cans full of water. Brand new, never been used. But I have concerns. They make different plastics for different uses and I don't think the plastic for gas is the right thing for water. Anyone have some fact on this? Thanks so much.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

It may or may not be the same plastic as used for water cans. I would have concerns about drinking it. Water cans have to use food grade plastic.

 

[s219]

Look to see if there's a recycle symbol on the gas cans. I bet it's probably polyethylene. I believe that is fine (I think bottled water containers are made from it) but you should research it to be sure.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

5 gallon water jugs are blue plastic. Sometimes they are white or clear. Gasoline jugs are red,diesel or kerosene are yellow.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

So we are gathering at the farm and my daughter's husband shows up with two big red plastic gas cans full of water. Brand new, never been used. But I have concerns. They make different plastics for different uses and I don't think the plastic for gas is the right thing for water. Anyone have some fact on this? Thanks so much.

I'm with you. Use it to water the flowers, but not for drinking. Even plastics approved to hold drinking water, are suspect in my opinion.

 

[Oaktree]

It may or may not be the same plastic as used for water cans. I would have concerns about drinking it. Water cans have to use food grade plastic.

AFAIK they're the same plastic, but I wouldn't take a chance either.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Look to see if there's a recycle symbol on the gas cans. I bet it's probably polyethylene.

Yep. HDPE. Same stuff that's used for drinking water. Perfectly safe, but why would anyone do that? There are water containers readily available.

 

[Wagtail]

Yep. HDPE. Same stuff that's used for drinking water. Perfectly safe, but why would anyone do that? There are water containers readily available.

True and as Larry Caldwell stated in post #4, there are different coloured containers for various fluids... but that's mostly for quick reference/recognition. If the son-in-law was using the red containers for potable water, then all he needs to do is mark the top (in permanent marker/texta/'sharpie') POTABLE WATER. And wrap/paint the circumference of the container with a blue 'band'.

I do that here. All of my fuel canisters are red, but my DIESEL cans have a yellow band and my 2-STROKE can has a black band. That leaves plain red as PETROL.

 

[s219]

Yep. HDPE. Same stuff that's used for drinking water. Perfectly safe, but why would anyone do that? There are water containers readily available.

I am betting it was an availability or cost issue. Around here the red cans are common, blue not so much, and the blue ones cost a little more. I'd still try to find a blue can just because I need all the help I can get sorting out containers and all the different types of fuel I have, but in a pinch I could see using a clean red can that was well labeled.

 

[smstonypoint]

I am betting it was an availability or cost issue. Around here the red cans are common, blue not so much, and the blue ones cost a little more. I'd still try to find a blue can just because I need all the help I can get sorting out containers and all the different types of fuel I have, but in a pinch I could see using a clean red can that was well labeled.

5 gallon water jugs are blue plastic. Sometimes they are white or clear. Gasoline jugs are red,diesel or kerosene are yellow.

All of the cans/jugs designed/labeled specifically for kerosene that I have seen have been blue.

Steve

 

[Gem99ultra]

I suspect you're well aware that the red cans, even properly marked as potable water is not gasoline. But what about someone else around there grabbing the red can thinking it's gasoline, and dumping that into your vehicle or mower? I'm just not prepared to take a chance of a mishap like that, so I like others, pay the extra buck for the right color can.

I'm aware that the cans are all made from exactly the same material, and there's nothing that qualifies sellers to charge more for one color over the next, but they do and they get away with it.

But to answer your question, you can download the MSDS on each and every color that will clarify your concern as to whether or not they're the same material and safe for human consumption products. Without my checking, I'll venture to guess that NONE of the fuel or water cans are 'stated' to be intended for that purpose.

 

[EddieWalker]

This reminds me of watching those shows where people are looking to buy a house, but can't get over the wall color. Red, yellow, blue or white, it's all the same plastic, just a different color. If it's brand new, then having water in a red container will be just like drinking water out of a blue container.

Long term storage is a different matter. Over time, the plastic will leach into the water and contaminate it. This takes years, so it's find for weekend use, but never for long term storage in case of a disaster. Same thing with the small water bottles. Glass is really the only proven long term material that remains safe to drink from after years of storage.

 

[s219]

Side note, I noticed that TSC sells replacement spouts marked "for water only", but they fit fine on the gas cans from the same manufacturer and let you bypass the EPA nonsense. I bet they sell a lot of those "water only" spouts.

 

[rswyan]

Side note, I noticed that TSC sells replacement spouts marked "for water only", but they fit fine on the gas cans from the same manufacturer and let you bypass the EPA nonsense. I bet they sell a lot of those "water only" spouts.

Thanks for that heads up

 

[BoylermanCT]

Looked up the spouts online at Tractor Supply and they sell 5 gal military style water cans that have the air vent that all gas cans used to have that made them actually pour correctly! May need to pick up a few. Been using a lot of "water" in my mower this season.

 

[EddieWalker]

Side note, I noticed that TSC sells replacement spouts marked "for water only", but they fit fine on the gas cans from the same manufacturer and let you bypass the EPA nonsense. I bet they sell a lot of those "water only" spouts.

Good to know. I saw some replacement spouts on Amazon that look better then the anti spill ones, but never thought about water spouts.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I suspect you're well aware that the red cans, even properly marked as potable water is not gasoline. But what about someone else around there grabbing the red can thinking it's gasoline, and dumping that into your vehicle or mower? I'm just not prepared to take a chance of a mishap like that, so I like others, pay the extra buck for the right color can.

Bingo. It's about the potential for confusion. But wow! A whole extra buck (or two) for a white or blue can! Whoa! Way too expensive!

Side note, I noticed that TSC sells replacement spouts marked "for water only", but they fit fine on the gas cans from the same manufacturer and let you bypass the EPA nonsense. I bet they sell a lot of those "water only" spouts.

A most excellent side note! :thumbsup:

 

[FTG-05]

Yep. HDPE. Same stuff that's used for drinking water. Perfectly safe, but why would anyone do that? There are water containers readily available.

Just because both gas cans and water cans are made of HDPE (high density polyethylene) doesn't mean the gas cans are food grade.

The definition of "food grade" means, at a minimum: All virgin plastic (no recycled plastic from the dump), food grade rated machinery (no biggie, it's probably all FD) and food grade mold release agents (could be a biggie).

Since food grade costs more, I would not depend on gas cans (or any other non-food container) being food grade unless A) it's advertised as such (gas cans won't be, duh!) or B) the container originally contained food (barrels containing soda syrup for example) and has not had any non-food material put in the container (oil or gas into a water container).

The best water containers are the Military Water Cans (MWC).

Best price that I could find: You are being redirected...

If the above link doesn't work, go to buylici.com, then search on water can.

Good luck.

 

[teejk]

Bingo. It's about the potential for confusion. But wow! A whole extra buck (or two) for a white or blue can! Whoa! Way too expensive!





A most excellent side note! :thumbsup:

Given the current safety rules for gasoline I highly doubt the red cans were cheaper.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Given the current safety rules for gasoline I highly doubt the red cans were cheaper.

Heh. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt. He had to have some reason for it.