Gas Can Advice Needed

[Shaman]

ok, this is my pickle.
I always bought 2 handle gas cans. They were vented and worked really well.
Due to moving several times, I got down to a 1G, 2.5G and a 5G.
Went to store the other day to get 2 more 5G and all they had were CARB cans.
I bought two and they are TERRIBLE.

Now, I can not find the same cans I have vented and with two handles.
I tried looking online and the closest I could find was the Blitz self-venting non-CARB. Does the self venting can run as smoothly as the vented version. I can find a B&S 5G vented can, but I can only find 'front side view' pictures and can not see if it is double handled (top and back). Looking for Plastic Low End. I don't need high end Jerry Can style or the Fuel Caddy style. Does the Blitz self venting can run as smoothly as the vented version.

Anyone have recommendation for a NON-CARB cans, two handle, and smooth flowing?

 

[TedLaRue]

For those of us in less regulated states, "CARB" means "California Air Resources Board". According to the web site No-Spill CARB Gasoline cans "CARB compliant fuel cans & nozzles are required for retail sale in California, Connecticut, D.C., Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and some counties in Virginia."

I bought several Blitz 5 gallon two-handle self-venting cans/jugs at Walmart last year and I love them. They pour pretty fast, but not quite as fast as vented, and they do keep pouring and you don't have to mess with the vent cap getting lost after the little cheapo plastic strap breaks. Unfortunately, I think Walmart is carrying some other brand now. And I guess those who live in one of the states listed above, you won't find them anywhere locally.

 

[bontai_Joe]

Thanks for the "Heads Up" on CARB cans... I need a couple of new cans and live in a restricted state, but will be traveling to Ohio this weekend. I'll get what I need there. I had no idea that PA joined the People's Democratic Republik of California.

 

[rainman14624]

Just picked up a 6-gal Blitz with self-venting nozzle at Sam's Club. Like Ted said, not as fast as the old style cans, but much better than that CARB crap.

 

[sasquatcher]

You should see what happens when the old style gas cans show up at auctions in my neck of the woods. It's common to find 8 people bidding against eachother for a gas can.

 

[mjncad]

I have four 5-gallon (2 diesel, 2 gas) and one 1-gallon (2-stroke gas/oil mix) Blitz self venting gas cans, and I like them for the following reasons:

1. The spout seals tightly to the can unlike the old flexible plastic spout that leaked fuel everywhere.

2. The spout is rigid, which means one less thing to fight with when hucking a 5-gallon can of fuel into the tractor's tank. The old flexible plastic spouts would never hold their position.

3. No vent caps to lose when the plastic strap breaks.

The three old style flexible plastic spout cans I had still worked; but they pissed me off, so I put them by the side of the road (empty of course) and let passersby who wanted them take them.

 

[wushaw]

Interesting...I live in Texas and have not seen the CARB cans at any of the local stores. My local Wally World does have the Blitz self venting plastic cans that work and are worlds better than what they previously built with those leaking flex tubes, I also threw them away after getting the self venting cans.
I don't have to use a funnel for filling my tractor...just put it in the hole and lay it on the hood and walk away if I want...self fueling

 

[Shaman]

Found some.
Looks like old Blitz I have.
6G can

 

[Catman1]

Speaking of gas cans. Someone told me that if you leave fuel in those red plastic cans that that the red dye will leak into the fuel. I tried to find the answer to this but have not seen it anywhere. Is this true or false.

Also, if you put a fuel preservative (extender) into gasoline, how long can it sit and still be good and usable?

 

[grnspot110]

Don't know if they're still available as I haven't seen any for a while, but Rubbermaid used to make cans in 1 1/4, 2 1/2, & 5 gal.,. These were tapered out at the bottom so that they wouldn't turn over. If you turned one over in a vehicle, you would have more serious things to worry about than the gas can! I don't like the looks of any of the cans I see for sale now!

 

[TedLaRue]

These were tapered out at the bottom so that they wouldn't turn over.

Yeah, that's what I thought. But I turned one over in the bed of my truck, probably from making a sharp turn. I guess the sloshing overcame the low center of gravity. I left a string of diesel fuel down the highway. I felt like the captain of the Exxon Valdez.

But you are right, the new two-handle self-venting cans are definitely more prone to tipping. I was concerned about that too, but when I got the Blitz self-venting cans, their advantages outweighed the tippy problem. I just make sure the jugs are wedged or bungied (is that a word?) so they can't tip.

 

[ragkar]

Only four states require CARB cans for gas, diesel and kerosene. About a dozen others require CARB for gas only. In these states you can still get self vented for diesel and kerosene (yellow and blue cans).
You can't get Blitz pull-n-pour anywhere any more as they have been discontinued.
To find out which state requires what go here http://www.blitzusa.com/carbmap.html

 

[John_Mc]

Speaking of gas cans. Someone told me that if you leave fuel in those red plastic cans that that the red dye will leak into the fuel. I tried to find the answer to this but have not seen it anywhere. Is this true or false.

I have a couple of the red plastic cans, one almost 10 years old, and have owned others in the past. My oldest one is faded, but it appears to be from sunlight on the outside, not from the inside. I've never noticed any discoloration of the fuel. I can't guarantee the dye never leaches in to the fuel, but if it does, it's so slight that it's undetectable to my eyes.

Also, if you put a fuel preservative (extender) into gasoline, how long can it sit and still be good and usable?

I've heard it's good for 6 months to one year. I fyou live in an area that has a "winter" blend of fuel (vaporizes more easily), then the wintertime stuff may be more towards the short end of that range.

For gas mixed with oil for two cycle engines, I've heard that at least for chainsaw use (those engines tend to be tuned to run flat out), 2 cycle fuel without stabilizer is good for about a month. For fuel mixed with stabilizer, I've heard everything from 1 month (no change from no stabilizer) to two months. I've gone beyond those time limits, but I try not to in my chain saws. Generally, I'll try to use it up in something less demanding like my weed whacker.

John Mc

 

[LBrown59]

Interesting...I live in Texas and have not seen the CARB cans at any of the local stores. My local Wally World does have the Blitz self venting plastic cans that work and are worlds better than what they previously built with those leaking flex tubes, I also threw them away after getting the self venting cans.
*I don't have to use a funnel for filling my tractor...just put it in the hole and lay it on the hood and walk away if I want...self fueling

I use Mr funnel to filter out water.

 

[LBrown59]

The three old style flexible plastic spout cans I had still worked; but they pissed me off, so I put them by the side of the road (empty of course) and let passersby who wanted them take them.

I got a couple of extra Blitz self venting spouts for a couple of my other cans when I bought my two 5 gallon self venting cans. So I didn't have to take any cans down to the end of my driveway.

 

[LBrown59]

In these states you can still get self vented for diesel and kerosene (yellow and blue cans).

Get a yellow or blue one and paint it red for gas.

 

[LBrown59]

Yeah, that's what I thought. But I turned one over in the bed of my truck, probably from making a sharp turn. I guess the sloshing overcame the low center of gravity. I left a string of diesel fuel down the highway. I felt like the captain of the Exxon Valdez.

But you are right, the new two-handle self-venting cans are definitely more prone to tipping. I was concerned about that too, but when I got the Blitz self-venting cans, their advantages outweighed the tippy problem. I just make sure the jugs are wedged or bungied (is that a word?) so they can't tip.

I up set a red 5 gallon blitz can filled with gas the other day going around a corner in my pick up.
The can slid clear across the bed laying on its' side.
Didn't spill a drop.

 

[bontai_Joe]

My 5 gal. metal cans date back from the 1970's and I think I paid somewhere around $12 each. I just checked prices on the 'net... $50 for a metal Eagle brand 5 gallon can that's close to what I own!!!!!!! For that price, it should at least come full of fuel!!!!. Gotta be paying off insurance companies and/or lawyers to drive the price up that high. I had no idea that it would cost me $50 to replace one of my metal cans.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

My 5 gal. metal cans date back from the 1970's and I think I paid somewhere around $12 each. I just checked prices on the 'net... $50 for a metal Eagle brand 5 gallon can that's close to what I own!!!!!!! For that price, it should at least come full of fuel!!!!. Gotta be paying off insurance companies and/or lawyers to drive the price up that high. I had no idea that it would cost me $50 to replace one of my metal cans.

Now compare anything else metal that you bought in the '70's to the price today.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Get a yellow or blue one and paint it red for gas.

Or just get a big fat magic marker and write "GAS" on it.