PLASTIC gas container vs METAL?

**toolfreak** · 02-16-2006, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by TRUSSMAN

I too use plastic, metal rusts over time. Plastic cans a very cheap also.
Jeff

I agree, no rust, more abuse tolerant, economical, and light weight, not that there would be a significant diffference.

**alderman** · 02-16-2006, 07:32 PM

I was an EMT on a local fire department. One day we received a call to a residence that was toned out as a washing machine fire. On arrival a rather well endowed female was presenting second degree burns to her chest. When asked how the accident happened she explained her husband had apparently filled a bleach bottle with gasoline and put it on the shelf in the laundry room. Thinking it was bleach she poured it into the washer, started to walk away, smelled gasoline, opened the washer lid and kaboom!! Just one reason why not to use a container designed for fuel.

**xander9727** · 02-16-2006, 07:37 PM

I know on some job sites they require the metal safety cans for OSHA. I prefer plastic because they are cheap and I rarely have the same gas in them for more than a week.

**skwerl** · 02-16-2006, 07:50 PM

Many OSHA regs are outdated, inflexible, and more harmful than helpful. The 'metal gas can' rule is one example of government stupidity at work. **** them, I'm using a plastic gas can manufactured, designed and sold for the express purpose of storing and transporting fuel. The spring loaded lids on the metal 'unsafety' cans are dangerous and end up causing gas spills during use. They work fine if you are just going to store fuel, but they suck if you actually need to use the fuel.

The newest batch of plastic cans also suck. The flexible spouts are too flimsy and the 'ventless' ones cause me to think unspeakable thoughts!

**RaisedByWolves** · 02-16-2006, 08:34 PM

I bought one

never spilled so much gas on the ground!

My vote is for plastic all around.

My favorite thing about them that has yet to be mentioned is that you can shine a flashlight up through the bottom to look for contaminates and water. It will even show fuel/oil separation if you've stored you fuel for a while.

**sawn_penn** · 02-16-2006, 09:00 PM

For large fuel needs (for fueling vehicles) drums and metal jerry cans (20L) are good, but they are too heavy for chainsaw use.

The mini metal jerry cans (10L, 5L) aren't great because the spouts you can get around here are too large (designed to fit into a car, not a chainsaw)

The small metal mower fuel cans (5L) are hopeless. They rust through after a year or so, and deform really badly in the sun.

That leaves plastic. I have some red plastic 5L (Saber?) containers - the spout is pretty fiddly, and I normally end up pouring through the vent hole.

I also have one of the husqvarna plastic fuel cans. I reckon this is the best fuel can I've used. Just make sure that you unscrew the spout before you unscrew the cap. If you unscrew the cap first on a hot day, pressure in the can sprays fuel everywhere.

**jp hallman** · 02-16-2006, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by skwerl

Many OSHA regs are outdated, inflexible, and more harmful than helpful. The 'metal gas can' rule is one example of government stupidity at work.

Can't help but add this. Doesn't have anything to do with gas cans but does have something to say about OSHA stupidity. Years ago(late 70's) I was working in a big city doing HVAC work. OSHA lads showed up and started tossing the weight around. If they didn't like one trades' ladders, they'd cut em' in half and render them unuseable. Same with extension cords. No ground, cut the end off the cord. The plumber had a cord with the ground prong broken off. OSHA dude grinned and, snip, cut the end off the plumbers cord. Only it was plugged in. The sparks flew and the grin did too. The OSHA guys left moments later. The plumber was left to fend for himself. Which he did for the rest of the day. Drinking and laughing in a titty flop with the rest of us that witnessed the act.

**sawn_penn** · 02-16-2006, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by Moose44

I have seen a few posts recommending metal gas containers instead of plastic.
Could one of you brainy chemist types please give us the reasons to not use plastic. Like what breaks down chemically and why is it harmful for the saw,, etc.
Thank you.

There are lots of different plastics in the world. Some are resistant to solvents like petrol, and some aren't.

Some containers are strong enough to safety store fuel, and some aren't.

When looking for a fuel container, I'll try and find something that both seems functional and has some form of endorsement (UL listing, etc)

Hopefully the testing agency will have looked into a whole lot more issues than I can think of.

BTW, having an accident involving spilt fuel is very bad news. A friend crashed a plane he was testing in early December. A fuel line ruptured in the crash, and he is still wrapped up in bandages. No real injuries from the impact, just burns from spilt fuel.

**Chris11** · 02-17-2006, 12:51 AM

Hello,

there is one drawbag to plastic containers. The smaller lightweighter parts of the gasoline will diffuse long term through the walls. This leaves the longer heavier parts of the gasoline which have much less partitial gas pressure and the saw will not start. As warmer the environment (did you see gas cans in the sun looking like a ballon) as faster the good stuff evaporates.

Best regards
Christian

**Mr_Brushcutter** · 02-17-2006, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by sawn_penn

I also have one of the husqvarna plastic fuel cans. I reckon this is the best fuel can I've used. Just make sure that you unscrew the spout before you unscrew the cap. If you unscrew the cap first on a hot day, pressure in the can sprays fuel everywhere.

I just leave the over fill protection spout on it and shove the cap on top of that. It gives it a bit of veterlation and stops the presure building up. Also if you depress the spout a little at the begining and end of the day it vents the pressure and stops expensive 2 stroke escaping.

**bugfart** · 02-17-2006, 04:53 AM

Has anybody here ever been turned away because their gas can was not red?

I have a military 5gal gas tank. The military shy's away from the color after the British and all, but it is green. This is by far the worlds most durable rugged fuel carrying device. But I'm not able to use it at the pump.

So I bring two plastic red gas cans and fill it when I get home. So I need both plastic and metal.

**smcowboy1974** · 02-17-2006, 05:02 AM

Just think of it this way. Would you rather drink your beer from a aluminum can or a plastic bottle? You tell me what's better? I'd go with a can anyday, over plastic. Now if we could just put gas in glass bottles we'd be set perfect.

**bugfart** · 02-17-2006, 05:45 AM

Till someone resorts to that last bottle of Miller Lite.

So one day I'm dippin Copenhagan and drinking Miller light... figured a beer-bottle was as good a spitoon as anything else right?

**MS-310** · 02-17-2006, 07:45 AM

Im really lost by this post. I really thought the only way is a plastic gas can, I have seen some metal but always rusty. I didnt think any of you guys would like the metal cans cuz of the reason of rust. I guess im just young and think metal gas cans are like glass pop bottles out dated. (or just before my time)..... Well come to think about it I do think most of the newer cars are going with plastic gas tanks so...... I dont know.
Jack