Storing gas for short term use

[peakbagger]

I don't have any local options for gas without ethanol. I used to use the red plastic 5 gallon containers that could be sold prior to the clean air mandates. They were completely sealed and I found that while the containers lasted for many years, the molded plastic vent caps usually split after a few years rending the can useless unless I found a plug to fit the hole which would inevitably push out when the temps changed. The most recent acquisition is an Eagle safety can as I despise the cheap plastic cans with the low vent no overflow options as they inevitable act up when filling anything. The downside to the Eagle can is that the cap is not a screw down, the cap is kept closed by a spring loaded cap which is designed to vent any excess pressure. It is probably fine in my garage but I get concerned that if it flips on its side while being transported it will leak. I always add some Startron when filling the tank , but it may sit around for a few months over the winter.

So there are a couple of questions;

If the gas deteriorates when vented to atmosphere does the Eagle spring vent allow the gas to deteriorate quicker?. My assumption is that the Eagle spring cap is going to allow air in when the tank goes from hot to cold (under vacuum) compared to my old plastic cans that expanded and contracted with temperature.

If the Eagle can isn't ideal what else currently available works as well as the old reliable cans?

 

[midwestcoast]

I've stored generator gas in 2 of those 5 Gal safety cans and another 2 Gal similar one with mixed gas at work. Stabil added and have had no issues with 6 month old regular pump gas. I don't see the safety can reducing storage time. The pressure relief valve is one way, so it shouldn't let air in when the can cools down, just vent it when it builds pressure.

 

[semipro]

I've noticed my red plastic cans swell when its hot and then shrink when they cool, seemingly with no release of vapors.
I don't like the idea of venting the vapors as its just more air pollution and you lose the more volatile portions of the gasoline which may result in hard starting particularly when its cold.

 

[Bad Wolf]

I got a bunch of the 20L NATO cans from Sportsmans Guide.

 

[Knots]

http://www.roverparts.com/nxt/?Category=ACC.+-++OFF-ROAD

 

[midwestcoast]

Seriously? $170 for a 4-gal can and no spout? The safety cans are a bit pricey, but you can still get 3 x 5-gals for that...

 

[Highbeam]

Meh, there are a lot of myths about gas and fresh gas these days. If your engine won't burn it then your engine is broke.

 

[Knots]

Seriously? $170 for a 4-gal can and no spout? The safety cans are a bit pricey, but you can still get 3 x 5-gals for that...

They have sales and those are truly built to NATO can specs. All depends on what you need...

 

[stee6043]

I've been using one of these for a few years now. I could not take another crappy can from the big box store.

http://www.amazon.com/VP-Racing-Fue..._sbs_hi_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1HEEGPWE6RNER3RB5K4Z

I believe in the fine print somewhere it'll say these are not for gas since they don't meet current requirements yet that's exactly what everybody is using them for. Can't beat the price. Make sure you get the filler hose with it.

 

[stee6043]

I've been using one of these for a few years now. I could not take another crappy can from the big box store.

http://www.amazon.com/VP-Racing-Fue..._sbs_hi_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1HEEGPWE6RNER3RB5K4Z

I believe in the fine print somewhere it'll say these are not for gas since they don't meet current requirements yet that's exactly what everybody is using them for. Can't beat the price. Make sure you get the filler hose with it.

Fully airtight, by the way. Just like the old days.

 

[peakbagger]

"I've been using one of these for a few years now. I could not take another crappy can from the big box store"

Just what I was looking for, I have two on order and will risk the wrath of the fed.

 

[festerw]

I've got 2 of the Eagle cans, they will vent when the pressure gets too high but will not pull any air in just sitting. There's a very noticeable vacuum if the can has gone from warm to cool.

 

[Bad Wolf]

Seriously? $170 for a 4-gal can and no spout? The safety cans are a bit pricey, but you can still get 3 x 5-gals for that...

That was actually for a set of 4 20L (5 gallon) cans. Still pricey in my book though

 

[fossil]

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...eywords=gas can caps&sprefix=gas+can+caps,aps

 

[stee6043]

"I've been using one of these for a few years now. I could not take another crappy can from the big box store"

Just what I was looking for, I have two on order and will risk the wrath of the fed.

You won't regret it. I really, really wanted a legit Eagle but I couldn't bring myself to spend the coin. These things are very high quality. I was shocked for the price...

 

[Knots]

That was actually for a set of 4 20L (5 gallon) cans. Still pricey in my book though

LOL! Yeah - that was for four cans, not one! On sale I got them for 35 each with a spout thrown in. The spout is internally vented so you can just tilt and pour without any glut-glug.

 

[bsruther]

I try to keep at least 20 gallons of gas over winter. I have a strong dislike for any newer style gas cans whether they're vented, spring loaded or whatever. I watch for old gas cans at auctions and have found some nice ones. Got a red 5 gal safety can for 5 bucks in great condition recently, but my best find was a 6 gal chiltons can in new condition that I got for 17 bucks. It was the one item I went to the auction for and nobody was taking it from me. I have some smaller chiltons cans that are over 20 years old with all the caps intact so this one should last a while.
Never thought I'd live in a world where I'd get excited over an old gas can, but alas, here I am.

 

[Knots]

Never thought I'd live in a world where I'd get excited over an old gas can, but alas, here I am.

Indeed - old gas cans, old C-clamps, old bench vises, old bench grinders, old....