UPDATE AND NOTES: The traditional style NATO can (Wehrmacht) was indeed being made, in Germany, pre NATO. Obviously since NATO didn't come until after WWII, they wouldn't of been called NATO cans. The factory was later uprooted and moved to Latvia, now owned by Valpro. It is believed that the jerry can design that we know today was invented in 1937 after WW1. I'm not sure when the nick name Jerrycan came to be, though the name Jerry was slang for Germans. The US along with other allies copied the design. Hopefully this helps and I will pin the comment so other people can learn. And yes, I know the "S" is Illinois is "silent". Links are not allowed and automatically removed by a UA-cam filter, as I do not have time to make sure they are safe for other viewers. Also because these cans are not vented, if you keep the caps/rings tight, the pressure inside the can may cause the rings to crack. If the can is full of fuel, this is not as likely as there is less air in the can to expand. I only keep my caps tight during transport. The threads on this can are the same threads as the plastic MidWest gas cans. Aftermarket caps and rings can be found here: ezpourspout.com/how-to-choose-the-best-spout-base-cap-for-your-gas-can/ You can also 3d print rings and caps here (I had to increase the size 2% for a perfect fit): www.thingiverse.com/thing:2757708
The "jerry" can was designed by the Germans in the run-up to WWII and copied by the British during the war, hence the nickname "jerry" for German. They have nothing to do with WWI except insomuch as the termination of the "war to end all wars" pretty much insured that WWII would happen. But that's another topic altogether.
Yes, I believe the originals were designed in the 1930s. The German cans were called “Blitz Cans.” Then we copied them with the US Jerry (sometimes also Gerry) cans. The embossed sides, different for each, was to add strength and longevity to the can. When I was stationed in Germany in the 80s I went on a Volksmarch that went through the town that was famous for making the German, then NATO, cans. I can’t remember the Town’s name, but I bought a little ceramic piggy bank that looks like the cans. The town’s name is on the piggy bank, but I can’t find it at this moment. During Desert Shield there were two MP Hummers parked nearby. The cans on the back heated in the sun, and they were probably overfilled. The lid gaskets leaked, soaking the web straps, and both Hummers burned to the ground. Nobody was injured. I brought a Blitz can from an Iraqi BMP home for a souvenir with some markings on it. I don’t know what it says; probably something like “Diesel for burning shit” for all I know. LOL! I know, it’s an odd choice for a souvenir, but the powers-that-be don’t let you have fun anymore. Although it seems every O-6 and above got to bring home a Steyer bolt action sniper rifle!
Jerry or Gerry was the British term for Germans. Brits called them Jerry cans. Britain encountered the cans before the US entered the war. The British used weak metal cans that leaked or burst open when dropped. In Northern Africa they took all the German fuel cans they could find and used them instead of their own cans.
Once they came out with the EPA approved so called safe gas cans I have not ever been able to pour gas in my lawn mower without spilling all over the mower or my hand. Thanks EPA for making it more dangerous to put gasoline in my mower.
No kiddin’. These federal agencies seem to be heavily populated with really stupid people. I just pour it straight out of the container, nozzle removed, funnel in place. Incredibly simple.
I once had to rescue a friend who was on the side of an expressway with a rented box truck, out of gas. I bought a can and filled it, went there, and discovered it had that horrendous EPA spout (I had never seen one before - I have 3 5 gallon cans that predate that rule). The filler on the box truck was partly under the cargo area and it was impossible to get the spout to seat in there and press the release. Of the 5 gallons in the can, about 3 went into the truck, the other two went on the pavement and into the grass. Great job EPA.
@Ralph Herge A pair of aircraft sheet metal shears. Or tin snips. Work like super sizers to intricately cut all kinds of plastic bulk containers. Instead of just a razor knife. Laundry soap, Arizona tea gallon jug's. Even empty quart and gallon oil containers. Nice to sometimes leave the handle like the tea jugs for nails screws ect. If I may forget and leave one full of nails outside. I've already drilled half a dozen 1/8" Holes in the bottom so the rain will drain out. Excellent for making funnels also. Love the long neck on your additive bottle. Starter flower pots. Can be made with empty gallon bleach containers. Drill drain holes. Find a dozen at a time at a laundry mat. We throw too much reusable stuff out in our Nation.
we won't mention that if you have the equivilant to one gallon or more spilled you are technically suppost to call, I believe it is, the Fire department for "proper containment and disposal"
it obviously causes more issues than it fixed so I wonder which oil company lobbied for the new design. they definately cause more fuel to be purchased
I have two of these cans and I like them. After a year I found out their weak spot is the rubber gasket ring on the filler. They had cracked and were leaky. I called Midwest asking to buy some little rings and they sent me a bag of 10 rings for free. I'm happy.
Thank god for CHINA! I never thought i would say that and am ashamed i have to but china is making old nozzles and kits for the gas cans that the EPA F'd up. When ever you think of trusting the government of want to know it competence, think of a gas can.
Fun gas can hack: I cut the top upper section out of one of those "safety" cans and turned it into a sweet little solvent/ parts cleaning tank for my shed. Works very nicely!
The EPA spout was intended to prevent too much gas fumes escaping into the air. Using one however causes you to spill half of the fuel on the ground, your car and your hands. Good going EPA.
The whole point is to make it frustrating and difficult to use anything gas powered. There are ulterior motives to everything the gov. does in the past century. Not nessesarilly coordinated across multiple departments, but certainly hidden motives on the part of individuals.
The ww2 era metal canisters have always had the can vent out the spout opening for waterproofing and can float in water without the worry of leaking as it was sealed with a gasket. I’m not sure about that one, but many good ones have a second small opening with an air tube leading to the risen area of the jerrycan where there is space for air so it can float. So it lets in air at the end from the opening.
When I have "bad" gas or "old" gas, I mix it in with fresh gas in my truck and burn it on my daily commute. I have been doing this for years with no trouble. I NEVER waste gas or pour it out of take it to a recycling center. I always find some way to use it up.
I've used gas that's many years old and was just as good as any new gas. IMO the reason they sell everyone the idea that gas "goes bad" is because especially in the older days, most people left their gas caps off of their jugs. Then between evaporation causing it to lose its potency, and bugs/rain/whatever falling down the open nozzle, the gas really would go bad. Just my $.02
@@Rick-the-Swift Depends a lot on your climate and what you are burning it in. New "reformulated" gasoline most certainly does go bad, especially the alcohol blends which fail particularly fast. (Alcohol blends are banned from use in all aircraft, even experimentals that have special approval for highway fuel must still use the non-alcohol formulas.). I won't go into the chemistry details here, just sum it up as oxygen enhancers cause accelerated breakdown and creation of gums and varnish while alcohol absorbs moisture from humidity to the point of seporating the fuel into water-alcohol and oil layers with a huge drop in the antiknock rating of the oil layer (and the engine simply not running on the water-alcohol layer); it is no myth. (100LL [about 108 street AKI] aviation gasoline lacks the oxidation enhancers and actually has oxidation inhibitors added.) New computer controlled engines will compensate for a certain amunt of detonation, and other engines are just low compression and super lightly loaded so the octane dropping to 75 isn't an immediate issue. But I have seen riding mower engines suffer very premature deaths after a few spring mowings (Old gasahol and a heavy load of thick grass on the first cut causes a lot of knocking and wear).
Tractor supply stores sell kits that include a replacement unblocked flexible spout with a better gasket and a "optional for water cans" yellow vent plug 😉👍, I'm sure you can get them online, I just forgot the brand 🤷♂️
The EPA didn't mandate these spouts - the California air resources board did. Manufactures use their standards so they only have to make 1 can for all 50 states.
We have one just like this from Harbor Freight. What we do when filling tractors is remove the spout and use a funnel. It will get plenty of air in the Jerry can then and your flow will be a lot more than normal.
Me personally, I still love and use my granddaddy’s old lever type can. So what if it is claimed to be an explosion hazard. After 60 plus years now, I think that myth has been busted.
@@MaturePatriot I doubt the EPA is concerned with an explosion hazard and they probably care more about all the hydrocarbons evaporating into the atmosphere from open vents. EPA stands for Environmental Protection Agency.
@@diamondperformancefab5931 How many more hydrocarbons do you think evaporate when your leaky, sputtering EPA approved spout dribbles gas all over the ground? EPA might as well stand for Everyone Pollutes Anyway.
@@obsidianjane4413 obviously you weren't in Los Angeles during the 70s, before the EPA turned it from diarrhea brown skies EVERY single day until AFTER noon, when the sun FINALLY burned through it, to how it is today. Complete night and day difference. Literally the ultimate before and after picture.
I "love" how you need 3 hands to pour using the EPA spouts. 2 to hold the gas can safely, and then another to work the spout latch because there is no standard lip for pouring gas into a tank.
Thank You! You answered all the questions I had about these cans. I have a shed full of garbage, broken, "EPA compliant" cans that have spilled more gas onto my lawn and driveway than I've gotten into the lawn mower or bike. I'm heading to Harbor Freight now.
I have 3 gas cans and 1 diesel can. All 5 gallon. I just bought those 11 kits that has the original style spouts and vent caps you add on the back. Pop the vent cap, and pour. Fast, no mess. Those EPA spouts always leak, spill, and make a mess. They're the worst for the "environment".
We have a small business involving gas cans. Couldn't agree more. Every EPA-approved can we've tried ends up with gas on the ground. Was a rare event with the old cans.
@@JesseG085 8 or 9 of the new cans without any issues? You, my friend, are a freak. Literally every person I know or have met at the pumps has had nothing but complaints (spills, difficulty pouring, removing lid for filling, etc.) regarding these cans.
@@cujoedaman personally, I enjoy filling my riding lawn mower up in less then half the time since my spout "broke". It's on my list of things to mend for about 3 years now.
I had no idea that HF would be carrying something like this. You would think this would be more in higher branded stores like Farm Supply. Good to know this.
Just got one at harbor freight. I love the can itself I had to remove the plastic insert I'm sorry I can't stand there for 20 minutes putting 5 gallons of gas in a can. You'll spill gas all over the place if you try to do it. I know what they're trying to do with the insert, it's supposed to suppress a flash from a spark coming out of the can. Reality is it stops you putting gas in the can. I don't like the spout at all it's really awkward and it doesn't help that I have arthritis. Will be looking for a replacement tomorrow. I would add that harbor freight is upgrading a lot of their products across the board. Their prices are still low. Icon and tools have lifetime warranties. You know how when you get something from home Depot and you want to get it warranty it's like pulling teeth. If you just buy the extended warranty from harbor freight, yeah it cost you a little more, you walk in with the tool and walk out with another one. I think that's a win-win
@@ToolofSociety ~ even their cheap stuff has a purpose if you're doing a one off job and don't want to invest a big chunk of money in some tool you're only going to use one time.
@@moncorp1 Yeah that's very true. It's my go to place when I need a tool for cheap. Sometimes it's because I plan to permanently modify the tool. Sometimes it's for something I only plan to do once. A surprising amount of those tools are still usable today. Now for a professional most of the stuff at HF is "junk" but you know that's different.
Amazing can designed by the Germans, really interesting story about how the British and then the American Armies started taking them from captured German vehicles, until eventually we manufactured over twenty million of them in wartime Britain.
A British ww2 era can is far superior to that joke chinese copy as is an original german can which was the best except that by now all the plastic lining in the german cans is disintegrating effectively making them useless unless you work pretty hard at trying to get it all out of the can.
The purported purpose of these new cans and nozzles was to reduce evaporation, but there's no way that the new cans don't lead to more evaporation because they almost universally leak when you use them.
I suspect the venting they're truly concerned about is when you're not using them. They don't want cans sitting in a hot garage or shed outgasing into the atmosphere. One benefit I have noticed is that the gas lasts longer being airtight. I just remove the caps when I need to pour from them since they are practically useless a spouts.
the plastic gas cans vent through the plastic, so these spouts do nothing for the environment, the volume of fuel will always be the same amount of vent whether you use new or old spouts. idiotic ideas
@@Andy-df5fj the jerry cans are designed for expansion AND contraction👍🏼 by the German engineers. The designs on the sides are to allow for dessert and mountain storage. Check out the videos on Jerry cans! Really interesting
@@wharris7594 Haven't you ever seen a plastic gas can inflate under the pressure of gas fumes? Sure it may vent through the plastic slowly over time, but the rate of gaseous escape is low enough not to fill an enclosed space with a high concentration of fumes waiting to be ignited by a stray spark.
I love the 5-gallon Surecans. Yes, they're kinda pricey (roughly $50 each), but I love how they work. The spout is on the bottom of the can, and you can rotate it to where it needs to go. So you sit the can on the fender of your law tractor and just put the spout into the fill tube. The release latch on top is workable with one hand, and when you let go of it the flow stops. These are the only cans I'll buy now. Luckily I still have some of the older plastic cans from before this EPA mess. I've had them for over 2 decades now and not had any problems with them degrading, because I always kept them inside my garage and not exposed to the elements. If you need to repair cracks or small holes in them JB Weld does a great job.
They sell quite a few USA products. The bi metal Supercut Band saw blades are 100% industrial quality. - I run one at my Shop an average 4 hours a day 5 and 6 days a week and get over a month out of them.
Bro I don’t even own a truck or a car, but this is the best damn product review I’ve ever seen. You hit every aspect of this gas can and backed it with video evidence. You checked inside it, tested it, put it together, have parts and their purpose, I could go on but you get the point. Great video man, like a piece of art in a way.
I've thrown out every one of those ridiculous spouts and replaced them w/ a product I got at the local hardware store w/ a flexible house spout. Thanks for the heads-up on the gas cans and great to hear they're not made in China. I tend to avoid HF for just that reason - I don't like buying Chinese crap. Yet all of the major tool brands have their tools manufactured in China. Serious pet peeve!
Most of the higher quality tools seem to be coming out of Taiwan, and this includes the higher quality tools from Harbor Freight. When I was a kid, anything made in Taiwan was considered junk, but this seems to have changed.
@@1D10CRACY Agreed, as I currently use a set of ratchets/sockets originating from Taiwan, Grey Pneumatics Duo-sockets. Sure hope they continue to progress in their quality control.
I've been using these for 3 years. They are great cans. I pulled out the flame guard so I can use a siphon pump so I don't have to lift and tilt heavy cans.
I use those Harbor Freight Jerry cans to store and transport fuel for my race car. The steel can is not translucent therefore it will preserve the fuel longer from degradation. I don’t use the spouts to dispense; just pour the fuel into a large funnel placed in fuel tank.
I've had this can mounted in the bed of my truck for years. I bought a glass bead syphon for when I need to use it. I place the can on top of my tool box right above my gas tank stick the syphon tube in the tank then in to the can and give it a little jig and it does the rest. Love this can.
Thanks for the fuel can review. If I may let me suggest something else Harbor Freight carries that I really like. It's the Battery Operated Liquid Transfer Pump for $11.00. It looks cheap but don't judge the book by the cover. I'm starting to age and don't care for holding 48 pound gas cans up until they are empty. With this little pump I never spill a drop and I'm not holding the can. I have one on the farm and at home. Walmart has them near the oil section also.
That is a GREAT tip! I use one myself, and they do reach the bottom of the jerry cans! They also seem to pump anything, from water to even oil! Here is a video I did a while back! ua-cam.com/video/F3eF0Bi3d44/v-deo.html
Great video. You explained everything about this gas can that I needed to know. I still ended up buying three Wavian Jerry Cans. The reason is the cap on the Wavian cans are made so much better and secure. I use my Wavian cans when doing road trips. Since I carry them inside our minivan, I needed a gas can that wouldn't leak if in an accident or if the can tipped over. Also, the spout is stored on the top outside of the can.
Eagle brand Type 1, 5-gallon all metal cans are today’s best in my opinion. I own several for emergency fuel storage. They have a unique funnel system you buy and allows pretty simple pouring of gas into a tank.
I bought one back in 2002 and it's been holding up great. Buy one with the spout as they're a PITA to get hold of aftermarket (or at least they were back then. They're probably trivial to get online now.... Hah, yep.).
Great review. I have trouble in California with the Flame Shields interfering with the putting gas from the gas station pump into the cans. The splash back from the shields shuts the valve of nearly every time and does cause gas to leak out around the rubber shield that is on the pump that is supposed to prevent gas fumes from leaking into the air. No shield, can fills properly with no mess. Shield, a mess every time. Happens all the stations near my house.
I always just pull the shield back all the way with left hand and pull the pump trigger with my right hand. Works fine for filling the can without tripping.
I picked one of these up 5 years ago and it has been strapped to the back of the Jeep ever since. It has many miles on and off road and in the North West weather and it is still working great. I did change out the cheap cap with a new one that I bought online.
Life should not be this difficult. Keeping some gas around for the mowers and generator has become a real hassle and that damn ethanol causes a lot of problems.
Ethanol is also corrosive and will destroy the entire fuel system from tank to motor. Premium non ethanol is worth the money if you want to save your machines.
@@kellysiefkas9595 Fuel systems in my cars seem to be holding up well. Come to think of it, my mowers, weedwacker and chainsaw also have given me no trouble. What kind of stuff do you buy that gets destroyed so easily by ethanol?
@@kellysiefkas9595 this old diatribe is no longer true, modern fuel systems are designed to be ethanol safe. The only disadvantage is the storage time.
I just watched a quick documentary about the original Jerry can from a UK UA-camr. He had an original German 1940 and showed how the US version was inferior during the war as well as the modern one he had. With gas going through the roof, filling the bed of my pickup with those and stockpiling gas seem like an investment opportunity. Or, at least preparing for a Mad Max situation.
@@tommolldev yeah. Gas goes bad after only a couple months. My father in law gave me a motorcycle that he only put 100 miles on before parking for 4 years. I drained the tank but stupid me forgot to drain the carb and fouled the plugs immediately the first time I went to start it.
I understand that instruction manuals for automobiles used to include directions how to adjust the valves. Now we are instructed not to drink the battery acid. LOL
I tried to find and order Jerry cans from harbor freight but they don't carry them anymore. I went and bought a couple from Vevor and am far happier with these. They are pretty close to original design with the locking cam style and flexible 12" metal spout.
I will have to check the Vevor cans out! Harbor Freight told me MidWest is changing the design and they plan on selling them again with the new design. But they couldn't tell me when they were going to get a new shipment in. I did see that Menard's still has this can, maybe old stock. I'I'll check out Vevor, I buy a lot of stuff from them. Thanks for the tip!
@@1D10CRACY my only complaint so far is the weld isn't recessed like NATO cans. We'll see how they fair. I have a 3 week camping trip in June and these babies are going with me!
The biggest reason you're getting can failure is the way you use it. Yes, you were correct that ultra-violet light degrades the plastic. Also, just tossing it into the back of your truck without securing it from sliding around makes impact damage more than likely. A metal can is a much better choice for the way you're using it- good decision. Plastic cans are pretty much only good for around the house where it can be kept out of continuous sunlight exposure. I agree that some of those spouts are terribly complicated and non-user friendly. It's somewhat interesting that long ago those cans were a state secret of the German government.
I love how you tested the spout on something so light weight. A lot of the complaints I see for these spouts is that they easily push smaller items such as lawnmowers and chainsaws around. But if you are able to push it on the edge of a plastic bucket like this, it just leads me to believe that those people are probably putting all their weight down on the tool.
I still use my Jerry can that I purchased in the late 1980s. It came with a flexible metal spout about 1" in diameter and another metal transport lid. It pours 4 times faster than this HF can. To prevent bad gas, buy and add a gas preservative concentrate to the gasoline.
Great review! Thank you for showing how to use that spout! I thought it would be just as useless as the others in gas cans sold at Walmart and even thought of throwing it away.
Chilton Metal Works. They have been out of business for years now. If you find someone stupid enough to sell one at a garage sale, buy it and run. No one, anywhere, has made a gas can as durable, as leak proof, as easy to use and pour as Chilton did. They made yellow ones for diesel and even blue ones for keroseen. I have 2 5 gallon diesel cans and a 2.5 gallon gas can that has been in use for over 30 years. They still don;t leak. they still haven't faded. I have a 1 gallon can for my chainsaw that came with a craftsman mower I bought in 1999, it looks brand new and works perfect.
I bought 4 of these cans when I needed to power my house while I moved my electrical service for an addition I was putting on. These cans are excellent in quality but the safety latch on one of my nozzles broke the first time I used it which proved to be an improvement in ease of use so I removed the latch on the other 3. I used this style can in the Army and loved it for its ergonomics.
I might have missed the price. I looked it up on the HF website- $45.00. If you want to transfer gas w/o having to hold the can try a shaker siphon. I bought them from Sportsman's Guide years ago for $5-6.00 years ago. Amazon has them for $8-12.00. They last forever if you keep them out of the sun.
As long as you use it quickly I would believe that. I don't think you'd want to do that if that mix was going to sit in the tank a long time, though, because I suspect that fuel that has already broken down might continue that trend at a faster rate. Just speculation, but it might bear looking into.
these would be good for preppers. and I could use a few of them for riding mower and also for the generator here in Oklahoma winter storms and tornado season to have some electric, I was looking at some online but this way I won't have to pay for shipping. good video thanks
The spout is not really convenient to use up to you if you keep it on there. There is a flash suppressing plastic insert in the filler neck that will drive you insane the first time you fill up the tank. I ripped that out of mine. If you rip it out and look at it you'll be like well how the hell does the gas get in the gas can with that in the way. It doesn't matter how far you put the filler nozzle into the can it will splash back at you and the pump will kick off. You yet maybe a couple cups in at a time if you're lucky. You can try trickling it in but that'll just drive you insane with a 5-gallon can and more than one oh yeah I'd be ripping my hair out. Be safe out there in Oklahoma! Keep an eye on the sky!
I have 2 brand new plastic cans made by the same manufacturer. They are identical but have different UPC codes. Sitting side-by-side the only difference is that one came with the flame arrester and one didn't. It took me forever to fill the one with the flame arrester at the gas pump. The flame arrester created just enough back pressure against the flow that the pump nozzle kept shutting off. This was constant from the time that I begin filling the can until I fidgeted with the pump nozzle squeeze handle to get to the right spot to barely pump the fuel without it cutting off. Even so it still cut off a few more times. When I empty that can 1st I'm going to rip that damn flame arrestor out of there. I am 60 years old and been filling and emptying gas can since I was 10 and have never needed a flame arrester. They do have the better fuel nozzles like the metal can you demonstrated. It's almost like they decided to make the nozzles better but put that flame arrester in cans to screw with you.
Sadly you are right, the arrestors make it difficult to fill. I never noticed this because I removed them before filling the cans for the first time. The arrestors are now a requirement because it reduces the chance of the can exploding if your silly enough to pour gasoline onto a fire. Blitz use to make most of the cans in the USA, but was sued by multiple people who got hurt pouring gas onto fires despite the warning label on the can. Blitz filed bankruptcy and is no longer in business. The remaining gas companies had to comply and add the stupid thing to their cans. My guess is you have one older can (it had been sitting on the shelf or old stock), and you have newer one.
Just bought two new 5 gal cans at Rural King last week, and I didn't know about the flame arrestor screen device in them. As you stated, as soon as they're empty, things will change. :)
you can buy the wavian cans, and they also sell a non CARB spout seperately. i think amazon still has some. I think wavian is much better then this can.
On that spout, if the red tab for the lock is cut off it will still shut off, but you don't need to release it to get it to work. Not that I would know that...
As a senior I found it nearly impossible to pour gas in my lawn tractor. The filler is on the side almost vertical. Now try holding a full five gallon can up and getting it to flow into the filler. The flow is so slow it takes around fifteen minutes or more to pour enough gas for fill the mower. That's a long time to hold five gallons of gas up in the air without my hands failing. I finally got a jiggle hose and set the gas can on the tractor hood and let the gas siphon into the tank.
I purchased several of these a few months ago when Harbor freight still had some coupons. These cans are fantastic except for the plastic insert. I use ethanol free gas in these as they are meant to serve as backup fuel for a generator. Both sources use pumps with spouts that are very difficult to control. The plastic insert caused the gas to splash out..... and I don't mean a little. It slows the flow so much that empty cans overflow the second I press the trigger. And one of them fell inside the can as I was filling it. Its a great can... but filling it is a pain in the ass.
Great cans..just as soon as you throw away the useless epa spout, rip out the stupid strainer and install a proper vent. Then it pours great. It really agitates me that I have to spent an hour every time I buy a new gas can just to make the damn thing work.
I have two of these cans. The weak spot is the NOZZLE (SPOUT) which was designed by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and since it was designed by people who are stupid, the nozzle will spill more gas on the ground than what will go into the tank. Someone needs to come up with an aftermarket nozzle that fits these cans so you can ditch the factory nozzle.
They are not exclusive to Harbor Freight. You can buy them from other places like Menards. www.menards.com/main/tools/automotive/automotive-tools-shop-equipment/midwest-can-5-gallon-metal-jerry-can/5810/p-1483600699322-c-9113.htm?tid=5880832944874623683&ipos=1
I just purchased two of these cans a couple of months ago and I have to agree that they are great quality. I paid $39.00 each which is probably double that of five gallon plastic cans but these will most likely last a very long time. I also have eight actual NATO cans that are made by Gelg in Poland that have the proper NATO spouts. I use these for long-term gasoline storage. These Valpro cans seem to be a little bit thicker gauge steel than the Gelg's that I have, which is a plus.
Be careful with those cans. I purchased one several years ago from harbor freight and it was great until we had cold weather and the can shrank as they do when not vented in the cold. You know how the plastic cans with shrink because of the loss of pressure in the can with a drop in temperature... hence it forms a vacuum inside and the walls of the can cave in. The shrinking caused creases at the corners of the tank and those turned into leaks. Over all they are good cans but if you store gas in them with them sealed completely make sure the can isn't partially filled. Or you can vent the can. We have fairly large temperature swings in Georgia at times so one day its 86 degrees and the next morning its 35 degrees causing my cans to cave in and cause this problem. Just my two cents for what it's worth.
@@mtnbikerva1 Sadly the creases that formed due to the vacuum caused cracks in my can so I just decided to trash it. Maybe there is a way to vent the cap so that it doesn't spill but still is able to vent.
Thanks for this review. I am just replacing some cans. Note: For years I have put my old boat fuel 2- cycle in my pick up truck with no ill effects to the motor, at least not in over ten years.
CARB law ( California Air Resource Board ) started in California around 2000, and spread over the country in several years. Law required passage of a drop test, impossible for passage by metal cans made for years by Delphos, Huffy, Chilton, Eagle, and others. Intent was to limit vapor loss ( volatile organic compounds ) to the atmosphere. The law virtually eliminated sale of most metal cans, save for “safety cans” Type 1 & 2, exempt and pricy. Thus, plastic cans have dominated the market for the last 20+ years. Not convinced this was an improvement or “saved” the environment, but that is what occurred. Previously worked for a metal can manufacturer years ago…..I directly witnessed the impact of the CARB law and demise of most traditional “metal fuel cans” made for years.
You can order the old style gas can nozzle’s off-line from Amazon... then just put the old style nozzle on you’re new gas can 👍 you can thank me later lol
The NO-SPILL containers that home depot sells are the only compliance container worth buying. The have a really good spout/valve and a big opening when you take the valve off. It's good for emptying your two-stroke equipment back into the can with every use so you can run them dry and keep them clean.
@@1D10CRACY LOL just busting your chops. By the way the worst ever gas can is the one Costco sells. It's the one with a green lever you have to push and pull another part at the same time. One needs three hands to hold can and operate the safety junk.
@@1D10CRACY The common pronunciation of the state of Illinois ends with \NOY\, but you might hear a pronunciation ending in \z\, similar to that in noise, especially in southern areas of the U.S. The word is French-based so the French pronunciation \ill-i-NOY\ makes less noise. Well produced videos.
Many times the aftermarket spouts have a different thread size to the cap. This results in leaks around the cap. Sometimes, by examining the spout, it is possible to take it apart and remove the internal shut off spring. In other cases, I've simply drilled holes in the shut off gizmo.
The vented spout works best at a specific angle. It will flow 10 times faster than you demonstrated. This goes for all new gas cans, try it at different angles until you find it. 45 degrees is probably a good starting point.
@@williewonka6694 Lol. I hate the vent relocation to the spout as much as anyone. I have just figured out what angle to use and it flows great most of the time. Honestly for my chainsaw the spout with a valve and internal vent tube is really handy. It prevents me from spilling fuel because I can shut off the flow without having to tilt the can back. This allows me to dispense precise amounts of fuel into machines with small tanks much easier than a traditional can.
Always wanted a metal Jerry Gas Can and was happy to find some at the local Harbor Freight by accident. I replaced the nozzle, added a vent cap to mine, & it's perfect to me now. EZ Pour Gas cap works with em too
@@1D10CRACY I use the EZ Pour Yellow gas cap for my Midwest Jerry Cans with no leaks so far. The yellow & black EZ Pour base didn't seem to go on there for a tight seal for all 3 of my Jerry Cans for some reason so I use the original base that came with the gas can with no problems.
@@mikerossi411 yeah like those yellow vent caps that goes on or you can add onto plastic gas cans for the gas to flow out faster. You can get metal ones too that has rubber gaskets
@@1D10CRACY I can think of five everyday situations where you need a funnel. That funnel and can will NOT refuel my DeLorean fuel tank. There's NO WAY you'd be able to reach down inside the filler without turning the entire can upside down while leaning two feet over the car. My point is, that, yes, there are many situations you'd ABSOLUTELY need a funnel.
Just watched a video on the history of the "Jerry" can, and the recessed welded seam in the middle is the best part. Whereas the "G.I." cans had the rolled bottom seam that would wear through and then leak. I'm lucky to have many pre- "EPA knows what is best for you" cans, so the spouts are no issue on them. You didn't mention the price you paid though- that would be interesting to know.
He left a link for the can in the description. Really not hard to look it up for yourself. It's kinda like when you were in school. "Teacher, how do you spell this word", teacher, "Look it up".
I have had some of these Midwest cans for years. The one that I carried in the back of my Toyota 4Runner when off-roading developed a pin hole. This can was strapped down with only the bottom of the can in contact with the vehicle. The pin hole developed on the side of the can toward the top. The only way I can imagine this happened is simply from the metal flexing with expansion and contraction were the embossing is on the side. The embossing is there to strengthen the sides of the can. My guess is that the sheet metal in these cans is thinner than that used to make the NATO cans and the flexing cause it to crack. Still decent cans but not likely the same as the NATO. Only way to make a cheaper price point product for the consumer market is to make the product cheaper (cut corners).
I have had mine for 4 years + and still like new. I replaced the spout with a better one and never a problem. It been riding behind my 2003 Toyota Tundra for years!
@1D10CRACY The name Jerry can came for the word Jerry being the cans were made in Germany as you stated (Wehrmacht) was indeed being made, in Germany. About Jerry, "Jerry was a nickname given to Germans during the Second World War by soldiers and civilians of the Allied nations, in particular by the British. The nickname was originally created during World War I." BTW I hated using them in Germany during the Cold War being we were always having to paint them. I put in a suggest in 1967 that we go to plastic cans being they don't rust, lighter and quieter in the field. = I have a copy of the suggestion that we use plastic. At the time they said we had too many metal Jerry cans. I think some high ranking officer got the credit for the plastic cans = RHIP
I bought one a year ago and it sat around as my plastics ones do but I did store gas for my car if I need a splash of 5 gallons for a emergency. We then had that bad single digit snow and freezing weather in Texas in Feb 2021. I bought two more of these cans, 30 ish a piece, and filled up 10 more gallons super unleaded and put Stabil 360 plus in all three metal cans. Filled up my additional 2 5g plastic sucky cans weeks ago and then this pipeline shut down ransom b.s. happens. These metal cans are a good idea because they will store gas better and for longer. Also bought a nice 3500 watt home inverter generator. Either put the fuel in my generator or my based on emergency need. I should have made a video...160k+ views. Well done, good thinking.
The German can of WW2 had many design features which made it exceptional. I will just touch on two. 1. It had an internal vent tube. If you open the can and look at the sealing area you will notice a small hole. The is the vent opening. The vent goes all the way to the bottom of the can. When pouring the vent allows air to get up and fill the can with air as the can empties. Cool huh. 2. The can has three handles. One person can gasp the center handle easily one can, or the person can gasp two cans by the center handle and yes carry two cans. When two people are available each can gasp an outer handle and very easily carry the can. Think back these cans were designed for military uses. In the Field material handling was, and is, primary manpower. Making the cans easily and quickly transportable from a vehicle to a user point is important. With the internal vent the can can be quickly emptied into a new vehicle and therefore saving time. For military in the field time can be vital. The can has several other cool features, but that for later maybe.
Seems like there is no way anyone would ever be able to use this to fill a car. I have a hard enough time with an old vented can with a flexible spout.
Wouldn't work with the way most of today's vehicles are with all the stupid anti-siphon crap and the capless fill ports. Best to just use a funnel and not use the worthless spout that comes with the cans...if you can even get a funnel to work, some of that anti-siphon stuff could possibly prevent using anything other than the gas pump nozzle at the gas station. Just don't run your car out of gas LOL.
The best can capable of filling up a car is the Sure Can. Flexible nozzle long enough to reach safely into the filler neck of the car, and dispenses from the bottom so there's no progressive tilting of the can needed as you fill. Just pull the trigger valve and it's done without spilling a drop. External nozzle storage so you don't get gas on your hands pulling a gas soaked nozzle out from the inside like most others. I like to look through the fill opening in the back to watch the progress as it empties out.
@@wildbill23c Nah, you can easily emulate the gas handle filler pipe. It's just a tube of a given diameter. On the cars I've filled as long as you push that little metal door out of the way with the filler spout they fill fine. I haven't tried it on a very late model car, but given how the pump spout is made the only other parameter I can possibly think of that could possibly matter would be length. A tube of similar size or smaller than the pump handle is fine. But yes you are most certainly not going to fill it from the can and get more than a drop by drop 'stream' past that door. Without even looking I would be virtually sure that purpose designed funnels exist for the task. The regular spouts on the plastic cans work fine, if you can get that damned no spill valve to operate, but that's a whole different matter.
Apparently you are confused LOL The EPA didn't mandate these spouts - the California air resources board did. They keep vapors down and that reduces smog, and makes is easier for people to breathe. Most Americans think breathing is a pretty good habit.
Sure but the new plastic gas cans vent directly through the plastic can by perspiration evaporation sweating, the new nozzles dont solve crap metal air tight cans are way better
@@wharris7594 "Perspiration evaporation sweating"?! Now you're just making things up. In the real world, that's called a "leak" and clearly that does not happen with an undamaged can.
I switched and i love what i switched to. My current large pickup came with a 50ish gallon transfer tank and fill that up with gas for my tractor and such.
I have four of these cans that I use to put gas in a car. The nozzle they came with was simply inadequate for this. I purchased a jiggle pump, removed the flame shield, and now it is easy.
The black plastic screw on part broke on both of mine during the second winter of being in the shed and I was never able to get the red caps to center and stay under it during storage due to being to small and popping through. I think I got a couple of bad ones, but don't screw that on too tight before the winter. Those cans can also swell and contract causing some gas to press out from the top from a change in temperature. I ended up going with some VP racing jugs and I prefer those.
I've seen others say the same thing, that the black rings cracked. I have aftermarket spouts on mine, maybe that is why mine have not broke. I also read another commentator who said they changed the spouts recently.
I love these Midwest steel cans. I immediately modify them... I remove the plastic mesh filter inside the can with a pair of needle nose pliers so that I can actually fill them at full speed at the gas station. Then I disassemble the nozzle and remove the spring. This allows you to manually put the nozzle into flow or no flow. No need to try to compress the nozzle assembly while filling. That said, the nozzles generally go in my cabinet and I put caps on them. I've found that the yellow caps on Amazon from FOAMRIY work the best. Some of the caps are too deep and don't engage the gasket, which leads to leak during transport. I generally use a battery-powered Terapump to fill my mower.
So I am watching a gas can review by a man that keeps a worn out and useless gas can long enough for its next two replacements to wear out, crack, and be useless, and he still has all three?
UPDATE AND NOTES: The traditional style NATO can (Wehrmacht) was indeed being made, in Germany, pre NATO. Obviously since NATO didn't come until after WWII, they wouldn't of been called NATO cans. The factory was later uprooted and moved to Latvia, now owned by Valpro. It is believed that the jerry can design that we know today was invented in 1937 after WW1. I'm not sure when the nick name Jerrycan came to be, though the name Jerry was slang for Germans. The US along with other allies copied the design. Hopefully this helps and I will pin the comment so other people can learn. And yes, I know the "S" is Illinois is "silent". Links are not allowed and automatically removed by a UA-cam filter, as I do not have time to make sure they are safe for other viewers. Also because these cans are not vented, if you keep the caps/rings tight, the pressure inside the can may cause the rings to crack. If the can is full of fuel, this is not as likely as there is less air in the can to expand. I only keep my caps tight during transport. The threads on this can are the same threads as the plastic MidWest gas cans. Aftermarket caps and rings can be found here: ezpourspout.com/how-to-choose-the-best-spout-base-cap-for-your-gas-can/ You can also 3d print rings and caps here (I had to increase the size 2% for a perfect fit): www.thingiverse.com/thing:2757708
The "jerry" can was designed by the Germans in the run-up to WWII and copied by the British during the war, hence the nickname "jerry" for German. They have nothing to do with WWI except insomuch as the termination of the "war to end all wars" pretty much insured that WWII would happen. But that's another topic altogether.
Yes, I believe the originals were designed in the 1930s. The German cans were called “Blitz Cans.” Then we copied them with the US Jerry (sometimes also Gerry) cans. The embossed sides, different for each, was to add strength and longevity to the can.
When I was stationed in Germany in the 80s I went on a Volksmarch that went through the town that was famous for making the German, then NATO, cans. I can’t remember the Town’s name, but I bought a little ceramic piggy bank that looks like the cans. The town’s name is on the piggy bank, but I can’t find it at this moment.
During Desert Shield there were two MP Hummers parked nearby. The cans on the back heated in the sun, and they were probably overfilled. The lid gaskets leaked, soaking the web straps, and both Hummers burned to the ground. Nobody was injured.
I brought a Blitz can from an Iraqi BMP home for a souvenir with some markings on it. I don’t know what it says; probably something like “Diesel for burning shit” for all I know. LOL! I know, it’s an odd choice for a souvenir, but the powers-that-be don’t let you have fun anymore. Although it seems every O-6 and above got to bring home a Steyer bolt action sniper rifle!
Gerry Can = German can, pre WW2
What price were they going for when video this was made?
Jerry or Gerry was the British term for Germans. Brits called them Jerry cans. Britain encountered the cans before the US entered the war. The British used weak metal cans that leaked or burst open when dropped. In Northern Africa they took all the German fuel cans they could find and used them instead of their own cans.
Once they came out with the EPA approved so called safe gas cans I have not ever been able to pour gas in my lawn mower without spilling all over the mower or my hand. Thanks EPA for making it more dangerous to put gasoline in my mower.
SAME ! I HATE these damned things.
Yeup... so I went online and purchased a flexible spout and vent plug - now it functions properly and I DO NOT spill a drop.
Come on use your thinking cap, get a funnel when filling the lawn mover, weed wacker and chainsaw. It works real good at not spilling fuel.
@@rgbigdog and how does that pressure release spring become activated?
No kiddin’. These federal agencies seem to be heavily populated with really stupid people. I just pour it straight out of the container, nozzle removed, funnel in place. Incredibly simple.
I once had to rescue a friend who was on the side of an expressway with a rented box truck, out of gas. I bought a can and filled it, went there, and discovered it had that horrendous EPA spout (I had never seen one before - I have 3 5 gallon cans that predate that rule). The filler on the box truck was partly under the cargo area and it was impossible to get the spout to seat in there and press the release. Of the 5 gallons in the can, about 3 went into the truck, the other two went on the pavement and into the grass.
Great job EPA.
Ive done that more than once. Their not designed to he used.
@Ralph Herge
A pair of aircraft sheet metal shears. Or tin snips. Work like super sizers to intricately cut all kinds of plastic bulk containers.
Instead of just a razor knife.
Laundry soap, Arizona tea gallon jug's.
Even empty quart and gallon oil containers.
Nice to sometimes leave the handle like the tea jugs for nails screws ect.
If I may forget and leave one full of nails outside. I've already drilled half a dozen 1/8"
Holes in the bottom so the rain will drain out. Excellent for making funnels also. Love the long neck on your additive bottle.
Starter flower pots. Can be made with empty gallon bleach containers. Drill drain holes. Find a dozen at a time at a laundry mat. We throw too much reusable stuff out in our Nation.
The only thing worse than an EPA gas can is a 1.8 gallon TOILET.
we won't mention that if you have the equivilant to one gallon or more spilled you are technically suppost to call, I believe it is, the Fire department for "proper containment and disposal"
it obviously causes more issues than it fixed so I wonder which oil company lobbied for the new design. they definately cause more fuel to be purchased
I have two of these cans and I like them. After a year I found out their weak spot is the rubber gasket ring on the filler. They had cracked and were leaky. I called Midwest asking to buy some little rings and they sent me a bag of 10 rings for free. I'm happy.
Now that's good service 👍 I'm heading to town right now 👍
Good to know
If you win the lottery buy some Wavian cans 😄 they have the latched spout and everything!
Get a viton ring..they last forever through chemicals.
Viton Ring Goes To The Scepter Plastic Military Gas Cans
I've never spilled so much gasoline since the new cans with safety nozzles were mandated.
I'm returning my Costco one second use dumps on my hand f that
Thank god for CHINA! I never thought i would say that and am ashamed i have to but china is making old nozzles and kits for the gas cans that the EPA F'd up. When ever you think of trusting the government of want to know it competence, think of a gas can.
@@ryanthomas2374 Yes, our government is expert at offshoring opportunity in all forms. "Kill It Before it Grows"
they leak so much
Fun gas can hack: I cut the top upper section out of one of those "safety" cans and turned it into a sweet little solvent/ parts cleaning tank for my shed. Works very nicely!
The EPA spout was intended to prevent too much gas fumes escaping into the air. Using one however causes you to spill half of the fuel on the ground, your car and your hands. Good going EPA.
I’ve decided to buy a tall funnel and unscrew my jerry can and just pour in the gas. The best way to not spill gas
The whole point is to make it frustrating and difficult to use anything gas powered.
There are ulterior motives to everything the gov. does in the past century. Not nessesarilly coordinated across multiple departments, but certainly hidden motives on the part of individuals.
Government mandates doing what government mandates do. - They totally F things up.
Right on, brother.
@@robkocol5664the guv’mint, saving us from ourselves! F them!
The ww2 era metal canisters have always had the can vent out the spout opening for waterproofing and can float in water without the worry of leaking as it was sealed with a gasket. I’m not sure about that one, but many good ones have a second small opening with an air tube leading to the risen area of the jerrycan where there is space for air so it can float. So it lets in air at the end from the opening.
When I have "bad" gas or "old" gas, I mix it in with fresh gas in my truck and burn it on my daily commute. I have been doing this for years with no trouble. I NEVER waste gas or pour it out of take it to a recycling center. I always find some way to use it up.
I know, right?
Right 1 gallon of old gas mixed in with 30 won't hurt anything
I've used gas that's many years old and was just as good as any new gas. IMO the reason they sell everyone the idea that gas "goes bad" is because especially in the older days, most people left their gas caps off of their jugs. Then between evaporation causing it to lose its potency, and bugs/rain/whatever falling down the open nozzle, the gas really would go bad. Just my $.02
I do the same but I run it through a fuel funnel that traps water.
@@Rick-the-Swift Depends a lot on your climate and what you are burning it in. New "reformulated" gasoline most certainly does go bad, especially the alcohol blends which fail particularly fast. (Alcohol blends are banned from use in all aircraft, even experimentals that have special approval for highway fuel must still use the non-alcohol formulas.).
I won't go into the chemistry details here, just sum it up as oxygen enhancers cause accelerated breakdown and creation of gums and varnish while alcohol absorbs moisture from humidity to the point of seporating the fuel into water-alcohol and oil layers with a huge drop in the antiknock rating of the oil layer (and the engine simply not running on the water-alcohol layer); it is no myth. (100LL [about 108 street AKI] aviation gasoline lacks the oxidation enhancers and actually has oxidation inhibitors added.)
New computer controlled engines will compensate for a certain amunt of detonation, and other engines are just low compression and super lightly loaded so the octane dropping to 75 isn't an immediate issue. But I have seen riding mower engines suffer very premature deaths after a few spring mowings (Old gasahol and a heavy load of thick grass on the first cut causes a lot of knocking and wear).
The EPA has never poured gas from one of their unvented cans! Those that know nothing trying to improve something that needs no improvement.
Go on eBay and buy the yellow plastic vent caps, drill a hole in your nonvented can, insert purchased item, enjoy the non..., I mean vented can.
This is the result of lawyers trying to be engineers.
Exactly. Similarly, the EPA mandated the use of new foam in the Space Shuttle boosters in the 1980s and it led to the deaths of several astronauts.
Tractor supply stores sell kits that include a replacement unblocked flexible spout with a better gasket and a "optional for water cans" yellow vent plug 😉👍, I'm sure you can get them online, I just forgot the brand 🤷♂️
The EPA didn't mandate these spouts - the California air resources board did. Manufactures use their standards so they only have to make 1 can for all 50 states.
I never spilled a drop of gas until I got my first EPA spout. I have probably spilled a few gallons over the last ~15 years.
We have one just like this from Harbor Freight. What we do when filling tractors is remove the spout and use a funnel. It will get plenty of air in the Jerry can then and your flow will be a lot more than normal.
Not always possible with modern vehicles
I agree
It is one thing to fill a lawnmower. But use it for diesel ( yellow paint) . You want a large opening to dump the whole can or multiple times.
@@philgiglio7922 where there's a will, there's a way. It's easier to modify a large funnel, and cheaper
I'm a funnel guy thank you very much.
I can use just about any gas can to refuel quickly. 👍
@@daye8132
Modern car ? 99 cent store oil funnel with the long skinny neck works on everything.
And if it doesn't work for you ask for help.
Me personally, I still love and use my granddaddy’s old lever type can. So what if it is claimed to be an explosion hazard. After 60 plus years now, I think that myth has been busted.
Every Gas can is an explosion hazard if used near an ignition source. 99.9% of people know that...EPA engineers are in the 0.1%.
@@MaturePatriot I doubt the EPA is concerned with an explosion hazard and they probably care more about all the hydrocarbons evaporating into the atmosphere from open vents. EPA stands for Environmental Protection Agency.
@@diamondperformancefab5931 How many more hydrocarbons do you think evaporate when your leaky, sputtering EPA approved spout dribbles gas all over the ground? EPA might as well stand for Everyone Pollutes Anyway.
@@obsidianjane4413 obviously you weren't in Los Angeles during the 70s, before the EPA turned it from diarrhea brown skies EVERY single day until AFTER noon, when the sun FINALLY burned through it, to how it is today. Complete night and day difference. Literally the ultimate before and after picture.
@@greasyghost Today, the brown is on the ground.
I "love" how you need 3 hands to pour using the EPA spouts. 2 to hold the gas can safely, and then another to work the spout latch because there is no standard lip for pouring gas into a tank.
As a by product, you get to wash your hands in gasoline as you spill half of it on the ground.
but this is all to prevent evaporative emissions. FAIL
Makes you wonder if there was one guy responsible for the regulations and mandate, and what he thinks of himself now, having become so widely reviled-
@@wingerrrrrrrrr He lives in DC and has never used a gas can!
@@frotobaggins7169 Bigtime FAIL! It's on purpose, has to be....
IMO, you make one of the BEST videos I've ever watched! No BS, NO wasted time, just total information. The way they should be. Thank you!
Now do a video on how to modify the can and spout so its actually usable
Thank You! You answered all the questions I had about these cans. I have a shed full of garbage, broken, "EPA compliant" cans that have spilled more gas onto my lawn and driveway than I've gotten into the lawn mower or bike. I'm heading to Harbor Freight now.
I have 3 gas cans and 1 diesel can. All 5 gallon. I just bought those 11 kits that has the original style spouts and vent caps you add on the back. Pop the vent cap, and pour. Fast, no mess.
Those EPA spouts always leak, spill, and make a mess. They're the worst for the "environment".
We have a small business involving gas cans. Couldn't agree more. Every EPA-approved can we've tried ends up with gas on the ground. Was a rare event with the old cans.
I have 8 or 9 that have been used regularly for 5 years and never had an issue.
EPA is a terrorist organization.
@@JesseG085 8 or 9 of the new cans without any issues? You, my friend, are a freak. Literally every person I know or have met at the pumps has had nothing but complaints (spills, difficulty pouring, removing lid for filling, etc.) regarding these cans.
@@susans3411 The ones I have are the Scepter Hi-Flo cans from Home Depot. Store SKU 1001595188
My spout broke and it flows much better :)
Yeah, all my plastic can's spouts "broke" too and they flow just like normal spouts. Couldn't tell you how that happened :P
@@cujoedaman personally, I enjoy filling my riding lawn mower up in less then half the time since my spout "broke". It's on my list of things to mend for about 3 years now.
@@williamcrane8236 Glug, glug, glug!
Brahahahahahahaha!! Good one. I bet mine will break too!!
I'm buying one this weekend and I'm betting it'll be defective and work just fine :)
I had no idea that HF would be carrying something like this. You would think this would be more in higher branded stores like Farm Supply. Good to know this.
Just got one at harbor freight. I love the can itself I had to remove the plastic insert I'm sorry I can't stand there for 20 minutes putting 5 gallons of gas in a can. You'll spill gas all over the place if you try to do it. I know what they're trying to do with the insert, it's supposed to suppress a flash from a spark coming out of the can. Reality is it stops you putting gas in the can. I don't like the spout at all it's really awkward and it doesn't help that I have arthritis. Will be looking for a replacement tomorrow. I would add that harbor freight is upgrading a lot of their products across the board. Their prices are still low. Icon and tools have lifetime warranties. You know how when you get something from home Depot and you want to get it warranty it's like pulling teeth. If you just buy the extended warranty from harbor freight, yeah it cost you a little more, you walk in with the tool and walk out with another one. I think that's a win-win
HF has some good stuff if you know what you're looking for.
@@ToolofSociety ~ even their cheap stuff has a purpose if you're doing a one off job and don't want to invest a big chunk of money in some tool you're only going to use one time.
@@moncorp1 Yeah that's very true. It's my go to place when I need a tool for cheap. Sometimes it's because I plan to permanently modify the tool. Sometimes it's for something I only plan to do once. A surprising amount of those tools are still usable today.
Now for a professional most of the stuff at HF is "junk" but you know that's different.
Amazing can designed by the Germans, really interesting story about how the British and then the American Armies started taking them from captured German vehicles, until eventually we manufactured over twenty million of them in wartime Britain.
A British ww2 era can is far superior to that joke chinese copy as is an original german can which was the best except that by now all the plastic lining in the german cans is disintegrating effectively making them useless unless you work pretty hard at trying to get it all out of the can.
Britain is always producing cheap clones of better engineered products. 👍
German army developed this can right before the start of WW2. By 1942 the British were producing an exact copy as it was so good
They also put Americans on the moon, haha.
'exact copy'
@bryan I was wondering if someone helped him right yet
Germans really were ahead of their time
The purported purpose of these new cans and nozzles was to reduce evaporation, but there's no way that the new cans don't lead to more evaporation because they almost universally leak when you use them.
I suspect the venting they're truly concerned about is when you're not using them. They don't want cans sitting in a hot garage or shed outgasing into the atmosphere. One benefit I have noticed is that the gas lasts longer being airtight. I just remove the caps when I need to pour from them since they are practically useless a spouts.
the plastic gas cans vent through the plastic, so these spouts do nothing for the environment, the volume of fuel will always be the same amount of vent whether you use new or old spouts. idiotic ideas
@@Andy-df5fj the jerry cans are designed for expansion AND contraction👍🏼 by the German engineers. The designs on the sides are to allow for dessert and mountain storage. Check out the videos on Jerry cans! Really interesting
@@wharris7594
Haven't you ever seen a plastic gas can inflate under the pressure of gas fumes? Sure it may vent through the plastic slowly over time, but the rate of gaseous escape is low enough not to fill an enclosed space with a high concentration of fumes waiting to be ignited by a stray spark.
@@chuckrymal9091
So I take it the cans allow a controlled release of pressure to an from the outside depending on the temperature?
I love the 5-gallon Surecans. Yes, they're kinda pricey (roughly $50 each), but I love how they work. The spout is on the bottom of the can, and you can rotate it to where it needs to go. So you sit the can on the fender of your law tractor and just put the spout into the fill tube. The release latch on top is workable with one hand, and when you let go of it the flow stops. These are the only cans I'll buy now. Luckily I still have some of the older plastic cans from before this EPA mess. I've had them for over 2 decades now and not had any problems with them degrading, because I always kept them inside my garage and not exposed to the elements. If you need to repair cracks or small holes in them JB Weld does a great job.
I love my Surecans. I now have 3 of them and I never spill gas when fueling up my tractor, lawnmowers, 4 wheeler, chainsaws or other equipment.
This might be the first made in USA product I've seen at HF. Bravo! We need the mod to put it back to pre-government regulation.
They sell quite a few USA products. The bi metal Supercut Band saw blades are 100% industrial quality. - I run one at my Shop an average 4 hours a day 5 and 6 days a week and get over a month out of them.
Bro I don’t even own a truck or a car, but this is the best damn product review I’ve ever seen. You hit every aspect of this gas can and backed it with video evidence. You checked inside it, tested it, put it together, have parts and their purpose, I could go on but you get the point. Great video man, like a piece of art in a way.
I've thrown out every one of those ridiculous spouts and replaced them w/ a product I got at the local hardware store w/ a flexible house spout. Thanks for the heads-up on the gas cans and great to hear they're not made in China. I tend to avoid HF for just that reason - I don't like buying Chinese crap. Yet all of the major tool brands have their tools manufactured in China. Serious pet peeve!
Most of the higher quality tools seem to be coming out of Taiwan, and this includes the higher quality tools from Harbor Freight. When I was a kid, anything made in Taiwan was considered junk, but this seems to have changed.
@@1D10CRACY Agreed, as I currently use a set of ratchets/sockets originating from Taiwan, Grey Pneumatics Duo-sockets. Sure hope they continue to progress in their quality control.
I've been using these for 3 years. They are great cans. I pulled out the flame guard so I can use a siphon pump so I don't have to lift and tilt heavy cans.
One important feature is the embossed design on the side which allows the the can to expand and contract in hot and cold weather 😁👍
I totaled my truck head on, had one of these strapped in the bed. Ripped the handle off but did not leak or anything. Props
I use those Harbor Freight Jerry cans to store and transport fuel for my race car.
The steel can is not translucent therefore it will preserve the fuel longer from degradation.
I don’t use the spouts to dispense; just pour the fuel into a large funnel placed in fuel tank.
I've had this can mounted in the bed of my truck for years. I bought a glass bead syphon for when I need to use it. I place the can on top of my tool box right above my gas tank stick the syphon tube in the tank then in to the can and give it a little jig and it does the rest. Love this can.
Thanks for the fuel can review. If I may let me suggest something else Harbor Freight carries that I really like. It's the Battery Operated Liquid Transfer Pump for $11.00. It looks cheap but don't judge the book by the cover. I'm starting to age and don't care for holding 48 pound gas cans up until they are empty. With this little pump I never spill a drop and I'm not holding the can. I have one on the farm and at home. Walmart has them near the oil section also.
That is a GREAT tip! I use one myself, and they do reach the bottom of the jerry cans! They also seem to pump anything, from water to even oil! Here is a video I did a while back! ua-cam.com/video/F3eF0Bi3d44/v-deo.html
Recently discovered that pump myself.
Great video. You explained everything about this gas can that I needed to know. I still ended up buying three Wavian Jerry Cans. The reason is the cap on the Wavian cans are made so much better and secure. I use my Wavian cans when doing road trips. Since I carry them inside our minivan, I needed a gas can that wouldn't leak if in an accident or if the can tipped over. Also, the spout is stored on the top outside of the can.
Eagle brand Type 1, 5-gallon all metal cans are today’s best in my opinion. I own several for emergency fuel storage. They have a unique funnel system you buy and allows pretty simple pouring of gas into a tank.
@ Colt10mm Security - Yes indeed! I own several as well.
Eagle cans are The only cans I buy. The 1 gallon is great for my chain saws as well. Hardly ever spill a drop 😀
@@leeb4607 ohhh, I’ve never seen the 1-gallon cans. I need to looks for those!
I bought one back in 2002 and it's been holding up great. Buy one with the spout as they're a PITA to get hold of aftermarket (or at least they were back then. They're probably trivial to get online now.... Hah, yep.).
Great review.
I have trouble in California with the Flame Shields interfering with the putting gas from the gas station pump into the cans. The splash back from the shields shuts the valve of nearly every time and does cause gas to leak out around the rubber shield that is on the pump that is supposed to prevent gas fumes from leaking into the air. No shield, can fills properly with no mess. Shield, a mess every time. Happens all the stations near my house.
I always just pull the shield back all the way with left hand and pull the pump trigger with my right hand. Works fine for filling the can without tripping.
Just modify it after you purchase it. I don't think the state of CA will be going door to door looking for fuel cans that have been modified.
I picked one of these up 5 years ago and it has been strapped to the back of the Jeep ever since. It has many miles on and off road and in the North West weather and it is still working great. I did change out the cheap cap with a new one that I bought online.
Life should not be this difficult. Keeping some gas around for the mowers and generator has become a real hassle and that damn ethanol causes a lot of problems.
I live by a large lake and you can purchase non ethanol fuel for your boat or whatever. 😁 It’s more expensive but....
Ethanol is also corrosive and will destroy the entire fuel system from tank to motor. Premium non ethanol is worth the money if you want to save your machines.
@@kellysiefkas9595 Fuel systems in my cars seem to be holding up well. Come to think of it, my mowers, weedwacker and chainsaw also have given me no trouble. What kind of stuff do you buy that gets destroyed so easily by ethanol?
@@JA-gx4hb all I know is everything I own runs better with non ethanol fuels. If your experience differs, good for you.
@@kellysiefkas9595 this old diatribe is no longer true, modern fuel systems are designed to be ethanol safe. The only disadvantage is the storage time.
I just watched a quick documentary about the original Jerry can from a UK UA-camr. He had an original German 1940 and showed how the US version was inferior during the war as well as the modern one he had. With gas going through the roof, filling the bed of my pickup with those and stockpiling gas seem like an investment opportunity. Or, at least preparing for a Mad Max situation.
@@tommolldev yeah. Gas goes bad after only a couple months. My father in law gave me a motorcycle that he only put 100 miles on before parking for 4 years. I drained the tank but stupid me forgot to drain the carb and fouled the plugs immediately the first time I went to start it.
I understand that instruction manuals for automobiles used to include directions how to adjust the valves. Now we are instructed not to drink the battery acid. LOL
I have a sunscreen that covers my windshield. It says "DO NOT DRIVE WITH SCREEN IN PLACE". DUH......
Amazingly close to the 1940 German can that took the world by storm. What a brilliant design.
everything about Germany was brilliant in that era
Thats because its just the same design but worse???
I tried to find and order Jerry cans from harbor freight but they don't carry them anymore. I went and bought a couple from Vevor and am far happier with these. They are pretty close to original design with the locking cam style and flexible 12" metal spout.
I will have to check the Vevor cans out! Harbor Freight told me MidWest is changing the design and they plan on selling them again with the new design. But they couldn't tell me when they were going to get a new shipment in. I did see that Menard's still has this can, maybe old stock. I'I'll check out Vevor, I buy a lot of stuff from them. Thanks for the tip!
@@1D10CRACY my only complaint so far is the weld isn't recessed like NATO cans. We'll see how they fair. I have a 3 week camping trip in June and these babies are going with me!
The biggest reason you're getting can failure is the way you use it. Yes, you were correct that ultra-violet light degrades the plastic. Also, just tossing it into the back of your truck without securing it from sliding around makes impact damage more than likely. A metal can is a much better choice for the way you're using it- good decision. Plastic cans are pretty much only good for around the house where it can be kept out of continuous sunlight exposure.
I agree that some of those spouts are terribly complicated and non-user friendly.
It's somewhat interesting that long ago those cans were a state secret of the German government.
You shouldn't need a bachelors degree to use a fuel can, it's not rocket science it's government overreach
I love how you tested the spout on something so light weight. A lot of the complaints I see for these spouts is that they easily push smaller items such as lawnmowers and chainsaws around. But if you are able to push it on the edge of a plastic bucket like this, it just leads me to believe that those people are probably putting all their weight down on the tool.
some of the springs they use in those spouts are too stiff so they don't make for a safe filling method
I’ve spilled more gas with the new EPA spouts that all the years using traditional ones combined. GOOD JOB, GOVERNMENT MANDATES!
This is EPAs intention. They are not working for the people.
I still use my Jerry can that I purchased in the late 1980s. It came with a flexible metal spout about 1" in diameter and another metal transport lid. It pours 4 times faster than this HF can. To prevent bad gas, buy and add a gas preservative concentrate to the gasoline.
This just might be the most simplified, competent review I've ever seen...please continue...
Great review! Thank you for showing how to use that spout!
I thought it would be just as useless as the others in gas cans sold at Walmart and even thought of throwing it away.
The pour spout can be modified to flow better and you can add a vent. Kits are on Amazon.
Chilton Metal Works. They have been out of business for years now.
If you find someone stupid enough to sell one at a garage sale, buy it and run.
No one, anywhere, has made a gas can as durable, as leak proof, as easy to use and pour as Chilton did. They made yellow ones for diesel and even blue ones for keroseen.
I have 2 5 gallon diesel cans and a 2.5 gallon gas can that has been in use for over 30 years. They still don;t leak. they still haven't faded. I have a 1 gallon can for my chainsaw that came with a craftsman mower I bought in 1999, it looks brand new and works perfect.
Found a yellow metal one abandoned in a pile of contractor junk in a parking lot at work - Brand new and free......
I bought 4 of these cans when I needed to power my house while I moved my electrical service for an addition I was putting on. These cans are excellent in quality but the safety latch on one of my nozzles broke the first time I used it which proved to be an improvement in ease of use so I removed the latch on the other 3. I used this style can in the Army and loved it for its ergonomics.
I might have missed the price. I looked it up on the HF website- $45.00. If you want to transfer gas w/o having to hold the can try a shaker siphon. I bought them from Sportsman's Guide years ago for $5-6.00 years ago. Amazon has them for $8-12.00. They last forever if you keep them out of the sun.
I've had the same gas can since 1987 and it was given to me and old then. I can't believe we have to review gas cans.
90+ percent of the cans available are trash.
FYI you can mix bad gas with good gas 50/50 and it will run just fine.
As long as you use it quickly I would believe that. I don't think you'd want to do that if that mix was going to sit in the tank a long time, though, because I suspect that fuel that has already broken down might continue that trend at a faster rate. Just speculation, but it might bear looking into.
these would be good for preppers. and I could use a few of them for riding mower and also for the generator here in Oklahoma winter storms and tornado season to have some electric, I was looking at some online but this way I won't have to pay for shipping. good video thanks
The spout is not really convenient to use up to you if you keep it on there. There is a flash suppressing plastic insert in the filler neck that will drive you insane the first time you fill up the tank. I ripped that out of mine. If you rip it out and look at it you'll be like well how the hell does the gas get in the gas can with that in the way. It doesn't matter how far you put the filler nozzle into the can it will splash back at you and the pump will kick off. You yet maybe a couple cups in at a time if you're lucky. You can try trickling it in but that'll just drive you insane with a 5-gallon can and more than one oh yeah I'd be ripping my hair out. Be safe out there in Oklahoma! Keep an eye on the sky!
I’ve had this jerry can mounted on the back of my jeep for over a year and it’s held up great.
I have 2 brand new plastic cans made by the same manufacturer. They are identical but have different UPC codes. Sitting side-by-side the only difference is that one came with the flame arrester and one didn't. It took me forever to fill the one with the flame arrester at the gas pump. The flame arrester created just enough back pressure against the flow that the pump nozzle kept shutting off. This was constant from the time that I begin filling the can until I fidgeted with the pump nozzle squeeze handle to get to the right spot to barely pump the fuel without it cutting off. Even so it still cut off a few more times. When I empty that can 1st I'm going to rip that damn flame arrestor out of there. I am 60 years old and been filling and emptying gas can since I was 10 and have never needed a flame arrester. They do have the better fuel nozzles like the metal can you demonstrated. It's almost like they decided to make the nozzles better but put that flame arrester in cans to screw with you.
Sadly you are right, the arrestors make it difficult to fill. I never noticed this because I removed them before filling the cans for the first time. The arrestors are now a requirement because it reduces the chance of the can exploding if your silly enough to pour gasoline onto a fire. Blitz use to make most of the cans in the USA, but was sued by multiple people who got hurt pouring gas onto fires despite the warning label on the can. Blitz filed bankruptcy and is no longer in business. The remaining gas companies had to comply and add the stupid thing to their cans. My guess is you have one older can (it had been sitting on the shelf or old stock), and you have newer one.
Just bought two new 5 gal cans at Rural King last week, and I didn't know about the flame arrestor screen device in them. As you stated, as soon as they're empty, things will change. :)
J just need a can with no switches, pressure palm triggers, weird locking valves or anything.
I just want a can that pours..
you can buy the wavian cans, and they also sell a non CARB spout seperately. i think amazon still has some. I think wavian is much better then this can.
On that spout, if the red tab for the lock is cut off it will still shut off, but you don't need to release it to get it to work. Not that I would know that...
Thanks. I was wondering. It's a real PITA.
I use wavian cans that have actual nato specs. I also got it through overseas to get the original style spout.
As a senior I found it nearly impossible to pour gas in my lawn tractor. The filler is on the side almost vertical. Now try holding a full five gallon can up and getting it to flow into the filler. The flow is so slow it takes around fifteen minutes or more to pour enough gas for fill the mower. That's a long time to hold five gallons of gas up in the air without my hands failing. I finally got a jiggle hose and set the gas can on the tractor hood and let the gas siphon into the tank.
I purchased several of these a few months ago when Harbor freight still had some coupons. These cans are fantastic except for the plastic insert. I use ethanol free gas in these as they are meant to serve as backup fuel for a generator. Both sources use pumps with spouts that are very difficult to control. The plastic insert caused the gas to splash out..... and I don't mean a little. It slows the flow so much that empty cans overflow the second I press the trigger. And one of them fell inside the can as I was filling it. Its a great can... but filling it is a pain in the ass.
I've seen people complain about those little inserts! I never got to experience them, I removed them pretty much immediately.
Paint some bed liner on the bottom to prevent chipping the red paint exposing bare metal
Now that is a good idea.
The new manufactured cans are surely made from recycled steel
everything is recycled nowdays
Those spouts are the worst. I spill more on the ground than what goes in the mower.
Great cans..just as soon as you throw away the useless epa spout, rip out the stupid strainer and install a proper vent. Then it pours great. It really agitates me that I have to spent an hour every time I buy a new gas can just to make the damn thing work.
I have two of these cans. The weak spot is the NOZZLE (SPOUT) which was designed by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and since it was designed by people who are stupid, the nozzle will spill more gas on the ground than what will go into the tank. Someone needs to come up with an aftermarket nozzle that fits these cans so you can ditch the factory nozzle.
12-27-22 Just checked Harbor Freight website. Apparently these cans are not available anymore.
They are not exclusive to Harbor Freight. You can buy them from other places like Menards. www.menards.com/main/tools/automotive/automotive-tools-shop-equipment/midwest-can-5-gallon-metal-jerry-can/5810/p-1483600699322-c-9113.htm?tid=5880832944874623683&ipos=1
I just purchased two of these cans a couple of months ago and I have to agree that they are great quality. I paid $39.00 each which is probably double that of five gallon plastic cans but these will most likely last a very long time. I also have eight actual NATO cans that are made by Gelg in Poland that have the proper NATO spouts. I use these for long-term gasoline storage. These Valpro cans seem to be a little bit thicker gauge steel than the Gelg's that I have, which is a plus.
>
If they are old enough, perhaps they are Warsaw Pact cans?
If there is a date on the can, what is it?
The plastic 5 gal jugs are $27 at home Depot. So not much more than the most common jugs. So it's definitely a good deal.
Be careful with those cans. I purchased one several years ago from harbor freight and it was great until we had cold weather and the can shrank as they do when not vented in the cold. You know how the plastic cans with shrink because of the loss of pressure in the can with a drop in temperature... hence it forms a vacuum inside and the walls of the can cave in. The shrinking caused creases at the corners of the tank and those turned into leaks. Over all they are good cans but if you store gas in them with them sealed completely make sure the can isn't partially filled. Or you can vent the can. We have fairly large temperature swings in Georgia at times so one day its 86 degrees and the next morning its 35 degrees causing my cans to cave in and cause this problem. Just my two cents for what it's worth.
How do you vent it?
@@mtnbikerva1 Sadly the creases that formed due to the vacuum caused cracks in my can so I just decided to trash it. Maybe there is a way to vent the cap so that it doesn't spill but still is able to vent.
I am the happy owner of a genuine GI surplus (marked USMC) 5 gal. can with a metal spout. I paid $ 6.75 for it in 1970.
$6.75 in 1970 had the same purchasing power as $46.63 in 2021, think about it.
@@beandrive I guess I got what I paid for.
Thanks for this review. I am just replacing some cans. Note: For years I have put my old boat fuel 2- cycle in my pick up truck with no ill effects to the motor, at least not in over ten years.
CARB law ( California Air Resource Board ) started in California around 2000, and spread over the country in several years. Law required passage of a drop test, impossible for passage by metal cans made for years by Delphos, Huffy, Chilton, Eagle, and others. Intent was to limit vapor loss ( volatile organic compounds ) to the atmosphere. The law virtually eliminated sale of most metal cans, save for “safety cans” Type 1 & 2, exempt and pricy. Thus, plastic cans have dominated the market for the last 20+ years. Not convinced this was an improvement or “saved” the environment, but that is what occurred. Previously worked for a metal can manufacturer years ago…..I directly witnessed the impact of the CARB law and demise of most traditional “metal fuel cans” made for years.
You can order the old style gas can nozzle’s off-line from Amazon... then just put the old style nozzle on you’re new gas can 👍 you can thank me later lol
Those are for "water." Who would ever use them for gasoline? :o|
@@TKevinBlanc nope. They work for gas. Look it up. Its life changing man. It is. You will save time and spill way less gas.
@@jonesjones7057 Yeah I guess my joke wasn't clear... :O)
I skip the spout and use a 12" wide funnel! :) super fast.
The NO-SPILL containers that home depot sells are the only compliance container worth buying. The have a really good spout/valve and a big opening when you take the valve off. It's good for emptying your two-stroke equipment back into the can with every use so you can run them dry and keep them clean.
I now use one of those turbo pumps to transfer gas. Oh by the way Illinois the s is silent. I cringe every time.
You are probably going to think this is silly, but I had no idea the "s" is silent. I will try to remember that! Thanks!
@@1D10CRACY LOL just busting your chops. By the way the worst ever gas can is the one Costco sells. It's the one with a green lever you have to push and pull another part at the same time. One needs three hands to hold can and operate the safety junk.
ILLA-NOISE
@@1D10CRACY The common pronunciation of the state of Illinois ends with \NOY\, but you might hear a pronunciation ending in \z\, similar to that in noise, especially in southern areas of the U.S. The word is French-based so the French pronunciation \ill-i-NOY\ makes less noise.
Well produced videos.
@@cde6200 There is a joke in there somewhere. Oh yeah, it's Chitcago. ;-)
God bless America! Long live the Republic.
Many times the aftermarket spouts have a different thread size to the cap. This results in leaks around the cap. Sometimes, by examining the spout, it is possible to take it apart and remove the internal shut off spring. In other cases, I've simply drilled holes in the shut off gizmo.
The vented spout works best at a specific angle. It will flow 10 times faster than you demonstrated. This goes for all new gas cans, try it at different angles until you find it. 45 degrees is probably a good starting point.
So what is to be done once the level is below the 45 degree angle? Spill all over the fkn place, that's what.
@@williewonka6694 Lol. I hate the vent relocation to the spout as much as anyone. I have just figured out what angle to use and it flows great most of the time. Honestly for my chainsaw the spout with a valve and internal vent tube is really handy. It prevents me from spilling fuel because I can shut off the flow without having to tilt the can back. This allows me to dispense precise amounts of fuel into machines with small tanks much easier than a traditional can.
@@williewonka6694 Somewhere between 45° and 90°. Don't go below 45°.
Always wanted a metal Jerry Gas Can and was happy to find some at the local Harbor Freight by accident. I replaced the nozzle, added a vent cap to mine, & it's perfect to me now. EZ Pour Gas cap works with em too
I just picked up another one today! I may need to try a nozzle like you suggested!
@@1D10CRACY I use the EZ Pour Yellow gas cap for my Midwest Jerry Cans with no leaks so far. The yellow & black EZ Pour base didn't seem to go on there for a tight seal for all 3 of my Jerry Cans for some reason so I use the original base that came with the gas can with no problems.
A vent cap?
@@mikerossi411 yeah like those yellow vent caps that goes on or you can add onto plastic gas cans for the gas to flow out faster. You can get metal ones too that has rubber gaskets
Hey! Do a video showing how “handy” that EPA spout is when using a funnel! I’d click on that.
If you have a funnel, you don't need to use the spout. LOL. Any aftermarket spout that fits Midwest cans will fit.
@@1D10CRACY I can think of five everyday situations where you need a funnel. That funnel and can will NOT refuel my DeLorean fuel tank. There's NO WAY you'd be able to reach down inside the filler without turning the entire can upside down while leaning two feet over the car. My point is, that, yes, there are many situations you'd ABSOLUTELY need a funnel.
He said you don't need the CAP when you're using a funnel.
Just watched a video on the history of the "Jerry" can, and the recessed welded seam in the middle is the best part. Whereas the "G.I." cans had the rolled bottom seam that would wear through and then leak. I'm lucky to have many pre- "EPA knows what is best for you" cans, so the spouts are no issue on them. You didn't mention the price you paid though- that would be interesting to know.
He left a link for the can in the description. Really not hard to look it up for yourself. It's kinda like when you were in school. "Teacher, how do you spell this word", teacher, "Look it up".
I have had some of these Midwest cans for years. The one that I carried in the back of my Toyota 4Runner when off-roading developed a pin hole. This can was strapped down with only the bottom of the can in contact with the vehicle. The pin hole developed on the side of the can toward the top. The only way I can imagine this happened is simply from the metal flexing with expansion and contraction were the embossing is on the side. The embossing is there to strengthen the sides of the can. My guess is that the sheet metal in these cans is thinner than that used to make the NATO cans and the flexing cause it to crack. Still decent cans but not likely the same as the NATO. Only way to make a cheaper price point product for the consumer market is to make the product cheaper (cut corners).
I have had mine for 4 years + and still like new. I replaced the spout with a better one and never a problem. It been riding behind my 2003 Toyota Tundra for years!
i have 8 of the old school jerry cans 2" opening . i will keep them!
Back when our government designed gas cans that won wars.
Far cry from today.
We copied the design from nazi germany from trophy captured cans in north africa from erwin rommel
"dispose of it properly" you mean burn it in an old metal coffee/paint can?
Exactly what I do! 👍
I also got some after market yellow vents. Anytime a get a new can I throw out the EPA crap and put a regular nozzle with a vent on it.
Yes. Or just spray it all over the ground and light it up. Fun for the whole family.
@@jonesjones7057 Kills ants.
@1D10CRACY The name Jerry can came for the word Jerry being the cans were made in Germany as you stated (Wehrmacht) was indeed being made, in Germany. About Jerry, "Jerry was a nickname given to Germans during the Second World War by soldiers and civilians of the Allied nations, in particular by the British. The nickname was originally created during World War I." BTW I hated using them in Germany during the Cold War being we were always having to paint them. I put in a suggest in 1967 that we go to plastic cans being they don't rust, lighter and quieter in the field. = I have a copy of the suggestion that we use plastic. At the time they said we had too many metal Jerry cans. I think some high ranking officer got the credit for the plastic cans = RHIP
Excellent review. Don’t feel like I wasted time watching. Well spoken, very informative, concise, to the point. I’m sold. Thank you.
I bought one a year ago and it sat around as my plastics ones do but I did store gas for my car if I need a splash of 5 gallons for a emergency. We then had that bad single digit snow and freezing weather in Texas in Feb 2021. I bought two more of these cans, 30 ish a piece, and filled up 10 more gallons super unleaded and put Stabil 360 plus in all three metal cans. Filled up my additional 2 5g plastic sucky cans weeks ago and then this pipeline shut down ransom b.s. happens. These metal cans are a good idea because they will store gas better and for longer. Also bought a nice 3500 watt home inverter generator. Either put the fuel in my generator or my based on emergency need.
I should have made a video...160k+ views. Well done, good thinking.
The German can of WW2 had many design features which made it exceptional. I will just touch on two.
1. It had an internal vent tube. If you open the can and look at the sealing area you will notice a small hole. The is the vent opening. The vent goes all the way to the bottom of the can. When pouring the vent allows air to get up and fill the can with air as the can empties. Cool huh.
2. The can has three handles. One person can gasp the center handle easily one can, or the person can gasp two cans by the center handle and yes carry two cans. When two people are available each can gasp an outer handle and very easily carry the can.
Think back these cans were designed for military uses. In the Field material handling was, and is, primary manpower. Making the cans easily and quickly transportable from a vehicle to a user point is important. With the internal vent the can can be quickly emptied into a new vehicle and therefore saving time. For military in the field time can be vital.
The can has several other cool features, but that for later maybe.
Seems like there is no way anyone would ever be able to use this to fill a car. I have a hard enough time with an old vented can with a flexible spout.
You bring up a very good point! I never thought about filling a car with it! It would be awkward at best.
Bought two of these cans for a 10-day trip through the Mojave Desert. Filled my 2016 Toyota Tacoma just fine.
Wouldn't work with the way most of today's vehicles are with all the stupid anti-siphon crap and the capless fill ports. Best to just use a funnel and not use the worthless spout that comes with the cans...if you can even get a funnel to work, some of that anti-siphon stuff could possibly prevent using anything other than the gas pump nozzle at the gas station. Just don't run your car out of gas LOL.
The best can capable of filling up a car is the Sure Can. Flexible nozzle long enough to reach safely into the filler neck of the car, and dispenses from the bottom so there's no progressive tilting of the can needed as you fill. Just pull the trigger valve and it's done without spilling a drop. External nozzle storage so you don't get gas on your hands pulling a gas soaked nozzle out from the inside like most others.
I like to look through the fill opening in the back to watch the progress as it empties out.
@@wildbill23c Nah, you can easily emulate the gas handle filler pipe. It's just a tube of a given diameter. On the cars I've filled as long as you push that little metal door out of the way with the filler spout they fill fine. I haven't tried it on a very late model car, but given how the pump spout is made the only other parameter I can possibly think of that could possibly matter would be length. A tube of similar size or smaller than the pump handle is fine. But yes you are most certainly not going to fill it from the can and get more than a drop by drop 'stream' past that door. Without even looking I would be virtually sure that purpose designed funnels exist for the task. The regular spouts on the plastic cans work fine, if you can get that damned no spill valve to operate, but that's a whole different matter.
I'm old enough to remember when the government worked for us.... The EPA can go pray at the altar of the god of civil servants, "Idabagadix".
Apparently you are confused LOL The EPA didn't mandate these spouts - the California air resources board did. They keep vapors down and that reduces smog, and makes is easier for people to breathe. Most Americans think breathing is a pretty good habit.
Sure
but the new plastic gas cans vent directly through the plastic can by perspiration evaporation sweating,
the new nozzles dont solve crap
metal air tight cans are way better
@@wharris7594 "Perspiration evaporation sweating"?! Now you're just making things up. In the real world, that's called a "leak" and clearly that does not happen with an undamaged can.
I switched and i love what i switched to. My current large pickup came with a 50ish gallon transfer tank and fill that up with gas for my tractor and such.
I have four of these cans that I use to put gas in a car. The nozzle they came with was simply inadequate for this. I purchased a jiggle pump, removed the flame shield, and now it is easy.
Is this a high capacity assault can in California?
Go back to the old flex steal nozzle
I always keep my plastic ones out of the sun....as I try with most things...
Hot gas in the sun can't be good right? Lol
The black plastic screw on part broke on both of mine during the second winter of being in the shed and I was never able to get the red caps to center and stay under it during storage due to being to small and popping through. I think I got a couple of bad ones, but don't screw that on too tight before the winter. Those cans can also swell and contract causing some gas to press out from the top from a change in temperature. I ended up going with some VP racing jugs and I prefer those.
I've seen others say the same thing, that the black rings cracked. I have aftermarket spouts on mine, maybe that is why mine have not broke. I also read another commentator who said they changed the spouts recently.
I love these Midwest steel cans. I immediately modify them...
I remove the plastic mesh filter inside the can with a pair of needle nose pliers so that I can actually fill them at full speed at the gas station.
Then I disassemble the nozzle and remove the spring. This allows you to manually put the nozzle into flow or no flow. No need to try to compress the nozzle assembly while filling.
That said, the nozzles generally go in my cabinet and I put caps on them.
I've found that the yellow caps on Amazon from FOAMRIY work the best. Some of the caps are too deep and don't engage the gasket, which leads to leak during transport.
I generally use a battery-powered Terapump to fill my mower.
Nice can! Awesome review!
Like most laws these are intended to make money for the politicians through their friends.
EXACTLY
So I am watching a gas can review by a man that keeps a worn out and useless gas can long enough for its next two replacements to wear out, crack, and be useless, and he still has all three?
It may be a sure sign of a professional horder.
You can purchase all sorts of funnels. I have one that has a pop up that tells you when it's getting full. Works great for a lawnmower.