Just me or has anybody else modified fuel cans?

[Echo]

I prefer to not to tanker fuel on flights.  I want to have ten a side in tanks at destination.  Because of that I purchased four six gallon fuel containers at Farm & Fleet.  The "new" containers have nanny's on removing cap (a friction lock), no vent and the integral spout is reduced in size.  There was also a block/filter in container that prevented inserting a filler nozzle into tank.  The result of the vapor/safety nozzle nazi's was burping on filling and on off that spilled/wasted a LOT of fuel as well as making a mess while filling.  The lack of a drain vent also creates burping/mess on emptying the tanks.  MORE fuel/vapor released through the nozzle nazi's than with a more "simple" set-up.  Thankfully there are kits on Amazon for $10 that allow a vent to be installed (they include drill in kit) and caps without "safety" and tubes that are large and flow for a nice quick spill free pour.

You're welcome.

[N201MKTurbo]

That’s why racers and dirt bike riders use the Nalgene gas cans, which are not rated for gasoline. It’s because the modern safety gas cans are worthless for storing gasoline.

[Echo]

They store it just fine.  Filling and dispensing?  Not so much.

[1980Mooney]

Containers of AVGAS at destination?  It's usually in the tank at the pump....

Going to an airfield without fuel?  Wouldn't most plan a fuel stop at a nearby field with fuel even if it required an additional intermediate stop?  But rather than tanker it on your flight or make an intermediate fuel stop, this is a solution to "tanker" it by car/truck in a separate trip and store it for days/weeks/months in advance of each departure?

I guess I don't understand the problem. 

[Utah20Gflyer]

I’ve been modifying my gas cans as described but I don’t think I would carry gas cans in the cabin of my plane.  Seems like that would be a good way to make sure you were burnt to death in the case of a crash.  
 

Of course I would never carry gasoline in a modified gas cans because of my immense respect for the safety bureaucracy which has made gas cans unusable.  I’m positive they did this because it’s actually a bad idea to carry gasoline in a can in any situation and they are just helping us out.  I use my modified cans to carry inert liquids such as water and pudding.  

[MikeOH]

@Utah20Gflyer

What kind of pudding?

[Echo]

LOL.  I don't bring fuel in plane to other airports.  I do fly different distance flights.  I do buy fuel from area airports that have over a dollar a gallon reduction in price when I am driving by them.  I hate taxing to my home drome fuel pump for expensive self serve fuel.  

Now that cans, spouts and vent hole conversion iscomplete process is simple.  I do buy fuel at overnight travel airports for convenience and to not be charged a tie down fee.

[Echo]

Sorry that was so confusing.

[Echo]

1 hour ago, 1980Mooney said:

Containers of AVGAS at destination?  It's usually in the tank at the pump....

Going to an airfield without fuel?  Wouldn't most plan a fuel stop at a nearby field with fuel even if it required an additional intermediate stop?  But rather than tanker it on your flight or make an intermediate fuel stop, this is a solution to "tanker" it by car/truck in a separate trip and store it for days/weeks/months in advance of each departure?

I guess I don't understand the problem. 

No, I guess you don't.

[Utah20Gflyer]

10 minutes ago, Echo said:

LOL.  I don't bring fuel in plane to other airports.  I do fly different distance flights.  I do buy fuel from area airports that have over a dollar a gallon reduction in price when I am driving by them.  I hate taxing to my home drome fuel pump for expensive self serve fuel.  

Now that cans, spouts and vent hole conversion iscomplete process is simple.  I do buy fuel at overnight travel airports for convenience and to not be charged a tie down fee.

The Fuel pump was down at my airport for a year.  I did what you are talking about and picked up fuel at other airports and took it to my plane.  
 

While 5 gallon cans work they are a little suboptimal.  I bought a 14 gallon polymer tank with a hose and spout and primarily used that. Only modification I made to that was installing an air fitting to the cap so I could pump air into the tank to force the fuel out of the tank and up and into my tank.  This way the tank could be sitting on the ground.  I still occasionally use it to get fuel before I fly so I don’t have to start the plane up, taxi over, shut down, fuel up and then restart.  It’s a little simpler to drive by the pump, fill up the tank and then add the fuel as part of my pre flight.  

[Hank]

1 hour ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

I’ve been modifying my gas cans as described but I don’t think I would carry gas cans in the cabin of my plane.  Seems like that would be a good way to make sure you were burnt to death in the case of a crash.  
 

Of course I would never carry gasoline in a modified gas cans because of my immense respect for the safety bureaucracy which has made gas cans unusable.  I’m positive they did this because it’s actually a bad idea to carry gasoline in a can in any situation and they are just helping us out.  I use my modified cans to carry inert liquids such as water and pudding.  

I despise the new gas cans, they require three hands to use (assuming you can hold a full 5-gallon can by the top while tipping sufficiently to pour into the riding mower; why did they eliminate the second handle?). Thankfully I still have an old round metal 2-1/2 gallon can to premix oil and gas for the weedeater, blower and chainsaw, I can operate it with one hand.

The new cans take one hand to hold by the handle; one hand to support front the bottom while tilting; one hand to open the anti-fume valve; and one hand to hold the weedeater. No can do!

And yes, i have a new-style 5 gallon can to bring avgas home for the golf cart. Using it was misery until I found a kit on Amazon to just replace the stupid spout. I'd like to add a vent for better flow, but at least now it's usable. 

[Echo]

The containers I found have two handles and are six gallons.  They fit well into two dog crates I have in my SUV so no worries on securing in vehicle for drive.  The vents and spouts are a "game changer" for peanuts in expense.  Now I don't splatter on paint with impending impact from no lead fuel.  The new spout is flexi so much easier to direct where you want it.  As I age and lose strength this "method" will likely go away.

[EricJ]

9 hours ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

The Fuel pump was down at my airport for a year.  I did what you are talking about and picked up fuel at other airports and took it to my plane.  

Did you clip the ground wire to the exhaust? 

[Fly Boomer]

12 hours ago, EricJ said:

Did you clip the ground wire to the exhaust? 

I have read (above) that you can damage your exhaust pipe by clipping on the ground clamp.  Any idea how?

[1967 427]

One would have to assume that damage could only happen to a stainless steel exhaust pipe that was so highly polished, it looked like chrome.

[Pinecone]

Another vote for the square fuel jugs.  I have the VP Racing Fuel ones.  Sold by a company that makes and sells gasoline.  

I have both clear and red ones.  They also come in other colors if you have more than one type of fuel or oil around.

[Echo]

5 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Another vote for the square fuel jugs.  I have the VP Racing Fuel ones.  Sold by a company that makes and sells gasoline.  

I have both clear and red ones.  They also come in other colors if you have more than one type of fuel or oil around.

These are less than $20 bucks. All you need 

[Z W]

+1 for the cheap Amazon kits to replace the spout and add a vent. Did them on all my cans about a year ago and they still hold pressure and are more air-tight than the ones I replaced. Was a fun 20-minute project to install them all. Requires drilling a 1/2 inch hole for the air vent bung and then cleaning out the plastic shavings from inside the can.

Especially useful for filling diesel equipment where I may be putting 3-4 cans of fuel in. No way you can stand there and slowly dribble 20 gallons of diesel fuel listening to the jug glug and suck air.

I don't fill the plane from cans but can imagine it would be much the same.

Pro tip - you can put the spout into the tank before you open the air vent. Keeps the fuel from splashing out quite as fast as you tip the can over.

[Echo]

5 hours ago, Z W said:

Pro tip - you can put the spout into the tank before you open the air vent. Keeps the fuel from splashing out quite as fast as you tip the can over.

I found a really nice big ass funnel that really works well on the fuel tanks.  The orifice extends into the tanks and is a couple inches in diameter.  Keeps splashing "mostly" in funnel.   

[Kelpro999]

These are what I use. They lay on a towel with spout straight down into tank, then when ready just push the button. No need to hold, support or tilt while dispensing. They even shut off if attempting to overfill. 2-1/2 and 5 gallon 

[Hank]

5 hours ago, Kelpro999 said:

These are what I use. They lay on a towel with spout straight down into tank, then when ready just push the button. No need to hold, support or tilt while dispensing. They even shut off if attempting to overfill. 2-1/2 and 5 gallon 

When filling my weedeater and backpack blower, what supports the towel that the gas can lays on? The 2-1/2 gallon can that I have is larger then the combined engine and fuel tank in both pieces of equipment. I cannot hold 15 pounds of gas in the pouring position with one hand beside the pouring spout, and don't know anyone who can (including my neighbor who owns and operate several gyms).

[Pinecone]

VP sells a hose that screws into the cap for pouring.  The vent is positioned such that it doesn't spit any fuel when you tip the jug to pour, but I tend to open the vent after fuel it flowing for extra care.

They also sell one with a valve, but in fueling a plane, I have not had any issues.  I can get the hose in the filler while tipping the jug. But this is with the jug resting on a rag on the wing.

[Kelpro999]

On 12/17/2024 at 8:53 PM, Hank said:

weedeater and backpack blower

When filling them it takes two hands. The spout is rigid and easily guided into the fuel tanks while pushing the thumb button. No spillage like all the other so called environmentally friendly ridiculous cans. I use the smaller cans for all my little engines.