Fuel container shrinkage

[92saturnsl2]

My 2-stroke gallon cans haven't been used in a while, one was empty, the other half full. The shop they sit in never gets below about 40F.

Filling them up, the empty one started spewing fuel on the gas station concrete before the fuel shutoff device or even I could notice, right around 0.75 gallons. I expected it to take less that the full gallon due to its collapsed shape, but not 25% less.

How can I get it back into shape, other than waiting for summer?

 

[ctechbob]

Fill it with boiling hot water, put the cap on and let it sit?

 

[Chris142]

That's caused by them sitting sealed. When it's hot they shrink when they cool off and expand and split when filled cold and get hot.

I have a 5 gallon one that expanded and will hold almost 7 gallons now.

 

[SupremePossum]

My Wavian Metal ones can do this a little. I get my air compressor at 120PSI and hold a cloth over the opening and let her rip, always brings it back

 

[eljefino]

Yeah I've got a plump can too and don't like it, it won't sit flat on the floor and rocks around instead.

I wouldn't "plastic-fatigue" the cans by trying to inflate them unnaturally.

 

[E150GT]

I can't stand plastic fuel cans. Switched to metal

 

[SupremePossum]

I can't stand plastic fuel cans. Switched to metal

 

[z71bill]

I went into Lowes (more than 10 years ago maybe 15) just after a hurricane had blown through Houston.

They had a stack of 5 gallon plastic gas cans - $4 each. I grabbed 4 of them.
Later that day I realized what a bargain it was and went back to the store - they only had a few left and many of those were missing the nozzle cap - I managed to find 6 that were good and now they were only $2.

I gave some away - but still have 6 or 7 of them.

I keep 10 gallons of treated gas on hand - put it in my SUV every couple months and get fresh. If a storm is headed my way I fill up more - sometime 15-20 gallons - sometimes more.

When my small plastic cans suck in I open them up - reseal them and set them in the sun - come back in about an hour and they are back to normal.

 

[repairman54]

I made the switch to motorcross style cans, no goofy EPA nozzles to deal with. They make them with 2 handles vs the ones with just one top handle also so handling 5 gal. can is easier.

 

[92saturnsl2]

View attachment 257400

I have a couple metal cans that I use for the larger volume sizes, but I'm not sure I'd be able to find one in a gallon container for my 2-stroke fuel, which I don't use enough of to justify anything larger.

I suppose I could go the route I've used on my other EPA cans and get one of those old-school replacement filler necks where you install a vent into the jug.

 

[The motor guy]

My Wavian Metal ones can do this a little. I get my air compressor at 120PSI and hold a cloth over the opening and let her rip, always brings it back

I separate 5 gallon buckets that way, well minus the cloth. I just shove the air nozzle in

 

[SupremePossum]

I have a couple metal cans that I use for the larger volume sizes, but I'm not sure I'd be able to find one in a gallon container for my 2-stroke fuel, which I don't use enough of to justify anything larger.

I suppose I could go the route I've used on my other EPA cans and get one of those old-school replacement filler necks where you install a vent into the jug.

Wavian sell a 1.3 gallon one, very cute

https://wavianusa.com/wavian-gas-can-yellow-5-liter.html?cgid=wavian-fuel-cans

 

[92saturnsl2]

Wavian sell a 1.3 gallon one, very cute

https://wavianusa.com/wavian-gas-can-yellow-5-liter.html?cgid=wavian-fuel-cans

The fine print at the bottom about water deteriorating the coating should make anyone hesitant to use it with anything but fuel oil / diesel. That said, I know why our/NATO military budget is so high.

Oops, I just saw there was a red colored option for gas but the link is broken. I still wouldn't pay that price.

 

[SupremePossum]

The fine print at the bottom about water deteriorating the coating should make anyone hesitant to use it with anything but fuel oil / diesel. That said, I know why our/NATO military budget is so high.

Oops, I just saw there was a red colored option for gas but the link is broken. I still wouldn't pay that price.

Works perfectly well with gasoline. I've been using them since 2013 with zero degradation

Just keep fuel in them, easy

 

[gasman556]

The fine print at the bottom about water deteriorating the coating should make anyone hesitant to use it with anything but fuel oil / diesel. That said, I know why our/NATO military budget is so high.

Oops, I just saw there was a red colored option for gas but the link is broken. I still wouldn't pay that price.

+1 for @SupremePossum reply. I've been using them since around 2011 or so with zero issue with coatings coming off (best I can tell anyways) with either ethanol free or regular gasoline use. When I started however, I could get the 20L variants for around $45 shipped using coupons, etc. They're much more expensive now. But thankfully I haven't had to buy another one due to damage, etc.

I've dropped one (my mistake) while it was full. Hit a corner from about 4' up. damaged the can and some fuel came out the nozzle (rapid increase in pressure), but after knocking some of the thick paint off that was already stripped and a quick rattle can top up, I still use that can today.

 

[E150GT]

I have a couple metal cans that I use for the larger volume sizes, but I'm not sure I'd be able to find one in a gallon container for my 2-stroke fuel, which I don't use enough of to justify anything larger.

I suppose I could go the route I've used on my other EPA cans and get one of those old-school replacement filler necks where you install a vent into the jug.

I bought a one gallon one for my 2 stroke equipment. If I had to start all over I would go a little bigger. For one the one gallon one I have is a real pain to pour gas cleanly with due to its design. and two it becomes a little more complicated to get a nice round number for mixing the oil if the can is not completely empty. Not impossible by any stretch but its nice to be able to go put a gallon in and then mix based on a gallon instead of topping it off with .325 gallons or so and having to measure the oil. I use the one gallon oil mix bottles and just toss the bottle in when I am making a gallon of fuel.

 

[gasman556]

I bought a one gallon one for my 2 stroke equipment. If I had to start all over I would go a little bigger. For one the one gallon one I have is a real pain to pour gas cleanly with due to its design. and two it becomes a little more complicated to get a nice round number for mixing the oil if the can is not completely empty. Not impossible by any stretch but its nice to be able to go put a gallon in and then mix based on a gallon instead of topping it off with .325 gallons or so and having to measure the oil. I use the one gallon oil mix bottles and just toss the bottle in when I am making a gallon of fuel.

Wavian makes a smaller nozzle you can put inside the bigger regular nozzle for smaller engines/tanks.