Strange question: Gas in an oil can?

[lars11]

Got some semi synth 10w40 oil in a *lovely* format PE plastic 10 liter can. Would love to use that for gas, but is that a good idea? How are gas cans and oil cans different?
(know this post may earn the "silly question of the year" but that's ok...

)

 

[crazyoildude]

there might be a difference in the plastic... i remember when i was 17 or 18 i put gas in a plastic jug and it melted...I would just get a gas can..

 

[ledslinger]

There are laws (don't know if federal, state or local)in the US prohibiting putting gasoline in anything other than cans made and marked for gasoline. A town near to me only allows dispensing gasoline into metal gasoline cans, no plastic.

Stick with gas cans. Hauling fuel is one of the most dangerous things most of us ever do.

One of the ways anti gun people try to curb gun rights is to exaggerate the risks of ammunition, gunpowder and lead. Remind them hauling gasoline is much more dangerous than transporting gunpowder.

Gunpowder isn't even an explosive, it is just highly flammable. It is only explosive if contained, and it isn't while stored or transported. Don't store it in ammo cans or metal cabinets.

 

[chubbs1]

Originally Posted By: ledslinger
One of the ways anti gun people try to curb gun rights is to exaggerate the risks of ammunition, gunpowder and lead. Remind them hauling gasoline is much more dangerous than transporting gunpowder.

Gunpowder isn't even an explosive, it is just highly flammable. It is only explosive if contained, and it isn't while stored or transported. Don't store it in ammo cans or metal cabinets."



Don't put the gas in the ammo cans with the ammo still inside either. Also, while you transport gunpowder and gas, flick your cigarette butts as far away from the Chevy as possible.

 

[cos]

Quote:
A town near to me only allows dispensing gasoline into metal gasoline cans, no plastic.


I haven't seen a metal gas can for sale in a hardware or auto parts store in well over 10 yrs, probably more like 20 yrs. Plastic is all that is sold around here.

Are metal cans sold in your neck of the woods?

 

[GMorg]

Polyethylene (PE) can tolerate gasoline for a while. Over time, the gasoline will degrade the PE. It can be used with oil because the oil is will not build pressure. If you want to siphon some gas and immediately put it into something else, your jug will be fine. If you want to store gas for a while, use something else.

 

[dishdude]

If it is breaking down the PE, it has to be getting into the fuel and in turn whatever you are using the fuel in.

 

[lars11]

ok, ok! I thought this would be the case. The real plastic gas cans seem to be PE too, but thicker and maybe higher density.

 

[Landrew]

When we go dirtbiking way out into the rocky mountains we put extra gas in 2L pop cans and stick them in our back packs. We take the soonest oppurtunity to add them as soon as our tanks go down the 2L. I would not like to find out by a chemical burns on my back and heinie that one leaked! But they have always held up well! Don't recommend for storage though.

 

[Drew2000]

Originally Posted By: lars11
ok, ok! I thought this would be the case. The real plastic gas cans seem to be PE too, but thicker and maybe higher density.


No problem with high-density PE for gas storage -but- I would buy a properly marked red gasoline container (either plastic or steel) with the proper thickness, spouts and vents, just so there's never a mix-up.