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Portable Fuel Storage:
Choosing the Right Jerry Can Version
1.2, Sept. 2004 ã
2004, Al Dolney Version
1.2 Comments,
suggestions, constructive criticism, e-mail me at aldolney@bellsouth.net General
comments: This Portable Fuel Storage: Choosing the Right Jerry Can paper has been
written to educate people on the different types of jerry cans designed and
built to store and dispense gasoline or diesel fuel. After reading this paper, it is hoped that the reader can
then make an informed decision on which jerry can best fits his needs.
Like anything else, there are very good jerry fuel cans, good jerry cans
and not so good jerry cans. This
paper will show which ones are which. This paper is not going to discuss nor rate civilian type fuel cans that
were not designed to meet military specifications for portable fuel storage
containers. Generally, these
cans come in all sizes and shapes and may or may not fit the standard military
jerry can holder (discussed below) and do not have the pour spout/cap interface
of a military jerry can. Their
selection and use are beyond the scope of this FAQ. The reason for selecting a military designed jerry can shape vs.
non-military type cans is the fact that the jerry can shape is both timeless and
very functional. The rectangular
shape is easy and efficient to store. The
three handles allow one person to hold two empty cans with one hand and allow
handing off to another person without moving your hand. The
jerry can is designed to have a small air pocket so it will float even when
full. Furthermore, all come with a
pouring vent allowing smooth fuel delivery without gurgling or pulsation.
Buying a military designed jerry can ensures quality of materials and
design and cheaper cans when bought as surplus.
The jerry fuel cans discussed in this FAQ all have the following general
dimensions of 6.6” W x 13.9” L x 18.3” H and will fit the standard
military style jerry can holder discussed below.
All have three handles that were a part of the original German can design
originating from before World War II. All
have a capacity of 20 liters (5.2 gallons) of fuel except the 10 liter (2.5
gallon) fuel cans. For an
interesting article on the history of the military jerry can, go to the Back
Country trailer site at http://www.backcountrytrailers.com/Trailers/BackCountry/off-road/gascan.htm Generally, jerry cans described herein are based on my experience and
judgment. If you have a different
experience, please e-mail me at aldolney@bellsouth.net. This jerry can paper will discuss four different types of military jerry
cans designed to store and dispense fuels: -
USGI plastic military fuel can (MFC) -
NATO style fuel can -
USGI steel military fuel can (aka “Blitz” cans) -
French fuel can Each of the above four cans have different pour spouts and only one
of these pour spouts is compatible with 2 jerry cans. Typically jerry cans will not safely and efficiently pour
fuel without their corresponding pour spout, especially if you are refueling a
vehicle that uses unleaded fuel. Therefore,
it’s important for you to know what kind of jerry can you are have or plan to
buy so that you get the correct pour spouts and pour spout replacement gasket.
This paper will detail each type of jerry can along with discussion on
the type of pour spout required for each can.
California residents are no longer allowed to buy any of these jerry cans
unless the corresponding spouts meet the new California Air Resources Board (CARB)
spill-proof spouts. Although CARB
spouts are available that fit some jerry cans, discussion of these CARB approved
spouts is out of scope for this FAQ since these spouts are not a military
standard. In addition, there are 2 types of jerry can holders.
The military designed holder will hold all types of jerry cans, both for
fuel and water; the civilian version will only hold the Blitz style fuel can.
More about this later. USGI plastic
Military Fuel Can (MFC): The plastic MFC is the current US military fuel can and like its brother,
the USGI plastic military water can (MWC), is very tough and very durable.
It’s much lighter than the steel jerry can and rust and corrosion are
not a consideration with the plastic can. Another
advantage of the USGI cans is that plastic is much less noisier than metal cans. These cans are made by the same USGI water can manufacturer, Scepter of
Canada. Current source for new cans
is Brigade Quartermaster (BQ), Davidson Products and Generator Joe (see the
appendix for sources and web sites). Cost
new is $39 each at BQ although I’ve seen combination sales of both the can and
spout for about $45. The main
difference between the MFC and MWC is that the fuel can has three handles vs.
water can’s one and a different spout cap size and threads.
Caps are not interchangeable between the 2 cans. Used plastic MFC’s can be purchased at Major Surplus for about $10 each.
Since these are used military MFC’s, all of the ones I have are for
diesel fuel. According to Scepter,
the gasket material is different for diesel vs. gas.
Although there are no MIL markings on them, they are made by Scepter and
have the same dimensions, cap/spout interface etc. as the USGI MFC.
I have several used MFC’s from Major’s and, except for minor surface
scuffing and one can missing a gasket, they are in good shape and do not leak.
I’ve always had good luck with Major’s; however, your mileage may
vary (YMMV). The USGI MFC cans meet the US Federal specification A-A-59592, Can, Fuel,
Military: 20-liter Capacity, dated August 28, 2000. This specification supersedes the previous Military
specification MIL-C-53109, although new MFC cans that I’ve seen carry the MIL
markings. Both of these
specifications are in the public domain and should be available at any public
library. See figure 1 for a drawing
and dimensions of the USGI MFC.
Figure
1 USGI MFC with dimensions (figure from A-A-59592) This can has a 3.4” external (male) thread for the cap and designed to
use a female threaded pour spout. This
pour spout is not compatible with any other jerry can. The USGI MFC also has an internal female thread.
This female thread pattern and size is compatible with the old
“Blitz” style male threaded spouts. See
figure 2 for the external thread and dimensions; note that the internal female
threads are not shown on this figure.
Another advantage of the USGI MFC is that there are adapter cap assemblies
available to turn the MFC into a spare fuel tank for your vehicle.
These products are available from Davidson Products.
A complete adapter cap assembly with hoses etc. costs $80, however you
can get the adapter cap itself without hoses for about $25.
Figure
2 USGI MFC external pour spout thread and dimensions (from A-A-59592).
The internal female threads are not shown.
These internal threads are compatible with the male-threaded “Blitz”
style pour spouts. Figure 3 shows a picture of the USGI MFC and three pour spouts designed
for them. Note that for unleaded
gas powered vehicles in the US, you will need the smallest ¾” pour spout.
Replacement gaskets are available directly from Scepter; gaskets for
gasoline cans are about $4.95 each with diesel gaskets are about $1.95 each.
The gaskets for gasoline cans are made of viton.
Figure
3, USGI MFC with 3 pour spouts. Note
the female threads on the spout and cap. (photo
courtesy of Scepter) NATO Style
Jerry Cans: These steel cans are the current NATO spec cans used throughout NATO
member nations in Europe. The NATO
cans shape is similar to, but very slightly thinner, than the USGI MFC.
The NATO cans will fit all military style jerry can holders.
This can is constructed of 2 sides welded together in the middle.
The welded seam is leakproof unlike the early US steel jerry cans with
their rolled seams. The design of this can has remained essentially unchanged
since before WWII. The main difference between these steel cans and USGI plastic cans,
besides the material, is the pour spout. The
NATO cans have a trapezoidal shaped locking cam cap and pour spout design.
This design is very robust and leakproof, assuming the gasket is in good
shape. The gasket for the NATO locking cap and the pour spout are
the same. The NATO can gasket are
different from the USGI MFC and the steel “Blitz” style can cap and spout
gasket discussed below. See figure
4 for a picture of a typical NATO style can.
Figure
4 NATO Style Steel Jerry Cans. Note
the trapezoidal can opening and locking cam mechanism. (photo courtesy of Major
Surplus) Used NATO cans are available on-line from several sources, notably Major
Surplus and Cheaper than Dirt. Prices
vary from $10-$15 each. CTD also
has Israeli new cans for $60 for four cans, a very good deal.
One thing to watch for when buying used cans is that the internal coating
may be flaking off the insides. If
so, you’ll either need to remove all of the flaking and replace it and/or take
steps to not contaminate your fuel with the paint flakes when refueling.
Major Surplus also have the pour spouts for about $7 each plus the can
cap and pour spout gaskets for $.95 each. Both the USGI MFC and NATO cans are available in 10 liter (2.5 gallon)
size cans (see figure 5 for an example). These
cans are the same dimensions for width and length but are not as tall.
They will fit all military style can holders.
They are useful for those that may have trouble moving or using the +40
lb. cans when full or don’t need the full 20 liter capacity. New NATO style steel fuel cans are available from Back Country Trailers
and others. These cans are made by
Wedco and they are very sturdy, very robust cans. Recent cost of these cans was $41 each. These cans also will not leak when the gasket is in good
shape. Back Country has the pour
spouts for $15 each and the gaskets for $1.95 each, both are compatible with the
NATO style cans. See figure 5 for a
picture of the Back Country Trailer Wedco jerry cans.
The Wedco cans have a gold colored anodized locking pin that ensures the
cap stays locked. These locking
pins are not on the NATO cans. The
camming action of the cap doesn’t necessitate this safety pin, but it does add
confidence that your can won’t inadvertently open under rough off-road
conditions. See figure 6 for a picture of a NATO style cam locking pour spout.
Figure
5 Wedco Jerry cans. Note the 10l (2.5 gallon) can on the lower right and the
blue water can on the left; the yellow can is for diesel fuel. (photo courtesy of Back Country Trailers).
Figure
6 NATO style pour spout. This is
the Wedco blue can and pour spout for potable water.
Just barely visible above the spout is the gold colored anodized cap
locking pin unique to the Wedco cans. (photo courtesy of Back Country Trailers) USGI Steel
“Blitz” cans: These cans are the former US military standard jerry cans.
This can has been around for decades.
They are made of steel with a vertical edge on the bottom.
See figure 7 for a picture of a civilian type Blitz jerry can.
This civilian can is the same as the military can except for the color of
the paint and the thickness of the metal. Military
cans have thicker steel material and are olive drab in color.
This can has a male threaded cap and it is different than either the USGI
plastic can or the NATO/Wedco cans. See
figure 8 for a picture of the Blitz style pour spout.
The Blitz style pour spout, as noted earlier, will fit the female
internal threads of the USGI MFC; the MFC spout will not fit the Blitz style
can, however. My experience with the Blitz style cans is that they leak.
They leak with the cap on and they leak when refueling.
Figure
7 “Blitz” style jerry can. This
is the civilian version with its red paint and thinner steel material.
Figure
8 Blitz style pour spout. Note the
male threads and the screen on end of spout.
This spout is too large for unleaded fueled vehicles. The male threads will also fit the USGI plastic MFC jerry
can. Just barely visible is the
black rubber gasket. French Military
Jerry Can: I have no experience with this can other than the picture at the Cheaper
than Dirt catalog. The CTD catalog
clearly states that the French can pour spout is not compatible with the NATO
cans that they also sell. These
cans go for about $10-$15 used, although I’ve seen them for sale at Cheaper
than Dirt for about $6 each. The
only source I know of is Cheaper than Dirt.
These cans are not recommended due to being built by the French, no known
pour spout available and no known cap and spout gasket available.
Not a recommended fuel jerry can. See
figure 9 for a picture of the French jerry can.
Figure
9 French jerry can. Note details of
cap and gasket and its incompatibility with the NATO style jerry cans. (photo
courtesy of Cheaper than Dirt) Jerry Can
Accessories: Military type
jerry can holder: This holder is designed to safely carry all types of military designed
jerry cans whether for fuel or for water. There
is a military version and a civilian version; the difference being color
(military is olive drab, civilian is red) and metal thickness (military is
thicker). Due the thicker material,
the military versions are more robust (and heavier) than the civilian versions
although both will work fine for most applications. See figure 10 for a picture of a military style civilian
jerry can holder. These holders are
available from Major Surplus, Northern Tool, J. C. Whitney and some hardware and
auto parts stores. Cost varies from
$14 to $19 each.
Figure
10 Military style civilian jerry can holder.
Military jerry can holders are painted olive drab and have slightly
thicker material. They are more
robust than the civilian versions, but the civilian versions will work for most
people. This holder will safely
hold all types of military jerry cans. There is also a civilian only jerry can holder that will only work with
the edge of the Blitz style jerry can. This
is usually the jerry can holder you’ll see advertised in Jeep and 4x4 hardware
catalogs. This holder will not hold
or safely carry any other style of jerry can.
See figure 11 for an example of this type of holder. Due to this holder’s compatibility with only one type of jerry can, this
is not a recommended jerry can holder. However,
if all you have are Blitz style cans and do not expect or plan to carry any
other fuel or any water cans, then these holders should work.
Figure
11 Blitz style jerry can holder. Note
that this holder will not work with any other style of jerry can since it uses
the edge of the Blitz style jerry can to hold the bottom of the can. There are other jerry can holders out there; usually they are designed by
and for 4x4 enthusiasts. These type
holders generally are “cage” type holders and are therefore heavier but more
robust. Their cost is also much higher than the civilian type holders
discussed above. Other advantages
of these type holders are that they protect the can from rollover or crash
damage plus they can, depending on design, provide more theft security than the
strap of the military style holder. See
figure 12 for one example.
Figure
12 Example of a “cage” type
jerry can holder. This one is
designed for the military Hummer. Note
the 2 olive drag USGI MFC’s and 2 tan and 2 black USGI MWC’s.
Photo courtesy of Gypsyrack. Super Siphon: One way to solve pour spout incompatibility problems is not to use one in
the first place. That is, use a
siphon instead of a pour spout. Advantages:
no need to keep track of different spouts; less chance of fuel spilling;
no need to hold 45 lbs. while pouring, siphons are usually as cheap as, if not
cheaper, than spouts and, depending on the jerry can installation on your
vehicle, you may not even need to move the jerry can to dispense its fuel.
Cost for the Super Siphon varies from $6 to $14, depending on source
(cheapest I’ve found is $6 at Bass Pro Shops.
A garden hose adapter is available for about a $1.
See figure 13 for a picture of the Super Siphon. Two hose sizes of the Super Siphon are available: 3/8” and ½”.
The 3/8” size will transfer fuel at 1 ½ gallons per minute while the
½” size will transfer at 3 ½ gallons per minute.
Super Siphon hoses are 6’ long.
Figure
13 Super Siphon (photo courtesy of Bass Pro Shops) Conclusions: Choosing the right jerry can will depend on your personal preferences and
circumstances. If you need a low
weight can or one that is impervious to the elements, especially salt spray
etc., then the USGI MFC can is the one for you.
Cost new is around $40, used around $10. If you want the traditional steel can, then the Wedco cans are the best.
Wedco cans run about $41 each. Used
NATO cans are $10-$15 each, and CTD has new Israeli cans, 4 for $60 at the time
of this writing. Both will serve
you well. The “Blitz” style jerry cans cost new as much, and sometimes more than
the NATO style Wedco cans, and are not as well constructed nor have as safe and
leakproof cap and pour spout. They
are, however, easier to find in hardware stores around the country and on the
‘Net. If you already have them,
make sure you keep the gaskets in good shape and consider using the Super Siphon
to transfer fuel. I do not recommend the French cans at all. There are no known spouts or gaskets available, plus
they’re made by the French. Unless you plan to use only Blitz style cans, I recommend the military
style holder. These holders will
hold all military style jerry cans while the civilian only holder will not. Good Luck! Sources: Back Country Trailers:
http://backcountrytrailers.com
; Wedco NATO-style jerry cans and spouts with
gaskets; off-road trailers and gear. Bass Pro Shops: http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.OnlineShopping
; Super Siphon and other camping gear. Brigade Quartermaster:
http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/index.tam
; USGI fuel and water cans plus spouts, 20l and 10l
sizes; other military gear Cheaper than Dirt: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/default.asp
; surplus NATO, Israeli and French jerry cans; spouts
and gaskets for the NATO cans; other surplus items. Davidson Products: http://www.davidsonproducts.com
; MFC and accessories, MWC and other items. Generator Joe: http://www.generatorjoe.net/store.asp
; USGI
MFC and MWC, plus the Wedco cans; generators and associated hardware. Mad 4WD: http://mad4wd.com/tek9.asp ; Wedco fuel and water jerry cans; other 4x4 items
and gear. Major Survival and Surplus:
http://www.majorsurplusnsurvival.com/
; surplus
MFC’s, NATO fuel cans, spouts and gaskets, French jerry cans, German water
cans;
other surplus items. Scepter: http://www.scepter.com/gc/gc_page.exe
; manufacturer of USGI MFC and MWC jerry cans; other plastic products. |
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