METAL or PLASTIC jerry cans?? 5 solid reasons to choose... which one?

[@AlaskanInsights]

plastic is a must on a boat... metals ones don't last long in salt water. the new safety nozzles are dangerous.

[@TheMusingGreg]

Very good point!

[@firstname-qq3xp]

Dangerous how so?

[@AlaskanInsights]

@@firstname-qq3xp guess you never tried to use one to fill you kicker up, the safety nozzle makes it a 2 handed job . It is awkward to say the least.

[@MichaelMichelmore-Fegg]

Is filling a red plastic can with diesel permitted in Australia?

[@TheMusingGreg]

I'm not certain, possibly not; but my old red one in this video was filled with petrol not diesel

[@adelarsen9776]

No laws, just common sense.

[@MegaRiffraff]

I drove a gasoline tanker in the USA for a few years, we were not allowed to have plastic fuel containers or plastic bucket on the truck because of static electricity, even being caught with one would get you banned from the terminal.

[@TheMusingGreg]

Interesting I wonder if that's changed now with the newer types of fuel cans? I would expect static electricity would be one of the first things they would have thought of, so maybe the fuel cans these days are of a plastic which doesn't generate static?

[@husseinabdullah5493]

How about safety?

[@TheMusingGreg]

In what regard? Metal probably only makes sense in extreme harsh conditions or if being peppered with rocks. My old red one is still fine after 25 years. And the plastic doesn't generate static.

[@tyrantlocator]

Metal, it's harder to run down the road with a full one 😂

[@TheMusingGreg]

Haha yeah well in some parts of the country that's worth considering! 😄😄

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

Spot on with those comments. We have used plastic for many years, probably 20 or more. We have never had a leak develop in the plastic cans but we have had a metal one spring a leak. We have Rheem plastic 20l fuel containers that are over 20 years old and we have never had an issue with them. Beware of some plastic containers that have dodgy lids that split (I can't mention the brand because I have forgotten which one it is.) There are some excellent plastic containers that have a handle on top and one on the side. That makes pouring them out so much easier. Another problem with some metal Jerry cans is that they have a seam that sticks out and they won't fit into all Jerry can holders. We have never had that problem with plastic ones. Over-all Plastic is our choice because they are better in every way than metal.

[@TheMusingGreg]

Thanks mate glad your experience are comparable. I've not had any issues with my steel ones, but there are plenty of models out there so I wouldn't be surprised if some had poorly formed or incorrectly sized seams. I've not seen plastic overs with side handles, but I agree that would make filling easier. Cheers as always!

[@DiHandley]

No point in hiding your face Greg @&$#+&#, I know who you are! And unless you pay me $1m in McDonalds vouchers, I will divulge you face to the world. Or, Just give me the thumbs up! 👍😂😂😂😂. Great video Greg. Stay happy and stay safe. 👍😊

[@TheMusingGreg]

Haha! Well maybe you do know me, I don't know! Eek! OK Quarter Pounders coming up! :D It'd sure cut down the editing time if I didn't have to spend so much time hiding my face. Nah it just makes it a bit easier shopping for review products if retailers don't know who I am - I can be sure I'm not getting any special treatment or tricked up products. Glad you enjoyed it mate (whoever you are, you've got me worried now!! :D)

[@Danny-tk3rs]

Hey … here’s a question… Doesn’t plastic have susceptibility to static electricity?

[@TheMusingGreg]

Typically yes because plastic is an insulator. However, some thermoplastics can be modified to provide a range of electrically conductive, anti static or static dissipative properties.

[@adelarsen9776]

My comment : Scepter - Plastic. I bought one of those squat 20 L scepter cans and they are a pain in the arse.

[@TheMusingGreg]

Interesting, what didn't you like about it? It was the right size for one spot for me, and I found the dimensions a bit easier to manoeuvre than the traditional tall skinny ones.

[@adelarsen9776]

@@TheMusingGreg Thank you Greg. I bought one of the squat 20L cans thinking it would have a lower centre of gravity (which it does) but what I discovered is that they are harder to handle in regards to holding the entire can whilst pouring it into a vehicle. The can itself is great and the COG is good too but it's a pain to hold. It could very well be that I am short and muscly and so have a slight handling issue. Let me tell you that the can still works great and I would recommend them over any other brand. I just prefer the regular upright 20L Scepter. This is a firs world issue. The squat cans work fine 🙂 I just like the taller one's better for ease of use in my setting (cattle station SW Qld)

[@TheMusingGreg]

Fair enough, we're all different and I guess that's why it's good there are different choices out there! I'm more tall and thin so I found it easy to get my arms around the squat one.

[@adelarsen9776]

@@TheMusingGreg We use both and they are both good. I just prefer the regular one.

[@cyclemoto8744]

Alll good points. Thanks for the content. Cheers

[@TheMusingGreg]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching mate!

[@davidkelly3779]

Maybe you should have compared new steel cans and spouts? I used to use plastic, then I went to expensive plastic. Still got leakage (failing gaskets/O rings etc) and stink and difficulty with the pour spout, spilling and insecurity with the spout. Then I went high quality steel cans with a high quality spout. No stink, no spill, can empty a 20L can in 30-40sec (this is realistic). Also a good can like Pro-Quip is far more resilient against abuse and vehicle accidents. No way I’m going back to plastic.

[@TheMusingGreg]

Thanks for the comment, it's always good to get someone else's experience. It's possible the new steel cans you've got have a different style of pourer than mine, although mine looks the same as what I've seen in shops so I felt it was a fair comparison. I've not had any of the issues you've mentioned with plastic; as I mentioned the red plastic unit in the video is over 25 years old now and the seals and caps are still all fine. Maybe newer cheaper ones may be different, but my experience has certainly made me prefer plastic.

[@ailo4x4]

Funny enough, I just had a forced experiment in the same exact choice. I just completed a month long expedition in the southern Tunisian Sahara desert. Crossing the Mediterranean on a ferry with jerry cans is problematic as it is the cross Channel ferries to the UK. The ferry companies ban them, ostensibly for safety reasons. So I had my Tunisian cooridinator supply me with two 20L standard metal jerry cans when I arrived. To my shock and horror, when I arrived there were two brand new plastic ones waiting for me. I specifically asked for two old ones as I intended to (and did) leave them with him when I left the country. They were a slighty awkward shape but, dang if they didn't actually work really well and were much lighter to use and store when empty. Everthing your mentioned; dirty spout, weight, cost, etc. is exactly what I experienced. I guess even this old dog can learn a new trick! I'll bring my own brand new plastic ones next time! Geat vid!

[@TheMusingGreg]

Wow thanks for sharing that experience mate, what an amazing expedition! Glad to hear someone else came to similar conclusions! Hope they help you on your next epic journey!

[@nitheshnits4033]

Hy i liked your content bro im planning to buy a metal one for my bike purpose only for look wise

[@TheMusingGreg]

No worries mate glad it was helpful! Hope it works well!

[@wesr228]

I applaud your enthusiasm and experience. For the American Audience, it's not so easy! Wavians with the metal nozzle is the only way.

[@TheMusingGreg]

Thanks mate! Do you not have plastic cans Stateside? We have Wavians here too but plenty of plastic options, which for me seem a better choice in most situations.

[@wesr228]

@@TheMusingGregWe have plastic cans, and they are actually the most common option. My issue with the plastic cans are generally with the nozzles, which our governments have turned into Rube Goldberg devices, which almost need 3 hands to operate when pouring fuel. You have to buy aftermarket spouts in order to pour gasoline easily and sometimes these spouts don't secure that well either and drip when pouring. The plastic cans also don't store gasoline that well, because they're not vented, yet also not strong enough to deal with the expansion, so they will leak at the seams in hot climates. The Wavians here are expensive, like $90 USD, and they come with silly government spouts, which are still better than most of the plastic can options. To get the best spout is about $40 USD more. Now thankfully you don't need a great spout for every can, and a $10 Shaker Siphon works wonders too. So a couple Metal cans that can deal with the expansion of petrol, and pour easily is worth the few extra dollars, because they'll last a life time. Can always get a few plastic cans to have a surge capacity for generators and stuff to help supplement the metal cans. Maybe, and I wouldn't doubt this, but maybe our plastic cans are just more cheaply made than those in other parts of the world.

[@TheMusingGreg]

Oh that's a pest! Are the spouts on your plastic cans not the same as what I showed in the video?

[@timeisahumanconstruct9251]

@@wesr228 The expansion and leaking is the problem with plastic cans. It took me four months before my van stopped smelling of gasoline after my plastic tank ruptured while sitting in the sun.