Whether you are out and about, at the campsite or workshop, or trying to get your lawn looking tidy over the weekend, running out of fuel can be frustrating. You can’t simply fill up an old soda bottle to store fuel because most plastic bottles and containers are made from Polyethylene terephthalate or PET. Petrol and other fuels can break down this plastic over time, and cause leaks or degrade the fuel. Because fuels are volatile fluids, you’ll need a purpose made storage container, so invest in the appropriate fuel and fluid containers for your needs.

Why are fuel cans called "jerry cans"?

In World War 2, both the allied forces and the axis troops were issued fuel containers however the Germans’ “Wehrmacht-Einheitskanister” was quite a bit better than anything the allies had. As a result the Commonwealth troops had a habit of acquiring and using the German cans, and because the British called the Germans “Jerries” they therefore referred to the stolen cans as “jerry cans”. Amusingly, it is the official name given to standardised rectangular fuel containers in both US and European regulations.

What colour jerry can should I use for each fuel?

There are a few variations, but the main colour-coding for fuel containers in Australia and New Zealand is as follows:

• Red - Petrol
• Yellow - Diesel
• Blue - Kerosene
• Green - 2-stroke Petrol
• Light Blue - Water

Are metal or plastic gas cans better?

Unless you are storing large quantities of fuel, plastic containers offer all of the same functionality of metal containers. They are generally more resistant to puncture, and will flex more as external temperatures fluctuate. Over long periods of time it is possible for fuel to leech into plastic containers, whereas there is the chance that metal containers will rust - particularly if exposed to moisture. Either choice is fine, and generally speaking, plastic containers are a little easier to handle, and offer more choices when it comes to size and shape, but don’t stack as neatly (or look as cool on the back of your Jeep.)

How long can you store fuel for?

If it were stored in a perfectly sterile stainless steel container, stirred regularly, and kept free of any oxygen, then it’s likely that you could store petrol for many years. Unfortunately most of us don’t have access to industrial-grade petroleum storage facilities, and so the humble plastic jerry can is our only option. Petroleum stored in a jerry can will stay fresh and usable for around 3-6 months as long as it’s kept in a cool and dry environment. If you need to store it for longer, then look into using a fuel stabiliser additive - which can extend the storage life of your petrol up to about a year. Diesel will generally last longer than petrol before it goes stale and if you use a proper diesel biocide and stabiliser, you can store it for at least a year. Two-stroke petrol usually can’t be stored for much longer than a month or two before it begins to separate and lose potency.