For years I have had a 5 gallon diesel container (yellow) and when I needed more than 5 gallons I had 2 blue kerosene containers I would use. Cannot get the blue ones filled anymore. Plus my yellow container was vented, the blue not vented and takes at least 3 times as long to empty. So I decided I would pick up a second diesel container. Looks like I am at least 5 years too late. Direct vented containers are no longer allowed.
I tried 3 places today and was totally dissatisfied in the entire setups. All 3 sold containers (3 different brands) that lack the second handle on the side away from the nozzle. That is the only possible way to safely hold a container until it is empty without a wrist breaking grip. One store did show me how to disable the pain in the butt twist, push, pour and hope it does not pop back feature. Internet search shows Lowes has Blitz containers (same as my old one) with 2 handles but no direct vent. Tomorrow I will get a look at it to see if I want to hinder my use with it's odd trigger spout.
This post is in a way a big thank you to CARB (California Air Resources Board) for further complicating my life.
Paul in PA
"This post is in a way a big thank you to CARB (California Air Resources Board) for further complicating my life."
You are so welcome!
Happy we could help.
Don
Paul,
I feel your pain. I absolutley hate these new gas/diesel containers. The new nozzels are so difficult to use. It is a shame that people with no common sense have to have accidents and make things that have worked for many, many years, more difficult to use because they can't excerise common sense.
I had one that was not vented, and I took a drill, and drilled a small vent hole. It helped with the slow drain.
Another drawback to these new cans, is that with them not being vented, they like to collapse on themselves due to the change in pressure. Very Frusrtating!
So much now a days is not built the way that I like that I actually buy a lot of stuff at estate sales not because I am a cheapskate but because I want furniture that is not built out of particle board etc.
The garages are often a gem overlooked by the estate sale regulars, the exception being ones with a lot of wood working equipment or other high dollar tools.
http://www.estatesales.net/ is a cool site, kind of interesting to check out other cities also, if you wanted to get some autoshop tools Detroit would be a good place for example.
Can you repaint the blue ones?
I picked up a new fuel container for Nancy's kids when they ran out of gas the other day. Took me 10 minutes to figure out how to get the gas to come out. You have to hold, turn and push a contraption before it will allow the gas to come out.
I'm not against them, per se, if they help our environment but it should have come with a DVD rom and video to show me how to use them.
And heaven forbid someone tries the old garden hose siphon trick any more.
Not to hijack, but my brother tought me everything I needed to know, except when the gas starts flowing, DON'T SWALLOW THE GAS! Last time I ever siphoned gas, and I think my life is better for it. LOL
my uncle always refered to a siphon hose as an "Oklahoma credit card"....:-)
I have a 2 gallon gas can I bought this year.
You pull the switch, put the spout in the mower gas tank and push. Not too difficult.
I kind of like it, less gas spillage. When the tank is full, release the lever and it stops flowing.
I hear a lot of whining about air regulations but personally I would rather have better air, especially here in the valley were we get a temperature inversion every winter.
On the cold, still, foggy days the local air quality district usually prohibits burning wood. I would like to have a fire but on the other hand I would rather not have a lot of particulates in the air that can't get out because of the inversion.
Sorry WRQUINN, But They Have To Be Approved And Yellow
There are now signs on the fuel pumps. And in Jersey where fuel is cheaper you do not pump yourself.
Paul in PA
Dave My Biggest Complaint Is Lack Of A Second Handle
You cannot hold a 5 gallon container by a top handle and pour. No real problem with triggers but the weight of the 5 gallons usually pins it against the receiving tank because you cannot hold it properly. The internal venting also blocks some of the discharge, slowing it down.
Larger tanks on vehicles larger than lawn mowers are not located conveniently low either.
Paul in PA
See if any of these meet your needs:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/search/eSearch.aspx?SearchTerms=fuel%20cans&eMode=
Dave My Biggest Complaint Is Lack Of A Second Handle
Check out the Eagle brand of metal fuel cans.
I don't like it as well as the old style with the hose and stopper with the vent cap on the rear of the can but it is way better than any of the plastic cans I've seen. No rear handle, but I've always found that the lip at the bottom of the can works well as a handle to tip the rear of the can upwards.
They make CARB approved cans also but I haven't used one of these yet.
The trick to siphoning is to use a clear hose.
Another way is to wrap a rag around the hose at the neck of the tank or gas can you are siphoning from. Take a deep breath and blow into the hose/tank while holding pressure on the rag. When you quit blowing, the air pressure in the tank will force gas back out the hose starting the flow.
James
Sorry WRQUINN, But They Have To Be Approved And Yellow
That sounds like California vs Oregon where it is cheaper and they pump it for you.
and the California summer formula results in worse gas mileage. You would think burning more would put more in the air but California regulators must think that is offset by less smog from the summer formula.
You could always get one like I have for my truck.
http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4564537493818584&pid=1.7&w=217&h=135&c=7&rs=1
Works for me.
B-)
Lowes Was A Bust
They now have diesel containers from a different manufacturer, same item number. Their gas containers are still made by Blitz.
Paul in PA
Glad I wasn't drinking beer when I read that! I am going to remember that one!
And watever happened to 6 gal gans? There is still a lot of boats out there that have portable tanks.
