A jerry can offers a practical way to store extra fuel for emergencies, travel, or equipment use. However, poor handling or storage habits can turn a simple task into a costly problem. Knowing what mistakes to avoid keeps fuel safe, prevents contamination, and protects both engines and the environment.
Many people overlook small details such as the color of the can, how long the fuel sits, or how tightly the cap is sealed. These small errors can cause leaks, evaporation, or even fuel separation over time. By understanding the right methods for using and maintaining a jerry can, anyone can keep fuel clean and equipment ready when it is needed most.
Using the wrong jerry can color, leading to fuel contamination
Fuel cans use color codes to help people separate different types of fuel. Red usually means gasoline, yellow means diesel, and blue often means kerosene. Mixing them causes confusion that can lead to the wrong fuel entering an engine.
Label mistakes or worn paint make the problem worse. Workers or drivers may grab the wrong can, which can cause fuel contamination or engine damage. To prevent this, they should always check both the color and label before filling or refueling.
A properly marked jerry can fuel tank helps keep gasoline and diesel separate. Storing them apart also reduces the chance of mixing. This habit keeps vehicles running smoothly and reduces repair costs.
Even simple choices, such as keeping red cans dry and tightly sealed, protect the fuel from moisture and rust. Small steps like these make a big difference in safe fuel handling.
Storing fuel for too long causes oxidation and ethanol separation
Fuel left sitting for months begins to change on a chemical level. Exposure to air allows the gasoline’s hydrocarbons to react with oxygen, which leads to oxidation. As a result, gum and varnish form, clogging filters or injectors and lowering engine performance.
Ethanol-blended fuel adds another problem. Ethanol absorbs water from the air and eventually separates from the gasoline. This phase separation leaves a layer of water and ethanol at the bottom of the container, which can cause rust or poor combustion once used.
Temperature shifts and unsealed containers speed up this process. To minimize damage, fuel should be stored in a clean, tightly closed jerry can in a cool, dry place for only a few months. Using a stabilizer may also slow oxidation, but no additive can stop it forever. Regular rotation of stored fuel keeps it fresh and prevents these breakdown issues.
Not sealing the cap properly is causing leaks and evaporation
A loose or damaged fuel cap can cause gasoline to leak or evaporate. This problem often leads to a strong fuel smell and wasted fuel. It can also trigger warning lights on the dashboard in vehicles equipped with sensors.
A jerry can or fuel tank must maintain an airtight seal to prevent vapors from escaping. Even a small gap in the seal can allow fuel to evaporate, reducing both efficiency and safety. In addition, fuel vapors contribute to air pollution and can create fire hazards near open flames.
To avoid these issues, the cap should fit firmly and close with a tight click. Dirt or worn rubber seals often cause poor closure, so regular inspection helps identify problems early. If the cap shows cracks or wear, replacement is a simple and low-cost fix that maintains safe storage and reduces waste.
Refilling without a funnel or spout leads to spills
Many people try to pour fuel straight from a jerry can into a tank without a funnel or spout. This often causes messy spills that waste fuel and can damage paint. Gas residue left on the surface may also create strong odors inside a vehicle.
A funnel or spout provides steady control of fuel flow. Without it, the heavy weight and awkward shape of the can make it hard to aim accurately. Even a small tilt error can send fuel running down the side of the car.
Spilled fuel also poses a safety risk. It can ignite if exposed to heat or sparks nearby. To avoid this, people should pour slowly, stop often to check levels, and keep a clean cloth ready to wipe stray drops.
Those who regularly transfer fuel should consider carrying a small, flexible funnel. It takes little space, fits most caps, and prevents most spills during refills.
Mixing gasoline and diesel cans without clear labeling
Confusing gasoline and diesel containers often leads to engine trouble and wasted fuel. Each fuel type has different properties, so mixing them can cause poor performance, clogging, or damage. Clear labeling avoids this problem and helps anyone identify the right can at a glance.
A simple mistake, like using a gas can for diesel, may contaminate an engine or piece of equipment. If someone later uses that same can for gasoline, the remaining diesel residue can mix in and create unsafe conditions. Preventing this error only takes a marker and a label placed where it is easy to read.
Safe storage also depends on using approved containers in good condition. Containers should match the fuel inside, such as red for gasoline and yellow for diesel. This practice supports both safety and convenience, especially in busy garages or worksites where multiple fuels are present.
Conclusion
Safe fuel storage depends on small details that many people overlook. A jerry can may seem simple, yet using it correctly prevents leaks, contamination, and waste. Each mistake avoided helps the container last longer and keeps fuel in better condition.
People who handle fuel should always inspect their containers before filling. Tight seals, stable placement, and proper labeling reduce hazards. Exposure to heat or sunlight causes pressure changes, so shaded and ventilated areas work best for storage.
Fuel does not stay fresh forever. Therefore, rotating older fuel and using it first prevents engine issues. Anyone who follows these careful steps keeps their equipment safe and ready for use.
