You’re cruising down the highway on a cross-country road trip and your engine sputters. You haven’t looked at the fuel gauge in the last hour or two and gas stations are scarce. Or maybe you miscalculated how much fuel you’d need to traverse uneven terrain deep in the backcountry. You pull to the side of the freeway—or the dirt track—and nurse fumes until you make it to the nearest exit or shady coverage. This would be the right occasion to have a gas can stashed in the trunk or cargo bay. You do have a gas can in the back, right?
If you own or operate any gas-powered machinery, a gas can is a critical piece of equipment for continued operation anywhere not immediately adjacent to a gas pump. Gas cans can also be used to store the fuel for generators used during power outages or in the event of a natural disaster. Because a gas canister is a universal tool that can be used in myriad situations, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Before purchasing a gas canister, evaluate the specific needs it will serve, which will help inform what type you’ll need. They come in different sizes (1 or 5 gallons), shapes (tall or short) and materials (plastic or metal). Once these distinctions are made, it will be easier to shop for the gas can that will best serve your specific needs.
To find the best gas cans, we reviewed the most widely available and evaluated them based on size, specialty application, quality of material and usability. All cans were highly rated for safety. Additionally, it is crucial to evaluate the gas can for its safety features. A new bill passed in 2020 requires new gas canisters to include flame mitigation devices to help manage the risk of fire and explosion.
- Specs: Description: 5 Gallon Fuel Can, Push button control, Auto flow stop, Fastest flow rate in the industry, Large neck opening with wide, stable design, Extra handle in back for heavy lifting, Professional quality, Made in the USA, EPA, California, and CPSC compliant, Sold individually, 15" HT x 10" W x 15" D
- Replaces OEM Numbers: No-Spill: 1450, Stihl: NOSPILLCAN 5.0, Toro: 127-3202
- Stens branded parts are trusted by professional dealers to perform OEM quality repairs. The Stens name is featured on all Genuine Stens product packaging.
- Spill Proof Spout
- Two Handles
- Durable HDPE Plastic
- 5+ Gal of volume is perfect for medium to large size gas powered equipment
- Control flow with simple press button
- Spill control with included spout extension
- Fit Type: Universal Fit
- This product adds a great value
- Product is highly durable and very easy to use
- This product is manufactured in the USA
- Excellent for storage & transport of water, automotive & industrial fluid, deer corn, milo & oats, feed pellets, bird seed, rock salt, oil & liquid absorbents
- VERSATILE 5 GALLON JUG: VP Racing 5-Gallon capacity motorsport utility jug. Not a portable fuel container as described by ASTM, EPA, ARB and other official agencies.
- CONSTRUCTED of virgin high-density polyethylene that undergoes a 15-point quality test to ensure it can tolerate the roughest treatment. Contains 30% more material than standard containers
- Thumb button control for precise pouring
- 7/8-inch funnel spout fills even the smallest equipment
- Attached dust cover keeps your spout clean
- 14 gallon portable fuel container
- Molded from durable, high-density polyethylene
- Siphon based pump System. Hand pump allows you to eliminate spillage and overfills by stopping and restarting the flow of fuel when needed
- High quality fuel dispensing machine
- The only gas can that dispense fuel from the bottom of the can
- The length of the Rotating and Bendable Spout makes SureCan the only can you can fill without spillage
- Durable HDPE
- Virtually eliminates hydrocarbon emissions
- Exceeds California Air Resource Board (CARB) and EPA requirements for portable fuel containers
METHODOLOGY
In order to determine the best gas can for your needs, we considered the products most accessible to the widest swath of consumers in the U.S. by evaluating performance, price and value. We also considered a broad range of end-user ratings and evaluations by multiple testers.
Forbes Wheels evaluated ten of the most widely available gas can on the market to find the best five. Gas cans were reviewed on size, specialty application, quality of material and usability. All cans were highly rated for safety.