How to Use a Gas Can Safely for Refueling

The short routine, step by step

Most spills and fires come from rushing or skipping a small step. The routine below works for lawn equipment, generators, dirt bikes and cars. Spout designs differ a little, so check the instructions that came with your can too.

• Use only a can made and labeled for gasoline, and check it for cracks, a damaged spout or a worn seal.
• Move to open air, away from pilot lights, grills, cigarettes and running engines.
• Shut off the engine you are fueling and let a hot engine cool first.
• Set the can on the ground to pour or fill, never on a truck bed liner or a car seat.
• Pour slowly and stop before the tank is full, leaving room for fuel to expand.
• Close the can, put the cap back on the equipment, and wipe off any spilled fuel.
• Move the can and the equipment a few feet apart before you start the engine.

Fill the can the right way

Gas pumps can build up static electricity. A plastic can sitting inside a car, on carpet or on a plastic truck bed liner can hold that charge, and a spark at the nozzle can ignite fumes. Put the can on bare ground before you fill it, and keep the pump nozzle touching the can's opening the whole time.

Do not fill to the brim. Gasoline expands as it warms, so leave some empty space at the top. Fill a can only to the level marked on it, or to roughly 95 percent if there is no mark.

Gasoline is heavy at about 6 lb per gallon. A 5 gallon can adds roughly 30 lb of fuel to the can's own weight, so pick a size you can lift and pour without straining. Our best gas can page lists capacity and empty weight for each model so you can compare.

How a gas can spout works

Newer cans use a spout that stays closed until you press it against something. That design cuts down on vapors and spills, but it feels different from the old open spouts. Many people struggle with it the first time.

Here is how to approach each common type:

• Push-to-pour spouts: Tip the can and press the spout down into the tank opening. The valve opens only while you push. Keep steady pressure and pour slowly.
• Thumb trigger spouts: Hold the spout in the opening, then press the trigger to start the flow. Release it to stop. The Surecan 5 gallon Type II can on our list uses this design with a rotating spout.
• Rotating spouts: Swing the spout down toward the opening so you do not have to tilt the can as far. This helps with tanks that sit low or at an angle.
• Auto shut off spouts: These stop the flow when the receiving tank fills, but do not rely on them alone. Watch the level yourself.
• Vented cans: A self-venting can lets air in as fuel goes out, which gives a smooth flow and fewer splashes. Cans without venting need a separate vent cap loosened slightly.

Putting gas in a car from a can

If you ran out of fuel, park in a safe spot, turn the engine off and set the parking brake. Open the fuel door and cap, then place the can on the ground near the filler neck if you can. If the can has to be held, brace it against the car body.

Insert the spout fully into the filler neck so it seats securely. Some cars have an anti-spill flap behind the opening, and the spout may need extra push to move it aside. Pour slowly, because a fast pour can splash back out.

A flexible spout or a clean funnel helps with awkward openings, but you can pour without a funnel. If there is no funnel, use a can with a rotating spout or a long, narrow spout and pour in short bursts. Check that fuel is going down the neck, not around the edge. Never use a cut-open bottle or a container that is not rated for fuel.

Put the cap back on and close the fuel door before you start the car. Wipe any spill with a rag, and let the fumes clear for a minute or two.

Which can suits the job

The type of can changes how you pour. Type I safety cans have one opening for filling and pouring. Type II cans have separate openings, which gives a steadier pour. Consumer plastic cans focus on light weight and meeting CARB and EPA rules.

The table below uses the specs from our comparison page:

Safety rules to keep in mind

Gasoline fumes are heavier than air and can drift along the ground to a spark. Work outdoors, and keep the can out of the passenger area of a vehicle. Strap it upright in a truck bed or an open area when you transport it, and never leave it in a hot car.

Wear safety glasses when you pour, since splashback can hurt your eyes. Gloves help keep fuel off your skin. If gasoline gets on your clothes, change them before you go near any flame.

Store the can in a shed or garage away from the house, out of the sun and out of reach of children. If a fire starts, do not try to fight a large one. Call emergency services.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use an old gas can with no spill-proof spout?

If the can still seals, has no cracks and has a working cap and vent, it can still hold fuel. Older open spouts splash more, so pour slowly and keep a rag handy. Replace any can with a damaged body or seal.

Why won't the gas come out of my can?

Most often the spout is not pressed in far enough, or the can has no way to let air in. Push the spout in firmly, and on cans with a vent, open it before you pour.

How long can I keep gas in a can?

Gasoline goes stale over time, so use it within a few months or add a fuel stabilizer. Label the can with the fill date so you know how old it is.

Can I mix fuel types in one can?

No. Keep gasoline and diesel in separate, clearly marked cans. Diesel in a gas engine, or the reverse, can cause damage.