If you’ve bought a portable gas can at some point in the last two decades, you’ve probably found that it doesn’t necessarily pour as well as older cans from the past. The EPA had a hand in that, but now it’s trying to change things. It’s reaching out to manufacturers to ask them to make better, more usable gas cans that still meet environmental standards.
“Make Gas Cans Great Again by Improving Flow” was the cheery title the agency used to announce this new push. “Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued letters to portable fuel container (PFC) manufacturers encouraging them to add vents to gas cans to ensure safe and effective refueling,” reads the release. “This announcement comes in response to years of complaints about slow, frustrating fuel flow from modern gas cans.”


There is some feeling that the EPA caused this problem with the introduction of various gas can regulations over the years. However, the agency is adamant that gas cans don’t have to suck, and that good flow is still possible if manufacturers step up to the plate.
These ridiculous gas cans with “Safety spouts”…
byu/Pinchaser71 inmildlyinfuriating
Some have taken to modifying their post-2009 gas cans with vent kits to make them flow better.
It all comes down to venting. In 2007, the EPA mandated that manufacturers of fuel containers had to reduce evaporative emissions by ensuring gas vapors weren’t freely vented to the atmosphere. This rule came into effect in 2009. The agency notes that the widespread interpretation from manufacturers was that any sort of venting was banned. Thus, gas cans were made without vents, which made pouring fuel difficult. Without a vent, there is no easy way for air to enter the can to take the place of the fuel flowing out.
Since EPA’s evaporative emissions standards for PFCs went into effect in 2009, we have heard concerns from consumers, retailers, and elected officials about the performance of newer gas cans. One of the most common complaints is about slow fuel flow. Some of these concerns appear to stem from confusion about the intent and scope of EPA’s regulations. In reviewing the range of PFCs on the market today, EPA notes that only a small number include a separate vent to support smooth and fast delivery of fuel. Without a vent, PFCs must self-vent through the spout which we believe may explain consumer complaints related to slow dispensing of fuels from modern gas cans.
We further understand that some manufacturers may inaccurately believe that EPA’s 2009 evaporative emissions standards for PFCs preclude the use of vents. To be clear, EPA’s regulations do not prohibit the inclusion of vents in PFCs. The Agency’s rules explicitly allow vented containers, provided that the vents are designed to automatically close when not in use, without requiring any action from the user. For example, a manufacturer may have a push button operated vent with spring closure that will meet EPA’s evaporative standards and provide active venting to improve fuel flow when dispensing gasoline.


The EPA also notes that other rules have had a further impact on the usability of modern gas cans. It specifically cites a 2008 measure passed by Congress that required gas cans be child-resistant, under the Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Act.
“These child resistance rules led to many of the spring-loaded, hard-to-use nozzles,” stated the EPA. Congress passed a further measure requiring cans to feature measures to prevent flashback ignition, which “further complicated nozzle and spout designs,” according to the agency.
Ultimately, meeting all these requirements and still providing good functionality isn’t easy, and the agency acknowledges that. However, it still believes that the product on the market can be better by incorporating legal venting mechanisms. “We recognize the technical challenges of designing a product that satisfies all applicable standards while remaining user-friendly,” reads the letter to manufacturers. “We believe incorporating vents is a practical step toward enhancing consumer usability.”



Will the EPA’s letter have an impact? It’s entirely possible. One or more gas can manufacturers may be inspired to start fitting their products with compliant vent systems, marketing them for their better flow and ease of use. In the meantime, the market remains flooded with gas cans sporting all sorts of weird and confusing spout systems, some of which probably flow well, and many which don’t. In any case, the EPA isn’t going back on evaporative emissions regulations, so time will tell whether manufacturers will step up and prove better gas cans are possible.
Top graphic image: depositphotos.com
I am all for the idea of reducing gasoline vapor emission, but in practice since the “new” cans were introduced I have spilled way more liquid (and therefore released more vapor) than the prior design. This correction is LONG overdue. I would consider myself environmentally conscious and EVERY time I would end up spilling liquid fuel, I would curse the idiots that create situations like this that they obviously have no real world experience in dealing with the consequences. What an absolute disaster and it took the current terrible political environment for the agency to actually do something about it instead of just admitting to the mistake they created 18 years ago. Does no-one at EPA actually use gas cans? They just figured this out now?
Accidentally increasing emissions through second order effects is something the EPA is great at already
Was going to comment essentially the same thing. I hate seeing clean air and water regs being rolled back, but this actually makes sense.
Maybe RFK Jr. and his friends in the supplement industry can hook them up with a shit ton of Saw Palmetto?
Had to buy a small can for a pressure washer. Hadn’t purchased a gas can in years. I was really disappointed at what I got. I’ll be real happy if it changes though. Until then I’ll probably get one of those kits on Amazon.
The “Genuine NATO” jerry cans are great, but pricey. They don’t leak, and pour reliably.
If I didn’t have Eagle cans already I would be looking hard at those expensive Wavian cans.
I just bought one of the water/Gatorade square-ish jugs that holds about 6 gallons and has a valved spigot and fill my mower from that.
I love how these cans attempt to go full round when filled with fuel from a cool underground tank and then stored in a hot garage.
Anymore, the fuel cans one can get from walmart, rural king, etc.. i just grab a universal replacement spout, ditch the spring loaded one, and add a vent in the back that comes in the kits.
Between mowers, junk cars, generators, and all in between, i end up nearly spilling more fuel than the fumes ever would be released from the old design.
Especially doesnt work well on stuff with a deep recessed filler neck, basically have to float the spout and use a finger to hold the trigger just make it work, and still causes a mess, cause god forbid they make em with longer spouts that would play nice.
The only reasonable solution I’ve found on the market are Eagle gas cans. Sprung cap with a big handle that makes them easy to hold open, and an attached funnel. Works like a champ for me.
I bought one on sale after I got tired of plastic cans. Those Eagle gas cans are amazing. I’m not going back.
I like these metal cans because they don’t turn into balloons in a hot garage. I just wish the funnel was a little longer. When filling cars sometimes the body of the can doesn’t clear the side of the car at all angles.
Yeah, the funnel works for almost everything *except* filling a car. A little bit of clear hose as an extension does the trick, but it’s a bit of a bummer to have to MacGyver a solution for a common use case for a gas can.
That being said, I use mine 99.9% of the time to fill the lawnmower, string trimmer, chain saw, etc., and for that they’re perfect.
Take the funnel off, stick it in the car filler, and pour the gas into the funnel. Works great — but you’re right, that’s just my favorite macgyver’d solution.
Interesting that you picked on the no-spill cans which have a very clever vent system that vents back through the center of the spout. They pour great. Unfortunately, sometime in the last year, they changed the design slightly and it’s damn near impossible to thread the spout on and off so I can’t recommend them anymore. Still use them, and they’re the only cans I’ve used that both never leak and actually pour.
Frankly these stupid cans are responsible for more fumes than regular cans because I spill more with them being forced to use the stupid spouts or by ditching the stupid spouts entirely and trying to pour without the stupid spouts.
Isn’t it amazing?
Let’s redesign the spouts to leak less!
Result: Push so hard against a spring they leak from the can/spout interface all over the ground/your hands/car etc. INCREDIBLE.
Nothing infuriates me more than the current state of gas cans. The fact you have to PUSH against a spring loaded spout hard enough that it disrupts the flange seal on the can so it leaks all over the place is just utterly mind blowingly fucking ***********. I can’t even say that word anymore, but I am seriously doubting the people who created these things have full mental faculty.
Do yourself a favor and spent $9 on this kit on Amazon, and throw all those idiotic spouts into the garbage where they belong.
Only the government could design a spout that spills gas everywhere with the goal of reducing spilling gas. WTF.
Edit: Sorry I know my suggested language is not PC. My heart rate is going up just thinkign about these dumb cans. I am so angry about them lol. But seriously that was probably the single greatest $9-10 I’ve ever spent in my entire life.
Thank you! That kit of parts looks like a great solution to the garbage spouts used on modern gas cans.
https://gasspouts.com/products/value-old-style-gas-can-spout-kit?variant=37900588712119&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_campaign=**LP+Shop+-+Catch+All&utm_term=4577404346654189&utm_contentCatch%2BAll
I’ve got a couple of gas cans that I bought in late 90s or early 00s that still have manual vents on the back. Literally just a hole with a plastic cap that snaps on and off with a tether so it doesn’t get lost. It works great, those plastic cans will swell up like a beachball in summer and collapse like a coke can in the winter so obviously they’re holding the vapors in. The vents are manual though which I guess is the problem the EPA has caused here. I guess I’ll just hold onto these old cans as long as I can if the new ones don’t do this.
I’ve got one of those too but collecting dust since I bought an electric mower. I should sell it on ebay and $profit$
Mine is now for the generator. If we have a storm in the Gulf I’ll fill it up, otherwise it sits in the garage expanding and contracting with the seasons.
I recently purchased a “motorsports utility jug” it was adamant that it was not for gasoline. So naturally I immediately put gasoline in it.
Thank you for naming what those things are called. I see them in the back of pickup trucks and keep meaning to either ask the owner or go searching for them.
It’s easy to blame the regulators (Regulators!), but these situations are due to an industry and manufacturers who don’t take the time to think through the problem analytically and come up with a workable solution. This is similar to the haphazard responses of the US car manufacturers in the 1970’s who slapped all kinds of terrible, energy-wasting bandaids onto engines, while Honda invented CVCC.
THIS
Mount up!
the regs by themselves don’t make crappy gas cans, the manufacturer does. YOU were the one that bought a crappy gas can. if yours is crappy, buy a different one.
Whenever I have purchased a gas can, I needed the gas can that day. I buy them off the shelf, and I don’t think I’ve run into much selection.
I’m usually filling my riding mower that has a large accessible opening for the fuel fill and even the terrible spouts aren’t too much of a problem.
“Make Gas Cans Great Again by Improving Flow”
I’m getting really tired of living under the dumbest administration of all time.
Just 3 more years, right? This IS going to be over with in ’28, right guys? Please don’t tell me otherwise…
Maybe the name is stupid, but the idea? It’s common sense for anyone who has used a modern gascan ever
Insert Simpsons meme “the dumbest administration of all time so far“
As far as things the turnip administration does the stupid name is worth it if they can save us from stupid gas cans.
The new flow designs are so bad that I just take off the same thing and pour it into a funnel. If it spills it spills.
That was always my thought. I never spilled when I could pour with one hand. Spilling all over the engine and ground has to be worse than venting a few vapors.
It is and it’s their fault.
Justrite or GTFO at my house.
I second this. By far the best solution is Justrite. The racing fuel jugs are also pretty good; not sure if they are actually compliant or not though.
No way. The best are Wavian jerry cans. The problem is they no longer come paired with non-Carb compliant spouts, so you’ve got to buy the “good” spouts separately, so spend more money on already expensive items.
I absolutely hate the design of most modern gas cans. The idea that you have to hold up 5 gallons of gas make sure some little tab is on the filler hole of your mower and push down hard enough to push in the spring until the gas pours out and then, at the right moment lift off the weight of the gas can is ridiculous. I spill so much more with that design than the old gas cans. I have switched to the new no-spill push button and that seems to work really well but it does bubble up too much inside my mower tank.
But the problem is the stupid spring-loaded lock, not the venting, so nothing will change. I just jammed the lock open on mine and it works mostly like an old gas can, albeit with a slower flow.
I just remove the damn spring.
Almost all of the new ones get the stopper stuff cut off and then the traffic people end up using a funnel to keep the stupid little capless fill spouts open to take gas at all. It all seems to be fairly poorly thought thru, and the amount that gets spilled in all this is insane. It is almost better to just get a boat tank ball pump with clear hoses to transfer fuel these days. https://a.co/d/71tenn6
What the government has done to gas cans makes me want to build a Killdozer. People complain about low volume shower heads and banned incandescent bulbs, but spill proof gas cans are the pinnacle of short sighted government overreach. Clearly no politician has ever actually used one. Mine leaks so much fuel that I have to walk away from the mower and let all the gas evaporate before starting it.
I have one old can left and they can take it from my cold dead hands.
My guy, the government doesn’t build the gas cans. The industry that makes said gas cans came up with a lousy solution(s) to reasonable standards
Kramer: Hey. Super’s in my bathroom changing my shower head. Have they
changed your shower head?
Jerry: No, he’s doing mine next. They’re low flow you know.
Kramer: Low flow? Well I don’t like the sound of that.
I use Surecans and they are honestly amazing. I did that hack where you add a vent yourself with the old traditional spouts on an older can and holy shit I spilled diesel all over my tractor. I’ll keep my Surecan.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/SureCan-5-Gallon-Gasoline-Type-II-Safety-Can-Red-with-Flexible-Rotating-Spout-SUR5SFG2/321545611
Yes, I use a yellow one for my Diesel.
A cheaper alternative is to get VP racing 5.5 gallon jugs since they are for “racing” they just come with a normal spout. I have two of those I use for diesel for my truck and my tractor.
For 85 dollars ?
Ouch
Well when I bought mine they were $45. Thanks inflation/tariffs.
My fuel jugs don’t vent anything to the atmosphere, unless you count the 25% that leaks out when pouring.
Yeah I was going to mention I love these stupid these were meant to save the environment but all they have led to you is spilling gas over everything because they are terrible designed.
We just use the old jerry cans from the 70s that we still have laying around. Those are super simple to operate.