Printed Gas Can Accessories Make Refueling A Little Neater

No matter what your position is on internal combustion engines, it’s pretty safe to assume everyone is on the same page regarding wasting fossil fuels: it’s a bad thing. And nothing is as frustrating as spilling even a drop of the precious stuff before you even get a chance to burn it.

Unfortunately, the design of gas cans, at least here in North America, seems to have been optimized for fuel spillage. Not willing to settle for that, [avishekcode] came up with a 3D-printable replacement nozzle that should make dispensing gas a bit neater. It’s designed to fit one of the more popular brands of gasoline jugs available here in the States, and rather than the complicated stock nozzle, which includes a spring-operated interlock that has to be physically forced into a filler neck to open the valve, the replacement is just a slender tube with a built-in air vent. The vent keeps a vacuum from forming in the gas can and makes for a smooth, easy-to-control flow of gas and less spillage. The video below shows it in action.

The obvious issue here is chemical compatibility, since gasoline doesn’t work and play well with all plastics. [avishekcode] reports that both PLA and PETG versions of the nozzle have performed well for up to two years before cracking enough to need replacement. And then, of course, the solution is just to print another one. There may be legal issues, too — some localities have ordinances regarding gasoline storage and dispensing, so it’s best to check before you print.

Of course, one way to avoid the problems associated with storing and dispensing gasoline is to convert to electric power tools and vehicles. But as we’ve seen, that presents other problems.

[via r/functionalprint]

44 thoughts on “Printed Gas Can Accessories Make Refueling A Little Neater

  1. Wow there bud, speak for yourselves in the United States, we have no issues of the kind in Canada, where a lot of these cans are made (Scepter). We have no legislation governing the pouring apparatus on our cana up North, no time to fuss with that at -40C!

    I wonder if Nylon wouldn’t be a better choice to deal with Gasoline, Diesel
    and/or 50:1 mix?

    1. I’d say if the wall thickness is thick enough tpu is the way to go, it’s inert to most chemicals, layer to layer adhesion is as strong as all other directions, it’ll be almost indestructible. Nylon is still brittle, especially at low temperatures.

    2. The EPA demands we use these wasteful and dangerous cans, with these complicated locking spouts you spill just as much gas as you put into the tank, all over the hot engine, your hands, clothes, shoes. Something about vapors or “child” safety.

    1. Amen.

      The stupid-spill-gasoline-all-over-the-hot-lawnmower nozzles are a (crappy) technological attempt to accomplish something that can’t compare with an hour of parental instruction and supervision.

      There’s a legislative philosophy going on here that I’ve seen many times. Take a problem, real or imagined. Institute a good-sounding but unworkable solution that makes the situation worse and frustrates a lot of people. Use the frustration as an excuse to implement a ban. (Require a product that you’re insider trading on is optional.)

  2. The usa decided to make gas cans stupid and put “safety valves” for less spilling. As usually works out in this case you spill twice as much because the filler spout needs to be pushed in to release the fuel. Works great if the fill neck of the tank is flat and level. But not so much if its at any kind of angle. I have an Eagle brand gas can made in the 50’s or 60′ s and a plastic can made in the 90′ s that I won’t give up until they pry them from my cold dead hands!!!!!

    1. Search for “EZ-POUR Replacement Spout” and you can undo the legislative dumbness.
      If you live in certain nanny states, you will receive a “water spout” that functions exactly the same, just different color and packaging.

  3. The regulations on gas canister lids are likely not the same in every US state. I’m pretty sure that California requires gas canisters not vent fumes, to reduce the amount of unburnt hydrocarbons released into the atmosphere.

    Granted, it’s more than made up for by the amount of spilled gas that ends up evaporating. It may be worse, but at least it’s compliant.

    1. Sheesh, I wonder what CA would think about washing grease off the hands with a little gas as we used to do, and toss the gas?

      The plastic can we use is simple (for lawn mower, etc.) , the spout is turned around when stored. To use, you unscrew the lid and turn the spout around and screw the lid back down over the spout. Crack open the cap on the back of can to let some air in and ready to pour. Reverse to store. Nothing fancy. KISS principle at work.

    2. agree. its in NY too, no seperate vent caps allowed to prevent the fumes from escaping until you twist and pull the easily breakable spout to vent the now rounded high pressure fumes before pouring, or you can just tip it up and watch it blast everywhere within a couple feet. always smelled of someone getting a cash kickback for the mandate to me. no way less gas is spilled from them!

      1. Or end up with the spring assembly in your lawn mower tank from the poor design; plus the added gas everywhere because the tank mouth isn’t strong enough to resist the spring force needed to open the “safety” valve………
        All solved with the “water” spouts

    1. The only way they prevent spills is if you tip over an old can, the little cap may come off and fuel may come out.

      They do nothing to prevent spilling while pouring.

  4. I have a John Deere weed eater (2-stroke engine).
    It is missing the gas cap. A replacement cap is over $30!
    It is an odd diameter and screw thread, so the replacement caps that are commonly sold (<$10) do not fit it.

  5. I didnt like having to balance on top of any of my gear with
    a 5 gallon jug that would take forever to empty,so I drilled
    out the vent to a much bigger size,the cap still goes on,but
    it dumps the fuel fast,trick is to pour to the side of the funnel and make it swirl,fast,extra fast

  6. For anyone in the US, check out your local Tractor Supply store – I saw an “old school” gas can for the first time in years the other day. Agricultural vs residential perhaps?

    The unusable filler spouts were a two parter and FEDERAL – spillage and evaporative. No more vents, and positive engagement required for dispensing.

    I live in redneck territory for a lot of reasons – yard sales / flea markets are a perk. Not a fan of the rampant use of oil in any way – but, baby steps. Nothing wrong with internal combustion – not saying we’re doing it right, but this shits right up there with corn-ethanol – whole lot more ways to do it that would not be actively detrimental, let alone potentially better overall.

    1. I tried to order a can on Amazon but the order was cancelled because they refused to send it to California. We have extra rules that make it harder to get anything normal. I can’t get smoke alarms that take alkaline batteries either, I have to buy disposable smoke alarms. (10 year battery – but I already replaced one and I’ve only lived here for 4 years)

  7. Blitz made the best plastic gas can. You unscrew the cap and reverse the built in funnel. Empty it then reverse the process. NO SPILLED fuel ..then the got sued because some jackass dumped fuel on a bonfire and burned his super beautiful wife and blitz closed their doors. Now on California we have non vented caps. They collapse when cold and puff up and spew out fuel when warm. I have to ‘blow” them back up with my air hose and shop towel.

  8. Hallaylulia! Somebody has finally tackeled this enormous elusive engineering problem. Gigantic groups of Sacramento polititions have spent billions of dollars trying to tell professional engineers how to make a gas can. It hasn’t gone well. All of the gas cans I can buy here have this totally lame fuel delivery valve, with a spout that is way too short. I havn’t seen a can design yet that will allow you to put some gas into an automobile without spilling gas all over the place. Their all totally lame designs that look like they were done by 4 year olds. NOW WE CAN ALL PRINT OUT OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL GAS CAN DESIGNS, AND MAKE IT WORK A WHOLE LOT BETTER! Moral of the story. Don’t let polititions do any engineering. There just not good at it. May the best gas can design be featured here. We all want to know in California.

    1. Now apply your *politician* rule to everything, and you’ll finally understand what’s wrong with government, especially in places like California. I’ll break it down, succinctly:

      Pointless and needless over-regulation, done by career hacks, in order to secure extra revenue streams… almost always to our detriment. It’s not just fuel cans… it’s everything… and it keeps growing.

  9. Buy a twelve dollar pump from harbor freight (uses two “D” cells), never have to tip or even lift the gas can again.
    Take the cap off, insert the pump, put the pump’s hose into your lawnmower or whatever tank, press the button on the pump.

  10. My Gas can is well designed and durable…the can I use for diesel has the absolute worst nozzle ever conceived. I don’t spill as much as get the damned stuff all over myself and clothing while trying to hoist the heavy container up to the tractor tank for refuel.

    https://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Can-MWC5600-Shutoff-Gasoline/dp/B001H1GQ7M

    It’s like this one. If anyone knows of an alternative that isn’t so spring loadedy safe, lemme know. I’ll happily replace this one.

  11. i mowed my tiny tenth-acre lawn for only one season, and only used maybe two tanks of gas in that time. so i just walked my mower down to the corner gas station and filled it direct from the pump :)

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