Jerry Cans - A History

[FarFire70]

I caught this video in my surfing and thought I would share. It's a very interesting watch and history for how the famous Jerry Can came to be - any why the features all matter.

It's amazing how much detail was put into all the features.

Some good tips to learn about when shopping for one - even today.

 

[Chris]

Back when we used to build quality stuff!

 

[macleanflood]

I'm pretty happy with my Harbor Freight sourced Midwest Can 5 gallon Jerry Can. I believe mine was even made in the USA.

-Mac

 

[chili_pepper]

Been eyeballing these for a few years now. I'm under the impression that the Wavian NATO cans are up to original spec.

 

[StG58]

Been eyeballing these for a few years now. I'm under the impression that the Wavian NATO cans are up to original spec.

View attachment 660267

Except for the nozzle. Get a real nozzle and pitch the californicated one.

 

[chili_pepper]

Except for the nozzle. Get a real nozzle and pitch the californicated one.

I was wondering about that, makes sense now that you mention it. I wasn't aware they'd been fecked with from the original design but seems the nozzle is the only complaint people have.

 

[StG58]

I was wondering about that, makes sense now that you mention it. I wasn't aware they'd been fecked with from the original design but seems the nozzle is the only complaint people have.

They still sell the original nozzles, and it's a good thing. The CARB complient ones suck unbelievably badly. You can, in a pinch gut one and make an acceptable nozzle out of it with a length of plastic tube. Not really worth the hassle though when a real nozzle is available.

Get a couple of spare gaskets, while you're at it. They are cheap insurance. Haven't needed mine in ten years, but you never know. Right?

Oh, the NATO cans are not the same size as US cans. Double check dimensions on any gas can holders.

 

[John Cooper]

Except for the nozzle. Get a real nozzle and pitch the californicated one.

Are you talking about the Donkey Dong?????

 

[MountaineerTom]

I'm pretty happy with my Harbor Freight sourced Midwest Can 5 gallon Jerry Can. I believe mine was even made in the USA.

-Mac

I’ve a couple of those too, and a couple Wavian ones. The HF ones can be made even better with caps and spouts from Ai13.

They have a billet cap and a self venting spout that both work great. You have to pull the white plastic strainer out of the can though to use the self venting spout.

Cap - https://ai13.us/products/coarse-thread-cap

Course Thread Nozzle - https://ai13.us/collections/universal-flex-nozzles/products/coarse-thread-nozzle

Spout Adapter - https://ai13.us/collections/frontpage/products/spout-adapter

 

[Dan The Video Man]

Are you talking about the Donkey Dong?????

We called it the Donkey D*ck.

 

[B1Toad]

Back when we used to build quality stuff!

Except when we didn't. You need to watch the entire video to know what I mean by that. This video is very relevant to a recent thread we had on cheap knockoffs. The Germans kicked our ass on this one.

 

[tworley]

18:46 comment; very true. The devil is in the details.

 

[StG58]

I have one of these for the Stihl. Works great. 10 litre. Need to get one in yellow for kerosene for the Britelytes...

I have a pair of these and accessories that fit perfectly into a tall 20mm can.

 

[Chris]

View attachment 660350
I have one of these for the Stihl. Works great. 10 litre. Need to get one in yellow for kerosene for the Britelytes...

I have a pair of these and accessories that fit perfectly into a tall 20mm can.
View attachment 660352

Why kerosene if you don't mind me asking? If SHTF, is that something that would be readily available? Or just something you stock up on?

Just curious!

 

[StG58]

Kerosene because it is cheap, easy and readily available right now.

They burn almost anything liquid, from alcohol to JP5, oil, Lacquer thinner...pretty much anything. Oh, and they are based on another German design. BTW...

 

[ColoJeep]

Kerosene because it is cheap, easy and readily available right now.

They burn almost anything liquid, from alcohol to JP5, oil, Lacquer thinner...pretty much anything. Oh, and they are based on another German design. BTW...

I would love to see one running on oil.

 

[StG58]

I would love to see one running on oil.

The Britelyt folks have a pdf of all the fuels that are approved and tested. Mix motor oil 50/50 with a volatile like mineral spirits or gasoline, pour it in, pre-heat, and fire it off. You'll spend days cleaning and rebuilding one if you use used motor oil. There's a big difference between "you can" and "you should". Like "you can" run one on straight diesel, but "you should" cut the diesel with 10 - 15% gasoline for best results and minimum problems. "You can" run one on everclear / moonshine, but "you should" run it on old scrap gasoline and drink the moonshine.

 

[BlueC]

Kerosene because it is cheap

Cheap?? Around here gas is $2.50, diesel is $3.50, and if you can find kerosene its $7.50.

 

[BlueC]

Been eyeballing these for a few years now. I'm under the impression that the Wavian NATO cans are up to original spec.

I have one of those and a few NATO cans from the '50s. If you go looking, just know the old cans will not accept the new spouts, but the new cans will take the old spout. Also, the really old WWII era cans have screw-in spouts that are hard to find.

 

[StG58]

Cheap?? Around here gas is $2.50, diesel is $3.50, and if you can find kerosene its $7.50.

Gas is just shy of $4 a gallon, diesel is just over $5 a gallon, and bulk Kerosene is between the two at the farm store.