Plastic Petrol Cans

About Plastic Petrol Cans

Plastic petrol cans provide essential fuel storage and transportation solutions for tradespeople, groundskeepers, and DIY enthusiasts who rely on petrol-powered equipment. These lightweight yet durable containers are manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), offering a practical alternative to traditional metal jerry cans whilst meeting stringent UK and European safety standards for handling flammable liquids. Modern plastic fuel cans resist corrosion and rust, making them ideal for long-term storage in various environments from construction sites to garden sheds.

The plastic petrol cans available at Tooled-Up.com feature integrated safety mechanisms including secure screw-lock caps, flexible pouring spouts, and anti-glug technology that ensures smooth, controlled fuel transfer without spillage. Many models incorporate transparent viewing strips or clear capacity markings moulded into the container, allowing users to monitor fuel levels at a glance. Available in multiple capacities ranging from compact 5-litre options perfect for occasional garden machinery use to larger 10-litre and 20-litre containers suited to professional applications, these cans balance portability with practical fuel storage needs.

Trusted brands like Sealey and Handy manufacture professional-grade plastic petrol cans that comply with UN approval standards for transporting dangerous goods. Colour-coded options help differentiate between fuel types—typically red for petrol and black for diesel—reducing the risk of accidentally using the wrong fuel in equipment. Ergonomic carrying handles, stable base designs, and reinforced construction ensure these containers can withstand the demands of daily site work whilst maintaining the integrity required for safe fuel storage and transportation.

Jargon Buster

• HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): A robust plastic material specifically engineered for fuel containers due to its resistance to chemical corrosion, impact damage, and permeation. HDPE won't rust like metal cans and maintains its structural integrity when exposed to petroleum products over extended periods.
• Anti-Glug Technology: An internal venting system or specially designed spout configuration that allows air to enter the container whilst fuel pours out, preventing the glugging effect that causes erratic flow, splashing, and spillage during refuelling operations.
• UN Approved: Certification indicating the container has passed rigorous United Nations testing protocols for transporting dangerous goods. UN approved fuel cans meet international standards for strength, durability, leak prevention, and safe handling of flammable liquids.
• Flexible Spout: An extended, bendable pouring tube that reaches awkward filling points on machinery such as chainsaws, generators, and strimmers, enabling precise fuel delivery without requiring separate funnels and reducing the risk of overfilling or spillage.
• Safety Screw-Lock Cap: A threaded closure system designed to create an airtight seal, preventing fuel evaporation, vapour escape, and accidental spillage during storage or transportation whilst remaining easy to open when refuelling is required.
• Viewing Strip: A transparent section moulded into the side of the container that allows users to see the fuel level inside without opening the cap, helping with quantity management and preventing running out of fuel mid-task.

Who Uses Plastic Petrol Cans?

• Landscape Gardeners & Groundskeepers: Essential for refuelling lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and other petrol-powered garden equipment throughout working days on residential and commercial properties.
• Construction Workers & Site Managers: Required for powering generators, concrete mixers, cut-off saws, plate compactors, and portable equipment on building sites without mains electricity or convenient access to fuel stations.
• Agricultural Workers & Farmers: Critical for maintaining tractors, quad bikes, irrigation pumps, and agricultural machinery across extensive rural properties where fuel station access is limited or impractical during busy seasons.
• Tree Surgeons & Arborists: Necessary for keeping chainsaws, wood chippers, and climbing equipment fuelled during remote forestry work or elevated operations where regular refuelling trips would disrupt productivity.
• DIY Enthusiasts & Homeowners: Convenient for storing fuel supplies for domestic lawnmowers, pressure washers, garden cultivators, and maintaining emergency reserves for vehicles and garden machinery.
• Vehicle Recovery Professionals: Carrying emergency fuel supplies to assist stranded motorists, provide temporary refuelling for recovered vehicles, or power recovery equipment in remote locations.
• Marine & Leisure Users: Boaters, jet ski operators, and outdoor enthusiasts requiring portable fuel storage for outboard motors, personal watercraft, and recreational vehicles during extended trips.

How to Choose the Right Plastic Petrol Cans

Capacity Considerations: Select container size based on your typical fuel requirements and usage frequency. Compact 5-litre cans suit occasional garden equipment use and are easier to store in limited spaces, whilst 10-litre options provide a practical balance between capacity and portability for regular users. Professional tradespeople working full days often prefer larger 20-litre containers to minimise refuelling interruptions, though remember that petrol weighs approximately 0.75kg per litre, making full large-capacity cans quite heavy to carry.

Safety Standards & Compliance: Always choose UN approved containers that comply with UK regulations for storing and transporting flammable liquids. Verify that plastic petrol cans meet relevant British and European standards, ensuring the HDPE construction can withstand prolonged exposure to petroleum products without degradation, permeation, or structural weakness. The selection at Tooled-Up includes containers from manufacturers like Sealey and Handy that adhere to these critical safety requirements.

Pouring Features & Usability: Evaluate the spout design based on your equipment's filling point accessibility. Flexible spouts bend to reach awkward locations on machinery, whilst fixed spouts offer durability for straightforward refuelling tasks. Anti-glug technology significantly improves pouring control, reducing waste and spillage—particularly valuable when working with expensive fuel or refuelling equipment with small tank openings like chainsaws and strimmers.

Construction Quality: Inspect reinforced handle designs that can comfortably support the full weight of the container when filled, stable base configurations that prevent tipping during storage and transportation, and robust screw-lock caps with reliable sealing properties. Quality HDPE construction should feel solid without excessive flexibility that might indicate thin walls prone to puncture or degradation.

Storage & Transport Requirements: Consider overall dimensions if transporting fuel cans in vehicle boots or storing them in compact spaces like garden sheds or site storage units. Viewing strips or transparent sections help monitor fuel levels without opening containers, whilst colour-coded designs (red for petrol, black for diesel) prevent costly fuelling mistakes. Always follow HSE guidelines regarding maximum storage quantities and ventilation requirements for your specific circumstances.

Popular Accessories

• Fuel Funnels: Wide-mouth funnels with fine mesh filters that prevent debris contamination whilst transferring fuel into equipment with small or recessed filling points, reducing spillage and protecting engine components.
• Spout Extensions: Flexible or rigid extension tubes that attach to standard spouts, providing additional reach for difficult access points on generators, compressors, and other machinery with awkwardly positioned fuel tanks.
• Fuel Stabilisers: Chemical additives that prevent petrol degradation during extended storage periods, particularly beneficial for seasonal equipment like lawnmowers stored over winter months or backup generators used infrequently.
• Two-Stroke Mixing Bottles: Graduated measuring bottles for accurately mixing oil and petrol at the correct ratios required by chainsaws, strimmers, hedge trimmers, and other two-stroke engines.
• Secure Storage Cabinets: Lockable metal cabinets specifically designed for compliant storage of flammable liquids, meeting workplace safety requirements whilst protecting against theft and unauthorised access on construction sites.
• Spill Containment Trays: Positioned beneath fuel cans during storage to catch minor leaks or spills, protecting workshop floors and ensuring COSHH compliance in professional environments.
• Fuel Transfer Pumps: Hand-operated or battery-powered pumps for transferring fuel between containers or directly into equipment tanks with precision and minimal physical effort.

Safety Information

Storage Requirements: Store plastic petrol cans in well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources, heat, and direct sunlight. UV exposure gradually degrades plastic containers, whilst excessive heat increases vapour pressure inside, potentially compromising seal integrity. Follow HSE guidelines regarding maximum storage quantities—typically 30 litres for domestic premises and 50 litres for workplace environments without additional safety precautions. Never store fuel cans in living areas, near electrical equipment, or in unventilated spaces where vapours might accumulate.

Transportation Safety: When transporting fuel cans in vehicles, secure them upright in boots or load areas with adequate ventilation—never inside passenger compartments. Ensure screw-lock caps are tightly fastened before travel to prevent spillage during movement. UK law prohibits carrying petrol in containers not specifically designed and approved for that purpose, so always use proper fuel cans rather than improvised containers.

Handling Precautions: Always refuel equipment outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces to prevent dangerous accumulation of flammable vapours. Allow hot engines to cool for several minutes before refuelling to minimise fire risk. Keep fuel cans away from children and ensure caps are securely fastened immediately after use to prevent evaporation and accidental spillage. Avoid smoking or creating sparks near fuel containers, and clean up any spills immediately using appropriate absorbent materials.

Environmental Considerations: Never dispose of old or contaminated fuel down drains, into soil, or water courses. Contact your local council to locate approved hazardous waste disposal facilities for proper fuel disposal. Clean up spills promptly using sand, earth, or commercial absorbent materials, and dispose of contaminated materials according to COSHH regulations and local authority guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can petrol be safely stored in plastic fuel cans?
Petrol typically remains usable for three to six months when stored in UN approved plastic containers kept in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight. Using fuel stabiliser additives can extend this period to approximately twelve months. After six months, petrol begins losing volatility through evaporation of lighter hydrocarbons, potentially causing starting difficulties and poor engine performance. Always use older fuel first and rotate your stock regularly to maintain freshness.

Are plastic petrol cans as safe as traditional metal jerry cans?
Modern plastic petrol cans manufactured to UN and British standards provide equivalent safety to metal containers when used correctly. HDPE plastic won't rust or corrode, eliminating fuel contamination risks, and the material is less likely to generate sparks if knocked or dropped. However, plastic cans require protection from prolonged UV exposure and excessive heat, which can compromise structural integrity over time. Metal cans offer superior durability in harsh environments but are heavier and more expensive.

Can I use the same plastic can for both petrol and diesel?
Whilst HDPE plastic is chemically compatible with various petroleum products, best practice involves dedicating specific containers to individual fuel types to prevent cross-contamination. Even small amounts of petrol in diesel (or vice versa) can damage modern engines and emissions control systems. Many professional users maintain colour-coded cans—red for petrol, black for diesel—clearly labelled to avoid costly fuelling mistakes.

What capacity fuel can do I need for garden equipment?
Most domestic lawnmowers have fuel tanks between 0.5 and 1.5 litres capacity, making a 5-litre plastic petrol can ideal for occasional use whilst remaining easy to handle and store. Professional landscapers working extended hours typically prefer 10-litre or 20-litre capacities to reduce refuelling interruptions, though these become considerably heavier when full—a 20-litre can of petrol weighs approximately 15kg plus the container weight.

Do I need special permissions to store petrol at home?
For domestic storage, UK regulations permit keeping up to 30 litres of petrol without notification to authorities, provided it's stored safely in approved containers away from living areas, ignition sources, and with adequate ventilation. Quantities exceeding 30 litres require notification to your local Petroleum Enforcement Authority. Workplace storage operates under different requirements governed by COSHH and Dangerous Substances regulations, typically requiring risk assessments and specific storage arrangements.