What's the Best Jerry Can for Your Camping Trip?

Jerry cans are a staple for outdoor enthusiasts, 4WD adventurers, and anyone needing dependable fuel storage on the go. Originally designed for military use, they have since become an essential item for safely transporting and storing fuel in remote areas, off-road terrains, or during extended travel.

Why Use a Jerry Can?

Unlike a plastic water bottle, jerry cans are built to withstand tough conditions. Their sturdy construction, typically made from high-grade steel or heavy-duty plastic, ensures that fuel is kept secure and safe from leaks, punctures, or damage. They are also generally built to be compact, and rectangular which optimises storage and makes stacking easy, saving space in vehicles, trailers, or storage units.

High-quality jerry cans are corrosion-resistant and able to handle a variety of fuels, including petrol, diesel, and kerosene. Metal versions often feature anti-rust coatings, while plastic models are made with UV-resistant materials to prevent degradation in sunlight.

Many jerry cans are design with a tightly secured lid and a locking pin that helps to prevent leaking.

Metal vs Plastic Jerry Cans

Both types of jerry cans have their benefits and their drawbacks, so choosing the right one for you will be dependent on your specific needs.

Plastic Jerry Cans

Here are some of the benefits of a plastic jerry can:

Lightweight: Plastic jerry cans are very portable, being lighter weight than their metal counterparts and with comfortable handles that make them easy to move around.

Corrosion Resistant: Plastic doesn’t rust, so there is no risk of corrosion, which makes plastic jerry cans great for humid or salt environments.

Lower Cost: Plastic jerry cans are usually more affordable than metal ones, making them a good budget option.

Flexible Material: Plastic fuel cans can handle the ups and downs of a bumpy trail or being dropped a few times, because the thick plastic won’t dent from a few knocks.

Metal Jerry Cans

Here are some of the benefits of a metal jerry can:

High durability: Metal jerry cans might get a few dents now and then, but they can generally handle rougher handling and scratches and are less likely to be punctured.

Better Heat Resistance: Metal can handle higher temperatures without warping or losing shape, which helps maintain a secure seal for longer.

Less Permeability: Unlike plastic, metal doesn’t absorb odours or allow fuel vapours to escape as easily, maintaining a better containment of fuel than plastic.

Choosing the Right Jerry Can

Picking the right jerry can will be entirely dependent on what you need it for. If you want something cheap, relatively durable, and are more worried about corrosion than high temperatures, then a plastic can will do the trick. However, if you need a fuel can that’s heat resistant and less likely to release fuel vapours, then a metal can is probably your best option.

For anyone venturing into remote or off-road areas, fuel and water storage are crucial. Jerry cans offer peace of mind, ensuring fuel supply isn’t a limiting factor in you journey and allowing you to keep topped up along the way.

Repco offers a wide range of different jerry cans, both plastic and metal, in varying capacities and for different budgets, so let us help you get your fuel secured for your next big adventure.