# Can I store gasoline in a kerosene can? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 14, 2013, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-store-gasoline-in-a-kerosene-can/655692 "2013-04-14T16:54:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-store-gasoline-in-a-kerosene-can/655692/1 "2013-04-14T16:54:53Z")
[I _ **hate** _ those new, plastic, five gallon gas cans](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=657534). So yesterday I was at a local flea market and spied an old, steel kerosene can that someone was selling for $6. I figured it would be a great can for storing gasoline. But when I got home I noticed the label on the can said **DO NOT USE FOR GASOLINE**. Here are a couple pics of the can: [Pic 1](http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g471/ohio_rifleman/20130414_123221.jpg) [Pic 2](http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g471/ohio_rifleman/20130414_123234.jpg) Why does the label give this warning? Is it simply because the can says it’s for “kerosene,” and is painted blue and not red? Or is there something about the construction of the can, and/or the materials used to make the can, that makes it incompatible with gasoline? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-store-gasoline-in-a-kerosene-can/655692/2 "2013-04-14T17:07:05Z")
It’s for safety, to keep someone from believing there is less flammable, combustible kerosene in the can. There may also be state laws against a gas station filling a marked kerosene can with gasoline, and maybe you too. If you want to use it for gasoline paint it red. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-store-gasoline-in-a-kerosene-can/655692/3 "2013-04-14T19:45:51Z")
Maybe stencil “Acceptable for gasoline” or some such on it, in case a gas station attendant complains. **Crafter\_Man** says its OK? Not good enough. But if the _can_ has it _written_ on it, well, that’s above reproach. Can’t argue with the can. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-store-gasoline-in-a-kerosene-can/655692/4 "2013-04-14T19:48:56Z")
I saw it written on the side of a can, it must be true. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-store-gasoline-in-a-kerosene-can/655692/5 "2013-04-14T19:51:47Z")
The can is the same as a gas can, and gas is fine IN the can, it’s what you do with the fluid you pour out of it that matters. You REALLY don’t want to put gas in a kerosene heater, so the clear labeling is a safety thing. If you use it for gas make sure you paint it red per TriPolar’s suggestion, or find some other way of very clearly and pretty permanently marking it as a not-kerosene can. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-store-gasoline-in-a-kerosene-can/655692/6 "2013-04-14T19:51:48Z")
I know the owner of that company well…I will ask them and report back. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-store-gasoline-in-a-kerosene-can/655692/7 "2013-04-14T21:25:06Z")
It’s also possible that the cap seal and the dispensing nozzle are not chemically compatible with gasoline. I have several plastic cans, blue for kerosene, red for gasoline, and yellow for diesel fuel. ---
**Author:** ![Michigander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@Michigander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michigander)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-store-gasoline-in-a-kerosene-can/655692/8 "2013-04-14T21:40:51Z")
That KEROSENE can looks to be fairly modern. if the bottom is solid it should hold liquid. In my part of the world gasoline is not to be dispensed into a can that is not red. Not into a milk jug, an open pail, or any other nonstandard container. This is posted on the pumps. Forty odd years ago, my boss put some kerosene into a gas can, forgot about the difference, come Winter put some of the kerosene into his snow blower. No big deal, had to have the engine cleaned, but suppose he had put gasoline into his space heater. Scratch up the blue with some steel wool or sandpaper and spray paint it red. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-store-gasoline-in-a-kerosene-can/655692/9 "2013-04-14T21:58:23Z")
Here’s what I bought. I’ve been really pleased with the quality. A regular nozzle and theres a spare gasket. > **[Amazon.com: Wavian USA Authentic NATO Jerry Can and Spout System - Rust-Proof,...](https://www.amazon.com/Wavian-Authentic-NATO-Jerry-Fuel/dp/B007ZICYXQ)** > > The authentic nato jerry can by Wavian features an EPA-approved fast pour spout. This can is the same used by the military worldwide and is approved in all States. The nato can carries gasoline into the field where you need it most. Durable,... Watch out for cheaper knock offs. I read they are junk. > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > [I _ **hate** _ those new, plastic, five gallon gas cans](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=657534). So yesterday I was at a local flea market and spied an old, steel kerosene can that someone was selling for $6. I figured it would be a great can for storing gasoline. But when I got home I noticed the label on the can said **DO NOT USE FOR GASOLINE**. Here are a couple pics of the can: > > [Pic 1](http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g471/ohio_rifleman/20130414_123221.jpg) > [Pic 2](http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g471/ohio_rifleman/20130414_123234.jpg) > > Why does the label give this warning? Is it simply because the can says it’s for “kerosene,” and is painted blue and not red? Or is there something about the construction of the can, and/or the materials used to make the can, that makes it incompatible with gasoline? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-store-gasoline-in-a-kerosene-can/655692/10 "2013-04-14T22:30:34Z")
You can get a [red, 5-gallon, gasoline can](http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-UI-50-FS-Galvanized-Gasoline-Capacity/dp/B00004Y75M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365978449&sr=8-1&keywords=eagle+5+gallon+gas+can) from the same manufacturer. That one has a plastic funnel. [This one](http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-U2-51-S-Galvanized-Capacity-Diameter/dp/B000BQO15I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365978449&sr=8-2&keywords=eagle+5+gallon+gas+can) has a flex hose. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-store-gasoline-in-a-kerosene-can/655692/11 "2013-04-14T22:57:20Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > There may also be state laws against a gas station filling a marked kerosene can with gasoline, and maybe you too. If you want to use it for gasoline paint it red. I live in NY and those signs are always at all gas stations, the ones about it only being legal to used approved containers. Thing is: Has anyone, anywhere, \*\*EVER \*\*been challenged by a self-serv attendant telling you you can’t use your non-approved can? I’ve put gasoline into all different kinds of containers over the years and never, ever, even once had the guy give a shit if it wasn’t an official, red gasoline container…