Fuel Jerry Can vs Water Can (2026)
These look similar and must never be used interchangeably. A fuel can is built and certified for fuel, with the right materials, seals and venting, and it is usually a regulated product. A water can is food grade plastic that fuel will degrade. Never carry fuel in a water container, never drink from a container that has held fuel, and colour code them so that nobody in your group can confuse them.
At a glance
| Wavian NATO Jerry Can and Spout, 20 Litre | Scepter 5 Gallon Water Can with Spout | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Steel, fuel resistant lining | Food grade plastic |
| Certified for fuel | Yes | No, never |
| Safe for drinking water | No | Yes |
| Venting and sealing | Designed for fuel vapour | Simple |
| Mounting on a rack | Common, with a holder | Common |
| Typical colour convention | Red, green or yellow by fuel | Blue or white |
Choose the Wavian NATO Jerry Can and Spout, 20 Litre if…
You need to carry fuel, and it must be in a container made and certified for it. Fuel containers are built to handle vapour pressure, to seal against a fuel that creeps through materials water never would, and to survive an impact. Regulations on carrying fuel in a vehicle differ by country and sometimes by region, including limits on quantity and how it must be secured.
Handle it as the hazard it is. Carry it outside the living space, secured so it cannot move, upright, away from heat and from any ignition source. Vent it carefully after a hot day or an altitude change, fill it on the ground rather than on a tailgate, and never fill or pour near anything hot. Check local rules before mounting a full can on a rear carrier, because some jurisdictions restrict it.
Check Wavian NATO Jerry Can and Spout, 20 Litre on Amazon
Choose the Scepter 5 Gallon Water Can with Spout if…
You need drinking water. A food grade plastic can with a proper spout, kept clean, is the simplest way to carry it, and it stacks and mounts on a rack in the same way. Blue or white is the near universal convention for water for exactly the reason this page exists.
Keep it clean and keep it separate. Rinse and dry between trips, sanitise periodically, and store it out of the sun, because warm water in a translucent container grows things quickly. Never use a container that has ever held fuel, solvent or oil for water, no matter how well it has been washed, because plastic absorbs hydrocarbons and releases them back.
Check Scepter 5 Gallon Water Can with Spout on Amazon
Related
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put fuel in a plastic water can for a short trip?
No. The plastic is not formulated to resist fuel, the seal is not designed for vapour pressure, and the container will degrade, leak or fail. It is also likely to be illegal, since most jurisdictions require fuel to be carried in approved containers. The consequences of a fuel leak inside a vehicle are severe.
How should full fuel cans be carried?
Outside the living space, secured in a proper holder so they cannot move or fall, upright, and away from heat sources and the exhaust. Rear mounted carriers are common but check local rules, since some places restrict what may be carried behind the vehicle and require it not to obscure lights or plates.
How long can fuel be stored in a can?
Less time than people assume, particularly petrol, which oxidises and loses volatility over months and can gum a carburettor or an injector. Rotate the contents into the vehicle regularly rather than carrying the same fuel all season, and use a stabiliser if it will sit. Diesel keeps longer but can grow microbial contamination in the presence of water.
How do I keep stored water safe to drink?
Start with clean potable water, use a clean container, keep it sealed and out of sunlight, and use it within a reasonable period rather than carrying the same water for months. Sanitise the container periodically according to the manufacturer instructions. If water quality is uncertain at the source, treat it, and follow the guidance of your local health authority rather than improvising.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, standards documents including ABYC E-11, and verified owner reviews. We do not test gear in person. Vehicle payload, roof load and charging limits vary by model and year, so confirm yours against the door jamb sticker and the owner's manual rather than any number published here.
Totalling your own build weight against your payload? The Overland Build & Power Planner is the paid version of these pages: 8 printable worksheets you fill in with your own numbers, plus the full PDF, $29.