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Where to buy 20L metal Jerry can?
number-1 - 8/1/25 at 07:49 PM

Can anyone point me in the direction to get a couple of 20L metal Jerry cans? Ive seen a few used for not much money but they have seen better days. Ive used plastic 20L ones in the past but have leaked as the can expands and contracts in the heat

Thanks

N1


coyoteboy - 8/1/25 at 09:05 PM

Got mine off ebay. Technically illegal to fill in the the UK.


big_wasa - 8/1/25 at 09:14 PM

Trouble is posting them once they have had fuel in.


number-1 - 8/1/25 at 09:16 PM

quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
Got mine off ebay. Technically illegal to fill in the the UK.


Whats the reason for this? When using my track bike and the plastic 20L cans i filled 3 of these and had them on the back of the trailer


Jaymaxi - 8/1/25 at 09:58 PM

Have you tried your local motor factors or agri supplies, also lawnmower shop. inexpensive with a flexy spout, I have a couple of the 20l's and 10L, handy for petrol and diesel, John


dmac - 8/1/25 at 10:15 PM

Have you tried Aldi?


MikeR - 8/1/25 at 11:25 PM

https://www.toolstation.com/search?q=jerry+can

https://www.screwfix.com/c/auto-cleaning/fuel-pumps-cans/cat810062


MikeR - 8/1/25 at 11:30 PM

Also, why do you think they're illegal? https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/petrol-storage-club-association.htm

https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/owner-petrol-station.htm#containers-filled


(i do recall the BBC posted something about them not being legal that gets often quoted but I don't think (i'm no legal expert) it is correct - hence the link above.)

[Edited on 8/1/25 by MikeR]


chillis - 8/1/25 at 11:50 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
Also, why do you think they're illegal? https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/petrol-storage-club-association.htm

https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/owner-petrol-station.htm#containers-filled


(i do recall the BBC posted something about them not being legal that gets often quoted but I don't think (i'm no legal expert) it is correct - hence the link above.)

[Edited on 8/1/25 by MikeR]


Most major fuel station chains tend to refuse you filling more than 10 litres into a either a steel or plastic fuel can regardless of the regs stated above and will usually quote company policy as the reason for refusal. Also check your vehicle insurance as to what it allows you to carry.
Gone are the days when you could strap two 40 gallon drums in the back of a van and go fill them up!


Mike Wood - 9/1/25 at 11:23 AM

As others have said your local agricultural machinery suppliers should have them as well as places that sell machinery for commercial gardeners and landscapers. Also Machine Mart: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/categories/?search=Jerry%20can and other suppliers e.g. https://www.jerrycans.co.uk/product-category/steel-fuel-cans/20-litre/

You might find buying two 10 litre cans as more convenient. The old Paddy Hopkirk products, now Rhino, design cans are available in 10 litre size and have a nice stable squat design and are UK made:
https://www.jerrycans.co.uk/rhino-fuel-cans-british-made-quality/

[Edited on 9/1/25 by Mike Wood]

[Edited on 9/1/25 by Mike Wood]


JoelP - 9/1/25 at 11:32 PM

Wickes has them too.


coyoteboy - 11/1/25 at 12:56 AM

Apparently (found an online source which states what I was told in a forecourt...)

The legal position is that, as a result of agreements negotiated between BP and London Fire Brigade to standardise the terms of licensing under the Petroleum Act many years ago, the usual conditions on the licence to dispense petroleum are that fuel* may only be dispensed into approved containers manufactured to the relevant standards and in the following quantities ...

2 x 5l plastic or
2 x 10l metal or
1 x 20l metal

No one ever stopped me using my 25 litre one but a few have mentioned they're not meant to.


Sarah - 12/1/25 at 02:58 PM

I'm sure I read years and years ago that you're allowed to store only 2 gallons of petrol at home. That might be where the issue is.
I've not had any problems filling my 20 l Jerry can (for commercial lawn mowing).
My old microlight instructor used to fill about 8 in one go.

Edited to add Google search says 30l limit

[Edited on 12/1/25 by Sarah]