Small petrol containers

Not *especially* cheap, but if you want 2l

I suspect that your problem is because the minimum dispense at most filling stations is 2 litres or more so smaller containers are a pain and you would probably still need to decant fuel.

I looked at a few 2 litre containers on Amazon, but none seem to have handles and all are more expensive that a 5 litre can....

Dave

Autoshenanigans demonstrated there's no enforcing that ... what are they going to do? Make you take more petrol than you've got capacity for? Possibly charge you for the minimum quantity [that would be fair]

I think it just comes down to pump accuracy isn't guaranteed below 2l.

There are plenty of 1l fuel bottles available, just look under Primus - they are used for their liquid fueled stoves and lamps.

also 1L 2 stroke mixing bottles...

The small metal containers for stuff like acetone or turps etc would be fine

Trivial to fill the small container from the one used for lawnmower or whipper snipper yourself at home.

Indeed, but one with a wide enough neck to fill directly at the pump would be handy. A 2L capacity would be the ideal compromise for our usage.

Tim

Thanks. As you say not particularly cheap but maybe the money could be found.

Tim

If you had a wheel barrow, that could carry your strimmer and a full 5l container.

I’ve found these now which look like they might do the job. A slight pain that they will need to be filled by decanting from our existing cans but a good size for strimmer refuelling.

The limit doesn't apply if you fill your car tank at the same time. Nuisance if you've got a diesel, clearly.

Belated answer to this, but there are several 2l containers listed on eBay:

This is UK.d.i.y so most of the stuff on eBay doesn't meet UK Law:

SCHEDULE 3 PORTABLE PETROL STORAGE CONTAINERS

1. A portable petrol storage container must—

(a)have a nominal capacity —

(i)no greater than 10 litres if made of plastic; and

(ii)no greater than 20 litres if made of metal;

(b)have a total capacity between 10% and 15% more than the nominal capacity;

(c)be made of either metal or plastic that is suitable and safe for the purpose and will not significantly degrade due to exposure to petrol or naturally occurring ultra-violet radiation;

(d)be designed and constructed so that—

(i)it is reasonably robust and not liable to break under the normal conditions of use;

(ii)the escape of liquid or vapour is prevented;

(iii)petrol can be poured safely from it; and

(iv)it is not unsteady when placed on a flat surface;

(e)be marked or labelled in a legible and indelible form with—

(i)the words “PETROL” and “HIGHLY FLAMMABLE”;

(ii)an appropriate hazard warning sign;

(iii)the nominal capacity in litres; and

(iv)the manufacturer’s name and the date and month of manufacture.

I think anything designed for petrol in Germany will be capable of safety, if not legally, holding petrol here. Given that it won’t be getting filled on a garage forecourt I really don’t give a monkey’s about anything else.

Tim

Have you tried premix, like Aspen -- "alkylate petrol"? (Other brands available, I think Stihl also have premix).

It's free of benzene and other aromatics, and those that use chainsaws etc daily/ professionally often use it. This to prevent health effects of long-term exposure to the exhaust; not may tools put the exhaust as close to the user as a strimmer. (Alkylate also seems to give more power -- my impression, but maybe a placebo effect?)

I use it as the last fuel in fall: run dry, put in bit, run dry again. This is a suggestion from a small engine service company owner. He said that way there would be less or no gumming up, no problems in spring.

If you were to try a one-liter bottle of the stuff, once you'd used it you'd still have a one liter bottle suitable and legal for two-mix...?

Thomas Prufer

Not yet. It’s certainly something to think about towards the end of our strimming season but, the price is a bit eye watering. Currently I’m buying E5 fuel for the machines as it seems a lot of small engines don’t get on with E10 (and it’s more hydroscopic).

Tim

Not to be recommended for long-term or domestic storage, obviously, but what's wrong with a 1l or 2l milk bottle, of the type sold in most supermarkets? They are HDPE which is suitable for contact with most organic liquids. They even make petrol cans out of it. Fill one up before you go, use the contents, and pour any surplus back into the larger container when you get home.

I’d rather not use anything not officially a fuel container. If there was ever a new problem with the strimmers fingers would be pointed.

Tim