New Style Scepter Fuel Can Resource

[ExpoScout]

This is a cross post from another forum...

So I purchased two of the "new" scepter "jeep" style cans. They are pretty nice. Not as robust as the MFCs, but honestly they are better than just about anything else out there. I am in the process of de-EPAing them as we speak. The first thing was to cut the ratcheting clip off the opening. It appears that EZ pour spouts now come with two caps with different threads and they say that they will fit these cans. The only issue I'm having right now is that I want a blank cap for them. EZ makes a blank cap for the fine thread cans but not these it seems. I may try and contact them and see if its something they planned on doing at some point.

I do have a question for those of you with the EZ pour spouts. The supplied vent caps (small, yellow flip caps) look ok but I have used the valve stem method before and it works well. Are the supplied yellow vents going to be better than a valve stem? I like the valve stems because they can be replaced and are pretty durable.

Here is a pic of a blitz can that I liberated via a YouTube video that was posted on another forum:

The spout is cheap and will probably eventually break, but I'll likely have an EZ pour for it soon. But it does work a lot better now. It is just going to be for the mowers and around the house, but it was a fun project.

Here are the "jeep" cans scepter is selling now:

They are nice and thick-walled. They do swell a little when full, but it doesn't seem like its going to be an issue. Since they are readily available I will likely stock up on them as they are the best commercially available option for vehicle use at this time. Of course the MFCs, metal jerrys, and some others are the best but they are both pricey and scarce.

The spouts for these new cans suck major donkey testes. And the cans have a newer course thread that doesn't work with my old spouts. Honestly, I don't even really need a spout for each one, especially for vehicle use. One or two spouts in an ammo can will suffice and just a blank cap would be ideal. Finding a blank cap is the challenge here. I went to my buddies machine shop yesterday and he said he could machine me some aluminum caps pretty easily. Just don't know if its worth it. I'm going to do some searching and see what I can come up with.

 

[ExpoScout]

Here's the first step to making these cans better. Pry off the racheting ring from around the opening:

Once you do that it's already better. You can see the valve stems and valve stem tool I picked up. Depending on the experience with the EZ pour vent caps I might not use the valve stems, but I like them because they are durable, they bend and don't break. Of course over time they will split, but they can be replaced easy enough. And they are available at every gas station practically. Just like the blitz cans, like the one I posted above, there is a thicker "pad" where the non US model cans had a vent installed. That's where you want to drill for the vent.

Now off to figure out this cap situation...

 

[ExpoScout]

So I went to my local Tractor Supply store and found that they had one of the EZ pour spouts on the rack. I got it and thought I'd see how it worked out.

The kit comes with a flexible HPDE spout, two rings to secure the spout (one in fine thread for blitz style jugs and one for scepter style...of course they fit a myriad of other cans as well), two thread on caps for the spout, and one vent for the rear of the can.

Here is the spout attached and you can see the vent that I installed.

Here is a closer pic of the vent. There seems to be a thicker area of the can where I drilled, probably close to 1/4" thick. As long as this works I will keep it. If it cracks or breaks I'll just install the valve stem as a vent.

Here are the two rings and the extra cap that come with the kit. The yellow ring is the one that fits the scepter style with coarse threads and the black one has fine threads and fits the blitz style, among others. I am currently using the rings that came with the cans as they work just fine with the EZ pour spout.

I've been doing some research for folks who have used these and there are a few write ups around. Most people love them but I found one claim that they come apart at the seams after several years. I haven't seen any evidence of this so I will reserve judgement. I do know that I have cans that are 20 years old that are still functional and they are seam welded like these. So I'm a bit skeptical of the claim. Not calling the person wrong or a liar, just that I'll draw my own conclusions.

Once again my opinion is that these are not as nice as the MFCs, of course, but I haven't found any others that are readily available for a decent price that I like more.

 

[ExpoScout]

I still would really like some solid caps for these. I figure I carry one spout and maybe a spare. I'm not a fan of storing the spouts upside down in the cans.

As stated before I also got some of this style water can. They have the vent pre-installed and are just as nice IMO. They come with a yellow pour spout that isn't awful. Not sure if it would stand up to gas if it were used for that...but it does fit the gas cans. The EZ pour spout is still better.

 

[Woodsman]

Your efforts with the spouts are commendable, however, if using them strictly for vehicle use (rather than for lawn mowers and such) I would much sooner just use a Super Siphon.

As far as the cans "coming apart at the seams", I don't think that holds any water as those lines are not seams. They are lips where the two halves of the plastic mold come together.

 

[ExpoScout]

Well, you are right as far as the siphon goes. I will certainly have one on hand. But I do like a spout for a variety of reasons.

The main thing is finding a solid cap for now.

 

[Vulcan500]

Well, you are right as far as the siphon goes. I will certainly have one on hand. But I do like a spout for a variety of reasons.

The main thing is finding a solid cap for now.

I ordered solid caps from Scepter direct. The caps come with a tether that keeps the cap connected to the handle, if desired. The tether is not connected yet so the don't have to be used. They cost me $1.65 each. For a set of 4 plus postage it ran about $15. The part number is Scepter 09643. This is the cap for the locking type caps with the teeth on the bottom. I understand that they also have caps without the locking teeth. Took about a week to get them from Canada to the US.

 

[ExpoScout]

I ordered solid caps from Scepter direct. The caps come with a tether that keeps the cap connected to the handle, if desired. The tether is not connected yet so the don't have to be used. They cost me $1.65 each. For a set of 4 plus postage it ran about $15. The part number is Scepter 09643. This is the cap for the locking type caps with the teeth on the bottom. I understand that they also have caps without the locking teeth. Took about a week to get them from Canada to the US.

Awesome thanks. Can you snap a pic of the caps if you have a chance?

 

[lqdchkn]

Your efforts with the spouts are commendable...

Agreed, but I'm curious why such the effort? I mean why not just carry a funnel and pour from an open mouth?

 

[ExpoScout]

Agreed, but I'm curious why such the effort? I mean why not just carry a funnel and pour from an open mouth?

You could do that. The smaller opening (as compared to the scepter MFCs) doesn't pour as well....especially with no vent.

 

[lqdchkn]

You could do that. The smaller opening (as compared to the scepter MFCs) doesn't pour as well....especially with no vent.

Isn't that yellow tab a vent? LOL you installed it

 

[ExpoScout]

Isn't that yellow tab a vent? LOL you installed it

What's the question? You are confusing.

You agreed with Woodsman that the efforts to find a spout were commendable...then when you ask why I did it, I explained.

 

[lqdchkn]

In agreeing with Woodsman I said:

Agreed, but I'm curious why such the effort? I mean why not just carry a funnel and pour from an open mouth?

To which you responded:

You could do that. The smaller opening (as compared to the scepter MFCs) doesn't pour as well....especially with no vent.

To which I responded, that you had installed a vent

Isn't that yellow tab a vent? LOL you installed it

Trying to allude to why'd you make the comment that it didn't pour well without a vent....Which was seemingly irrelevant, since you in fact installed a vent.

What's the question? You are confusing.

You agreed with Woodsman that the efforts to find a spout were commendable...then when you ask why I did it, I explained.

Here, I'll lay it out for ya.

It's cool that your dedicated to helping everyone with your knowledge and by taking the time to research all this.

But why do you feel that all this spout searching is worth your time and effort over using a funnel? Especially when you've already added a vent to ease pouring from the smaller mouth jug.

 

[ExpoScout]

The main issue is that the MFCs are more difficult to find. These cans are the most acceptable substitute that are readily available and not $50+.

A funnel works fine and I have no issues with using one. The only problem being that basic non-spout caps are the only thing difficult to find. The EZ Pour spouts were the only thing I could find to replace the carb spout that came with them. If I get some plain Jane caps for these cans they will be great. Then I'll have the option of using the EZ spout or a funnel. Both of which work better with the vent installed. A super siphon is a good option also....I just like having several options available.

 

[lqdchkn]

Ahhhhh gotcha now. Will stay tuned to see what else you can find