i have 2 blitz jerry cans and have fuel in them on occasion.

my question is, how can i purge and clean the inside of the cans so that i dont have to worry about cycling new gas through them so it doesnt go bad?

can i empty the can into the jeep or my lawn mower or whatever and leave the cap off in an open area to let the fumes purge, then maybe rinse it out with the hose?

sorry if this is a dumb question. thanks for you help..

 

Others probably more experienced in this than I am, but a couple thoughts here.

First, consider using some Stabil in the cans to keep the gas "fresh". You'd still want to periodically cycle it through (Jeep would be fine, especially if mixed into a half-tank of fresh), but not as often as otherwise.

Gasoline fumes are typically heavier than air so just leaving the cap off won't likely do much very quickly. Environmental concerns aside, filling the can with water will purge the fumes and remaining gasoline very quickly since gasoline floats on water. Or leave them open but on their sides or upside down. Obviously NO SMOKING!

 

Gasoline is oil based and therefore will repel water and most likely still be on the cans when you put water in it. Soap works on oil but then again I doubt you would want to put soap and water in your gas can.

I suggest cycling out the gas every couple of tanks in the Jeep.

 

I have two blitz cans too that I use. What I did was the moment my JK was near empty on the driveway I poured the gasoline into the JK. Then, with the cans empty I filled them up with degreaser and water. Poured it out. Then, filled the cans up with soap and water. Poured it out. Then, lastly poured them with just waterl. Poured it out and let them sit outside for a little to let the fumes escape and dry up. It really doesn't take long. No more than 20 minutes. Only a lot of steps because I'm anal like that.

 

thanks guys.

rn m ovr.. where can i get degreaser? i guess a parts store like autozone or whatever? is it safe to pour out like in my driveway or down the drain attached to my gutters?

 

How long will the cans be unused? If you use them often, ( once a month ) just cycle fresh gas thru them once a month. If you store them and only use them once or twice a year go to the trouble of washing them out. I use kerosene to rinse, then just leave the cap off for a week or so... I put a piece of old window screen over the opening to keep the 8 legged critters out.....
I don't use water because of the rust factor...

 

I recently had trouble with my riding mower. I found the fuel filter clogged up so I bought a replacement. As soon as I started the engine, I could see more trash collecting in the filter already so I figured there must be trash in the tank. I removed the plastic 2.5 gal. tank and found quite a bit of trash in it. I used water and dawn dish detergent. I rinsed it out until I was sure there was no more dawn in it, turned it upside down and shook all the water I could out of it, then left it upside down in the sun and after a couple hours it was bone dry! Worked great. I checked the 5 gal. can that I use to fill the mower up and there was trash in it also. Had to have come from the gas station. Anyway, I did the same thing with it.

 

awesome thanks guys.. i guys i can just cycle it, i can get the fuel stabelizer at like an autozone or advance right?

 

Yeah, I picked mine up at checkers for a few bucks. Just go into to an Autozone or Checkers and ask where the degreaser is. Just put a couple cups of degreaser in and fill about a quarter of the can up with water and just shake it around, then dump. As for draining, I poured in the gutter -- before I get bashed by environmentalists, I made sure that first my cans were empty of fuel with the exception of what dried up inside; hence the need for degreaser.

 

UM NO!

If you get caught doing that you would have the EPA after you!