Jerry cans are universal. They can be found in every industry from agriculture to manufacturing. They can contain everything from cooking oil to engine lubricant. And they are an essential commodity for millions of businesses globally.
In this article, we'll discover the dark history behind the jerry can, why it's so versatile and how plastic jerry cans have come to dominate a specific corner of the packaging universe.
A Quick History of the Jerry Can
When the internal combustion engine first became a thing, people were so busy designing the automobile they didn't give much thought to the humble fuel can.
Fuel was carried in square, tin plate boxes. They leaked. They hurt your hands. They made a mess. The seams split. They held fuel for a while if you were lucky. And when you needed your petrol or diesel it had to be opened with a wrench.
These practical problems became more serious with the spectre of war in the late 1930s. Military vehicles needed power, so transporting fuel safely and reliably over long distances became a priority.
An improved fuel can, the Wehrmacht-Einheitskanister, or armed forces canister was developed in Germany in 1937. The new design solved many of the problems of the old square fuel cans.
The original metal jerry can was designed for carrying fuel
They were made from thick pressed steel with recessed seam-welded seals and rounded corners, making them much more durable. The bayonet fitting meant there was no need for a separate wrench and funnel, and there was a triple handle, so it was easy to carry.
The classic metal jerry can design was adapted worldwide and has remained unchanged and in production ever since.
But the metal jerry can was only designed for one purpose - to hold fuel. Plastic jerry cans took the key benefits of the metal jerry - portability and practicality and opened it up to a world of possibilities.
The plastic jerry can was invented by Finnish industrial designer Eero Rislaskki in 1970, and the three key features of that design are still found in modern jerry cans;
- Made from HDPE plastic - A material that's light, durable, waterproof and recyclable.
- Built-in handle - The handle is an integrated part of the jerry can, so it's strong and means it's easy to carry large volumes of liquids.
- Screw cap closure - It's quick and easy to open and close, which makes it convenient to fill and decant liquids.
The original plastic jerry can designed by Eero Rislaskki
Jerry Can Uses
Plastic jerry cans are the most practical container for storing and transporting liquids. They are light, economical, water-tight and durable, which is why they are used in such a wide variety of industries.
Food & Beverage:
Jerry cans are used widely in wholesale food and beverage production and catering. They are food-safe, easy to clean, and practical for storing cooking oils, juices, sauces and syrups. When used with a pump cap, food-safe jerry cans are an efficient way for customers to dispense the all-important red sauce on a hot dog too!
Automotive:
Jerry cans are widely used in the motor trade - metal jerry cans for carrying fuel and plastic jerry cans for everything else. Vehicles and engines require regular top-ups of lubricants, oils, anti-freeze, ad-blue, screen wash and other additives. Plastic jerry cans are light and durable, and the screw caps are easy to open and close, making them a useful container for automotive liquids.
Small jerry cans are practical for a wide range of automotive liquids including screen wash
Healthcare:
Transporting disinfectants, sanitisers, and other medical liquids requires a safe and reliable container. Plastic jerry cans are ideal for healthcare settings. The tamper-evident caps keep the contents safe and HDPE plastic is a non-porous material that can be disinfected effectively.
Agriculture:
Fluorinated and UN certified jerry cans are regulatory compliant for storing pesticides and fertilisers such as nitrogen fertiliser, weedkiller, fungicide, feeds and chemical fertiliser. The smaller 2.5 litre and 5 litres are particularly useful for home gardens and small growers, whilst the larger sizes are a practical option for bulk agro-chemical storage.
Jerry cans are ideal for agrochemicals
Manufacturing:
Jerry cans are useful for storing and transporting industrial chemicals, cleaning agents and mechanical lubricants.
Stackable jerry cans are practical, durable and widely used in industry
Jerry Can Sizes
Jerry cans are such a practical type of packaging that it's no surprise they come in a wide variety of sizes.
The smallest jerry cans, such as the 1 litre, 2 litre and 5 litre sizes hold volumes that are ideal for household use. They are the size found on service station forecourts and DIY depots and are used to contain everything from screenwash to patio cleaner and from engine oil to weedkiller.
Standard sizes, such as the 10 litre, 12.5 litre and 15 litre jerry cans are suitable for household and commercial use. They are a practical size for camping, storing and transporting water, for gardening, allotment use, catering and commercial cleaning.
The largest jerry cans - the 20 litre, 25 litre and 30 litre bottles tend to be used for bulk storage and industrial use. They are a cost-effective and practical container for shipping large quantities of liquids, including solvents, oils, and chemicals.
Accessories for Jerry Cans
Jerry can accessories can increase product security, and make them easier to use or faster to dispense. Here’s a selection of some of the best;
Tamper evident caps - Tamper evident caps have an integrated band that has to be torn off to open. They keep the contents secure when products are shipped and stored and are useful for food and beverage use, as well as hazardous products when safety is key.
Pump dispenser - The push-down mechanism allows the contents to be dispensed more quickly and easily than a standard screw cap. It’s ideal for products that are used regularly such as hand sanitiser, cleaning products and sauces.
Tap caps - Taps have a fast-action lever that has an open/close valve, designed for controlled and convenient use. The minimum flow rate caps prevent the wastage of liquid by ensuring steady pouring. They are angled for a cleaner finish and are commonly used for glues and adhesives.
Opening key - Jerry can keys make opening caps quick and easy. They are notched to fit over the cap for a secure grip and are particularly useful when wearing gloves or if hands are greasy or cold.
Recycled Jerry Cans
Jerry cans made from recycled plastic are available in stackable and non-stackable styles. They offer all the benefits of a standard jerry can in a more sustainable package, that is also exempt from plastic packaging tax.
Most packaging made from recycled plastic is not food grade. This is because packaging certified as food grade has to have full supply chain traceability, something that is not typically possible for recycled plastic.
Our 5 litre recycled jerry cans are made differently, they have a core of recycled plastic that is sandwiched between virgin polymer. This unique construction means they are food grade, whilst still being made from 30% recycled plastic.
Coex recycled jerry cans are certified food grade
Fluorinated Jerry Cans
Fluorinated jerry cans have gone through a fluorination process. Fluorinaton chemically alters the plastic through exposure to fluorine gas. This creates a permanent barrier that provides a range of benefits including:
Increased protection: Fluorination makes the plastic resistant to solvent and chemical degradation.
Reduces odour emission: Fluorinated bottles offer a higher level of protection against strong odours than standard bottles.
Preserves flavour: The increased barrier properties keep flavours stronger for longer.
Fluorinated jerry cans are lighter than glass or metal bottles, and are a cost-effective option for storing chemicals, flavours and fragrances. They are widely used for automotive additives, chemicals, purification liquids and the food and beverage industry.
Stackable vs Unstackable Jerry Cans
Plastic jerry cans are available in stackable and unstackable designs, and each has unique benefits.
Stackable jerry cans have a square shape and a flat top with a recessed handle so they can be stacked. They also typically have registration slots and notches in the top and bottom for better stacking stability. Their space-efficient design makes them easier to store and because they are available in large sizes they are ideal for shipping and storing liquids in bulk.
Stackable jerry cans are heavy duty and are made from thick HDPE plastic, they are also usually UN approved which means they are suitable for industrial use.
There's more than one way to stack a jerry can! These empty cans are at a recycling centre waiting to be recycled.
Non-stackable jerry cans are lighter than stackables and are available for smaller volumes, typically from 1 to 5 litres. Their handy size and portability mean they are often used for packaging liquids marketed for home and garden use.
The lighter weight of non-stackable jerry cans means they use less plastic, so they cost less than stackables.
Whether a stackable or non-stackable jerry is right for your business will depend on what you're storing, how much you're storing and whether it needs to be industrial or consumer-grade quality.
Find the Right Jerry Cans for Your Business
Over the last fifty years, Invopak has supplied jerry cans to thousands of businesses, and we have one of the largest stockholdings of jerry cans in the UK. We offer a wide variety of sizes and styles including food-safe, UN approved, recycled plastic, stackable and non-stackable options, so whatever type of jerry can your business needs we can help.
If you’d like to talk through the possibilities in more detail then please get in touch to speak to one of our packaging experts, we’re here to help.
Or order directly online here.
