You’re standing in the middle of a Target aisle, probably near the automotive section or tucked away by the seasonal gear, and you're wondering why everything looks like a puzzle. If you've ever tried to pour fuel out of a modern gas can, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s frustrating. It’s messy. Sometimes, it feels like you need a PhD in mechanical engineering just to get three gallons into your lawnmower without soaking your shoes.
Gas cans at Target aren't just plastic jugs anymore. They are highly regulated pieces of equipment.
Honestly, most people walk into the store thinking they’ll just grab a cheap red bucket with a spout. Then they see the price tags and the weird green buttons and the "spill-proof" locks. They get confused. Why is a five-gallon plastic container thirty dollars? Why does the nozzle look like a prop from a sci-fi movie?
It’s all about the EPA and CARB. Since 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that portable fuel containers—what we call gas cans—must be "spill-proof." They have to automatically shut off and seal up to prevent fumes from escaping into the atmosphere. This is why the old-school vents you used to flip open with your thumb are gone. Now, the can has to breathe through the same hole the gas comes out of. It’s a design challenge that has led to some pretty clunky products, but if you know which brands to look for on those Target shelves, you can actually find something that works.
The Reality of Buying Gas Cans at Target Today
Target usually stocks a mix of Scepter and Midwest Can Company products. Sometimes you’ll see some No-Spill brand stuff, but Scepter is the big player there. They make the "SmartControl" series. You’ve probably seen them—the red cans with the green squeeze trigger.
The squeeze trigger is supposed to give you control. In theory, you just push a button and the gas flows. In reality, it can be a bit stiff, especially when it’s cold outside. I’ve spent twenty minutes in a driveway in January trying to get a Scepter can to engage because the plastic was too cold to flex easily. That’s the kind of stuff they don't put on the label.
Target’s inventory isn't infinite. You won't find the heavy-duty Eagle or Justrite metal safety cans there usually. Those are industrial-grade and way more expensive. Target targets the suburban homeowner who needs to feed a weed whacker or keep a little extra fuel for the snowblower. Because of this, they mostly carry high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. It’s durable enough, but it’s not meant to last thirty years like your grandpa’s steel can.
Why the Spout Design Drives Everyone Crazy
The "No-Spill" or "SmartControl" spouts are the main point of failure. Here is how they work: there is an internal spring and a gasket. When you press the lever, it pulls the gasket back and lets the liquid pass. If that gasket dries out or gets a bit of grit in it, it leaks.
Cheap gas cans at Target often suffer from "glugging." Because there’s no separate vent hole, air has to fight its way back into the can while the gas is trying to get out. It’s like trying to pour a soda bottle upside down. It splashes. It’s annoying.
If you’re looking at the shelf, look for the cans that have a slightly more ergonomic handle. If you have to hold five gallons of gas (which weighs about 31 pounds) at a weird angle while depressing a stiff thumb-trigger, your forearm is going to hate you by the time the tank is full.
Safety Standards You Can't Ignore
Every single gas can at Target has to meet ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards. Specifically, you’ll see "F852" printed on the side somewhere. This means the plastic is thick enough to not dissolve or get brittle when exposed to gasoline.
Don't use a water jug. Don't use a milk carton. I know it sounds obvious, but people do it. Gasoline is a solvent. It will eat through the wrong kind of plastic in hours, leaving you with a puddle of fire hazard in your trunk.
Target also carries different colors for a reason. Red is for gasoline. Yellow is for diesel. Blue is for kerosene. Green is for oil. This isn't just a suggestion; it’s a safety protocol. If you put diesel in a red can and accidentally dump it into your Honda Civic, you’re looking at a multi-thousand-dollar repair bill. Firefighters also look for these colors during emergencies. If your garage is on fire, they need to know exactly what’s in those containers from a distance.
The Ethanol Problem
Most gas you get at the pump nowadays contains 10% ethanol (E10). Ethanol is hygroscopic, which is a fancy way of saying it sucks moisture out of the air. If your gas can doesn't have a perfect seal—which a lot of the cheaper ones struggle with—water will get into your fuel.
This causes "phase separation." The water and ethanol mix and sink to the bottom. Your engine tries to run on that watery sludge, and it won't start. If you’re buying a gas can at Target to store fuel for more than a month, you absolutely have to use a fuel stabilizer like STA-BIL. Target actually sells this in the same aisle. Buy it. It’s worth the five bucks to save your carburetor.
Is It Worth Buying the "Premium" Options?
You’ll notice that Target might have a 1-gallon can for $12 and a 2-gallon "Easy Pour" version for $22. Is the extra ten dollars worth it?
Usually, yes.
The base-level cans are basically just containers. The more expensive ones have better flow rates. If you’ve ever stood in the sun for five minutes waiting for a slow-pour can to empty, you know that frustration. Time is money.
Also, consider the size. A 5-gallon can is heavy. If you’re a smaller person or have back issues, don't buy the 5-gallon. Get two 2.5-gallon cans instead. It’s much easier to balance a 15-pound weight than a 30-pound one while leaning over a lawnmower. Target’s selection usually favors the 1, 2, and 5-gallon sizes.
Common Misconceptions About Target Gas Cans
People think that because Target is a "big box" store, the quality is lower than a hardware store. That’s not necessarily true. A Scepter can at Target is the same Scepter can you’d find at a specialized auto parts store. The difference is the storage. Target stores their stock indoors, climate-controlled. I’ve seen some outdoor hardware stores leave their plastic gas cans in the sun for months. UV rays degrade plastic. It makes it brittle. Buying your can from Target actually ensures the plastic hasn't been "sun-baked" before you even get it home.
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Another myth? That you can just "drill a hole" in the back to make a vent.
Don't do this.
First, it’s illegal in many states to modify a fuel container. Second, you’re creating a leak point. If that can tips over in your car, you’ve just turned your backseat into a bomb. If you hate the new spouts that much, there are aftermarket "replacement spout kits" you can find online, though technically they aren't EPA compliant for use on new cans. Use them at your own risk.
Expert Tips for Using Your New Can
When you bring that can home from Target, there are a few things you should do immediately.
Check the gasket. Sometimes they get twisted during shipping. Unscrew the cap and make sure the rubber O-ring is seated flat. If it’s pinched, it will leak the first time you tip it.
Label your can. Even though it’s red, I like to take a Sharpie and write the date I filled it. Gas goes bad. In three months, it starts to lose its volatility. In six months, it’s varnish. If you see a can in your garage and can't remember if it's from last summer or last week, you’re playing Russian Roulette with your engine.
Transporting Gas Safely
Target’s cans are good, but they aren't magic. When you go to the gas station to fill up:
- Always take the can out of your vehicle. Never fill it in the bed of a truck with a plastic liner or on the floor of a car. Static electricity can build up and cause a spark.
- Touch the metal of the pump before you touch the can to ground yourself.
- Don't fill it to the very top. Leave an inch or two of "headspace." Gas expands when it gets warm. If you fill it to the brim and leave it in the sun, the pressure will swell the can like a balloon and potentially rupture the seal.
What to Do if Your Target Can Leaks
If you get home and find the spout is defective, take it back. Target has a pretty solid return policy on these things, provided you haven't put gas in them yet. Once there’s gas in it, they usually won't take it back for safety reasons.
Test it with water first.
It sounds like a hassle, but fill your new can with a quart of water and try the pouring mechanism. If it leaks or the trigger sticks, you can easily dry it out and exchange it. Once it smells like gasoline, most retailers—including Target—will tell you to contact the manufacturer instead.
Actionable Next Steps for Success
- Size Matters: Measure the opening of whatever you’re filling. Some of the newer "safety" spouts are too thick for older tractors or small generators.
- Check the Date: Look at the bottom of the can for a manufacturing date stamp. Avoid buying "new" cans that have been sitting in a warehouse for three years.
- The "Two-Hand" Rule: Always buy a can that has a secondary handle on the back or bottom. It makes the "pour" much more stable.
- Avoid the "Bargain" Bin: If a can feels flimsy enough that you can squeeze the sides in easily with one hand, skip it. It will warp under pressure.
- Invest in a Funnel: Even with a "No-Spill" spout, a wide-mouth funnel is a lifesaver for preventing drips on hot engine parts.
Managing fuel isn't just a chore; it’s about safety and maintenance. The right gas can from Target won't make the job fun, but it will make it significantly less of a headache. Pay attention to the trigger mechanism, respect the color-coding, and always treat the fuel inside like the volatile chemical it is. Shop for the can that feels the most solid in your hand, because that's the one you'll be wrestling with when your lawn is overgrown and the sun is beating down on you.