jerrycan

A jerrycan is a durable, portable container designed for the storage and transport of liquids, most often fuels. The standard size is 20 litres (about 5.3 US gallons). It is typically made of pressed steel with a rectangular, rounded shape and a tight-fitting screw cap plus a second cap for venting and pouring.

Origin and history. Developed in Germany in the 1930s to replace unreliable earlier cans, the jerrycan employed a triple-handle top design, a single-piece construction, and a pour spout that reduces spills. The name comes from Allied soldiers’ nickname for Germans, “Jerries.” The design proved highly rugged and was widely adopted by German forces in World War II; after the war, captured examples influenced Allied logistics, and the jerrycan became a widely used standard container.

Design and specifications. The canonical jerrycan is a 20 L steel container with three handles on the top edge, a pressed-formed body, and a welded seam. It features a screw cap with a separate vent cap to allow smooth pouring without air locking. The container resists damage from rough handling and is stackable for transport.

Variants and uses. While originally intended for fuels, jerrycans are also used for water storage and transport, especially in disaster relief and outdoor activities. Plastic versions exist for lighter weight or corrosion resistance, and some regions maintain national standards for packaging, but the 20 L steel jerrycan remains the most recognized form. See also: gas can, fuel container, water container.