Imagine you are out in the forest chopping down trees with your trusty chainsaw. Now forestry is a demanding task, and you would need a truly powerful machine at your side to do it. But you know what they say about powerful chainsaws – the more power they have, the more fuel they chug.
Ideally, you would want to get through the entire project without having to refuel. But what if your chainsaw runs out of gas in the middle of your work? Do you go back and refuel? Or do you call it quits and leave the work for another day?
Well, if you buy yourself a chainsaw gas can, then you wouldn’t be in this dilemma. If you saw me a couple of weeks back, I was pretty much in the same boat. But after running out of juice one too many times, I finally decided to give in and bring a gas can whenever I go for remote jobs.
And it made my life a lot easier for a bit. But later on, as I learned more about gas cans, I could settle for nothing but the best ones. And trust me – the better ones definitely offer a lot more than those cheap plastic containers that you can pick up at your local dollar store.
Here, I will give you a complete rundown of some of the best chainsaw gas cans that I had the fortune of using and help you decide whether getting one for yourself is a good idea. Spoiler alert – it’s always worth it.
Quick Comparison of Best Chainsaw Gas Can – 2023
Best Value
Husqvarna 580754201 Gas Can
- Brand: Husqvarna
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 0.01 x 0.01 x 0.01 in
- Design: Combination
- Capacity: 5 liters fuel, 2.5 liters oil
- Material: Durable Poly Plastic
Stihl Genuine 0000 881 0123
- Brand: Stihl
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 13.58 x 11.42 x 6.3 in
- Design: Combination
- Capacity: 5 liters fuel, 3 liters oil
- Material: Plastic
Garage Boss Gas Can
- Brand: Garage
- Dimensions (LxWxH):
- 7.48 x 11.61 x 11.96 in
- Design: Combination
- Capacity: 5.5 liters fuel, 2.3 liters oil
- Material: Metal
Top 3 Chainsaw Gas Cans- {Review}
If you’re here just for the goods, then don’t let me keep you waiting. Below I will talk about three of my favorite gas cans for chainsaws that, in my humble opinion, offer an amazing utility.
- Husqvarna 580754201 Chainsaw Gas Can
If you want to try a combination can, then there’s one gas can that you just can’t overlook, and that’s the Husqvarna 580754201 Poly Container Combination 5. Now if you are well-versed in your power tools, you already know that Husqvarna is a top-tier chainsaw brand. So, you can be sure that the gas can they manufacture is of equally high quality.
Now back to the topic, the Husqvarna Combination 5 is a poly container that has a multi-functional design. On its fuel side, it can hold up to 5 liters which is the standard for most cans. And on the other side, it can also hold up to 2.5 liters of chain oil which is quite impressive.
The gas container comes with a standard nozzle, which might not sound all that exciting. But get this – the nozzle is equipped with an auto-stop feature that activates whenever it detects an overflow of fuel or oil. What that means is you no longer need to worry about wasting your fuel or oil when refueling your chainsaw.
But that’s not the only thing that makes it an excellent choice as your gas can. It comes with a file holder at the side that feels pretty solid. I like to use the additional space to keep a few spare parts, such as fuel caps. Now, this might not sound big, but you’d be surprised how many times it saved me from losing things.
Since this is not a transparent container, naturally, you wouldn’t be able to see how much fuel you have left inside. But to combat the issue, the gas can has a sight window on the side for both the fuel and oil side to monitor how much of it you have left in the can.
Like most other gas cans out there, this gas can is made of plastic which gives it a decent lifespan and keeps it lightweight. Now there’s a downside to this container, and that’s its price. It costs around 120 dollars which is pretty steep for a simple gas can.
But then again, it’s not just a simple gas can, though, is it? It works well, has some excellent quality-of-life features, and also can serve as a secondary storage for a couple of small accessories. Even if it costs a bit more than the average gas cans available in the market, I believe it’s well worth the price.
Husqvarna 580754201
- Brand: Husqvarna
- Design: Combination
- Capacity: 5 liters fuel, 2.5 liters oil
- Material: Durable Poly Plastic
Pros
- Lightweight and durable design
- Automatic stop feature in the Nozzle
- Comes with a sight window on each side
Cons
- The price is a bit steep
- Stihl Genuine 0000 881 0123 Chainsaw Gas Can
I would genuinely be surprised if someone who knows his power tools came up to me and said that he had never heard of Stihl. This brand is responsible for some of the finest chainsaws that have ever hit the market. And the Transparent PRF combination canister is their take on how amazing a chainsaw gas can should be.
Similar to the last one, the Stihl gas can is a combination canister that has a separate compartment for fuel and chain oil. On the fuel side of things, it can hold up to 5 liters, and on the oil side, it can hold up to 3 liters which is above average for this type of gas cans.
It’s made of durable plastic material that’s resistant to corrosion and impact damage. So the fuel you put inside this gas can last for years to come. You no longer have to worry about your gas going bad if you keep it in this high-quality gas canister.
What I love the most about this gas can is its transparent design. While I don’t exactly mind the side windows in colored models, the transparent design just makes things simple and easy. It just eliminates the guesswork involved in how much fuel I have left, and I like that.
The gas can comes with an easy-to-pour sprout that has a screw-on cap. What it does is when you are refilling your chainsaw from this canister, you can use the cap to seal the connection tightly. This will prevent fuel from spilling out of the container saving you from mess and also making sure your fuel doesn’t go to waste.
I also like the handle, which is pretty wide for a gas can. While it might seem a bit awkward for some, I have big hands, and I found it extremely comfortable to grip the can by the handle when I am pouring fresh fuel into my chainsaw.
What you see is what you get with this gas can, and what you get is simplicity. It looks and feels pretty barebones, and its sub-30 dollars price tag isn’t also that big of an ask. So if you want a simple and affordable gas can that has a couple of small but noticeable features built into it, this is your best pick.
Stihl Genuine 0000 881 0123
- Brand: Stihl
- Design: Combination
- Capacity: 5 liters fuel, 3 liters oil
- Material: Plastic
Pros
- Lightweight and durable design
- Automatic stop feature in the Nozzle
- Comes with a sight window on each side
Cons
- The price is a bit steep
- Garage Boss 2 Cans In 1 Press N Pour
Garage Boss is a brand that’s endorsed by Briggs and Stratton. If you don’t know who they are, well, let’s put it this way – Briggs and Stratton is the brand that’s responsible for manufacturing a lot of the high-end engines that you see in chainsaws and lawnmowers.
Now what sets Garage Boss apart from the likes of Stihl and Husqvarna is that the brand only manufactures fuel canisters and other accessories for your chainsaw. And their Press N Pour 2 Cans in 1 shows how far ahead they are of the competition because of their single-minded dedication.
As the name suggests, this is a combination gas can, which means you will be able to carry both your chainsaw fuel and chain oil at the same time. The carrying capacity is decent, allowing you to hold up to 5.5 liters of fuel and around 2.4 liters of chain oil without any hassle.
But the true highlight of this gas can is its Press N Pour spout. The spout in the can come with a button that lets you control the flow of the gas to ensure you don’t spill anything. In addition, the spout is quite flexible, which means you will be able to pour gas from any angle.
The spout also has a built-in filter inside it, so when you are pouring gas in your chainsaw if there is any debris or contaminants in the fuel, it will not enter your chainsaw. This might not seem like a huge deal, but it does help keep your chainsaw safe from any fuel contaminations.
Unlike the other two gas cans I mentioned earlier, this one is made of metal. But that can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the gas can is more durable, and the fuel inside is protected better from outside elements because of its construction.
But on the other hand, it’s also slightly heavier, which is the only real grip I have with it. Carrying it around with you everywhere might feel a bit awkward because of the extra weight from its metal construction.
That being said, the price of the gas can is pretty good, costing you no more than around 80 dollars. And for this price, the utility it offers is quite impressive. So if you are in the market for a high-quality, durable gas can for your chainsaw, this is a great one to go with.
Garage Boss Gas Can
- Brand: Garage Boss
- Design: Combination
- Capacity: 5.5 liters fuel, 2.3 liters oil
- Material: Metal
Pros
- Strong and durable metal construction
- Comes at an excellent price point
- Excellent carry capacity
Cons
- Feels a bit heavier compared to the rest of the options.
What to Look for in a Chainsaw Gas Can?
At first thought, you might think that there’s not much to think about when you are getting a gas can for your chainsaw. And yes, you could just go with a simple container from the dollar store. But in my opinion, that would be a big mistake.
The three options that I listed above should already give you an idea of how gas cans have evolved over the years. You see, a basic gas container is hardly worth it these days when you can have so much more if you slightly increase your budget.
Here are a couple of things that I think you should look for when you are shopping for a chainsaw gas can.
- Combination Vs. Regular
The standard chainsaw gas can back in the day came with a single compartment that could only hold either the fuel or the chain oil. Needless to say, that meant if you wanted to be safe, you had to carry two canisters, one containing the fuel for your chainsaw and the other containing the chain oil, to all your projects.
Thankfully, those days are long behind us. Now you can find combination chainsaw gas cans that feature a two-compartment design between which you can carry both your chainsaw fuel and oil. Of course, combination gas cans are a bit pricey compared to regular chainsaws, but they offer better value for your money.
- Carry Capacity is Important
You also need to think about how much fuel or chain oil you can hold in your gas can. Combination gas cans are great because they allow you to carry both types of fluids in your chainsaw. But even then, if the carrying capacity is low, you won’t get much use out of it.
A standard gas can lets you carry at least 5 liters of chainsaw fuel, and I think you should settle for nothing less. You can, of course, get a can of lower capacity if you don’t do any heavy work with your chainsaw, but going with the standard option is never a bad idea.
- Ease of Use Should Get Priority
I would also recommend looking for ease-of-use features like an automatic shutoff nozzle or sealing caps in your gas cans. This will help prevent fluid spills and save you from wasting your fuel. Each of the cans that I mentioned has something unique to offer in that regard.
- Safety is a Must
Make sure the gas can that you’re getting is compliant with EPA, CARB, OSHA, NFPA CPSC, California, or ASTM standards. The more compliance markers that your gas can tick off, the better for you. This means the fuel you keep inside the gas can will be safer.
- Material Matters
Gas cans are typically made of plastic, but these days, you can find a couple of models made of metal. While plastic gas cans will keep things lighter for you, metal gas cans are more durable. You need to decide what you want since there’s an obvious tradeoff here.
If you plan on working in places where there’s a chance of your gas can getting damaged, I would recommend going with a metal canister. But a plastic gas can works well if there’s no risk of damaging it.
- Price has to be a Concern
While I wouldn’t want you to skimp your budget trying to save a few bucks when buying a new gas can, I also don’t condone overspending. After all, getting a chainsaw gas can that far exceeds your budget doesn’t sound like something that would leave a happy aftertaste.
Since gas cans are available at a broad range of prices, don’t feel pressured into buying something that you don’t really need. The three gas cans that I mentioned above are priced in three distinct categories, and all of them will offer you an excellent performance. So, pick out the one that suits your budget better.
Let’s Recap
Getting a gas can for your chainsaw’s fuel is one of the easiest ways you can improve your overall experience with it. You see, a basic gas can only hold your fuel, and there’s really nothing special in it to make your life easier.
But as you can see from my reviews, spending a bit more towards your gas can will give you access to many quality-of-life features such as auto-shut off or dual carrying capacity for both fuel and chain oil.
If you’ve got the budget, the Husqvarna gas can be my suggestion. It’s an extremely well-designed gas can that’s fully deserving of its asking price.
Husqvarna 580754201
- Brand: Husqvarna
- Design: Combination
- Capacity: 5 liters fuel, 2.5 liters oil
- Material: Durable Poly Plastic
But for those on a budget, the Stihl gas can is also a decent option.
The Garage Boss gas can offers a decent middle point between the Stihl and Husqvarna cans.
I hope my extensive review of the best chainsaw gas cans could help you figure out which container is more worth your money. Good luck!