Jerricans

What Are Laboratory Jerricans?

Laboratory jerricans are rectangular HDPE containers in 5 L, 10 L, and 20 L capacities used for bulk liquid storage, transport, and dispensing in and around the laboratory. Globe Scientific Diamond RealSeal HDPE jerricans are precision-molded from virgin HDPE with consistent wall thickness, smooth interior surfaces, molded volume graduations (liters and gallons), an angled dispensing spout, and a molded ergonomic handle for one-hand pouring. The polypropylene screw cap incorporates an integral seal ring for a leak-proof closure at all temperatures. Rated from −100°C to +120°C, Diamond RealSeal jerricans cover the full range from dry-ice shipment conditions (−78.5°C) to hot-fill operations. Common applications include DI water holding, buffer preparation and transport, reagent storage, and liquid waste collection. Jerricans are distinct from carboys: jerricans are optimized for frequent pouring and active transport, while carboys are for high-volume stationary storage with a spigot.

What you will find:

• Small jerricans (5–6 L) for manageable daily use

• Medium jerricans (10–12 L) for routine liquid storage

• Large jerricans (20 L+) for bulk handling needs

• HDPE jerricans for chemical-resistant storage

• Fluorinated jerricans for aggressive solvents

• Jerricans with integrated spouts for controlled pouring

• Graduated jerricans for volume tracking

How to Choose Laboratory Jerricans

Volume

The 5 L jerrican is the bench-top standard for DI water, daily buffer volumes, and reagent sub-aliquots requiring frequent access. The 10 L size handles high-throughput buffer preparation and waste accumulation between disposals. The 20 L jerrican suits large-volume media preparation, waste collection in high-throughput labs, and any application requiring minimal decanting frequency.

Material: HDPE vs PP vs Fluorinated HDPE

HDPE jerricans provide broad chemical compatibility for aqueous solutions, dilute acids and bases, and most inorganic reagents at low cost. Polypropylene carboys are used when autoclave sterilization is required (121°C, PP-rated). Fluorinated HDPE adds a barrier layer for solvent-heavy applications such as chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons where standard HDPE may absorb or permeate chemicals. For most aqueous laboratory workflows, standard HDPE is the correct choice.

Cap Seal Type

Globe Scientific Diamond RealSeal jerricans use a PP screw cap with an integral seal ring that compresses against the container rim during closure, creating a leak-proof seal without requiring a separate gasket. This design reduces gasket loss and maintains consistent sealing performance across temperature ranges.

UN Certification

For transport of hazardous liquids under DOT/IATA/IMO regulations, the jerrican must carry a valid UN/DOT mark with the appropriate packing group rating. Not all laboratory jerricans are certified, so compliance must be verified per SKU before use in regulated shipping applications.

Compare Bulk Liquid Storage Formats

Diamond RealSeal jerricans are available in 5 L, 10 L, and 20 L formats, all made from HDPE and rated for −100°C to +120°C, with UN/DOT certification depending on SKU. The 5 L format is typically used for bench DI water and routine buffer preparation. The 10 L format is suited for higher-volume buffer batching and intermediate waste collection. The 20 L format is used for large-scale media preparation and bulk waste handling in high-throughput environments. PP carboys in 10–25 L sizes provide autoclavable bulk storage for sterile liquids but are less commonly used for frequent pouring workflows. Fluorinated HDPE carboys in 10–25 L sizes are used when solvent resistance is required, particularly for aromatic or chlorinated solvent storage.

Specifications Context

Globe Scientific Diamond RealSeal jerricans are manufactured from virgin HDPE to ensure uniform wall strength, low leachables, and chemical compatibility for laboratory reagents. The rectangular geometry improves shelf stability and space efficiency compared to cylindrical containers, while the integrated handle supports controlled one-hand pouring. As of 2026, 10 L and 20 L HDPE jerricans are widely used in pharmaceutical QC labs, pilot manufacturing setups, and academic chemistry departments for buffer preparation and waste collection workflows. Explore multi-purpose containers for 240 mL–2500 mL storage needs and sample storage containers for smaller specimen-scale applications.

Connect with the MBP team today to discuss your specific chemical compatibility and volume requirements