Manufacturer research Specifications checked 2026-10-22 US model
Scepter Flow Control WCG501
Scepter's WCG501 is a 5-gallon flow-control water can made of food-grade, BPA-free plastic with a wide base and adjustable dispensing valve. Because 5 gallons of water weigh about 41.7 lb before container weight and Scepter does not publish a stacking rating, plan to store it single-high on a solid floor and follow CDC's standard food-grade container sanitizing routine.
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Check price at Amazon - Listed water capacity
- 5 US gal Manufacturer source for Listed water capacity (checked 2026-10-22; opens in a new tab)
Is it right for your household?
Adjustable five-gallon floor-standing water storage and camp dispensing.
Over 41.7 lb when filled; store single-high on a floor rather than stacking.
More fit considerations
Other situations to consider
- Households that want a five-gallon food-grade, BPA-free water can with an adjustable flow-control valve for controlled pouring.
- Single-high floor storage in a closet, pantry, or garage where exact shelf height or filled stacking is not required.
- A mixed-container water plan that pairs five-gallon reserve cans with smaller containers or bottled water for easier lifting.
Other reasons to choose a different setup
- A household that requires published cabinet dimensions or a verified stacking rating before purchase.
- Frequent carrying by someone for whom about 41.7 lb of water plus container weight is too heavy.
- A dispenser whose valve can be exposed to dirt or whose outlet cannot be kept clean and protected.
Manufacturer specification record · No hands-on testing · Source records checked on 2026-10-22
Use only the exact WCG501 claims
Scepter identifies this product as Flow Control Water Can #WCG501. It lists five gallons, an adjustable flow-control valve, and food-grade, BPA-free plastic, and says the can may store emergency water. The manufacturer does not identify the polymer type or provide a certification report on the product page. Do not transfer specifications from another Scepter water can or fuel container.
An adjustable valve is a dispensing feature, not a carry rating
Five gallons of water alone weigh about 41.7 lb; Scepter does not list the WCG501's tare weight. Its 2025 comparison describes this model's wider base and flow-control spout, and contrasts those features with its own military-style can's taller, slimmer profile and lack of flow control. The comparison supports considering dispensing style and packing shape, not a universal product ranking or an assumed durability rating.
Plan for single-high floor storage when dimensions and stacking are unlisted
Scepter's product page and product article do not list WCG501 dimensions, empty weight, filled stacking limits, or product-specific cleaning instructions. Rather than stacking filled cans or relying on tight shelf clearances, plan to keep the WCG501 single-high on a solid floor surface and measure the physical can before building fixed shelving around it. Five gallons of water alone weigh about 41.7 lb, so keep a smaller pitcher or bottle nearby if lifting a full can is impractical.
Follow CDC container-safety guidance
For home-filled emergency water, CDC recommends food-grade storage containers, clean handling, protection from sunlight and toxic substances, and its current pre-fill container cleaning and sanitizing steps. CDC's sanitizer recipe is for the empty container, not a treatment formula for unsafe water. Check the current public-health advisory and CDC treatment instructions separately if the source water may be unsafe. No Scepter-specific cleaning recipe was located, so do not invent one.
Specifications & sources
These are manufacturer specifications, not independent performance measurements. Source records checked on 2026-10-22. We have not tested this model hands-on.
- Listed water capacity
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5 US gal
Checked 2026-10-22. Source for Listed water capacity (opens in a new tab)
- Manufacturer litre label
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Not verified in this source record
No metric capacity is listed on Scepter's WCG501 page.
Checked 2026-10-22. Source for Manufacturer litre label (opens in a new tab)
- Listed dimensions
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Not verified in this source record
No dimensions located in Scepter's primary sources.
Checked 2026-10-22. Source for Listed dimensions (opens in a new tab)
- Empty container weight
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Not verified in this source record
No empty weight located in Scepter's primary sources.
Checked 2026-10-22. Source for Empty container weight (opens in a new tab)
- Manufacturer material statement
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Food-grade, BPA-free plastic; polymer type not specified.
Checked 2026-10-22. Source for Manufacturer material statement (opens in a new tab)
- Dispensing
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Adjustable flow-control valve.
Scepter's June 3, 2025 article distinguishes its wider base and flow-control spout from the taller, slim profile of its military-style water can.
Checked 2026-10-22. Source for Dispensing (opens in a new tab)
- Stacking when filled
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Not verified in this source record
No filled-stacking rating located in Scepter's primary sources.
Checked 2026-10-22. Source for Stacking when filled (opens in a new tab)