Water storage is a vital part of backcountry camping trips, marine expeditions, outdoor activities, or even as a backup source at home.
If you’re an outdoor hobbyist of any sort, you’ve likely come across Scepter water cans. It’s what the military trusts not only for water but gasoline.
My review of the scepter water container comes from using them in the backcountry. However, many of the reasons I use it will transfer to boaters, hunters, and off-roaders.
I needed a water container that was rugged, puncture-proof, and durable. A leak, a crack, or any failure could ruin a trip.
Scepter Water Can Review: Is the Price Justified?
After nearly 2 years of using 2x Scepter Water Cans, they live up to their reputation of being durable, puncture-proof, and can handle the roughest environments.
What Darn Tough did to the sock industry is what Scepter has apparently been doing to the water container industry for years.
They may cost a little more, but they are designed to take many years of punishment and you don’t have to worry about them failing you like other brands (cough, Aqua-Tainer, cough).
Scepter designs and tests products used by the U.S. Military. If it’s durable enough for them, I’m sure it can handle your next trip!
I use two of these on most trips along with a few Nalgenes. It typically will last me up to 8 to 10 days for one person.
It’s also available at REI.com and Sportsmans Warehouse, but the links above to Amazon will likely be cheaper. In my opinion, the Scepter water can is the best water container for camping and overlanding.
How Do I Choose Scepter Container vs Reliance-Aqua Tainer?
Some of my camping road trips are weeks or even months long. It requires quality and reliable water containers as they bounce around rocky and dirt roads.
Let’s be real – Scepter cans are expensive compared to the rest of the market. They cost just over 2x competitors like Reliance’s Aqua-Tainer.
However, there really isn’t a great competitor to Scepter in terms of durability.
You could buy the famous aqua-tainer that is notorious for punctures. You could try a flexible and collapsable water system, but that’s even more susceptible to punchers.
The decision process is as easy as this:
- If you could obtain water from a 30 to 60-minute radius on most trips, the classic aqua-tainer or other cheap water container is probably sufficient.
- If losing your water to a puncture or leak will ruin your trip, then invest the extra $25 to $40 or so for a Scepter.
I think Aqua-Tainers are useful for when they stay in an RV or somewhere as backup water. But if you’re taking your water in and out of your SUV, truck, or jeep and it’s bouncing around in the back on dirt roads, then you’ll want a Scepter.
Scepter Water Can Spout Accessory: The Expensive Spigots
Scepter sells a long spigot/spout (see image below). I bought one from REI for an exorbitant amount of money (like $25).
If I didn’t think I might write about my experience with it, I’m not so sure I would have bought it, to be honest!
In addition, JAGMTE sells some awesome accessories (more about them later).
I wish I would have known of his site before I bought the REI one to support his small business.
Instead, I’ll refer you there as another option for not only spigots but a bunch of other cool accessories for it!
An Expensive Spigot: Is a Scepter Spout Necessary?
The Scepter water jug comes with a large, attached cap with a pouring hole and vent.
One of the only accessories in-store for the Scepter is a spout. It’s perfect for laying on a picnic table and being able to wash hands and fill water bottles.
However, it’s also about $25 which is almost half the price of the actual container!
I thought I’d be using the spigot all the time. From washing my hands, and dishes, to even maybe using it as a shower.
It’s not super convenient for any of those (unless it was 1/10th of the price).
Without the spout, I thought it would be tough to pour water from a Scepter, especially when it’s extremely full or running low.
However, I typically have it in the backseat passenger footwell. I can simply open the cap, lean it over, and pour.
When it gets really empty, it doesn’t weigh as much and you can just use both hands to tilt it and pour it into your water bottle or wherever you need the water.
DIY Spigot for Scepter Water Cans
I found information in a forum for a DIY spigot. If you want a spigot and want to save a few bucks check the expedition portal forum for some crafty ideas. JAGMTE also has DIY kits starting at ~$13.
JAGMTE which stands for “Just A Guy Making Thing Easier” – and he truly is!
The owner, Fritz, modifies caps and has other accessories.
If you buy his spigot, you get a modified cap with threads on the inside for his spigot. Your current cap can become a backup cap if anything happens.
If you plan on having your Scepter sit sideways, make sure to get a CapWrench to tighten it so it doesn’t leak.
This is from JAGMTE's Amazon store. "The JAGMTE MWC cap wrench fits exactly as it should, is easy to use, and less bulky. It is the superior MWC cap wrench."
How to Clean a Scepter Water Can: It’s Easy
The Scepter water can is easy to clean.
The opening is large enough to get most of my forearm in and scrub 80% of it with a sponge! For the rest I use a sponge with a handle or have my girlfriend stick her arm in it.
If you need more reach, a bottle cleaner like this will help.
How to Remove Plasticy-Chemical Smell from a Water Container
Plastic water jugs are notorious for chemical smells that sometimes make the water taste weird. Just because they are BPA-free doesn’t mean they still won’t have this issue.
To clean a Scepter water can, use a sponge with dish soap and scrub the inside. The mouth of the can is large enough for many to be able to scrub most of it.
If your forearm is too large to reach the bottom, use a water bottle brush as an extension to your hand.
If you have a brush like this, it can come in handy to reach the bottom corners.
Rinse it out in a tub or shower a few times and then fill it full and let clean water soak in it overnight.
Taste the water and smell the container in the morning.
Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Soap and a Sponge Isn’t Working, Now What?
I bought 2 Scepters at the same store at the same time.
For me, one was perfectly fine after a basic scrub and rinse.
However, the other still had a strong chemical and plastic odor.
They are BPA-free, so it is still safe even if it does smell. However, it’s not pleasant and you should get rid of it.
To rid the strong chemical odor, I filled the container 3/4ths of the way and added several tablespoons of baking soda. Then I closed the cap, shook it around, and let it soak for a night.
Even this didn’t do it, so I did the same process one more time for another night.
Magically, the strong chemical odor was gone after the 2nd time. In total, it took 3 full days to get rid of the smell, so don’t give up too early.
It’s unclear why some Scepters take longer than others to get rid of the smell, but using some combination of the above steps should work.
After the initial cleanse, I’ve never had any issues with smell or taste ever again.
Also, I should note, this isn’t an issue just with Scepter, it’s an issue with nearly all plastic-based containers.
Easy to Maintain and Clean
After that first cleaning, it’s very easy to maintain these containers.
The mouth is so large most people can clean at least half of it by hand. The rest can be done with a sponge with a handle or shaking soapy water inside it and rinsing.
I’ve never even had water taste weird after it sitting for days or weeks. However, for best practice, every couple of months I do a quick scrub and rinse with basic dishwashing soap.
Where to Fill Water on Long Camping Road Trips?
Many gas stations and grocery stores have areas to fill up large water containers.
Sometimes they are outside, but you can find them near their water sections in larger stores. Here’s a list of all the Primo Water stations, which owns Glacier water (as shown in my video above).
You simply bring in your container, fill it up, and then go to the checkout and tell them how many gallons you filled up. Typically, it’s $0.35 to $0.50 per gallon (on the west coast).
If you’re prepping for a trip, you can always use a bathtub or hose to fill it up.
Scepter 5 Gallon (20L) vs Scepter 2.5 Gallon (10L)
Scepter currently sells in two sizes. 5 Gallon (20L) and 2.5 gallon (10L).
Typically, the 2.5 gallon container is $55.00 and the 5 gallon is $70.00 (you can typically find them cheaper or on sale on Amazon vs REI.com.)
In my opinion, there are two reasons to buy the 2.5-gallon version. One is if you’re very limited on cargo space.
Another thing is that 5 gallons of water weigh about 42 lbs (source). It can be a pain to carry to and from your car and it’s not always easy to get a proper lifting position.
The disadvantage of the larger 5 gallon containers is that they aren’t collapsable, so they always take up space.
At the same time, 2.5 gallons of water doesn’t get you very far and is easily consumed in a day or two from drinking and cleaning with a person or two.
For most weekend trips where you’re being active or cooking with the water, I’d recommend more than 2.5 gallons unless you’re going solo. Here’s an article I wrote on the topic of how much water to bring camping.
Scepter Military Water Jug Replacement Parts
There are typically two things that will fail on a Scepter jerry can. Neither has happened to me, but I noticed this while researching the product before I bought it.
- The vent cap will break off which means it will leak if laid on its side.
- The pour hole cap will break or crack if dropped from high up
Lid Replacement
Here’s a link to the full lid replacement. Also, check NRS.com, sometimes it’s a few dollars cheaper.
Most reviews are positive for using this as a Scepter. It does NOT come with an O ring, so try and bundle that somewhere else if you need that.
Scepter Pour Hole Cap
If your pour-hole cap breaks on your Scepter, here’s a link to the pour-hole cap on JAGMTE.
Scepter Container Vent Cap Replacement
JAGMTE also carries vent cap replacements.
Conclusion: Too Long Didn’t Read
The 5 Gallon Scepter is the best heavy-duty water container and is great for outdoorsy folks. Whether you’re going in the backcountry, fishing, hunting, or enjoying extended time with the family, it’s a trusty-worthy product for your water needs.
If you gained any value from this post, I’d appreciate it if you used any Amazon link on this page for your purchase. It doesn’t cost you anything additional, and I get a small % which goes a long way!
