A jerrycan (also written as jerry can or jerrican) is a robust liquid container made from pressed steel. It was designed in Germany in the 1930s for military use to hold 20 litres (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal) of fuel.Click to see full answer. In respect to this, what are jerry cans used for?A jerrican or jerry can is a container used for efficient fuel transportation. Its success during World War II enabled the Germans to employ their famous Blitzkrieg strategy and overrun most of Europe in record time.Similarly, can you use a jerry can for water? None of the metal jerry cans will be good for water, they have a painted/coating on the inside that is pretty nasty. Especially the fuel cans. Also know, why do they call it a jerry can? Jerry cans were introduced for storing extra gasoline for German vehicles during the Second World War. Jerry was what the allied soldiers called their German counterparts and hence the name, Jerry cans because of their German origin.How many liters are in a jerry can? 20 litres