55 Gallon Drum Sourcing

Try Facebook market place. There seems to be several sellers for open head 55 gallon drums- sort of depends on how far you want to drive. I just gave the zip as 11101 and let it roll for anything within 40 miles.

good luck

You could also reach out to recyclers, scrap dealers and chemical companies - worth a shot.
If all else fails, you can source retail- will not be cheap but you will know it's new and what was in it. Buying retail also lets you avoid "food grade" drums which can have an interior coating that can be vexing to remove. (believe it)

Marketplace. Tons of them here in north FL for $10. There has to be someone by you advertises on there


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Here’s a couple of maybes

https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/hsh/d/55-gallon-metal-or-plastic-barrels/7414807917.html
https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/for/d/hicksville-55-gallon-food-grade-metal/7404635215.html

I found next to nothing on Craigslist as well, but plenty on Facebook marketplace. One thing you want to keep in mind, depending on how much work you want to do and what kind of tools you have is whether to go with a sealed drum vs one with a removable lid. With a sealed drum, you'll need to cut the top off, which is not desirable in my opinion as there are issues creating a tight seal between the drum and the lid. Better to go with a drum with a removable lid.

Second, if you can find a drum that is unlined, even if it costs more, it will cut back significantly on prep work as you won't have to remove the synthetic liner with burning, then cleaning out with a wire wheel.

Last, I would avoid drums with ridges like the photo below. The lower set of ridges offer no smooth/flat surface in the area you'll want to mount your lower exhaust inlets.




At some point a few months ago, I decided to go with a drum identical to the one used in this thread by sudsandswine below:

https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281554

I liked the smooth surface of the drum he used, as well as the fact the lid had no bungs. After a couple of weeks of searching, I found one in IN, about a 2.5 hour drive from us for $20 and picked it up a few days later. It had everything I was looking for - no liner, no ridges, removable lid, and the lid is flat with no bungs. Once I get the holes drilled for grate hardware, exhaust inlets etc, I'm going to have it sandblasted, then it gets a nice coat of paint.

Here's a perfect barrel in Kingston. He has 2 for $50 but might be willing to sell one? Might be too far of a drive for you tho? I found mine at plant that used adhesives in their product so that might be a good tip for you. Also, find something that doesn't have an epoxy liner but is just bare steel.

https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/for/d/kingston-55-gallon-drums-barrels/7402070513.html

If you find one Big Poppa Smokers has a kit to make a UDS Has what you need except for the drum

Here's a source for new. They even have one that has a drain near the bottom that would be perfect for installing a 2" air intake valve. They aren't cheap though. Lot's of options available.

https://www.mcmaster.com/drums/capacity-weight-~55-gal-/

Individualist said:

Here's a perfect barrel in Kingston. He has 2 for $50 but might be willing to sell one? Might be too far of a drive for you tho? I found mine at plant that used adhesives in their product so that might be a good tip for you. Also, find something that doesn't have an epoxy liner but is just bare steel.

https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/for/d/kingston-55-gallon-drums-barrels/7402070513.html

Click to expand...

That's exactly like the drum I got. $30 is a good price for it!

I work in auto manufacturing and occasionally our plant will sit a dozen or so steel drums on the curb. People get them quickly. I would check any auto or industrial manufacturing plants around NY and you might get lucky. Also keep in mind of what the drum may have contained. Ours hold automotive grease but have a heavy trash bag type liner so the inside is clean. Keep your eyes peeled and good luck.

Moose said:

That's exactly like the drum I got. $30 is a good price for it!

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Yep, same H.B. Fuller barrel here. I designed and built it to my own liking. A prefab kit would be an excellent alternative.