How to Choose the Right 5 Gallon Drum: Steel vs Plastic vs Water Drums?

A drum that passes inspection for one chemical can be illegal for another, and the difference is in a code most buyers never read. Choosing the right 5 gallon drum comes down to three questions: what goes inside, whether it ships as hazardous material, and whether contents touch food or drinking water.

For the full breakdown, see our best 5 Gallon Drum guide.

What Is The 5 Gallon Drum Made Of?

Carbon steel and high-density polyethylene are the two mainstream materials. Steel wins on impact resistance and UN-rated containment. Plastic wins on empty weight and corrosion resistance.

Steel drums are measured in gauge. A 20-gauge ASTM-grade carbon steel tight-head drum from The Cary Company holds liquids under a UN1A1/X1.6/250 rating and weighs 10 lbs empty. Salvage versions use thicker 18/20/20-gauge steel with an EPDM rubber gasket.

Plastic drums are far lighter. A 5-gallon round natural HDPE drum from Yankee Containers has a tare weight of 2.7 lbs — critical when moving drums by hand or paying freight by the pound. No plastic drum shrugs off a forklift tine like steel.

Water, mild cleaners, and dilute chemicals will not rust HDPE. They will eventually attack bare steel from the inside, so steel drums for wet contents need a lining or coating.

Steel Or Plastic: Which Fits Your Contents?

Use steel when contents are hazardous, the drum will be handled roughly, or the shipment needs the strongest UN-rated containment.

The Cary Company’s heavy-duty tight-head steel drum is rated UN1A1/X1.6/250 for liquids; their steel salvage drum carries UN1A2/X60/S for solids plus UN1A2/Y1.8/150 for liquids — two ratings because solids and liquids stress a container differently.

Yankee Containers lists a 5-gallon round natural HDPE drum with a UN1H1/Y1.8/100 rating, and a line of janitorial drums in HMWHDPE described as both UN packaging compliant and FDA compliant.

Note: a “salvage drum” is an overpack for a damaged or leaking inner container, not a primary shipping vessel. Buying one to ship product directly is an expensive mix-up.

What Does A Water Drum Need To Be Safe?

For drinking water, the drum material and closure must both be food-grade.

A steel drum can hold water only with a food-grade lining — bare carbon steel will rust and taint the contents.

Closures decide whether the drum stays sealed. Screw necks, dust caps, bolt rings, and lever lock rings each seal differently, and the closure must match the contents and the UN code. A drum rated for liquids but left open with a loose lid is not compliant.

Before buying, check the UN code against your specific contents and packing group, and confirm head style — tight-head versus open-head — because the UN rating is tied to that structure. If you want a shortcut past spec sheets, this tested roundup of the best 5 gallon drums compares real options side by side. Two classic errors: assuming any plastic drum is food-safe when the source had to state FDA approval explicitly, and buying by gallon size alone while ignoring UN rating and head type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a steel drum for drinking water?

Only with an explicit food-grade lining. Bare carbon steel will rust, give water a metallic taste, and weaken over time.

Is a salvage drum the same as a regular shipping drum?

No. A salvage drum is an overpack for a damaged or leaking inner container during transport. Use a standard tight-head or open-head drum for primary shipment.

Does a higher UN rating mean a better drum?

No. The UN code marks which hazard classes, packing groups, and specific gravities the drum is approved for — not overall quality. A drum rated for one chemical may be unsuitable for another. Always match the code to your exact contents.