Tight Head Steel Drums – Closed Top Metal Drums for Liquids

Is a tight head steel drum right for my product?

Yes, if your product is a liquid that pours or pumps easily, such as oil, solvent, fuel additive or coolant. The closed top has no removable lid to leak, and the 2" and 3/4" bungs let you dispense and vent cleanly. For solids, pastes or anything you need to scoop, choose an open head drum.

How the Fittings Work

Every drum here has a 2" opening for filling, pumping or adding a faucet, and a 3/4" opening for venting. Most use NPT threads; some are tri-sure style closures. Gaskets seal each plug:

• Buna gaskets (nitrile) are a common choice for oils and petroleum products, as on the yellow 55 gallon tight head drum.
• Poly irradiated gaskets are fitted to the white 55 gallon tight head drum.
• Nylon fittings are used on the 55 gallon drum with nylon fittings.

Check your product's chemical compatibility chart against the gasket material before filling.

Sizes, Linings and Colors

Smaller drums such as the 16 gallon lined tight head drum and 20 gallon lined drum suit specialty fluids and lab quantities. The 30 gallon unlined drum fits mid-size batches, and 55 gallon (208 L) drums cover bulk storage in black, red, yellow and white. Lined drums protect water-based or reactive liquids from bare steel; unlined drums are standard for petroleum products.

Reading the UN Code

Tight head steel drums are coded UN1A1. A drum marked UN1A1/X1.4 is approved for Packing Group I, II and III liquids up to a specific gravity of 1.4, while a "Y" code covers Packing Groups II and III. Dense liquids need a drum rated for a higher specific gravity.

Reconditioned Tight Head Drums

Reconditioned drums may show scratches and minor imperfections but cost less. The reconditioned lined 55 gallon drum keeps a UN rating, while the red/yellow reconditioned drum suits non-regulated storage.

Finish your setup with a rotary drum pump, funnel or spill pallet. Compare open head steel drums, all steel drums and barrels, or tight head plastic drums for corrosive liquids. Contact us for bulk orders.

Tight Head Steel Drum FAQs

What is a tight head steel drum?

It is a steel drum with a permanently attached top. Product goes in and out through a 2" and a 3/4" bung, which makes it the standard drum for shipping liquids.

How do I empty a tight head steel drum?

Insert a hand, rotary or piston drum pump through the 2" bung with the drum upright, or lay it on a rack and thread a faucet into the 2" opening. Loosen the 3/4" plug to let air in.

Can I clean and reuse a tight head drum?

Yes, but cleaning through the bungs is harder than with an open head drum. Many buyers reuse tight head drums for the same product to avoid cross-contamination.

Are lined tight head drums suitable for water-based products?

A lined drum keeps the product off bare steel, which is why lined drums are chosen for water-based and more reactive liquids. Confirm the lining type on the product page against your product.