Buy Used Metal Drums in Eagle River, AK

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2 Metal Drums listings within 500 miles of Eagle River, AK. Additional nationwide listings follow the nearby results. Prices range from $11.40 to $12.00 per unit.

Metal Drums Prices in Alaska

What buyers pay by condition

ConditionAvg. PriceAvailable Qty
New$61.030
Reconditioned$40.280
Used$11.653
Damaged (Salvage)$4.270

Prices reflect current market averages for metal drums in Alaska, with 3 units available across all conditions. View full price index

About Eagle River

Eagle River Supplier & Recycler of Used Metal Drums

Save Money on Metal Drums: Your Complete Guide to Buying Used 55-Gallon Steel Drums in Eagle River, AK

You'll save 40-60% compared to new drums while getting the same storage capacity and durability. This guide shows you exactly where to buy, what to pay, and how to inspect used metal drums in Eagle River.

Why Buy Used Metal Drums?

  • Save money: Used drums cost $25-75 instead of $120-180 for new ones

  • Get same capacity: 55 gallons whether new or used

  • Help the environment: Reusing drums reduces waste

  • Quick availability: Local suppliers have drums ready now

Where to Buy Used Metal Drums

Local Supplier in Eagle River Area RePackify (Anchorage - serves Eagle River)

  • Used 55-gallon steel drums

  • Cleaned and tested drums available

  • Bulk discounts when you buy multiple drums

  • Local delivery to Eagle River

What You'll Pay

Basic used drums (sold as-is): $25-45 each

  • May have surface rust or small dents

  • No cleaning or testing done

  • Good for non-critical storage

Cleaned drums: $45-75 each

  • Pressure washed inside and out

  • Previous contents removed

  • Basic leak testing done

Reconditioned drums: $75-100 each

  • New seals and gaskets installed

  • Thorough cleaning and testing

  • Like-new performance

Note: Prices don't include delivery. Picking up drums yourself saves money.

How to Inspect Used Drums

Check these things before you buy:

Look for rust problems:

  • Light surface rust is okay

  • Avoid drums with holes or deep rust pits

  • Check the bottom where water collects

Check for damage:

  • Small dents are fine

  • Avoid drums with sharp creases or major deformation

  • Make sure the drum can still roll and stack

Test the seals:

  • For closed drums, check rubber gaskets around lids

  • Make sure bung holes (small openings) aren't damaged

  • Caps should thread on smoothly

Know what was stored before:

  • Ask what the drum previously held

  • Food-grade drums are safer for many uses

  • Avoid drums that held hazardous chemicals

Do a leak test:

  • Fill the drum with water

  • Let it sit for 30 minutes

  • Check underneath for any leaks

Getting Your Drums Delivered

Local pickup options:

  • RePackify delivers to Eagle River area

  • You can pick up drums in Anchorage to save money

  • Bring a truck or trailer - drums are heavy when full

Delivery costs:

  • Varies by distance and number of drums

  • Ask about palletizing (putting drums on wooden pallets)

  • Some suppliers charge extra fees for loose drum shipping

Real Examples from Eagle River

Example 1: A local contractor bought 10 used drums from RePackify for $400 total. He uses them to store heating oil at job sites. New drums would have cost $1,200.

Example 2: An Eagle River resident bought 3 cleaned drums for $150 to collect rainwater for her garden. The drums were food-grade and perfect for water storage.

Example 3: A small business owner got 5 reconditioned drums for $375 to store cleaning supplies. The drums look almost new and have new seals.

When You're Done with Your Drums

  • Empty drums can be recycled at scrap yards

  • Some recyclers pay for clean metal drums

  • Never abandon drums - always recycle properly

Quick Start Checklist

Decide how many drums you need

Choose your quality level: basic used, cleaned, or reconditioned

Contact RePackify or local suppliers for current inventory

Inspect drums before paying

Arrange pickup or delivery

Do a leak test at home before using

Bottom line: You can get quality used 55-gallon steel drums in Eagle River for $25-75 each. Start with RePackify in Anchorage for the best selection and service. Always inspect before buying and test for leaks before using.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are standard 55-gallon drum dimensions?

A closed-head 55-gallon steel drum is 22.5" in diameter and 33.5" tall and weighs 38 to 48 lbs empty; the open-head version is about 34.75" tall because of the bolt ring and weighs 45 to 55 lbs. A 30-gallon drum is 19" x 28.5" (22 to 30 lbs) and a 16-gallon drum 15" x 26.5" (15 to 20 lbs). The 85-gallon overpack, 27" x 39", is for containing a damaged drum.

What is the difference between open-head and tight-head drums?

A tight-head drum has a sealed top with 2" and 3/4" bungs and is for liquids. An open-head drum has a removable lid held by a bolt ring or lever lock and is for solids, pastes, and anything you scoop out. Lined drums add an epoxy or phenolic interior for corrosive or food-grade contents.

What is a reconditioned drum?

A reconditioned drum has been professionally cleaned, tested, and certified for reuse, and is the grade to buy when the drum will hold product again, provided the new contents are compatible with what it held before and any hazmat use has a valid UN marking from a DOT-certified reconditioner. Used drums are sold as-is, with prior contents disclosed when the seller knows them, and suit non-critical storage. Damaged drums are sold for scrap value only; grade says nothing about head type, so check the 33.5" closed-head or 34.75" open-head height separately.

Can a used steel drum hold food or drinking water?

Only a lined, reconditioned drum that was previously food-grade and that the reconditioner certifies for food or potable use; the grade alone is not enough. An unlined drum that held oil, solvents, or chemicals cannot be made food-safe by cleaning. Listings state the last contents when the seller knows them, so filter by prior contents before buying a 55-gallon drum for potable use.

How many drums fit on a truck?

Empty 55-gallon drums: a 53-foot dry van carries 104 single-tier on 26 drum pallets of 4, 208 double-stacked, or 200 or more loose and tight-packed. Filled with water, weight governs: about 84 drums on 21 pallets reach the 45,000-lb payload. An 85-gallon overpack is 27" across, so only 2 fit on a 48" drum pallet.