$10.38/ unit
Buy Used Metal Drums in Ankeny, IA
38 listings · Available Listings near Ankeny, IA
- $12.98/ unit
- $14.27/ unit
- $10.38/ unit
- $11.68/ unit
- $13.36/ unit
- $10.38/ unit
- $12.98/ unit
- $11.68/ unit
- $11.68/ unit
- $10.38/ unit
- $11.68/ unit
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38 Metal Drums listings within 500 miles of Ankeny, IA. Prices range from $3.96 to $15.57 per unit.
Metal Drums Prices in Iowa
What buyers pay by condition
| Condition | Avg. Price |
|---|---|
| New | $57.57 |
| Reconditioned | $38.00 |
| Used | $11.75 |
| Damaged (Salvage) | $4.03 |
About Ankeny
Ankeny Supplier & Recycler of Used Metal Drums
Save Money on Steel Drums: Quality Used 55-Gallon Drums Starting at $5 in Ankeny
What you'll get: Find affordable used metal drums in Ankeny, Iowa, starting at just $5 each. Get the storage you need without breaking your budget.
Why Buy Used Drums?
Used steel drums cost 90% less than new ones. A new 55-gallon drum costs around $50. A used one costs just $5-$15. For businesses that need bulk storage - like restaurants storing cooking oil, farmers storing chemicals, or manufacturers storing materials - this saves thousands of dollars.
What's Available Right Now
Best Deal: 160 used 55-gallon drums at $5 each in Ankeny
Nearby Options:
Boone, IA: 108 drums at $7 each (cleaned)
Marshalltown, IA: 90 drums at $8 each
Drum Basics
Standard 55-gallon drum:
Size: 23 inches wide, 35 inches tall
Weight when empty: 44 pounds
Material: Steel (won't crack like plastic)
Types: Open-top (removable lid) or closed-top (small openings)
Other sizes available: 30-gallon, 15-gallon, and 5-gallon drums
Choose Your Condition Level
Used drums ($5-$15): Good for general storage. May have minor dents or surface rust. Example use: Storing non-food items like motor oil or cleaning supplies
Reconditioned drums ($30): Professionally cleaned and repaired. Example use: Storing water for emergency prep or irrigation
Food-grade drums ($40): Safe for storing food and beverages. Example use: Storing cooking oil, syrup, or wine
How to Get Your Drums
Step 1: Call or email RePackify with how many drums you need
Step 2: Choose pickup or delivery
Pick up yourself: Monday-Friday, 6 AM to 4 PM
Small orders: We'll ship by truck
Large orders: We'll fill a whole truck
Step 3: Pay when you pick up or receive delivery
Delivery Areas
We deliver throughout central Iowa:
Des Moines
Ames
West Des Moines
Altoona
Urbandale
Get Started
Hours: Monday-Friday, 6 AM-4 PM
Need drums today? Call now to check what's in stock. Most orders can be ready for pickup within 24 hours.
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.