Drum types explained: lidded, screw-lid and bung drums

Three designs, three purposes

Whether a drum is the right one depends above all on the closure: lidded drums open up completely, screw-lid drums seal with minimal gas exchange, bung drums are purely for liquids, with small screw openings.

Lidded drum (clamp ring drum)

The lid sits on the full drum opening and is secured with a clamp ring. The wide opening makes filling, emptying and cleaning easy – ideal for bulk goods, raw food materials, feed or as a collection container. Our plastic lidded drums (30 to 220 litres) are food-safe, many sizes are stackable; for dangerous goods there are versions with UN approval. Robust steel drums with lid can also take hot or solvent-based contents.

Screw-lid drum

Here the entire lid is screwed on – with a seal, the drum closes with little odour and is splash-proof. This makes the design ideal for storing provisions, as a sauerkraut or mash drum, or for storing feed and bedding. Our screw-lid drums come in sizes from 5 to 100 litres, round and square, many with carrying handles.

Bung drum

Bung drums have a closed top with two small bung openings (usually 2″ and ¾″). They are the first choice for liquids: leak-tight, stackable, and can be emptied with a pump or tap. Steel bung drums with UN approval are also suitable for water-polluting or flammable media.

Decision guide

Tip: For food, look for the note “food-safe” in the product description – all suitable drums carry it explicitly.

As of: September 2026