Jerry can, drum or IBC: choosing the right container size

The same liquid ships in a 20-litre can, a 200-litre drum or a 1000-litre IBC depending on how much moves at once and how it is handled. Here is how to choose the format before you choose the material.

The three formats

• Jerry can, 3 to 30 litres. Hand-carried and hand-poured. For point-of-use volumes: refuelling a machine, carrying water, decanting a chemical at the bench.
• Drum, around 200 litres. Moved by trolley or forklift, dispensed by pump or tap. For a workshop or store that draws off repeatedly.
• IBC, around 1000 litres. Forklift or pallet-truck handled, valve-dispensed, stackable. For bulk storage and transfer.

Choose by how the liquid is used

If a person carries the liquid to the point of use, it is a jerry can. If it stays put and is drawn from, a drum or IBC with a tap or pump fits. Many operations use all three: an IBC in the store, drums at the workshop, and cans to carry to the machine.

Decanting between them

The formats connect. A drum or IBC dispenses into jerry cans through the right adapter and tap, which is how bulk stock reaches a hand-carried can. We supply drum and IBC adapters and taps and dispensing valves for exactly this.

Then choose the material

Format first, material second. Once the size is set, the liquid picks the material, as in choosing a jerry can. Fortitude21 builds the jerry can end of this range across steel, stainless, aluminium and HDPE.