How To Choose The Best Oil Pump For a 55 Gallon Drum [Complete System]

There's a logical first question for those looking at 55 gallon drums of bulk oil for the first time.  

That question is, how do I get the oil out of the drum? Good question.  Here's the answer-- and it's actually pretty simple.

Our Recommendation for a Drum Pump

First things first, you'll need a drum pump.  This mechanism will get the oil out of the inside of the drum, through the hole in the top, and into your production line.  There are lots of different manual and electric pumps for drums, but here's our favorite one:

Why this one?  Well, it's stainless steel.  It's made for thick liquids like oils, which means that it will stand up to wear and tear.  And it's a manual pump, so it's simple to use.  This pump in particular moves about 8 gallons per minute.

If you want to look at some other ideas, here's another place to look online. We also explain how to insert the pump into the olive oil drum and attach it in this article.

What Else Will You Need?

Here's the thing that most people don't tell you: the drum pump is usually only part of what you'll need.  Once you begin pumping the oil out, you'll need to think about where it's actually going to.  Here are the two most common options:

If you decide to opt for this hose, here's what you need to look for:

• Look for clear vinyl tubing with an inside diameter of 1/2" or 3/4"
  • The tubing with an inside diameter of 1/2" is ideal for hand pumps.
  • If you choose an electric or pneumatic pump, the tubing with an inside diameter of 3/4" is ideal, because it reduces the pressure.
• You can find this at your local industrial supply or hardware store
• You'll also need a hose clamp that will go around the tubing to tighten it to the pump
• You'll need to choose the hose length ideal for your facility (6, 8, 12 or 16 feet for example).  To make this decision, think about where you're going to store your drum and how far away your productionline or mixing area is.
• Also, it's important to note that most food grade hoses have plasticizers in them. Over time the oil will cause the hose to become stiff and brittle. Whenever possible, choose a hose free of plasticizers.

Here's a suggestion for where too buy this hose from online:

MSC Industrial Supply

Item #79815270

If you would prefer to have us put together a ready-make pump kit when you buy drums for the first time, we can do that.  Just ask!  

Good luck on your switch to drums!  As you're evaluating this bulk packaging, you will probably enjoy reading the eBook, The Manufacturer's Ultimate Guide To Bulk Oil Packaging.

Do you have questions about this drum pump system?  Comment below to ask, or you can tell us about the pump system you've designed that you love.