Drum Heaters

Generally used in lower temperature ranges to improve flow rate and recovery percentage from viscous products they can also elevate product temperatures. Gentle enough not to damage and powerful enough to do the job.

Industrial liquids don't always behave the way you need them to. Oils become thick, chemicals crystallise, adhesives become difficult to pump, and food ingredients can become too viscous to process efficiently. A drum heater is one of the most effective solutions for maintaining or increasing the temperature of materials stored in metal or plastic drums, ensuring consistent product quality and smoother operations.

A drum heater is an electric heating device designed to apply controlled heat to drums, barrels and containers. Its primary purpose is to maintain product temperature, prevent solidification, reduce viscosity and improve flow characteristics. Drum heaters are commonly used with:

By maintaining the correct temperature, drum heaters allow materials to be pumped, mixed, poured or processed more efficiently.

Many industrial liquids are temperature-sensitive. When temperatures drop, products can become difficult to handle, leading to production delays and increased costs.

A drum heater transfers heat directly to the surface of a drum. Heat then conducts through the drum wall and into the contents. Most systems use thermostatic temperature control to maintain a desired setpoint. Common operating temperatures range from:

The exact temperature depends on the product being stored and the heating technology used.

Drum Heating Jackets – wrap around the circumference of the drum and provide even heat distribution. Easy to install, energy efficient, with adjustable temperature control, and suitable for steel and plastic drums. Heating jackets are among the most widely used drum heating solutions.

Drum Heating Bands – provide direct contact heat around the drum. Rapid heating, compact design, and effective for maintaining process temperatures on metal drums.

Insulated Drum Heaters – combine heating elements with insulation to minimise heat loss. Ideal for outdoor installations, cold climates and long-term temperature maintenance.

Drum Heating Ovens – enclose one or more drums inside a heated chamber, used when higher temperatures, complete drum heating or simultaneous heating of multiple containers is required.

Base Drum Heaters – installed beneath the container to warm materials from the bottom up. Particularly effective for waxes, fats and semi-solid products.

The material being heated – consider viscosity, specific heat capacity, density, pour point and maximum allowable temperature.

Drum size – common sizes include 20 L containers, 60 L, 120 L and 205 L (55-gallon) drums, and Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs). Ensure the heater is designed for the correct container size.

Heating power – higher wattage generally heats faster but isn't always necessary. Power depends on product volume, desired heating rate, ambient temperature, insulation level and material characteristics.

Temperature control – look for adjustable thermostats, digital controllers, over-temperature protection and process monitoring. Accurate control improves safety and product consistency.

Indoor vs outdoor installation – outdoor applications usually benefit from insulated heating jackets to minimise heat loss and reduce operating costs.

Use heaters approved for the application, ensure electrical components meet local standards, verify hazardous area compatibility where flammable materials are present, and train operators on correct installation and operation.

Drum heaters suit drums and barrels, lower material volumes, and are portable and easy to install. IBC heaters are designed for Intermediate Bulk Containers and larger storage capacities common in bulk chemical processing. Many facilities use both, depending on storage and process requirements.

A drum heater is a worthwhile investment when you experience thick or difficult-to-pump liquids, product solidification during storage, slow production throughput, high material wastage or temperature-sensitive processes. In many industries, the productivity gains and material savings quickly outweigh the initial equipment cost.

Backer Cynebar Ohmic is an Australian manufacturer based in Brisbane, certified to ISO 9001:2015. Contact Backer Cynebar Ohmic for expert advice on drum heating systems, heating jackets, custom process heating solutions and temperature control equipment tailored to your application. Our team can help you determine the ideal heating capacity, temperature range and control solution to maximise performance and reliability.