How Many Pounds Of Corn Will A 55-gallon Drum Hold

Corn, Drums, and a Curious Question

So, there I was, standing in my backyard, staring at a 55-gallon drum like it was a puzzle I couldn't solve. I'd just had this brilliant idea to start growing corn - you know, the kind that pops and dances in a pan. But then I thought, "How much corn can I actually fit in this drum?" And that, my friends, is how I found myself googling "corn to drum capacity" under the midday sun.

Now, I'm no stranger to drums. I've had my fair share of storing rainwater, but corn? That was a new one. So, I decided to do some digging - pun intended - and find out just how many pounds of corn a 55-gallon drum can hold. And guess what? It's not as straightforward as you might think.

First Things First: What's a Gallon?

Before we dive into the corn-filled drum, let's talk gallons. A gallon is a unit of volume, and in the U.S., there are two types: the U.S. liquid gallon and the dry gallon. The U.S. liquid gallon is about 231 cubic inches, while the dry gallon is about 268.8 cubic inches. Why the difference? Well, that's a story for another time. For now, let's stick with the U.S. liquid gallon, as that's what our 55-gallon drum is measured in.

Now, you might be wondering, "Why does this matter?" Well, corn isn't a liquid, and it doesn't exactly fill a space like water does. It's a solid, and it takes up space in a very different way. So, the volume of the drum isn't the only thing we need to consider. We also need to think about the density of the corn.

Enter the Density of Corn

Corn density can vary depending on the type of corn, how it's stored, and how much it's been dried. But let's start with a common type of field corn, which has a density of about 56 pounds per cubic foot when it's at 15.5% moisture content.

Now, let's do some math. A 55-gallon drum has a volume of about 233.65 cubic feet. If we multiply that by the density of our corn, we get about 13,080 pounds of corn. But wait, that's not quite right. We've forgotten to convert the gallons to cubic feet!

To convert gallons to cubic feet, we divide the volume in gallons by the number of gallons in a cubic foot. In this case, that's 233.65 gallons divided by 7.48052 gallons per cubic foot, which gives us about 31.29 cubic feet. Now, when we multiply that by the density of our corn, we get about 1,750 pounds of corn.

So, a 55-gallon drum can hold about 1,750 pounds of corn. But remember, that's just an estimate. The actual amount can vary depending on the type of corn, how it's stored, and how much it's been dried. Plus, you'll want to leave some space for air, so you might not want to fill the drum to the brim.

But Wait, There's More!

You might be thinking, "That's a lot of corn. What am I going to do with it all?" Well, that's up to you. You could grind it into meal, use it for animal feed, or even try your hand at making corn oil. Or, you know, you could just have a really big snack.

But seriously, growing and storing corn can be a great way to ensure a steady supply of food, especially if you're into self-sufficiency. And while a 55-gallon drum might seem like a lot, it's actually a pretty manageable size for home storage. Just make sure you keep it in a cool, dry place to prevent mold and pests.

So, there you have it. The answer to the age-old question: "How many pounds of corn will a 55-gallon drum hold?" It's about 1,750 pounds, give or take. Now, who's ready to start a corn farm?