poly drum with Bungs...Should i cut a hole?

[lisound]

I was able to get my hands on a 55 gallon blue poly drum with bung holes. I don't like the idea of not being able to get inside the container.
how do you guys use these types of barrels?

I was thinking of cutting a hole in the top the size of a 5 gal. bucket.
get a 5gal pail, cut that in half and silicon it in to the 55 gal drum to keep water out and use a tight fitting lid on the bucket top?

I had some trouble with ice and not able to remove it.

[psparr]

In my experience silicone doesn't want to stick to the barrels.
I cut a hole the size of a potato salad bucket from the grocery store and just snug fit that into the hole then I just put an empty 5 gallon bucket upside down over that. The water that ends up on top of the barrel goes out the drain holes on the edge. ( I added more)

[lisound]

that's what i was worried about...the drain hole. I thought more about it too. I can just put a plastic bag over the the top. since the bucket has a lid, I'll dry fit like you said. and cover the whole entire top with a bag and bungie that so it can't blow off.
It will also allow me to clean it better and get the sap in faster.

[backyard sugaring]

I did exacly what you want to do. The silocone did let go after 3 years. You can buy a cover at Home Depot that screws on a 5 gallon bucket. They work great. Good Luck. Lee

[lisound]

Done. Worked great.