Bulging Tins?

[autumnfog]

Some of my tins are bulging, is there a risk of explosion?
Will the lids give in?

 

[lraisch]

I believe Pipestud described this happening to him, but I have not experienced it.

I have had some well aged tins bulge enough that tobacco sprayed out of them when I cracked the seal. I would suggest it may depend on storage conditions, such as temperature and handling. If you're concerned, maybe you should transfer the contents to mason jars.

 

[Chasing Embers]

is there a risk of explosion?

Yep

 

[autumnfog]

Allright, jarring it is.
Thanks for answering, gentlemen!

 

[ncshawn]

You should leave one alone for science.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

It’s like a turkey thermometer or a pregnant lady’s belly button. Once it starts popping out, it’s about ready. ?

 

[kcghost]

No, don't jar it!! That is the sweet act of fermentation in the tin. Once you pop the lid that's end of any further fermentation. Yes, it can burst but I've held 60-70 year old tins that were lopsided as hell and they hadn't burst. If you are truly worried about it put the whole tin inside of a sealed jar.

 

[ofafeather]

No, don't jar it!! That is the sweet act of fermentation in the tin. Once you pop the lid that's end of any further fermentation. Yes, it can burst but I've held 60-70 year old tins that were lopsided as hell and they hadn't burst. If you are truly worried about it put the whole tin inside of a sealed jar.

+1. 99.9999% of tins will be fine. If I had to guess Pipestud’s example had as much to do with temperature changes from shipping as with natural bulging from fermentation. Take a bulging tin and ship it to the heat of Texas…. Pure speculation on my part of course. Most tins will be fine.

 

[NomadOrb]

Just a sign that the fermentation is working, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I just store mine at 68F-70F max. I wouldn’t ever pop one of those. As KCghost says, it will stop fermentation, or alter the magic going on inside that tin.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Leave them alone, they're not going to explode like a claymore mine. They're not likely to explode at all.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

I haven’t really been cellaring in tins that long. I previously jarred everything upon receipt. So I only have a few tins that are pretty swollen. I’m not worried about them. In all honesty, I figure they’ll get to a point where it stops.

 

[3rdguy]

I have a 28 year old tin bulging, leave it be until you want to smoke it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

That is the sweet act of fermentation in the tin.

Just a sign that the fermentation is working, I wouldn't worry about it.

Mold will swell a tin as well.

 

[briarbuck]

Actual footage of a 20 year old can of Marlin Flake...be careful.

 

[NomadOrb]

Mold will swell a tin as well.

True, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[BrokenRecord]

This thread is exciting. I try to smoke through the tins that are ballooning the most. They always seem to be the most fermented, tasty, and smooth smoking.

 

[Trainpipeman]

Is there surströmming in the tin?

 

[Mr_houston]

Maybe it’s time to smoke it.

In my limited experience, bulging is always a good sign.

 

[autumnfog]

Thanks for all the comments, gents!
Made me laugh too.