Given A Tin of 1996 Christmas Cheer...Rust Inside

[Mr_houston]

That breaks my heart to see it!

 

[SpookedPiper]

Part of me says "err on the side of caution", my dark side wonders if they were lead lined tins, but that's unlikely and aluminum isn't really the best thing to cook on so I can only assume that smoking it may also not be the best thing for your health.

It is a shame, sad to see, but a possible reality for those who cellar.

 

[ophiuchus]

Though I’d recommend pitching that out of a sense of safety, faced with a similar situation, I would probably try to smoke some from the center of the mass that hadn’t come in direct contact with the sides of the tin. I’m a total idiot about this kind of thing. Your call …

 

[peregrinus]

Since this is my first time encountering rust my question is: Is tobacco in a rusted tin dangerous

It looks dicey to me.
This is a photo I just took of the inside of a tin 1997 Christmas Cheer. The specks are tobacco.
FYI - These tins are lined with some type of cream colored coating that seems to have failed in your tin. I would hope it was not toxic but have no idea if it’s ok to ingest it in smoke.

 

[verporchting]

It’s probably not the bad kind of lung cancer and systemic organ failure you could get from smoking it, but even if it was it probably wouldn’t kill you right away - you’d probably be okay with the wheezing and coughing up blood for quite awhile before it got you. Probably.

 

[3rdguy]

As a general rule I would not smoke metal.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Hands down I would try smoking it. The only thing that would stop me is if it tasted off and whack. Worst case scenario, I’d use a falcon or a filtered pipe for the initial bowl.

 

[mparker762]

My friend gave me a tin of 1996 Christmas Cheer that was opened but he never smoked. About half left.

I noticed that the walls on the inside looked weird. Then I saw a rust spot. No rust on the outside of the tin.

Since this is my first time encountering rust my question is: Is tobacco in a rusted tin dangerous to smoke, or does it just potentially ruin the flavor?

when heated, iron oxide releases the oxygen and turns back into plain old iron. I'd probably smoke it. it seems unlikely that you'd inhale chunks of iron into your lungs unless you're a really dedicated inhaler.

 

[americaman]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. It is much appreciated. I will not be smoking this one.

 

[telescopes]

Fe2O3. if the can is iron then the rust is a similar composition to what is in your red blood cells as they leave your lungs. However, I doubt that what you see is iron oxide.

 

[telescopes]

It looks dicey to me.
View attachment 79393This is a photo I just took of the inside of a tin 1997 Christmas Cheer. The specks are tobacco.
FYI - These tins are lined with some type of cream colored coating that seems to have failed in your tin. I would hope it was not toxic but have no idea if it’s ok to ingest it in smoke.

It is not toxic in its present form. Decomposed, as a food scientist.

 

[peregrinus]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. It is much appreciated. I will not be smoking this one.

@telescopes “It is not toxic in its present form. Decomposed, as a food scientist.”


It is not the rust that would concern me, it would be the gases released from combustion of the painted coating that seem risky to me.

 

[sablebrush52]

Are you sure that’s not a C&D tin with a McClelland label pasted on it?

 

[Worknman]

Aren't Mclelland's tins made out of aluminum?

 

[kcghost]

Doesn't seem worth the risk but I'd be tempted if it was the only tin of Xmas Cheer I had.

 

[Blackmouth210]

With so much tobacco currently available, I can't see a reason I would even risk it. I'd choose something else to smoke.
Regret is a bitch to live with.

 

[americaman]

Aren't Mclelland's tins made out of aluminum?

In the 90s McClelland used a type of tin that was prone to rust. They later switched over to a different tin that was less prone to rust. I’m sure someone here knows the exact date they switched over.

 

[sablebrush52]

They switched to food grade tins. But get real. How many of you are going to open a 25 year old tin of crushed tomatoes?

 

[pantsBoots]

My understanding is that most food-grade steel cans are lined with a plastic or epoxy material and have been for decades. I know aluminum cans, such as those used for soda or beer, are lined with a very thin layer of BPA.

Here is a link I found during a 30 second Google search; I would imagine you can spend some time online and educate yourself further by sourcing food storage industry trade journals as well as websites by concerned citizens that include citations.

Can coatings | Food Packaging Forum

Epoxy-based can coatings are currently being replaced by alternatives because of toxicological evidence, public discussions, and recent regulatory decisions. FPF article provides background information on the requirements, materials and properties of can coatings.

www.foodpackagingforum.org

Bottom line is it looks like there is a layer between the rust and the interior of the can that has flaked away as the rust mechanically separated it from the steel interior.

 

[jguss]

the gases released from combustion of the painted coating

At last, a decisive determination of the origin of the famous ketchup and vinegar smell.