Cooking/Boiling Water in Coated or Lined Aluminum Cans

jdk1

jdk1

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BearTheDog's thread involving the Supercat Stove and Foster's Pot combo piqued my interest. This combo is so cheap and light (and easy), it's worth making/using even if you have other stoves and cups/pots. But, I wonder about boiling water or cooking in these containers, as it would heat the coating. Are beer or food container cans coated on the inside? I know some cans have an obvious coating or film (chili comes to mind). Aluminum foil is coated on one side, the non-shiny side. That is the side to put against your food. We bake with that coating, so it must be OK. Does anyone have any insight into the coating of cans and possible health hazards? I know, it's probably less detrimental than many things I've done my whole life:D Otherwise, it's an awesome ultra-light and cheap concept IMHO. Thanks.
 
Very interesting Pinnah. Thanks for the links. I love my Stanley cook set pot, but it's heavy. Not too bad though I guess. Thanks again.
 
The ones coated in a more-or-less shiny gold or silver film are generally OK. The ones coated in white are generally not trustworthy.

One way to eliminate the plastic-coated cans is try them out with just water. The plastic coatings do not stand up to heat as well.
 
If i am not mistaken, aluminum foil is actually not coated. From what i understand, the manufacturing process creates the shiny and dull sides. I was always taught to cook food with the dull side of the foul out to minimize heat reflection away from the food.
 
Thomas Linton said:
The ones coated in a more-or-less shiny gold or silver film are generally OK. The ones coated in white are generally not trustworthy.

One way to eliminate the plastic-coated cans is try them out with just water. The plastic coatings do not stand up to heat as well.
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Good info. Thanks.

Jamesh Bond said:
If i am not mistaken, aluminum foil is actually not coated. From what i understand, the manufacturing process creates the shiny and dull sides. I was always taught to cook food with the dull side of the foul out to minimize heat reflection away from the food.
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You are right. I looked it up on the Reynolds site. The exception being their non-stick foil, which is coated. I was recently told about the "coated side" and thought I had been using foil wrong all these years:D
 
as long as you are aware of the coating, I think you would be fine as long as you were not eating every meal out of it. as long as your flame was even, and the pot was near full, you won't be getting the coating above 100C (212F). Probably not a perfect solution, but better than nothing if it was all you had.
 
gadgetgeek said:
as long as you are aware of the coating, I think you would be fine as long as you were not eating every meal out of it. as long as your flame was even, and the pot was near full, you won't be getting the coating above 100C (212F). Probably not a perfect solution, but better than nothing if it was all you had.
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It's likely much less of these chemicals than i've ingested in the past many decades, but I try to be careful now. I have a GSI cup, Stanley Cookset, and a Snow Peak pot. They are all nice and not too heavy, but the beer can option was so much lighter as the others all seem to weigh upwards of 8 oz. (?) But, they carry well. The Stanley pot is my favorite. It sets well, has a great lid and handle, and holds my disposable coffee cups (much lighter and larger than the green cups it comes with) and Starbucks Via packs perfectly. I may just stick with it. I've lightened the knife I carry significantly, even the bags I use. The beer can pot is still a great idea though! That Fosters can is a perfect size. Thanks for the responses everyone.
 
While i would avoid anything coated unless in dire straights, i agree with gadgetgeek. Anyone who has boiled water in birch bark, paper, or even a plastic soda bottle could attest to the fact that the water cools the container quite a bit.
 
Titanium pots work well and no need for coatings ,light weight too !! Plastic bottles . the newer ones of quality , REI Nalgene Co etc are made of BPA free plastic not the old polycarbonate.
I'm still looking fo a titanium walking cane [ NOT the Al ones they call Ti ].
 
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