Strange Question about Milk Cans

[unky_gumbi]

So for the last few days I have been trying to find out what older milk cans are made out of. The reasoning being is that my mother has a pair of them set up as flower pots and I noticed that the shape looks pretty good for a multi burner forge. Problem is if they are commonly made from galvanized steel it rules them out.

So does anyone know? I have been Googling and asking people for the last week, and have yet to come up with a definitive answer.

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

Some can be made from stainless steel. Try checking out websites for alternative fuel production, they are often used for distillation because of the all stainless construction and the sealing lid.

I'm sure you can tell if they are stainless... they could be enameled or who knows what, I'm no milk can authority, lol.

My parents had a bunch of them and they were not stainless I guess because they eventually rusted away.

 

[Div4gold]

I've got one that's stainless. A lot of modern day moonshiners use them for their cooking pot.

 

[SBuzek]

The newer ones I've seen have been stainless,the older ones usually nickeled tin.Never seen a galvanized one.
Stan

 

[unky_gumbi]

Thanks everyone, guess I will be keeping my eye out for them.

 

[RJSmith]

I have seen some really old ones that appear to be made of copper also.

 

[sunshadow]

google "Dairy Metal" it was used until recently

-Page

 

[Battle Creek Knives]

saturate an area with salt water heavily and let it sit a day, check and see if there is discoloration of the metal..

this sounds odd, but if you lick the metal and if its galvanized it will have a very distinct chalky taste...

there's always the option to use galvalum etching and see if it responds, of course this test costs a little money for materials

good luck