I was looking over the Zen stove site yesterday and there was a disclaimer that stated when using the Heineken Keg can for a cook pot the transparent coating inside the can may pose some health risks. Anybody know anything about this? I don't want to sick just to save a few ounces.

Edited by hammer-one on 03/14/2007 14:31:02 MDT.

My belief is that if you only boil water, and never heat it while dry, you should not have any problems. If you were to melt the coating into something you were going to consume, I could see that posing an issue.

Hiking and playing with fire both have some risks too. Since it's a beverage can it can't be anything too toxic, but if it is lined with something, you may want to take steel wool and get that lining out. You'll eventually consume it otherwise.

Scott, I believe that even if the can has water in it, the part above the water gets hotter since the heat cannot be transferred to the water. I'd worry more about a lining peeling off there than in the water if this is the case.

I think when filled with liquid the coating will only become about as warm as the boiling point of the liquid. I doubt that melting would occur, however the idea of the plastic leaching into the food I am eating is a bit scary. I would be more concerned about using one for months at a time then a few weekends here and there.

I have used a single Fosters can (would assume the same lining technology) and have not seen any change in the inside of the can. I only heat water in it. The instructions that came with my beer can stove kit warn against cooking things that are too dry...or with oil, which I am assuming would boost the temp.

I agree that infrequent use is just not a huge health risk.

Has anyone tried to remove the lining with steel wool? How difficult of a prospect is it? I don't want to start something that I might not be able to finish or ruin the can.

You could remove the coating with a LOT of scrubbing with steel wool. Personally, I think there's more of a health risk driving under power lines than this.

I've tried to find research about this to no avail. I have seen where the cans were not designed to be used as cooking utensils, but no study that proves there is toxicity from the internal coating.

I did see where there is concern about the exterior of the can when used in those vertical chicken rack set ups.

Maybe this subject would be a good BLP Research Report to shed light on can use.

If you re-use aluminum cans at temeratures the FDA did not approve them for, you might want to contact the Aluminum Association 'Health and Safety Advisory Committee'; link on the left of the url page.
Here is where they mention the 'special coating sprayed on the inside of the cans..'
http://www.aluminum.org/Template.cfm?Section=Can&NavMenuID=289