Toxic Ugly Drum Scare

[dgassaway]

I picked up a few drums for $11 each to build more UDSs since we all know you can’t just build one.


Out of 8 drums 3 are heavy duty, have no ribs and appear to be galvanized both inside and out. They have labels that say they were used to store clear apple juice concentrate (see pic).

I talked to a few welders and machinists and they agree that galvanized metal turns green and puts off nasty fumes when welded but non were sure about it’s safety for use in a smoker.

I don’t have a welder but I did put my weed burner to it and it just made a permanent ring around the center of the heat, no green color or fumes that I could tell (see pic). After this test I am still not sure if I have a galvanized drum or not.

I do not disagree that galvanized metal can cause problems if heated to high enough temperatures but just because it is not safe at 2500° F does not mean it is not perfectly safe at low temperatures between 225° and 350° (actually the sides of the drum never reach these temperatures). And keep in mind they did use this particular drum for apple juice with no epoxy liner.

Looking around for information on using galvanized metal in a smoker I have found the following:

• The toxic effect of fumes from galvanized metal is zinc poisoning.
• Zinc is a required metal for the body, the problem comes from excessive amounts.
• Galvanized metal puts off toxic fumes when welded (temperatures of 2500°F)
• Galvanized metal should not be used for food serving (plates, cooking grates, etc.)
• Galvanized metal is used in several heated applications where the temperature is much less than that of welding (exhaust pipes, water heaters, etc)
• Many people have made and used smoker made of galvanized trash cans and many critics say this is a big no no, yet I can not find one instance online of users getting sic or poisoned.

Here are links where I found the most information on using galvanized metal at smoking or bbq temperatures.

http://www.finishing.com/217/03.shtml
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/284991

So is the galvanized metal scare just public paranoia or can you point me to other information (not hyped up hearsay) that would steer me away from using these beautiful drums I have that are just waiting to become the next UDS?

Thanks,

David

[LOUMAFF3]

Could they be stainless steel? Try a magnet test.

[ON THE FARM]

It might be ALUMINIZED steel.
you did not get it hot enough to test for the green smoke/fuzz.

[dgassaway]

They are steel, the magnet test was the first thing I did.

I agree that the weed burner did not get anywhere near as hot as welding temperatures but it was many times more heat than it would ever reach while cooking.

Does anyone know of a definite test for galvanization?

If we don't know for sure if it is galvanized or not, I will just assume they are. After reading all I can find about toxic fumes from galvanized metal I don't see a problem using them myself.

David

[Norcoredneck]

Just so you know not all grades of stainless are non magnetic. Put some muratic acid (pool acid)on it and see if it bubbles and washes off and rust. I have to ask if you have a doubt why use them? Have you ever got bad info from somebody? I say use them and while it is in use write an apology to your guest for making them sick or killing one of their loved ones. You may have to use it or you may not. Hell of a $20 gamble for me. I will tell you I made a rack out of galvanized emt conduit. I got sick afterwards but didn't put 2 and 2 together. I am not sickly but i tell you it was nasty. When I showed off my rack to my dad he pointed out that that is what made me sick. Tell you what it happened once and will not happen again to me.

[Learnin Querve]

It could very well be a galvanized drum, especially if it for export as sea going freight. The company named on the label is a large fruit grower/processor.

They're are rigid, vacuum formed poly drum liners designed specifically to increase the usable life of drums and allow them to be used to ship about anything from food to paint without the need for a new drum or reconditioning. This is pretty typical in less developed countries/regions, where the container/packaging industry isn't as well established.

Chris

[millsy]

I hope they are good because they look great.

[dgassaway]

NorcoRedneck,

Sorry to hear you got sic but are you sure you got sic from heating the galvanized pipe or is it from placing your food in contact with the galvanized pipe?

I guess hundreds or thousands of people have made these over the past several years http://www.winecanine.com/smoker.html . There are people on the internet that say since welding galvanized metal is harmful then using galvanized material in a smoker will make you sic. I can't find anyone who actually said they got sic from one of these trash can smokers.

There are lots of galvanized grill parts from Weber, Thermos, etc. but none are used in direct contact with the food.

Seems to me if the major grill manufacturers use galvanized steel in burners and charcoal grates then having a drum that will certainly not get as hot should not be a concern. If it was would they not be facing law suits and every grill with galvanized parts be recalled? The media would be all over this.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=500&f=32862

http://store.thebbqdepot.com/91grmagasgrr.html

http://store.thebbqdepot.com/97wekegrrega.html

http://store.thebbqdepot.com/15thgasgrreg.html

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com...25.html?ref=42

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com...74.html?ref=42

http://www.accentshopping.com/product.asp?P_ID=156188

http://www.centralchef.com/storefron...id=7714&dfid=1

[BBQ Grail]

Are you trying to convince us or yourself?

[dgassaway]

I guess I'm asking if anyone has any actual facts that say galvanized metal is not safe to cook in.

Everyone is saying the sky is falling but I would like a little proof before I just follow the crowd on this one.

Burning wood releases creosote but we can still cook with it safely. If everyone on the internet starts saying creosote causes cancer which I believe it can are we all going to start using gas smokers? No, we just know that we need more exhaust than intake to carry the harmful substances in smoke away from the meat.

All I'm saying is that with my research I can not find any actual facts that galvanized metal is not a suitable material for smokers, just do not place the food on galvanized grates or plates. Weber, Thermos and others seem to agree with me on this. http://www.monogrammetals.com/Monogr...60-100-004.pdf

If it has been found to be harmful surely someone on this forum has found proof somewhere wouldn't you think?

[Norcoredneck]

Wasn't on a cooker.Was this rack.

[dgassaway]

So you got sic from WELDING galvanized pipe right? I thought you were cooking on it. Were talking extreme temperature differences here.

No argument that welding the stuff produces harmful fumes.

[Norcoredneck]

Sounds like your sold. Wish you luck. What don't kill you will make you better.

[dgassaway]

Yea, I will do the acid test just so I do know for sure if thy are galvanized or not. Either way I'm going to use the drums as I can't find anything that convinces me not to.

WWWD (What would Weber do?)


I will be using my new suit made just for smoking on galvanized cookers though

Thanks guys for all the input.