OK to heat a tin cup over a fire?

[wahkahchimaol.com]

I'm new to this. I was recently out camping and brought a modern made straight sided tin cup from Townsends. I heated up a cup full of water over a flame, all the way to boiling, very successfully. The cup did great! I'm wondering, though: is there any metal toxicity involved with repeated use? I am deeply not implying there is, I am simply saying I don't know. Advice welcome. If this is so great a cup...and it seems to be...why are modern campers using the much smaller and less useable modern aluminum cap cups? I cooked oatmeal and noodles in my straight sided cup and it worked great. Does the corn boiler work as well, with greater volumne? That would be a one-pot cooking set. Thanks.

 

[Stophel]

Tinware was the standard cookware in the 18th and into the 19th century. :wink: Just get it boiling hot, and don't get it so hot you melt the tin!

 

[George]

All modern tinware is made with non-toxic solder, so you don't have to be concerned about poisoning yourself.

Never put it or any other tinware on the fire dry, the solder will melt very quickly and ruin it. As long as you have liquid in it that can't happen.

Spence

 

[wahkahchimaol.com]

Wow! That's great info! Liquids only. Is there a larger version of the mug that will allow a bit larger cooking? Is that what the corn boiler does? Thanks.

 

[George]

Is there a larger version of the mug that will allow a bit larger cooking? Is that what the corn boiler does?

Yes. There is a great variety of sizes, types, construction materials and qualities. There is also an old, ongoing debate about how much the individual boilers were used.

I do all my trekking alone, so I only need small stuff. My boiler is an old, cheap tin one with a wire bale. It's big enough to boil a squirrel, if I'm so lucky, but it gets used mostly for making coffee. Holds 3-4 cups, is 4 1/2" tall, 5 1/2" wide.

Spence

 

[wahkahchimaol.com]

Spence: So that's your whole rig? Makes sense: it's inexpensive and lightweight. Do you just eat out of the corn boiler? Thanks again.

 

[George]

That's basically it, yes. I occasionally will take along a small wooden "charger"/bowl, depending on what I plan to cook. I frequently use the boiler lid as a plate.

Mostly, though, I cook and eat out of the boiler. Can't cook your meal and boil your coffee at the same time, so you have to decide when you want what. Most of my meat is simply roasted on a stick like a wiener, leaves the plot free for coffee.

The cup and my seasonings store in the boiler when on the move, makes for a reasonably small load.

Spence

 

[Ranger1759]

I do the same....I have a missed match set that nests together...it consists of a copper gill, small tin cup with folding bales, a small copper boiler w/ lid, and my larger boiler...never had a meal that wasn't cooked sufficiently...
I'll get some pics on shortly
Ranger

 

[PA.1740]

Same here also
Tin cup with folding bales & lid,inside a tin boiler with lid & wire bale. All I need :grin:
Got mine from Back Woods Tin
Have Fun
Phil

 

[wahkahchimaol.com]

And it's OK to eat and cook off copper too? Sorry for all the basic questions, but it's the only way I can learn. At this point I'm wondering what all those modern $90 cooking kits are about. Twice as heavy and four times the price. Am I missing something? Modern light-weight backpackers should study this gear.

 

[Black Hand]

And it's OK to eat and cook off copper too?

Yes.

 

[PA.1740]

As long as the copper is tin lined
Phil

 

[PA.1740]

Some one once said "The only dumb question is one not asked" :grin:
Phil

 

[Ranger1759]

Yes copper can be used, but like mentioned, it must be tinned...if you find a nice piece of unpinned copper, go to the hardware store and ask for lead free tinning compound, usually in the plumbing section, it comes in a paste with a brush,just apply a coating to the inside surfaces and heat lightly with a propane torch, just watch seam that may have been soldered...works great, I've don't a few tankards, and a small boiler and they have worked great.

Ranger

 

[Loyalist Dave]

As long as the copper is tin lined

it must be tinned

Not So !

Folks..., apple butter, burbon, moonshine, and beer are made in untinned, copper vessels, and apple butter is one of the most acidic foods that is cooked in copper.

Copper and brass need only be tinned for folks who do not keep the green tarnish, known as verdigris, off the interior of the cooking vessel. I have two proper brass trade kettles sans tin..., no ill effects. :thumbsup:

Now when it comes to heating items in the fire..., if they are hanging from a bail, they should be fine, but if you set them in the fire, beware of spouts and handles as they are often not protected by the interior liquid. I have a spouted kettle that melted some of the solder last Saturday, but luckily it's solder used more as a sealant, with the spout also having tiny rivets. A tin cup with too much heat on the handle may see that handle come off as well.

LD

 

[Black Hand]

As long as the copper is tin lined
Phil

Nope, the lining is not needed. If it was, all the copper pipes in your house would be lined.

 

[PA.1740]

So then why do the coppersmiths do it ? :idunno: just asking
Phil

 

[Black Hand]

I believe it is a liability issue. You can't make your customers clean their pots after they purchase them. Verdigris can cause gastric upset, and verdigris can occur if pots are not cleaned properly after cooking in them.

They also get to charge more for a tinned item (and rightfully so, as tinning is a labor-intensive process).

 

[PA.1740]

Was thinking it might have something to do with water temp. house water is around 160-180,but water boils at 210. I think :idunno:
Phil

 

[PA.1740]

You are most likely right
Phil