Tinned foods + the cold

[Meyou]

Quick question: If I had a whole bunch of tinned food in an unheated and uninsulated garage, would the tins get damaged by the cold in winter?

[itsybitsy]

I don't think so, as long as the tins don't get damp?

But perhaps if the contents froze, and then defrosted, that could cause problems?

[Red Doe]

I live in the Highlands where the past couple of winters got to minus twenty four. Some tins and jars I had in an outbuilding froze then thawed and the only food I had trouble with was the jars. And it wasn`t that it spoiled the food! The glass just cracked and broke. I found that storing the tins in even flimsy cardboard boxes prevented them freezing and it didn`t happen again.

[jansman]

I live in the Highlands where the past couple of winters got to minus twenty four. Some tins and jars I had in an outbuilding froze then thawed and the only food I had trouble with was the jars. And it wasn`t that it spoiled the food! The glass just cracked and broke. I found that storing the tins in even flimsy cardboard boxes prevented them freezing and it didn`t happen again.

Red Doe has it spot on.one of my outbuildings holds an extensive range of cans and dry goods(in waterproof containers)None of it suffered in that last Winter.This year hwever,I may use a low light hurricane lamp like I do in the outside loo- just to keep the edge off the cold.

[Big fat bill]

I live in the Highlands where the past couple of winters got to minus twenty four. Some tins and jars I had in an outbuilding froze then thawed and the only food I had trouble with was the jars. And it wasn`t that it spoiled the food! The glass just cracked and broke. I found that storing the tins in even flimsy cardboard boxes prevented them freezing and it didn`t happen again.

Red Doe has it spot on.one of my outbuildings holds an extensive range of cans and dry goods(in waterproof containers)None of it suffered in that last Winter.This year hwever,I may use a low light hurricane lamp like I do in the outside loo- just to keep the edge off the cold.

By that brings back memories.... sat in a fume filled outside loo with a small parafin heater to stop the pipes freezing... right up to Nov 1984 !!

[jansman]

Yep! Still got an outside loo.It's in good nick and gets used a lot.

[Ogre]

Quick question: If I had a whole bunch of tinned food in an unheated and uninsulated garage, would the tins get damaged by the cold in winter?

The only problem I've had so far (keeping tins in an unheated and uninsulated steel shed) was rusting on some of the tins. We noticed this had occurred mostly where the glue from the labels (removed before storage) used to be.

A visit to the local bargin shop for 6 tubs of petroleum jelly seems to have solved this. (told the lad on checkout I was throwing a party )

When each tin goes into storage. We remove the label, write the contents and BB date on the tin in permanent marker, then rub a thin film of vasaline all over the exterior. Keeps the tins fine and your hands wonderful.