Julia Altshuler wrote:
> Aurrggh! I don't know if this guy means to be funny or not, but NEVER
> heat any unopened can! In fact, this one should go in the kitchen myths
> thread.

You've heard too many apocryphal stories about exploding cans of beans in
the campfire and think it's an apt analogy (it's not).

> I don't know where people got the idea that heating condensed milk in
> the can makes caramel, but it is a bad idea.

Why is it a bad idea?

> One of the brands has even started printing warnings on the label.

Which brand is that?

Best regards,
Bob

zxcvbob typed:
> Julia Altshuler wrote:
>> Aurrggh! I don't know if this guy means to be funny or not, but NEVER
>> heat any unopened can! In fact, this one should go in the kitchen myths
>> thread.
>
> You've heard too many apocryphal stories about exploding cans of beans in
> the campfire and think it's an apt analogy (it's not).
>
>> I don't know where people got the idea that heating condensed milk in
>> the can makes caramel, but it is a bad idea.
>
> Why is it a bad idea?
>
>> One of the brands has even started printing warnings on the label.
>
> Which brand is that?

I don't remember, but I read it recently. I removed the label and threw it
away before anyone else read it. It didn't stop me from putting 3 cans in
the pot.

I think it's a CYA just in case someone lets the pan boil dry. Corporate
lawyers and all that.

BOB

>
> Best regards,
> Bob

" BOB" > wrote in message
.. .
> zxcvbob typed:
> > Julia Altshuler wrote:
> >> Aurrggh! I don't know if this guy means to be funny or not, but NEVER
> >> heat any unopened can! In fact, this one should go in the kitchen
myths
> >> thread.
> >
> > You've heard too many apocryphal stories about exploding cans of beans
in
> > the campfire and think it's an apt analogy (it's not).
> >
> >> I don't know where people got the idea that heating condensed milk in
> >> the can makes caramel, but it is a bad idea.
> >
> > Why is it a bad idea?
> >
> >> One of the brands has even started printing warnings on the label.
> >
> > Which brand is that?
>
> I don't remember, but I read it recently. I removed the label and threw
it
> away before anyone else read it. It didn't stop me from putting 3 cans in
> the pot.
>
> I think it's a CYA just in case someone lets the pan boil dry. Corporate
> lawyers and all that.
>
> BOB

Yes, just like the CYA label on superhero Halloween costumes that say
something like "wearing this garment doesn't enable you to fly."

Vox Humana typed:
> " BOB" wrote...
>> zxcvbob typed:
>>> Julia Altshuler wrote:
>>>> Aurrggh! I don't know if this guy means to be funny or not, but NEVER
>>>> heat any unopened can! In fact, this one should go in the kitchen myths
>>>> thread.
>>>
>>> You've heard too many apocryphal stories about exploding cans of beans in
>>> the campfire and think it's an apt analogy (it's not).
>>>
>>>> I don't know where people got the idea that heating condensed milk in
>>>> the can makes caramel, but it is a bad idea.
>>>
>>> Why is it a bad idea?
>>>
>>>> One of the brands has even started printing warnings on the label.
>>>
>>> Which brand is that?
>>
>> I don't remember, but I read it recently. I removed the label and threw
it
>> away before anyone else read it. It didn't stop me from putting 3 cans in
>> the pot.
>>
>> I think it's a CYA just in case someone lets the pan boil dry. Corporate
>> lawyers and all that.
>>
>> BOB
>
> Yes, just like the CYA label on superhero Halloween costumes that say
> something like "wearing this garment doesn't enable you to fly."

You have *GOT* to be kidding me...no, in today's world, I'll believe it.

BOB

" BOB" > wrote in message
.. .
> >> I think it's a CYA just in case someone lets the pan boil dry.
Corporate
> >> lawyers and all that.
> >>
> >> BOB
> >
> > Yes, just like the CYA label on superhero Halloween costumes that say
> > something like "wearing this garment doesn't enable you to fly."
>
> You have *GOT* to be kidding me...no, in today's world, I'll believe it.

It's true and from a book called "101 Dumb Warning Labels."
http://stacks.msnbc.com/news/922010.asp
Here are a few more examples from the book:
- Steam iron packaging warns users not to "iron clothes on body"
- A glass cleaner admonishes not to "spray in eyes"
- A sunscreen that unfolds to cover the inside of a car windshield says not
to "drive with screen in place"
- A chainsaw user's manual commands: "Do not attempt to stop chain with
hands"

Vox Humana typed:
> " BOB" wrote...
>>>> I think it's a CYA just in case someone lets the pan boil dry. Corporate
>>>> lawyers and all that.
>>>>
>>>> BOB
>>>
>>> Yes, just like the CYA label on superhero Halloween costumes that say
>>> something like "wearing this garment doesn't enable you to fly."
>>
>> You have *GOT* to be kidding me...no, in today's world, I'll believe it.
>
> It's true and from a book called "101 Dumb Warning Labels."
> http://stacks.msnbc.com/news/922010.asp
> Here are a few more examples from the book:
> - Steam iron packaging warns users not to "iron clothes on body"
> - A glass cleaner admonishes not to "spray in eyes"
> - A sunscreen that unfolds to cover the inside of a car windshield says not
> to "drive with screen in place"
> - A chainsaw user's manual commands: "Do not attempt to stop chain with
> hands"

That's why the world is getting overpopulated...no natural selection to weed
out the, umm,
those that aren't really meant to continue the intellegence gene pool.

BOB

zxcvbob typed:
> Julia Altshuler wrote:
>> Aurrggh! I don't know if this guy means to be funny or not, but NEVER
>> heat any unopened can! In fact, this one should go in the kitchen myths
>> thread.
>
> You've heard too many apocryphal stories about exploding cans of beans in
> the campfire and think it's an apt analogy (it's not).
>
>> I don't know where people got the idea that heating condensed milk in
>> the can makes caramel, but it is a bad idea.
>
> Why is it a bad idea?
>
>> One of the brands has even started printing warnings on the label.
>
> Which brand is that?

I just checked...it's "Magnolia" by Borden. I'll bet Eagle has the warning
"Caution-Never heat unopened can." I'm still not going to stop something my
Great Aunt taught me when I was knee-high to a grasshopper just 'cause some
corporate lawyer can't watch it when he tries without letting the pan boil
dry.

BOB
Never knew it had such a fancy sounding name, though

Bob, there aren't many on this group I'd get up and walk into the
kitchen for, but you're one of them. Just for you, the brand is
Borden's Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk. The side of the can says
(in smaller letters than I'd remembered but still in all caps) "CAUTION:
NEVER HEAT UNOPENED CAN."

I can see that the business about making caramel in the can is
controversial. I've read the whole thread and concede that something
bad won't necessarily happen every time an unopened can is heated. But
wouldn't common sense lead one to believe that doing so is a bad idea
because the expanding liquids inside would have nowhere to expand?

I can further see that this discussion can turn into the endless other
food safety discussions. One person posts a warning that leaving
something out of the refrigerator is unsafe, and others post about the
countless times they've done it with no ill effect. The bottom line is
that we all decide what chances we're willing to take. For me, it is
easy enough to empty the contents of a can into another container before
heating.

--Lia


zxcvbob wrote:

>> One of the brands has even started printing warnings on the label.
>
> Which brand is that?
>
> Best regards,
> Bob
>

Julia Altshuler wrote:
> Bob, there aren't many on this group I'd get up and walk into the
> kitchen for, but you're one of them. Just for you, the brand is
> Borden's Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk. The side of the can says
> (in smaller letters than I'd remembered but still in all caps)
> "CAUTION: NEVER HEAT UNOPENED CAN."

I just dug around in my pantry until I found the can of sweetened condensed
milk buried in the back. It's Wal-mart's store brand, Great Value or
something like that. Sure 'nuff it too says "CAUTION: NEVER HEAT UNOPENED
CAN." in little capital letters. The lawyers must be afraid that someone
will put the can *directly on the stove burner* and get hurt when the can
bursts. Perhaps the warning is on all cans now and I never noticed.

> I can see that the business about making caramel in the can is
> controversial. I've read the whole thread and concede that something
> bad won't necessarily happen every time an unopened can is heated. But
> wouldn't common sense lead one to believe that doing so is a bad idea
> because the expanding liquids inside would have nowhere to expand?

Yes, common sense would lead you to believe that, but common sense is often
wrong. You're not heating the liquid enough for it to expand much, and it
can bulge the ends of the can slightly as it does expand. The worst case
scenario (assuming you heat the can in a water bath or a pressure cooker)
is a seam will open up and leak.

> For me, it is easy enough to empty the contents of a can into another
> container before heating.
>

You also might try punching a little hole in the top of the can with a can
opener or ice pick and simmering it (not totally submerged) in a covered
pan of water. It will cut down on all the stirring you will have to do in
an open pan or double boiler.

Best regards,
Bob