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