are zinc plated nuts and bolts safe to use in a smoker?

[dcarch]

I am very curious how many of those people who do trash can smoker cooks get sick.

I think trash cans are all galvanized inside and outside, and very much very high heat is used all the time.

dcarch

 

[mike w]

I did some googling about it and it seems that the concern is acidic foods leaching from the metal and not the cooking temperature. I bought stainless steel to be safer.http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/RetailFoodProtection/FoodCode/ucm189212.htm

 

[wade]

Yes I have seen that one too. That may be a reason not to use it as a cooking grate but would not explain why you cannot use zink plating in a non food contact area of the smoker.

 

[briankinlaw]

I welded galvanized (which is zinc) for years and it did not kill me... anyway have you ever looked at the grills and even your oven?   All of them are plated, and I bet you a dime to a dollar they're zinc. 

 

[timberjet]

I went to B & Q today to find some stainless steel nuts bolts and washers for a project to add two more shelves inside my grill so I can smoke more food. Would there be any issues with using these? They don't sell stainless steel there which is why I got the zinc plated ones
YouTube video of what the project is. Thanks in advance!
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=2mzygiCOEsA

Your video link does not work. fyi

 

[mike w]

Your video link does not work. fyi

I don't know why it didn't work. Maybe the poster took it off YouTube. Basically the fellow took 4 bolts and enough washers and nuts to build a double rack on his traeger so he could smoke more. Cost him $20 in parts to do it. So I did the same. It's on YouTube if you want to see how he did it. I went with stainless steel nuts and bolts.

 

[mike w]

The other concern of galvanized metal is the acidic foods leeching zinc from the metal. To be safe I went ahead with stainless steel. My kids life is worth more to me than the cost difference so it's all good now.

I welded galvanized (which is zinc) for years and it did not kill me... anyway have you ever looked at the grills and even your oven?   All of them are plated, and I bet you a dime to a dollar they're zinc. 

 

[ssorllih]

Is it safe to drink water from galvanized pipes or buckets? How about zinc lozenges for treating colds.

 

[timberjet]

I don't know why it didn't work. Maybe the poster took it off YouTube. Basically the fellow took 4 bolts and enough washers and nuts to build a double rack on his traeger so he could smoke more. Cost him $20 in parts to do it. So I did the same. It's on YouTube if you want to see how he did it. I went with stainless steel nuts and bolts.

Oh, ok, just wondering. My opinion is like someone else said. I bet the bolts that came in there are not stainless. You could take a torch to them if you are worried and burn that stuff off. I used regular steel bolts in my UDS and have had no issues. If you season up the smoker well they should be sealed in anyway. Now, galvanized? no way.

 

[mike w]

Is it safe to drink water from galvanized pipes or buckets? How about zinc lozenges for treating colds.

I don't know and I don't care. My household pipes were either copper or pvc. Like I said I went with stainless steel.

 

[kc5tpy]

 
Is it safe to drink water from galvanized pipes or buckets? How about zinc lozenges for treating colds.

I keep being dragged into this galvanised discussion cause I am dumb as a rock!!  Drinking water is neither hot nor acidic.  Zinc is an important part of our diet when taken correctly.  There are obviously two schools of thought on this question.  My MAIN question is IF there maybe, kinda sorta, could be, "it didn't kill me YET",  arguments; Why tha heck would you risk your family and friends just to prove a point?  IF I am wrong, I'm covered.  What IF you are wrong??  I was a long time NRA member.  MANY folks are killed every year by "unloaded" weapons.  How many folks died from lead piping in homes before they found out it wasn't a good idea?  Asbestos was a good idea at the time.  Thalidomide was the wonder drug and we all know how that turned out.  I haven't died yet is a pretty poor argument.  Like saying I play "Russian Roulette" once a week for the past 3 months and I'm not dead YET.  If you were brine curing meat and it smelled "sorta funny" would you then feed that to your family because it is an expensive piece of meat?  "It'll be FINE".  Just my opinion and I won't be dragged back into this discussion; I will restraint my dumb self.  Have fun folks.  Keep smokin!

Danny

 

[wade]

LOL - "Danny" and "Restraint" are not two words you often find in the same sentence. 

I totally agree with you Danny. Why take the risk if it can be avoided. I think though that this is an urban myth that has gained credibility by people so vigerously repeating it as gospel. There is probably an element of truth underlying the original concern but that truth has probably been lost over time and is probably no longer relevant today. Although people repeat it often I have never seen any scientific evidence offered to support the concerns when use in non-food-contact parts of smokers.

Does that mean that I use galvanized components in my smokers? No.

Does it mean that I think I am going to poison anyone if I use a couple of galvanized bolts in my fire box? No.

My last input into this discussion too..... until maybe the next thread on this topic - LOL

 

[dcarch]

"---  "Danny" and "Restraint" are not two words you often find in the same sentence. 

--"

Zing!

dcarch  :-)