Don't know ages of extract

[SAS98M]

Hello all,I recently mentioned to a co-worker that I'm starting to brew my own beers,today he came in-handed me a bag containing two metal cans,one is a John Bull english ale extract that says just add water and suger(that's how it's spelled on the label),the other a Mountmellick Products ltd."Famous Irish Stout"extract.Well the thing is the JohnBull can appears to have just started to expand slightly at the top and bottom,the Mountmellick has visably expanded on both the top and the bottom and they don't appear to have leaked. There are no dates on these to speak of and don't know if I'd like to go through the trouble of trying to use them .I know the guy meant well but I've always been told that if the can has swelled--TOSS IT-- Does this stand here or should I try them with possibly poor results at best ? Any input would be greaty appreciated. Thanks in advance. Shane

 

[Walker]

Well the thing is the JohnBull can appears to have just started to expand slightly at the top and bottom,the Mountmellick has visably expanded on both the top and the bottom and they don't appear to have leaked.

If the cans are bulging at ALL, throw them away. There could very well botulism at work in there, and just opening the can could make you very sick.

-walker

 

[ColoradoXJ13]

Funny, I bought a bunch of homebrewing equipment from a guy and there was a bulging can of extract in it....I doubt I will ever use it, but I honestly doubt that the swelling is because of botulism...most likely there is some yeast in there fermenting a little.

 

[SAS98M]

I figured this-I didn't have to pay for them...I can't take that kind of chance---->Landfill fodder<----- They're in the can already. Shane

 

[ColoradoXJ13]

Oh, I certainly plan on opening it someday to see what it looks like...

 

[Walker]

Funny, I bought a bunch of homebrewing equipment from a guy and there was a bulging can of extract in it....I doubt I will ever use it, but I honestly doubt that the swelling is because of botulism...most likely there is some yeast in there fermenting a little.

Sure, it might be yeast (which really seems unlikely IMHO).... but what if you're wrong?

 

[the_bird]

Funny, I bought a bunch of homebrewing equipment from a guy and there was a bulging can of extract in it....I doubt I will ever use it, but I honestly doubt that the swelling is because of botulism...most likely there is some yeast in there fermenting a little.

That would be a wild yeast that you don't want in your beer, under your best-case scenario.

 

[david_42]

It is extremely unlikely yeast would survive the processing and canning, even yeast spores. Also, the sugar densities would prevent any yeast I've heard about from growing. On the other hand, the spores of the botulinum bacteria are some of the toughest lifeforms on the planet. Granted, the toxins, if present, would be inactivated during a one hour boil.

The gripping hand: any can that is bulging should be tossed.

 

[zoebisch01]

It's not worth the worry it produces! One of the only things that I know of that can survive in those conditions is Botulism. Even a small amount of the toxin ingested can be enough to hospitalize or kill you. Don't mess with it.

 

[Jim Karr]

I brewed a batch with an obviously ancient can of Geordie's LME. The can was starting to show where it was rusting through.

The beer was HORRIBLE!

Don't waste your time/fuel/other ingredients!