Stainless Steel Flasks: Are they safe?

[Capn Jimbo]

In a word, probably not...


Here are the facts:

1. Apparently all stainless steel flasks are now made in - gulp - China.

2. Many - even if stamped "stainless steel" - are made of lesser (non-food quality) stainless, or have tops and bottoms, and/or caps made from even cheaper and contaminated materials, and are not safe, especially for the storage of acidic liquids or alcohol. These materials can leach lead and heavy metals into your rum.

3. Only containers marked "18-8 or 304" stainless steels are considered food grade and are safe - BUT - only if the tops/bottoms and screw caps are also made entirely from 18-8.

4. Caps are often lined with unsafe BPA containing inserts or seals.

As an example E&J Brandy had to recall several years of gift sets and promotional items sold between 2006 and 2010 (and still exist) which contained brandy in classy "stainless" flasks which were shown to leach lead into the brandy.



Bottom Line

Sadly, you simply can't trust any if not all the stainless flasks you are likely to encounter. The Rum Project is currently researching one of the few sources of safe and reliable stainless flasks.

Meanwhile check the bottom of your flask: unless it's stamped "18-8" or "304", if it only states "stainless steel" you have a real problem. Is the cap shiny and chrome, and lined with plastic inserts or seals? Toss it.

The real truth: almost all the "stainless" flasks you encounter are dangerous and will leach heavy metals into spirits. Don't believe me? Fill your flask with a nice tasteless vodka and leave it for a week. Then take a sip, taste the leached metal, and puke...

Stay tuned...

[Capn Jimbo]

More about stainless steel...


Long ago in a dark and stormy time and place, I once worked as a materials manager, and accumulated a huge and useful materials file for use by the engineering department. I learned that there are many, many differerent grades of stainless with widely varying qualities.


Your flask is poisoning you!

If you've gotten this far, you should have noted that this applies especially to flasks made in China, for these reasons...

1. Being stamped "stainless" means nothing on these flasks. Cheap (non-food) grades of "stainless" are used, and leach all manner of heavy metals, especially when used to hold alcohol.

2. Worse yet, the welded or crimped on top and bottom are often made of even cheaper and more dangerous metals.

3. The hinged caps too are lesser metals, and are often lined with poisonous plastic threaded inserts and seals.

Sadly, almost all the flasks you will ever find or buy are made in China. I do not consider them trustworthy. None are really inspected effectively here.

Don't buy them. Throw away your current flask now.


So are there any trustworthy flasks?

You betcha! A very few, very expensive top quality flasks are still made in Europe, particularly Germany.

One very highly respected brand is "Zack", based in Hamburg, Germany. Unlike the Chinese, the Germans have long been quality conscious and known for making trustworthy and reputable, top quality products.

How about their flask?

Most have list prices from $70 to $100, and are made exclusively from 18-10 stainless steel. This is even better than 18-8. Their "Bolero" is square cornered, the "Piolo" is rounded and has a cap chain. You can find them discounted in the $60 range.


WTF! Are you suggesting I spend $80 for a flask?

Actually I hope the Preacher, Wolfie, Stumpie and a few others keep on drinking from their Chinese flasks - based on their reviews the lead is already having its effect. But for the rest of you?

Absolutely, positively! Part with your hard earned bucks and buy a real, reliable and safe (and quite fashionable) flask by Zack, or any of the others I will endeavor to find for you...


*******
Late breaking news:

Another German manufacturer, Blomus makes dandy 18-8, smooth cornered, 3-1/2, 5 and 7 oz flasks that are currently being discounted to $29, free shipping on Amazon. List price is usually $37 to $40 plus shipping. This is a good deal.

The difference? Zack is clearly more fashionable, with chrome accents, more hard edged styling, a bit shorter and wider. The Blomus though is beautifully rounded, and has what I call a Blauhaus, form is function look. From a design/function standpoint, I like the Blomus. Fewer corners and edges to retain deposits, easier to clean. Those of you with shorter dicks may prefer the Zack. But to be fair there is a discontinued Zack called the "Niemgo", an extremely rounded, great design.

In either case, be safe! I beg you to take advantage of these, or STFU.

Caution! It appears some bogus Blomus are being sold on Amazon. Some buyers report that their "Blomus" is delivered labeled "Made in China", while others report theirs are "Made in Germany.

I'm not quite yet sure how to differentiate, other than the listing for the legitimate Blomus will be detailed as "made from 18-8". In the meanwhile the Zack is your only completely reliable choice.

[Capn Jimbo]

More...


1. I emailed several of the suppliers of the Amazon Blomus flasks, and was assured that their Bomus flasks are authentic, 18-8, and made in Germany, not China. One of these is sold by "PlumStruck". Amazon (and PlumStruck) would be the way to go, as the Amazon guarantee will insure you will get what was ordered.

2. Macy's carries the Nora Wang flask at about $55, made in India from 18-10 stainless. I verified both with a Macy's salesperson who personally inspected the flask for me.

[John Willy]

You have my attention regarding this stainless steel flask issue. The 2 German possibilities are iffy based on my research. In my searches for the Blomus product I could not find ONE that stated 'Made in Germany'. As you mentioned there are some Blomus flasks bought at Amazon that are actually stamped 'Made in China' and no Amazon vendor made a 'Made in Germany' claim. My searches were not confined to Amazon, but anyone selling Blomus Flasks. As for Zack, the best I could find, whether at Zack's own site or numerous vendors selling their flasks, is that it is 'Designed in Germany', and yes it is 18/10. The problem is that even if it is stamped 18/10 there seems to be no shortage of products manufactured in China that are constructed of 18/10.

I am thinking 'new' pewter may be a possibility as it is lead-free. Although I do not know what other leachable 'poisons' it may contain. Additionally, I found a British site stating the 'new' pewter passes all British, European, Japanese, USA Federal, and California Food safety regulations. I am very curious what you think about the idea of 'new' pewter as a doable flask possibility

Any and all comments are appreciated.

Regards,
John

[Capn Jimbo]

I feel your pain...


The Zack I finally found and bought (wholesale, about $40) is stamped "Germany". Please note that I emailed two Amazon members who wrote back to confirm that their Blomus flasks were also marked "Made in "Germany" (one was from a company named Plumstruck). And the Nora Wang is also 18-8 and made in India, which I'd tend to trust.

If I were you I'd do an Amazon search for the Blomus, and first email the vendor to confirm "Made in Germany". Frankly, I think pewter is a far greater risk...

[John Willy]

Thanks Capn'.

Guess I will have to try some more and actually talk to a vendor who will verify the country of origin. I like the Zack style Pioni(?)

Regards,
John


*******
Capn's Log: here's a (linK) to Plumstruck for the "made in Germany" Blomus. Do what I did and call or write to verify for yourself.

[John Willy]

Capn',

Thanks for your opinions/advice. Today I ordered the Zack 'Piolo', the short one, from a place in Hollywood Florida called Roden International. I called first and asked if it was made in Germany and was told it was. Seeing is believing. Anyway my birthday is coming up so I thought I would treat myself. Roden is a wholesaler but sell to reprobates like me. I couldn't believe the price when I saw it.... 26 BUCKS plus shipping to Socal brought total to $40!!

That wasn't the end of self-celebrating my birth anniversary. I also bought some rum. I'll post the list in a more appropriate forum.

Regards,
John


*******
Capn's Log: Surprise! That's exactly where I bought mine, it is marked "Germany", and I just walked in and bought it. No shipping!

[John Willy]

Received the Zack 'Piolo' (short 6oz version) yesterday. Nice! All as advertized. Thanks for your advice and help, Capn'.

Regards,
John