Ever heard of English tin?

[Poursap]

I am looking at purchacing a new pan that is the exact size I have been looking for, for quite a while. The deal is it is made of English tin and I have no idea if it is food grade. I have attempted to find it on-line but have had no luck. Any Ideas about this metal, or any other food grade metal other than stainless steel for a pan?

[smitty76]

Poursap, you need to talk to the doctor.

[smitty76]

Dr Tim that is.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Prior to the use of SS, "english tin" was the choice for evaporator pans. There are many still in use and they make excellent syrup with a few precautions. The pans were soldered with lead solder so may be a source of lead contamination to your product. When cleaning these pans, don't clean all the niter off the seams as this exposes the lead.

[Flat47]

English Tin was industry standard 30 years ago. It'll have 50/50 lead/tin solder and they are prone to rust and pin holes. Don't waste your time and money - invest in stainless pans. Take a look at some other recent threads about new pans for names of sources (WF Mason being one) to buy from.

[red maples]

agreed, buy stainless welded pans. they will cost you a little more but in the long run it will be safe and take care of them and they will last you a lifetime.

[DrTimPerkins]

agreed, buy stainless welded pans. they will cost you a little more but in the long run it will be safe and take of them and they will last you a lifetime.

English tin pans can make fine syrup as long as care is taken to prevent much rust in the off-season and to reduce lead in syrup. However I agree that it would probably be best just to go straight to stainless pans if at all possible.