Is it safe to open and consume bloated coke cans?

[abbby]

Half a carton of my coke cans were delivered to me bloated. Is it safe to open and consume or should I just throw them away?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Aside from them being coke, blech, normally if one drops a crate of cokes on a flat surface from about waist height, a fair number of them will be bloated as the shock will cause the carbolic acid (bubbles) to come out of solution (similar to the shock when you drop ice cubes into a warm glass of fresh coke it will over flow. So dropshock will cause the same effect. the resulting pressure will cause them to bloat the can due to the increased pressure. I sure there is a proper explanation but my chemistry is non-existent so cannot help there. Somebody here will give you a correct scientific explanation I'm sure (I hope).

[sundaymorningstaple]

Additionally check the bottom of the can for the use by date as well just to make sure. Most of the new flimsy thin cans have a use by date stamped on the bottom of the can.

[abbby]

Thanks for the scientific explanation.. On the side note, will it 'explode' if I try open it?

[Max Headroom]

Carbonic acid is the stuff you get when you dissolve CO2 in a liquid, i.e. the way they do when making Coke etc.

The CO2 is dissolved under high atmospheric pressure, which is why drinks eventually become flat once the can or bottle has been opened.

Dropping the cans may have caused some of the CO2 to come out of solution; hence the bloating. Some of the CO2 may dissolve back after a while, but best expect a pretty decent coke shower when you open these cans

[sundaymorningstaple]

Thanks Max. As I said, Chemistry is not my strong suite. Thanks for the note on the n/l error. I had the principle correct but the element was off!

Also what I forgot to note was the fact that some would return into solution (but the bloated can will remain as the resultant creases with not allow it to return to it's original shape and yep. sure to get a shower so always point the tab away from you when pulling it up to open it.

[Pal]

So is it safe for consumption? We always discard the bloated can drinks

[sundaymorningstaple]

So is it safe for consumption? We always discard the bloated can drinks

The same reason Singaporeans take perfectly good treated tap water and then boil it for drinking.

[grubermoaz]

while some bloated cans might be safe due to non-harmful causes like temperature changes, it's best to be cautious. If you notice any signs of damage, spoilage, or if the soda smells or tastes off, it's safest to discard the bloated cans.

[abbby]

Managed to try 1-2 cans, the gas has leaked off while bloated. Didn't taste as good as a regular can.

[malcontent]

Managed to try 1-2 cans, the gas has leaked off while bloated. Didn't taste as good as a regular can.

That is what I would have expected… a little flat. Some people like it that way (my brother always shook his soda to de-fizz before drinking it).

I also doubt the spray would have been overwhelming if a substantial period of time passed after the incident that caused the bulge.

[Lisafuller]

Half a carton of my coke cans were delivered to me bloated. Is it safe to open and consume or should I just throw them away?

I would return them for a refund.

[Lisafuller]

Managed to try 1-2 cans, the gas has leaked off while bloated. Didn't taste as good as a regular can.

Seems about right. Once they become bloated the gas escapes.

[Lisafuller]

Managed to try 1-2 cans, the gas has leaked off while bloated. Didn't taste as good as a regular can.

That is what I would have expected… a little flat. Some people like it that way (my brother always shook his soda to de-fizz before drinking it).

I also doubt the spray would have been overwhelming if a substantial period of time passed after the incident that caused the bulge.

My MIL used to do something similar... she'd pour it out of the can from a height so as to make as much of a splash once it entered the cup. Naturally the bubbles would go crazy, and the result was a freshly flat soda.

[Lisafuller]

while some bloated cans might be safe due to non-harmful causes like temperature changes, it's best to be cautious. If you notice any signs of damage, spoilage, or if the soda smells or tastes off, it's safest to discard the bloated cans.

Right. Best to exercise discretion. If it doesn't pass the sense test, throw it out.