Galvanized coat hangers?

I've never heard of galvanized coat hangers. Aren't they just mild steel or potmetal?

Even if it's galvanized, isn't that just a zinc coating? Granted, the PROCESS of galvanizing something is pretty toxic but I wouldn't expect the zinc itself to be- it's an essential mineral. I guess you can get poisoning from anything if you over-do it (even vitamin A) but I doubt it in practical terms. And I'm too lazy to look it up.

And I suppose that there might be something toxic left from the electroplating or hot dip, or something. Maybe.

Any toxicologists around here?

I have a friend who got very sick for several days
after trying to cook over a grate made from galvanized
hardware cloth during a hunting trip. I don't know if
he suffered any long term effects, but he was bed ridden
for awhile.

From Zen Stoves website:

Galvanized steel should never be used for cookware or food storage since this may lead to zinc poisoning (aka heavy metal poisoning). Exposure to high levels of zinc can cause lethargy, dizziness, nausea, fever, diarrhea, irritability, muscular stiffness and pain, loss of appetite, and reversible pancreatic and neurological damage.

Pot stands and stoves constructed from galvanized steel can cause metal fume fever when heated. This is caused by the inhalation of zinc oxide fumes or dust produced when galvanized steel is welded or burned. The signs and symptoms can be vague (shaking chills, fever, body aches, headache, and fatigue) and are similar to those of the flu or a viral illness. Onset of symptoms often occur after well after exposure (3-10 hours) and makes the connection between using your stove and sickness less obvious than one would think. Symptoms usually resolve after 48 hours if you quit cooking with galvanized steel.

Metal Fume Fever has been linked with occupational asthma and is a pretty noxious illness.

I try to avoid galvanized steel in general. My understanding is that it leeches toxins into the ground if left in contact with it. It's probably part of the reason why people have been moving away from it for water pipes.

If you're not sure, don't use it…

I've never heard of galvanized coat hangars, usually that's only done to things that you want to protect from the elements, like roof flashing, deck screws, roofing nails etc. As far as using galvanized steel in your camp gear, it's probably a bad idea because of the chance of metal fume fever which can come from the zinc oxide if you heat it to high temps. Galvanized pipe is bad because it will eventually rust inside and out…

I think galvanized hardware cloth is used in lots of pot supports over alcohol burners. That might be bad if it gets hot enough.

–B.G.–

Here is a source for stainless steel wire mesh. It looks pretty much the same as galvanized hardware cloth you can find at a hardware store, but is definitely not the same. It does cost more with shipping, but you can also make a few stands from it

I'd recommend getting the thinnest wire you can in either 1/2" or 1 inch. It is still plenty burly for the expected usage.

I put some on top of a small coffee can to use as a wood stove, and it hasn't shown any rust despite multiple firings and dousings.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#wire-cloth/=8oyx4q

Coat hangers are safe. Just burn the coatings off before you use them. They have been used for decades to roast marshmellows and hotdogs with no side effects. But now that I think about it, I have no children. Could that be why?

I blow glass. I turn into gas – gold, silver, copper, cadmium, and a dozen other minerals.

When exposed to toxic metal fume, there is no questioning it.

Jack