# Is There a Collector's market For Old Cans of Food?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-collectors-market-for-old-cans-of-food/540265>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [May 21, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-collectors-market-for-old-cans-of-food/540265 "2010-05-21T15:40:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-collectors-market-for-old-cans-of-food/540265/21 "2010-05-22T22:57:01Z")

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I learned the hard way tomato paste eats through a can. I had some only a few years old that leaked onto my shelving and stained them. Made quite a mess in my pantry.

I’m careful now to use up or throw away tomato paste within a year.

Also, the OP should check his 100 year old cans for swelling. A sign that toxic stuff is growing in the can. Eventually the can will burst, spewing the contents. If the can isn’t swelling, keep it for decoration.

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