# pewter flask... bad idea?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pewter-flask-bad-idea/206563>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 9, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pewter-flask-bad-idea/206563 "2003-10-09T22:54:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pewter-flask-bad-idea/206563/1 "2003-10-09T22:54:15Z")

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So I got a pewter hip flask as a present. I seem to remember that pewter is a lead related substance. Is it a bad idea to keep my whiskey in it?

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**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pewter-flask-bad-idea/206563/2 "2003-10-09T22:57:33Z")

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It depends on the pewter. I had a plate I bought from a reenactir supplier that was recalled due to the lead content of that batch of pewter. They sent me two replacement plates, packing and stamps to return the ‘bad’ plate. I don’t think that kind of problem comes up very often.

Isn’t lead also more of a developmental limiter? Mostly effects the brain development of children? Not sure what effect it has on adults.

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**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pewter-flask-bad-idea/206563/3 "2003-10-09T23:23:34Z")

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[Adult Lead Poisoning](http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00056742.htm).

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**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pewter-flask-bad-idea/206563/4 "2003-10-09T23:42:02Z")

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Best bet is to find out who made the flask. Chances are pretty good that it is lead-free as lead-free pewter is readily available.

Most if not all of the pweter being sold at Faire (Northern) is produly proclaimed as lead-free

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**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pewter-flask-bad-idea/206563/5 "2003-10-09T23:44:44Z")

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ergh… produly = proudly. :smack:

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**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pewter-flask-bad-idea/206563/6 "2003-10-09T23:59:44Z")

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Pewter is predominantly tin (at least 92% for current “American Pewter” standards). The rest may be a number of metals, including antimony, copper, bismuth or lead.

Modern day pewter objects intended for serving food will probably be lead-free. “Food grade” pewter will probably contain copper to make it less brittle, and antimony to prevent tarnish.

I would worry only if it were an antique or made in a third world country, not a modern item made in a nation with safety regulations.