Safe Screen?

[joetuo]

So I was at a local science store (American science and surplus) and they have all kinds of crazy stuff. So I bought a 4 x 4 steel-mesh screen, the kind you used in chemistry class above the burner. So I am wondering is this a safe metal to use as a screen and be smoking from. It would be sweet cause it was only $1 and they had this sale so it was really like 75 cents.

[hookahmike]

After hearing around here that galvanized stuff (which this may be - you'd have to be sure) can be bad for you (Thanks Allia ) I would make sure or be on the safe side.

I am working in brass and / or Stainless when I can.

/me goes to find some 0.010" SS sheet - Thanks for reminder

So I was at a local science store (American science and surplus) and they have all kinds of crazy stuff. So I bought a 4 x 4 steel-mesh screen, the kind you used in chemistry class above the burner. So I am wondering is this a safe metal to use as a screen and be smoking from. It would be sweet cause it was only $1 and they had this sale so it was really like 75 cents.

[Zerodynamic]

if its just untreated, regular steel, you should be fine.

[joetuo]

I am not sure if its untreated this is the description they give.

4" x 4" or 6" x 6" heavy-gauge steel-mesh burner screen with crimped edges.

Think if i just took the good old propane torch to it and just cooked this shit out of it that would make it better? Edited March 30, 2007 by joetuo

[Allia22]

Try torching the sucker and seeing if any fluffy white stuff starts to appear, that'd be the galvanized coating. I was in class and started welding some galvanized metal accidentally, I saw this stuff and was like WTF? I later developed a nasty cough that stayed for the remainder of the semester

[web250]

Most should be OK, galvanized definitely not.

But why just not go with aluminum foil?

[[LB]]

yes whiteness is very bad.... it meens somethings going into your lungs..... I remember being in class the other week my physics teacher was using a bunsen burner and that steel mesh created a terrible toxic fume cloud. Stick with tinfoil, its just as cheap and its better for your health.

[mushrat]

Ya, Galvanized can KILL you.
A friend of mine does blacksmith work. And a member of a smothing organization he's part of died from trying to work galvanized steel.

[AinSophAur]

I used to get a white ash type deal on my foil. I now use the combo bowl and the screen is ten times better. I use less coal and it burns the bowl more evenly.

[ASUSEAN1]

Ya, Galvanized can KILL you.
A friend of mine does blacksmith work. And a member of a smothing organization he's part of died from trying to work galvanized steel.

yikes, stay away from galvanzied metal.