Storing Spirits in Lead Crystal

[M.X.Hassett]

Plenty of people eat food that's been cooked in lead-glazed pottery every so often, or drink hard booze that's been stored in a lead crystal decanter for years and don't "get sick" every time they do it. . . but that doesn't mean it's not a bad idea.

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Sam posted this over in the Antique Copper Pans thread. I have a collection of antique lead crystal decanters and have used them for storing bourbon, scotch, whiskey, etc... brown sipping spirits. The max the spirits are in the vessel would be 6-8 months. Should I stop? Should I tell my doctor? Should I stop typing and call my doctor? I did some googling but there is a lot of conflicting info and not much on decanters dating from 60-200 years ago. I normally do not worry about things like this I smoke, drink, consume to much fat, eat raw eggs, etc... but whats the story here people?

Edited December 27, 2005 by M.X.Hassett (log)

[Gifted Gourmet]

Fret not but do read this:

information on storing liquor in lead crystal decanters

"Lead poisoning is a cumulative thing," says Doug Borys, director of the Central Texas Poison Control Center ... "a tiny amount will leach into liquid served in a lead glass or decanter." Recommendation? Place liquor in a lead crystal decanter the day of a party; do not store any liquid in it. Never serve children food in lead crystal. New lead crystal ware (decanter, pitcher, glass etc.) should be rinsed in white vinegar before using to remove lead dust.

[M.X.Hassett]

Thanks for the link. When I get home I guess I'll dump the Hine cognac next to my reading chair and discontinue to use my antique decanters.

[Gifted Gourmet]

When I get home I guess I'll dump the Hine cognac next to my reading chair

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Whoa! Just a minute, Matt! Just because the article said

Never serve children food in lead crystal?

[M.X.Hassett]

Yeh but its been sitting in there for close to 7 months better safe then sorry, its only a few ounces worth anyway.

[Gifted Gourmet]

Yeh but its been sitting in there for close to 7 months better safe then sorry, its only a few ounces worth anyway.

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sitting there for seven whole months? Cognac?? Not in my house!

[M.X.Hassett]

Yeh it is pretty embarrassing (:shame: emotion.)