Tin Cup.

[Beltplate53]

I have bought a new Tin Cup and do not know what to do. It is shiny and I'm afraid I will be mistaken for a newbe, you know, new guy alert. Should I just build a fire and break it in or should I just wait and take it like a man. "Oh look, it's a new guy with his new shiny cup."

 

[12th Missouri Yankee]

Welcome, maybe you can break it in by using it for coffee in the morning or bringing it along in your travels to work. Certainly being washed a bit will tend to break it in. Leaving it outside during a snow storm may help weather it a bit too. We have snow coming here tomorrow.

 

[Nathanb1]

Oh thank goodness. I thought....

Well, hopefully @Tin cup or someone will be along to help.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Some people will generically call a stainless steel cup a "Tin Cup". If you have a stainless one, then build a fire and set it alongside it or over some hot coals......cook some coffee in it. IF you wash it, DO NOT use a scouring pad, as it will scratch it up......If you have a regular tin cup, it will "patina" with use in camp......My opinion (if it is tin and not stainless): Just use it normally in camp and let it "patina" naturally. But, even if tin, do not use a scouring pad. I clean mine with hot water and a dish rag at the beginning of the year and at the end of the year. During the year, I simply boil some water in it while still in camp.
Good luck! Please let us know what you decide to do!

 

[Poor Private]

If yours is a S.S. cup. Do not ever clean the outside except with a cloth, let the burnt marks stay(it hides that it's S.S.). Same with a mucket. Clean the inside well.
Use it as it is. It will get that used look shortly. Also people forget that the soldiers got new things on occaision.

 

[Craig L Barry]

That's what I was thinking...men occasionally got issued new tin dippers, it will take on an authentic appearance with proper use in camp. Why rush the effects of time and tarnish? If you bought stainless steel, well throw it away and get a proper tin cup, they aren't that expensive.

 

[Beltplate53]

It's actually hot dipped Tin, just waiting to be broken in.

 

[Republican Blues]

Just give it time... it'll dirty up plenty good... and they got issued new stuff or bought new stuff, dont be afraid of new stuff

 

[TinCan]

I am a TinCan and therefore can not help you

 

[7thWisconsin]

Y'know, they got new stuff occasionally too... (just let it break in while in use).

 

[unionblue]

I am a TinCan and therefore can not help you

Doesn't salt water rust tin cans?

 

[TinCan]

Doesn't salt water rust tin cans?

Not if you put plenty of alcohol in it !

 

[Beltplate53]

Doesn't alcohol corrode Tin?

 

[unionblue]

Doesn't alcohol corrode Tin?

Beltplate53,

Only the innards of old salts who served on Tin Cans!

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[Tin cup]

I say get a "boiler" (AKA tin can) and use it to boil/cook in. A proper tin cup will show age soon enough, don't have to make it look "used" too soon, time will take care of that!
GET RID OF ANY STAINLESS WARE, use it at the house!

Kevin Dally

 

[12th Missouri Yankee]

I was inspired by your thread and ordered two tin cups, looking forward to using them soon.