Ever wonder, “Do beer cans set off metal detectors?” Read on, as we unravel this peculiar yet fascinating query in the world of metallurgy!
There’s always a secret reason behind these types of questions to pop up in people’s minds and I understand why (if you know,you know).
Some of you might know the answer if you have already gone through an experience similar to mine.
Couple of years back, I bought tickets for a football match to go with my buddies. On our way, we bought a few cans of beer.
I had an extra can with me and I put it inside my bag and the next second, I completely forgot about it!.
The entrance to the game had all these security checkups. When I was walking through the big metal frame, guess what happened! The alarm started to blow up!.
I was taken aside to check further more and they found the beer can in my bag. As they believed in my story, they advised me that no alcohol is allowed and let me in.
Since then, I was wondering how that actually happened. I went to Mr. Smith, who was a friendly man (our chemistry teacher) to find an answer.
This was his answer, Do beer cans set off metal detectors?
Yes, Beer cans do set off metal detectors because they are made out of aluminum. Metal detectors are specifically designed to detect the conductivity of non-ferrous metals. And aluminum is a non-ferrous metal with high conductivity. This means that an aluminum beer can is able to easily trigger a detector.
Keep reading along if you are interested in learning more about beer cans and why they set off metal detectors
(And learn some tricks on how to sneak in alcohol through the detectors. I don’t recommend doing this though).
Can Metal Detectors Detect Beer Cans?
Yes. Beer cans have the ability to set off metal detectors.
The below description will explain how these beer cans are manufactured and what is the reason behind it getting exposed to metal detectors.
What if you don’t have a metal detector?
Don’t worry you can still detect beer cans since they are made with Aluminum by following these Best Ways to Detect Aluminum Without a Metal Detector
What Is The Material Used To Make Beer Cans?
Aluminum is mainly used in producing beer and other beverage cans as it’s a cheaper metal compared to other metals.
Tin is also another metal used to make cans in a few countries but aluminum is the most popular metal in can manufacturing.
Aluminum has a combination of valuable properties. Such as,
- It is one of the lightest metals in the world: it becomes incredibly slim when it is pulled into sheets and this is three times lighter than iron.
- Extremely flexible.
- Very strong even after being made into thin sheets.
- Corrosion resistant.
- Forms alloys with other metals.
- Durable.
The most important thing is that aluminum is electrically conductive. Therefore, it can be easily picked up by the metal detectors.
Aluminum alone cannot be taken into manufacturing things because it is too soft.
So beer cans are made of aluminum alloy, where aluminum is mixed with other metals like magnesium or copper to make it firm.
Aluminum alloy has 90-99% of aluminum in it.
Even though it is a mixed metal, aluminum alloy still has conductivity and this can set off a metal detector.
Read the following article to know the best places you can find aluminum beer cans in metal detecting.
Upgrading Of Beer Cans From Steel To Aluminum
Let’s talk a little about the history of the beer cans and how they evolved to the present version.
The first ever beer can was manufactured by American Can Company in 1933. They used steel as the material to manufacture the cans.
In late 1935, an entirely different beer can was developed by Schlitz. It was sealed with a cone top, making consumers get used to drinking from flat tops.
The UK started to use steel to make cans in 1936 and hold the record of making the first beer cans in Europe.
The United States at the same era, developed a beer can with tin which is very thin compared to steel.
During world war II, tin became hard to find in the United States and they had to go for alternatives like other metals coated with resin.
Aluminum cans started to emerge from 1958 where the Hawaii Brewing Company switched from steel and tin to aluminum and produced the first aluminum beer can.
After introducing aluminum cans to the market, the next thing to focus on was developing different methods to open the can.
In 1965, the finger-loop pull tab was found first as an opening method by Schlitz.
Later on, researches were followed out on reducing the weight of the cans. In 1970, a crimped can was introduced with a reduced diameter of the top than the bottom of the can.
As all of the breweries, apart from how big or large they are in production, started to use aluminum cans.
This led to producing much more thin cans with easy-to-open options.
Since every brewery started to use cans, the usage of cans exceeded the glass beer bottles for the first time in history.
The modern cans are light weighted and come with fixed tabs. These are also decorated with different artistic labels to attract customers.
With generations evolving, cans have now become the world’s largest aluminum-consuming product.
Do Aluminum Cans Set Off Metal Detectors?
Yes. Metal detectors are capable of detecting highly conductive metals. Aluminum cans are made from alloyed aluminum. It conducts electricity well as it’s one of the electropositive metals.
If you want to know more, Read my comprehensive guide about Does Aluminum Set Off Metal Detectors?
Beer cans are therefore, similar to any other item that is made out of aluminum. And they will set off most of the metal detectors.
Can Alcohol Be Detected In Metal Detector?
Metal detectors are not able to detect liquid alcohol.
If the container that has alcohol in is non metallic, then there’s nothing to worry about.
But the scenario will be totally different when it comes to mini liquor bottles. These bottles are primarily made out of glass or plastic.
The cap on the other hand, is usually made from either plastic or metal. The metal that is used to make the cap is often aluminum.
Despite having metal caps, these bottles can be hard to detect with metal detectors as the amount of metal is very small compared to a beer can.
Most of the time, these caps are aluminum. So if it is a different type of a metal, it will be hardly detectable.
But the modern metal detectors are highly sensitive and most of them can detect even the slightest bit of metal that goes through it.
So there’s probably a risk of taking a mini liquor bottle through a metal detector as it might set the alarm off.
All these conditions make it impossible to be sure that the detectors will not catch the bottles. There are so many details to think of before sneaking out alcohol through a detector.
How To Sneak Alcohol Into A Concert With A Metal Detector?
Honestly, I don’t recommend sneaking alcohol into a concert or any other public event. They might probably have separate rules and regulations on alcohol so make sure to find and know them before taking.
But there are some crafty ways that can be used to sneak alcohol into places.
The main point is that the container should not include any metallic part. Most of the time, this can be a plastic container.
Here are some common sneaky ideas of people that I’ve found.
1. Lotion Bottles
It’s one of the worthy attempts that can be used. No one is going to suspect for having sunscreen or a lotion inside the bag.
For this, a sunscreen bottle can be emptied and cleaned thoroughly. Make sure the bottle is well cleaned because the chemicals and other stuff can bring sickness later.
There are also empty bottles that can be purchased online. These will be much safer.
If your liquor is clear, you can also use an empty water bottle.
2. Secret Tampon Flask
I know it sounds a bit weird but still, it will do the work.
Tampons are something that security will never bother to check. These fake tampon flasks can be purchased online.
It will hold up to 5 shots in each flask. These are perfect for any occasion.
3. Novelty Shaped Flasks
These flasks are really cool to carry and sneak out. It will never feel obvious to carry a differently shaped flask than carrying a tin of beer itself.
There are so many flasks that you can buy. Here are some of my suggestions,
- Binoculars shaped flask
- Camera shaped flask
- Paddle brush shaped flask
- Secret hip flask
There are so much more. But make sure that you choose the perfect flask that the security won’t suspect of.
4. Injected Oranges
If something like vodka needs to be sneaked out, fruits are the best solution.
Vodka goes well with fruit so there’s nothing to worry about the taste. Just inject vodka into the orange and that’s it. But make sure that they will not burst.
No one is going to suspect taking some oranges in because it’s a popular food to eat outdoors.
5. Straw Bracelets
Straw bracelets are DIY and handy. And it will cost only a few cents to make it.
Take a rubber straw and seal one corner. Fill the straw with alcohol and seal the other corner as well.
Attach the two corners in a circle shape and glue it. And there it is. A bangle filled with alcohol. These will hold upto 1-2 shots. The best thing, bangles are common at concerts!.
Metal Detectors’ Sensitivity and Calibration
Metal detectors are a fascinating piece of technology that can be calibrated to different sensitivities, effectively determining how easily they pick up on the presence of metals.
The sensitivity setting on a metal detector controls its ability to detect objects at varying depths and sizes.
A metal detector with high sensitivity can detect smaller pieces of metal or items located deeper in the ground. Conversely, a lower sensitivity setting means the detector will only pick up larger items or those closer to the surface.
A crucial aspect to consider is that when you increase the sensitivity, the metal detector becomes more susceptible to electromagnetic interference and ground mineralization.
These can cause false signals, making it seem as though there’s metal when there isn’t.
When it comes to calibration, it’s all about adjusting the sensitivity and discrimination settings for the specific conditions and the specific type of metal you’re seeking.
Discrimination is another important feature in metal detectors that helps the user distinguish valuable metals from junk.
For example, if you’re in an area with a high level of ground mineralization, you might want to lower the sensitivity to avoid constant false readings.
But if you’re hunting for small items like gold nuggets or aluminum beer cans, you’d need to set the sensitivity higher.
Calibrating a metal detector requires some practice and understanding of the detector’s feedback.
Often, users will need to adjust the settings based on the type of ground or soil they’re scanning over (e.g., sandy, wet, rocky), and the type of metal they’re looking for.
For example, aluminum, like that found in beer cans, requires different settings than iron or gold.
Remember, however, while high sensitivity increases the chances of detecting aluminum beer cans, it also increases the chances of false positives.
Therefore, effective calibration requires a balance between sensitivity and discrimination to get the most accurate readings.
In the context of security checks at public venues, metal detectors are usually set to a high sensitivity level.
This setting is intentional to ensure no metallic object, including beer cans, is missed during the screening.
This is why beer cans, made predominantly from aluminum, are easily picked up by these detectors.
As such, understanding the sensitivity and calibration of metal detectors provides more insight into why beer cans can set off these detectors.
Whether you’re in a concert security line or pursuing metal detecting as a hobby, it’s the manipulation of these settings that determines what kind of metallic objects you’re likely to discover.
That’s it, folks! Now you know all you need to know about, do beer cans set off metal detectors with all the key factors.
In the United States alone, over 100 billion aluminum beverage cans are produced each year, making it the largest single use of aluminum globally.
www.CanCentral.com
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions as well.
FAQs
Do beer cans contain plastic?
Beer cans are not entirely made of plastic. They have a thin epoxy lining to prevent the can from corrosion due to the liquid.
Where can I buy novelty flasks?
Almost all of the online selling platforms sell novelty flasks for cheaper prices. You know where to find them now.
The beer cans have white patches on them. Why?
Aluminum corrosion looks white. This process is actually known as oxidation. The resulting aluminum oxide is a thin, white layer that will protect the metal from further oxidation. This is what appears as a white patch.
Do all concerts and parks prohibit alcohol?
Well, no. Some amusement parks and concerts do have alcohol stalls in them. But they don’t allow bringing alcohol from outside.
Some parks like Disneyland have no alcoholic drinks policies. Make sure to look into their rules and regulations before doing anything.
Can I use a glass bottle to sneak out alcohol?
No. Glass bottles are a big no in any park, concert or event.
Do all metal detectors pick up beer cans?
Yes, all metal detectors capable of detecting aluminum will pick up beer cans, as the majority of them are made from this material.
Can I adjust my metal detector to ignore beer cans?
While you can adjust the discrimination settings on some detectors to ignore certain metals, it’s challenging to ignore beer cans specifically, as aluminum is also present in other valuable finds.
Does the size of the beer can affect whether it’s detected?
Yes, the size of the beer can can impact its detectability; however, most beer cans are large enough to be easily picked up by metal detectors at normal sensitivity levels.
What other common objects made from the same material as beer cans can set off a metal detector?
Other common aluminum objects, like soda cans, cooking foil, and certain types of jewelry, can also set off a metal detector.
Does the amount of beer left in a can affect the metal detector’s sensitivity?
No, the amount of beer left in a can doesn’t affect the metal detector’s sensitivity, as it is designed to detect the metal, not the contents inside the can.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Do Beer Cans Set Off Metal Detectors
In this article, I have deeply explained, ‘Do Beer Cans Set Off Metal Detectors?’ and share my own experience and opinions about it.
Beer cans do set off metal detectors. They’re primarily made of aluminum, a material easily detected by most detectors. However, the sensitivity may vary based on the detector’s calibration and the size of the can. Even empty cans will trigger a response due to their metal content.
Remember that the beer cans will definitely set off the detectors if alternative ways are not used to get creative and sneak them in.
I’m excited to hear if anyone else had the same experience as I did. If so, leave a comment down below with the story. I hope some funny and adventurous stories would come in.
So until next time, good luck with sneaking!. But don’t let some beer ruin the party!
