Massive Can Meltdown - How Much Pure Aluminum Is In 500 Cans - Is It Worth Melting Aluminum Cans

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 16 бер 2021
  • I wanted to melt down a bunch of aluminum cans that I have been saving for quite some time. 500 plus cans! 517 cans to be exact... It seems like a simple melt, and it is. But it takes a lot of time and energy to melt down aluminum cans. Let's have some fun and melt down a bunch of pure aluminum! Let me know what you guys think... Leave a comment, Send me an email to TheGrowingStack@Gmail.com, or send me something(If you want to) to:
    TheGrowingStack
    P. O. Box 13542
    Tempe Az, 85284
    Enjoy!!!
  • Розваги

КОМЕНТАРІ • 4 тис.

  • @rcoyle518
    @rcoyle518 3 роки тому +996

    I work for an aluminum rolling company. Scrap aluminum is incredibly valuable because of the INSANE amount of energy and cost required to produce prime aluminum from bauxite ore. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable - meaning it will not lose its properties over time as it undergoes various transformations. The key is simply to have large scale, efficient industrial processes. The margins are small for can stock but they add up when you apply them accross the 100s of millions of pounds produced each year

    • @kylesteele9403
      @kylesteele9403 2 роки тому +67

      Even molten aluminum oxide slag can be reacted with electricity and a carbon rod to return it back to elemental aluminum from what I recall

    • @conniewojahn6445
      @conniewojahn6445 2 роки тому +15

      Thanks, that's interesting information.!

    • @AB-ld1rp
      @AB-ld1rp 2 роки тому +13

      doesn't recycled aluminium in case of particular applications together with iron/steel components have iron contamination? that makes the aluminium alloy fragile and the mechanical behaviour very bad for some applications, so it's not technically always recyclable. Still, there are so many uses for it that it can be used for something else.
      I checked my old notes and also it seems that the energy consumption during the recycling process is roughly 90% of what you spend for primary extraction, but you save tons of scrap, MANY tons of water, and a considerable amount of CO2 and SO2.

    • @kylesteele9403
      @kylesteele9403 2 роки тому +9

      @@AB-ld1rp so, when aluminum oxide is converted back into elemental aluminum, addition of other elements to precipitate iron with crystalization and filtration. By doing this, whether or not it was originally alloyed or became contaminated it can be removed to lower traces. However it still takes a while so you're on the right thought process of it being a bit hectic.

    • @wombatburrito5896
      @wombatburrito5896 2 роки тому +25

      Problem is I get screwed by the recycling places here and it’s not worth the trouble breaking down extruded aluminum windows .
      I could easily bring in 3 maybe 4 tons of pretty clean aluminum but my shifty local dealer will start dropping the price to 15 cents a pound for a few screws . I want 40-50 at least for my clean. Just not worth it when I have three boys and a wife fighting for my attention

  • @TheGrowingStack
    @TheGrowingStack  3 роки тому +3848

    So is it worth melting down 500+ aluminum cans?
    Short answer...NO.
    Total the time- just over 2 hours to melt these all down, plus setup and clean up time.
    Total the propane cost- I used about 2/3 of a tank, so depending on what you pay for propane near you...for me it’s about $10-12. The result of the10.75lbs of aluminum is worth about $10.75 USD.
    The fuel alone costs more than the aluminum is worth, then take into consideration what your time is worth and you’re way over budget!
    For me...there is everything I just mentioned, plus add another 2 hours to sand, polish, and shine one of these ingots, and another 8-10 hours editing to provide 12 minutes of cheap entertainment & enjoyment.
    Long answer...worth every second 😉👍
    Thank you all for watching, I hope you enjoy, and stay awesome!

    • @tobhomott
      @tobhomott 3 роки тому +102

      No is absolutely the correct answer. Everyone tries melting cans at least once though, and I never saw anyone get talked out of it. But FWIW I can reduce 3 whole alloy car wheels into crucible friendly sized bits with my wood fired stack melter in an hour or less. That's a lot more melting stock processed in a lot less time with a lot less work, cheaper to buy as scrap than 500 cans of pop, far better for making castings with later since they are made with an alloy that is designed for being made into castings rather than for being made into cans, creates far, far less dross to skim off because cans are all surface area just waiting to burn up before they can melt, and I bet 3 wheels even take up less space to store than all those cans... "Free," yeah, right...

    • @TheGrowingStack
      @TheGrowingStack  3 роки тому +41

      @@tobhomott very well put!

    • @JondroNation
      @JondroNation 3 роки тому +18

      @@TheGrowingStack what size smelter is that? Great video by the way

    • @TheGrowingStack
      @TheGrowingStack  3 роки тому +35

      @@JondroNation Thank you, that one is the Devil-Forge FB2M that has a 10kg max crucible size.

    • @1paultv22
      @1paultv22 3 роки тому +59

      Where I live on the northeast, 517 cans would give me $25.85 at the recycling center. .05¢ deposit return for each can. The fun factor is what would make this hobby worthwhile.

  • @yamster88
    @yamster88 Рік тому +4

    Random videos like this keep me sane when waking up in the middle of the night strssing about life.

  • @deathstarvsdeathstarvs7009
    @deathstarvsdeathstarvs7009 10 місяців тому +12

    If you shred the cans, it will increase the surface area of the aluminum causing you to melt the cans quicker. This will also save you fuel as well. Love the vids btw

  • @thomaspaine4670
    @thomaspaine4670 2 роки тому +220

    I work in a aluminum recycling facility and our average recovery rate from UBC or Used Beverage Cans is 97%. That's not to say the plant losses that 3%, we skim the dross and remelt it over and over again. The plant also remelts bulk dross from large manufacturers such Kaiser and Toyota.

    • @getintothewildwithjeffruma8777
      @getintothewildwithjeffruma8777 2 роки тому +6

      Very interesting to hear your insight thank you.

    • @hughjaanus6680
      @hughjaanus6680 2 роки тому +3

      loses

    • @icost4671
      @icost4671 2 роки тому +4

      What do you mean by 3% loss
      No business runs on a loss.
      Okay I reread your comment again. There is no loss

    • @hughjaanus6680
      @hughjaanus6680 2 роки тому +12

      @@icost4671 There's a loss with you.......

    • @icost4671
      @icost4671 2 роки тому +6

      @@hughjaanus6680 no argument there, I'm learning a lot of things here on UA-cam and on a lot of different subjects 🤔

  • @Silverlining1111
    @Silverlining1111 3 роки тому +427

    No bs,no noisy music,just birds sing,lovely👍

    • @TheGrowingStack
      @TheGrowingStack  3 роки тому +31

      Thank you!!

    • @mastercheif3071
      @mastercheif3071 3 роки тому +36

      Yeah that heavy metal bird singing in the beginning was so peaceful. Idiot

    • @andrewQueDeLlee
      @andrewQueDeLlee 3 роки тому +3

      F.....u....in silent....

    • @Shedcats
      @Shedcats 3 роки тому +12

      @@mastercheif3071 whats up with your attitude dawg

    • @MoHawkAnakin
      @MoHawkAnakin 3 роки тому +3

      Hey I love waking up to the sound of the birds singing. On the other hand my friend hates it. Some people like it some people don’t.

  • @skipeveryday7282
    @skipeveryday7282 2 роки тому +152

    Pouring molten metal looks so satisfying honestly.

    • @godisnotdead6230
      @godisnotdead6230 2 роки тому +1

      It does

    • @L.G88_
      @L.G88_ 2 роки тому +1

      Rather than dishonestly?

    • @akbuilder7626
      @akbuilder7626 2 роки тому +2

      Till it splashes on your foot then things change quickly.

    • @gunterandersson
      @gunterandersson 2 роки тому

      Yeah and that stuff can explode concrete if dropped on it

    • @debbiebrown3534
      @debbiebrown3534 2 роки тому +1

      You would have to melt down 106,027 cans to get 1 metric ton of pure aluminum. Today the value would be 2,446.67. That's a lot of time to make so little.

  • @loringmanley8318
    @loringmanley8318 2 роки тому +66

    You could totally sell the polished ingots, although it would cut into the growing stack. You need a “growing stack” mold that marks the bars. I find these videos astonishingly satisfying to watch.

  • @hughjaanus6680
    @hughjaanus6680 2 роки тому +124

    I started collecting cans off the streets the last few months, they are worth €0.65 per Kg.
    I have 35 Kg at present, I'll cash them in at Christmas. At least I'm doing my bit for the environment, I collect plastic and glass also to recycle.

    • @shawnalley3309
      @shawnalley3309 2 роки тому +6

      In my state (Oregon, USA) they are worth 10 cents per can now (as of a few years ago they changed from 5 cents each).

    • @historyhunter5215
      @historyhunter5215 2 роки тому +10

      My wife keeps harping me to go cash in the bin I have out front... She has no clue about the lawn bags under the house holding 376 lbs...🤫🤣

    • @jerrylindstrom3323
      @jerrylindstrom3323 2 роки тому +3

      In finland we get 0.15e per can, but it has to from finland so we cant order from germany and then recycle those. Well we can recycle but the machines wont give any credit

    • @djdeaf13
      @djdeaf13 2 роки тому +1

      ​@@shawnalley3309 Denmark have a some what similar system. But they start from 16 cents(cans and glass bottles below 1 Liter) and goes up to 48 cents(cans and bottles above 1 liter). So the 517 cans would be worth 82.35$

    • @historyhunter5215
      @historyhunter5215 2 роки тому +2

      @@jerrylindstrom3323 wow, here in Texas it's .52cents a pound. Our glass,cans,etc, are marked with different prices depending what state it gets recycled in.

  • @daniellclary
    @daniellclary 2 роки тому +25

    This just makes me think. There was a time you would not dream of throwing away precious material like metal. And now, we do it all the time.

    • @gibsondrummer
      @gibsondrummer 2 роки тому +4

      That will change

    • @LunchLovesBox
      @LunchLovesBox 2 роки тому +1

      @Jan - AmiLoGiXx We have something like that also. We pay 10 cents per plastic bottle, glass bottle, or aluminum can... then when we return it to the recycling center for reimbursement they give us about 1 cent. Its part of how they keep all of us slaves.

    • @daniellclary
      @daniellclary 2 роки тому

      @Jan - AmiLoGiXx That's interesting. Not that different from how certain things worked in one of the books I wrote. Was not with cans though.

    • @MrJdsenior
      @MrJdsenior 2 роки тому

      @@gibsondrummer Ya think? Look what we do with water right now, in most areas of the world. I GUARANTEE you that will change, already is in some areas actually. In fact, wars are beginning to be fought over it.

    • @MrJdsenior
      @MrJdsenior 2 роки тому

      @Jan - AmiLoGiXx And what is the Pfandbon made out of? :-/ Is it at least readily recyclable? I'm just messin with ya, BTW.
      But many such schemes, when you examine them deeply, like the US govt's subsidizing new car buys for 'environmental' reasons to get 'old polluters' off the road, cause more environmental damage, by cycling out all of those perfectly usable cars given the materials, energy, transportation, etc. required to get the unneeded new ones in service, than was gained getting the old ones off the road. The net gain is a definite loss in the precise area they were trying to address...typical, actually. My guess on that one was some car manufacturer's lobbyist.
      Also, I always love it when I hear things like "solar energy is free!". That is only at least somewhat true if you are a plant. For us humans, to power our homes, etc. with it requires raw materials, energy, pollutants released, etc to get those collectors manufactured and into our hands, at regular intervals. A good trade, in that case, but not REMOTELY free. And just go price a good solar system for your home, and look at the monetary payback time if you think it's monetarily free. We got a quote from Tesla's company that made me think he's been smoking WAYYYY too much weed. How's 60kish for a house unit sound? I only paid 10k more than that for the whole damned house (not kidding).

  • @daslayer3630
    @daslayer3630 2 роки тому +15

    Am I the only one that found the most impressive thing about this video (aside from the rest of the obvious awesomeness) is that he wrote the numbers upside down so perfectly? :D

  • @oshtoolman
    @oshtoolman Рік тому +21

    Found your video quite by accident. And it was oddly satisfying to watch!! Thank you for posting it!

  • @dougsmith548
    @dougsmith548 3 роки тому +69

    I would like to send you a little something but my Old age penson doesn’t allow for anything extra.above basic cost of living. I do enjoy immensely watching your channel. Thank you for taking us along on all your melts. Stay safe God bless. 🇨🇦

    • @TheGrowingStack
      @TheGrowingStack  3 роки тому +23

      Thank you so much. I enjoy doing it so long as it gives others enjoyment. Your comment made me happy and smile and that is all I could ask for...

    • @joaquincorral4952
      @joaquincorral4952 3 роки тому

      That’s good that sum1 is watching ur finances then.

    • @paulriversred738
      @paulriversred738 3 роки тому +9

      He made good money off of the video posting it on you tube so since you and everyone else watched it you did help him..

  • @robertoneill1979
    @robertoneill1979 3 роки тому +47

    The sounds made by the ingots hitting the concrete, the ice hissing with the heat. This is one of the most interesting and enjoyable vids I've seen in a long time 👍🤩

  • @chriscanney9607
    @chriscanney9607 2 роки тому +42

    When I was a kid, you could still get lead soldier kits (I lived in Europe) and I would go to the military range to collect bullets. I made thousands of lead soldiers in my moms kitchen. Probably not the best of ideas but it it was fun at the time.

    • @nikolas_schreck6196
      @nikolas_schreck6196 2 роки тому

      Cool dude

    • @tomo9126
      @tomo9126 2 роки тому +1

      My friends and I did that too. We melted down fishing weights.

    • @jamespeters2859
      @jamespeters2859 2 роки тому +1

      Making lead soldiers is cool, especially the ones which comes out of the moulds missing arms, legs and heads.

    • @hlrembe62
      @hlrembe62 2 роки тому +1

      The good old days before the world turn all soft and scared. My bedroom growing up probably smelled like an industrial plant between the lead casting, model painting and plastic and rubber molding.

  • @ScrapRushUK
    @ScrapRushUK 2 роки тому +13

    Great video, I took around 200-300 cans that I had saved over around 4/5 months to my scrap yard here in the uk.
    Never taking in cans previously was unsure what to expect, the guy at the scrap yard told me due to the cost of what it takes to melt the cans down, the scrap yard hate taking cans as they need a hella lot of them to make any sort of profit.
    But looking at your aluminium pile I can see it is a labour of love especially seeing the 1 that you polished up.
    Makes me want to get my self a kiln and melt some down my self.

    • @ohsoloco5113
      @ohsoloco5113 2 роки тому +4

      That's interesting. I had some melted aluminum that I scrapped last year, it was probably aluminum wire that had the insulation melted off. The scrap yard said they could only pay me for dirty aluminum since they can't say what all was melted down. Aluminum is 50 cents per pound right now, and dirty aluminum is 15 cents.

    • @billwilson3609
      @billwilson3609 Рік тому

      Aluminum can prices always go up and down so I mash mine flat to get more in a trash bag then wait until prices rise before taking them in. I own a full size '88 Chevy van so often had it packed full with bags of cans with each bag weighing around 12 pounds. Think I got 60 cents per pound several years ago when aluminum was in short supply then 32 cents a few years later after the price finally rose from 24 cents per pound. The scrapyards with smelters make more off the cans and other types of aluminum scrap once melted down and cast into ingots.

  • @dunruden9720
    @dunruden9720 2 роки тому +11

    I did a major refit on my yacht and decided to trash the mast as it was old, previously broken and repaired and ready to recycle. I cut it into three sections, and a mate and I delivered it to the recycler. We made enough to buy him a carton of beer for helping out!

    • @henridejong9433
      @henridejong9433 2 роки тому

      Wich you then both emptied at the deck of your yacht, having another great day... yup, absolutely worth it!!!

    • @MrJdsenior
      @MrJdsenior 2 роки тому

      @@henridejong9433 Unsustainable though. Sorry, couldn't resist.

  • @brianemerson2758
    @brianemerson2758 2 роки тому +59

    I like how you have it stacked like pirate treasure at the end

  • @user-iu5ty1rp5n
    @user-iu5ty1rp5n 2 роки тому +10

    one man's trash is another man's metal.

  • @mr.bluebird6544
    @mr.bluebird6544 Рік тому +10

    That was an excellent video! I had a metal molding kit at a teen and really enjoyed the craft.

  • @drogoreuak1347
    @drogoreuak1347 2 роки тому +445

    I can totally see why this is fun. The stockpiling itself is worth it.

    • @trolltracker
      @trolltracker 2 роки тому +2

      Lol no it's not. Lay off the daily caller and other brainwashing propaganda

    • @jzubs
      @jzubs 2 роки тому +13

      @@trolltracker lmaooo we do a little trolling

    • @RepressedEel55
      @RepressedEel55 2 роки тому +18

      Lol it’s only worth it if he enjoys doing it. He paid not only his time but also he spent more on propane and materials than all that aluminum is worth

    • @derek3200
      @derek3200 2 роки тому +5

      @@RepressedEel55 Even at a 10 year high in price, I think it’s only 60 cents a pound.

    • @Assenator-zw4qq
      @Assenator-zw4qq 2 роки тому +1

      @@jzubs Spooner?

  • @patrickdennis7745
    @patrickdennis7745 3 роки тому +606

    Fun fact: recycling an aluminum can can use up to 95% LESS energy than creating a new can from aluminum ore.

    • @TheDuke89
      @TheDuke89 3 роки тому +26

      and since it's already refined you get more aluminum out of it too.

    • @xTr4c3d
      @xTr4c3d 3 роки тому +5

      Isnt aluminum an alloy?

    • @mightym
      @mightym 3 роки тому +51

      @@xTr4c3d nope.

    • @frostyeverclear
      @frostyeverclear 3 роки тому +3

      There's money to be made in this statement.

    • @regould221
      @regould221 3 роки тому +36

      @@xTr4c3d Aluminum is a basic element but aluminum cans are an aluminum alloy. They are about 97% aluminum.

  • @jimtalbott2095
    @jimtalbott2095 Рік тому +3

    I worked for a large nonferrous scrap dealer back in the 80s and found that when we melted cans we were losing money with every melt. Most don’t realize that the vast majority of the recycled cans don’t actually turn back into consumer goods. The cans are shredded and added to desulfurizer, a product that is added to purify steel when it is melted in an electric arc furnace. The aluminum is literally burned up in the high temperatures of the steel melting process.

  • @RobFindsTreasure
    @RobFindsTreasure 2 роки тому +95

    Melting is rarely worth the time and money but ALWAYS worth the fun and the goodies you can add to your stack! Nice video brother - enjoyed!

    • @CoryCDS
      @CoryCDS 2 роки тому +4

      Imma start doin this since i recycle cans anyways but never for money since its not worth the time (unless ive got a scrap run already) be cool to have a stock pile of aluminum bars for no reason

    • @_nom_
      @_nom_ 2 роки тому +2

      How so? It's extremely expensive to mill a shape!??

    • @amarissimus29
      @amarissimus29 2 роки тому

      I just whip out the receipts for the LP and acetylene refills when I get the question. It's just fluxing fun.

    • @digimaks
      @digimaks 2 роки тому +1

      @@_nom_ No. You spend allot of time on melting, plus the gas for melting this stuff.

  • @codypritchard663
    @codypritchard663 2 роки тому +27

    Thank you for this video. Pouring it into bars is visually amazing. I do drywall mudding and painting so I like meticulous things. I think I'm gonna give this a go.

    • @billwilson3609
      @billwilson3609 Рік тому +1

      A big scrapyard in my town has an aluminum smelter where they melt down different grades of scrap aluminum to cast into ingots then stamped to show their alloy. The owner said the ingots from melted cans are only used to make more cans so are sold to a mill that rolls the sheets the cans are stamped from. The ingots made from melted brake calipers are shipped to a foundry that makes those and the ingots from aluminum wheels are shipped to another plant that makes aluminum wheels. I was considering on making a few cast aluminum oil pans that would hold a spin-on oil filter for old BMW motorcycles so checked with that yard about the price per ingot made from brake calipers to see if those were cheaper than junk yard calipers. The ingots were cheaper but I would still need to cut them into smaller pieces so they'd melt faster.

  • @combatmedic3347
    @combatmedic3347 3 роки тому +170

    The hidden value is indulging ones self in their pyromania fixation.

    • @frederickhansen7108
      @frederickhansen7108 3 роки тому +3

      😊 oh yeah!!

    • @tyttuut
      @tyttuut 3 роки тому +7

      It's really just playing with fire for grown ups.

    • @letsmakethis
      @letsmakethis 3 роки тому +3

      Priceless.

    • @The-real-CrackerZack
      @The-real-CrackerZack 3 роки тому +3

      Ahhhh, yeah, what he said.

    • @Nirrrina
      @Nirrrina 3 роки тому

      I wonder if my apartment complex would be ok with my getting one of these?

  • @KevinChinn88
    @KevinChinn88 2 роки тому +5

    Amazing video! You just inspired me to research this for making crafts. That polished bar is beautiful. God bless

  • @shawnguy3005
    @shawnguy3005 2 роки тому +23

    Wanna let you know you are the first person I watched that made me question the whole "melting cans" thing. I am building my 3rd version of my wood fired dry stacked brick furnace. I have about 20 lbs after my first 4 firings.

    • @TheGrowingStack
      @TheGrowingStack  2 роки тому +5

      Is that good or bad? I ask that honestly and whole heartedly, just want to understand exactly your experience before I replied without going into to much info one way or the other in case I didn’t understand the comment completely. 👍

    • @Vector_Ze
      @Vector_Ze 2 роки тому +2

      No question about it, you'd come out better off financially by taking your cans to a metal recycling place.

    • @pamtnman1515
      @pamtnman1515 Рік тому

      @@TheGrowingStack ok NOW is it worth it? Given that propane cost is way up and so is metal value

  • @wehaveasaying
    @wehaveasaying 2 роки тому +137

    You're in Tempe? Just leave the cans outside, they'll melt on their own.

    • @rmccarrillo1759
      @rmccarrillo1759 2 роки тому +5

      Hahahahahahahaha!!!!

    • @xxxBradTxxx
      @xxxBradTxxx 2 роки тому +1

      Not this summer, there's been much rain.

    • @MrJdsenior
      @MrJdsenior 2 роки тому +2

      Would actually work, on Venus.

  • @weldingbiker1
    @weldingbiker1 3 роки тому +27

    Lot's of work to get this video done but the results are enjoyable and excellent. Well done to you. 👍

  • @MarkSentMe
    @MarkSentMe Рік тому +1

    Nothing more satisfying than seeing a semi rolling down the road with a load of pure aluminum igots.

  • @inertiaMS
    @inertiaMS 2 роки тому +10

    in South Australia, each can there is worth 10c at a recycling joint, the raw price of ally is around $1 a kg here. This was really interesting to see!

  • @MistahMatzah
    @MistahMatzah 3 роки тому +49

    They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery.
    bigstackD's ears must be burning all day every day.

  • @nonameuno9394
    @nonameuno9394 3 роки тому +33

    I used to honestly think I was going to drink myself rich. Didn't work out that way but I tried!

    • @damxgopak457
      @damxgopak457 3 роки тому +4

      I tried the drink it rich method now my liver hurts

    • @bperra9217
      @bperra9217 3 роки тому

      Always good to have dreams

    • @bigredc222
      @bigredc222 3 роки тому +1

      I have a neighbor that drinks about five 30 packs a week, it takes about 3 to 4 weeks to fill a 55 gal drum.
      If I wait till I get about three drums, I can make enough to pay for the gas to drive to the scrap yard.
      Three different people have tried making money by saving his cans, we all gave up, they go in the trash now.

    • @jeromeduffy9270
      @jeromeduffy9270 3 роки тому

      Knew a family of beer drinker. Daily after work then all weekend. Had bags after bags is empty can. Ben of a pick up full. Paid for along more beer. Cha ching. I guess

    • @lrq7927
      @lrq7927 3 роки тому

      At least you got them working overtime!

  • @officermeowmeowfuzzyface4408
    @officermeowmeowfuzzyface4408 2 роки тому +18

    You need to flux that slag to get the metal to stop sticking to the garbage. Also, some of those cans had fluid in them, which would cause molten metals to splatter violently; they must be baked dry in the sun or roasting tray feeding the furnace.

  • @knittingnana2939
    @knittingnana2939 Рік тому +5

    This is so fascinating to watch. I have no idea why, it just is.

  • @HSO-ro3bd
    @HSO-ro3bd 3 роки тому +8

    Guys if you all are going to melt Aluminum cans don't make the same mistake this guy and I made. Putting the cold metal bar in the crucible makes your Aluminum solid
    and harder to melt preheat it as you mix and add cans to prevent it from getting solid chumps. Good video though keep up the good work👍

  • @Bobsonomatic
    @Bobsonomatic 3 роки тому +287

    Q: What does one do with all that aluminum?
    A: Tell an uninformed buyer that it’s silver.

  • @mosemiller6628
    @mosemiller6628 Рік тому +2

    I’am thinking of melting aluminum cans, so I went on you tube, and this is what I found, very impressive.

  • @FlukeTog
    @FlukeTog 2 роки тому +2

    The human story of invention and discovery is really quite amazing. Aside from social media of course. Cool video-thanks!

  • @vejet
    @vejet 3 роки тому +10

    11:34 Those 'silver' bars gonna come in handy in the post apocalypse world

  • @Hey_You_Me
    @Hey_You_Me 3 роки тому +9

    I worked for a refractory company and we replaced a furnace with splattered aluminum all over it. The owner had two guys chip it all off and it was 150,000 worth of aluminum.

    • @Legohaiden
      @Legohaiden 3 роки тому +2

      that is literally impossible... it would have been about 80,000lbs of aluminum.... way way more then would be splattered anywhere. For context.... an 18 wheeler semi truck can only haul 40,000 lbs on the highway legally.... so it would have been 2, semi truck loads.

    • @hamhawk4027
      @hamhawk4027 3 роки тому

      @@Legohaiden I saw your comment, so for fun I searched UA-cam to see what 80 000 lbs of aluminum looks like. And this was the first video to come up.

    •  3 роки тому

      @@Legohaiden It's not splattered it builds up on the walls of the furnace over time.

    • @Legohaiden
      @Legohaiden 3 роки тому

      @ Cool.... there was STILL not 80,000 lbs of build up.

  • @MaxJustice100
    @MaxJustice100 2 роки тому +3

    Great stuff , I really enjoyed watching, thanks for posting.

  • @highlander723
    @highlander723 2 роки тому +65

    Rick throws aluminum can outside...
    Morty: You can't do that you're littering!!
    Rick: yeah right morty the Earth's crust is 8% aluminum not like we need every Atom

    • @akkudakkupl
      @akkudakkupl 2 роки тому +4

      Most of that is in a state needing massive ammounts of energy to convert to metal 😉

    • @John-rw9bv
      @John-rw9bv 2 роки тому +5

      -Littering- **Enrichment**

    • @duroxkilo
      @duroxkilo 2 роки тому

      @@John-rw9bv that's pretty-pretty good

  • @alexisgrunden1556
    @alexisgrunden1556 3 роки тому +114

    By the time your collection grows enough to be called a BigStack, I'm pretty sure it'll be ok, because by that time, BigStackD will have evolved into MEGAStackD~

  • @darrellid
    @darrellid 3 роки тому +99

    Something oddly beautiful about a polished ingot of metal.

    • @frankpitochelli6786
      @frankpitochelli6786 3 роки тому +7

      I agree, ppl think I'm crazy but I love this stuff..!!

    • @HardtoHandleThisFella
      @HardtoHandleThisFella 3 роки тому +4

      It's because it's something shiny.

    • @lopezfam7317
      @lopezfam7317 3 роки тому

      Dios bendiga a Todos los que estan leyendo esto! Deseo que tengan un hermoso dia! Buscad a Dios mientras pueda ser hallado! Jesus es el camino y el unico camino y regresa pronto! Recuerda cuando te sientas que no eres amado... el mayor sacrificio se hizo por amor! EL SUICIDIO NUNCA ES LA RESPUESTA!
      Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna.
      S. Juan 3:16 RVR1960
      La paga del pecado es muerte (infierno) pero Cristo pagó nuestra deuda en la cruz para nuestra salvacion! Debemos volvernos a Dios y apartarnos de nuestros caminos pecaminosos, confesar que Jesús es el Señor y creer con nuestro corazón que fue resucitado de entre los muertos por Dios, y debemos de ser bautizados en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo y vivir por Su palabra y mandamientos! Confia que Dios ayudara con el resto!
      Busca a Dios, antes de que sea muy tarde! Hoy podria ser tu ultimo dia en la tierra!
      Que tengas un hermoso dia!

    • @Kamagel007
      @Kamagel007 3 роки тому +1

      Shinyyyy....myyyyy preeeeciiiousss...

    • @EddieVBlueIsland
      @EddieVBlueIsland 3 роки тому +1

      Thank Mr Electron for reflecting the light from the conduction band. BTW that slag can be converted to pure aluminum using molten flouride salt and electricity.

  • @lebadger019
    @lebadger019 2 роки тому +2

    I like the ice and i love that you polished it. Good quality content.

  • @michaelbedell6523
    @michaelbedell6523 2 роки тому +1

    Very satisfying video, now I really appreciate my recycling efforts for the town

  • @MrJdubbya36
    @MrJdubbya36 3 роки тому +54

    That was actually more than I'd have guessed! Now if I could just find a couple hundred cans made of gold or silver! ;)

  • @knobjob2839
    @knobjob2839 3 роки тому +17

    I actually thought I was watching a BigStack video until I noticed a few differences.

  • @wildthoughts6959
    @wildthoughts6959 Рік тому +2

    You should sell these bars 'Personalized' on the internet. Meaning carve the name of a person it , for example. People would order it from you with customized carved wordings. I'd love to display a bar in my living room . It's entertaining, especially because it's made of daily used cans.

  • @Phantom-pk7hx
    @Phantom-pk7hx 2 роки тому +4

    Someday, the world will have an aluminum shortage. All the companies will be running to this man when that day comes.

    • @rotax636nut5
      @rotax636nut5 2 роки тому

      Well seeing as aluminium ore is the most abundant substance in the earths crust and scrap aluminium can be endlessly recycled I doubt if it will ever run out..

  • @tpworldacc9163
    @tpworldacc9163 2 роки тому +9

    When im older and if i have a house. I wanna get into this. Looks awesome man

  • @victormgv
    @victormgv 3 роки тому +350

    I didn’t know BigStackD had a brother in the States lol 😂 good stuff, cheers!🍻

    • @victorpalazzolo8569
      @victorpalazzolo8569 3 роки тому +4

      Ahahahhahaha

    • @hardkore360
      @hardkore360 3 роки тому +26

      just came here from BigStackD lol, brothers from a different mother for sure!

    • @vincemontanez3947
      @vincemontanez3947 3 роки тому +4

      My thoughts exactly

    • @Eduardo-uo7qs
      @Eduardo-uo7qs 3 роки тому +5

      I agree! Thanks for sharing us the video. Amazing. Congratulations. From Rio Brazil. 🇧🇷🇦🇺🇺🇸

    • @trinitxx8571
      @trinitxx8571 3 роки тому +1

      Lol

  • @euchrewacko
    @euchrewacko 2 роки тому +4

    A good way to test to see if an aluminum bar is still hot is to simply touch it with your bare hands… That's the ticket!

  • @christow7989
    @christow7989 2 роки тому +4

    Here's an idea. Buy a block of smashed cans from a recycling yard and melt that down. Do a video of the melt. I'm sure it would be insane.

  • @somebody3074
    @somebody3074 2 роки тому +8

    That’s $51.70 in cans here in Michigan. Gotta love that deposit.

    • @andrejones3711
      @andrejones3711 2 роки тому

      When I was little living in Michigan.. We use to make money off the cans.. And use that money to buy all video games..

    • @scotts1356
      @scotts1356 2 роки тому

      I'm right over the border in Indiana. I'll be visiting WalMart very soon!

    • @juho6837
      @juho6837 2 роки тому

      75€ when return cans to grocery in Finland.

  • @JordanBeagle
    @JordanBeagle 2 роки тому +19

    Even though it wasn't worth it cost wise pretty cool you got almost 11 lb of pure aluminum! I'm sure you could use that for many projects!

  • @DroneStrike1776
    @DroneStrike1776 Рік тому +1

    Okay YT algorithm, I watched the whole thing and smiled.

  • @cavecavecavecave5295
    @cavecavecavecave5295 2 роки тому +8

    Good to see this guy is wearing appropriate footwear to be pouring liquid metal.

    • @keithsbitsandpieces
      @keithsbitsandpieces 2 роки тому

      Exactly my thoughts , his stupid dg and feet would be toast if he spilt that on them !!

  • @jeremycrisp4488
    @jeremycrisp4488 3 роки тому +16

    Here in AZ its about 35 cans to a pound, but if you melt them down, it takes 50 cans to make a pound. So recycle the cans at the recycle center and use the money to go buy scrap aluminum engine parts at a bone yard.

    • @MM-zj8be
      @MM-zj8be 3 роки тому +2

      Like location makes a difference baha

    • @NYC-Gardener
      @NYC-Gardener 3 роки тому

      @@MM-zj8be Sure it does because some states like NY (where I live) you can get a 5 cent deposit per can for returning them to a recycling center. So you could melt those 50 cans into a 1lb bar that is worth less than 1$ or return those 50 cans for $2.50 in deposit refunds

    • @MM-zj8be
      @MM-zj8be 3 роки тому +2

      @@NYC-Gardener he mentioned weight not money. 35 pounds weighs the same wether your in arizona boston or africa. Smarten up

    • @aissatsartwork8578
      @aissatsartwork8578 3 роки тому

      ua-cam.com/video/Tp4E2tiD8yU/v-deo.html

  • @chrish5791
    @chrish5791 2 роки тому +65

    Nasty thing about aluminum is the hot aluminum looks just like cold aluminum….I’ll only make that mistake once!

    • @Psiikix
      @Psiikix 2 роки тому +3

      Ice cube test lol

    • @hughjaanus6680
      @hughjaanus6680 2 роки тому +1

      Lead also......

    • @AndyL1964
      @AndyL1964 2 роки тому +6

      As a former aluminium foundry worker, I can personally confirm this to be true

    • @bigislander72
      @bigislander72 2 роки тому +2

      Lol...ouch!

  • @typhoon2245
    @typhoon2245 2 роки тому +1

    It must be Monday night, I just sat here watching cans melt...

  • @robwhite2282
    @robwhite2282 Рік тому +1

    Bro that one you shined all up, oh my goodness that is so gorgeous. Great work! Thank you for sharing.

  • @technicalmadman2986
    @technicalmadman2986 3 роки тому +14

    There's really not enough of this going on in the world..
    Great video 👍🏻👍🏻

  • @tedthesailor172
    @tedthesailor172 3 роки тому +51

    I used to work in a petrochemical facility and from effluents came a lot of chemical impurity, some of which was dissolved silver chloride (if I recollect). A guy had quietly developed a way to extract the silver from the waste and he showed me a small ingot of pure silver. I was quite impressed, but wondered if it was worth sacrificing half his lunch break. He showed me a cigar box and when he lifted the lid it was full of small cigar-size ingots. He'd apparently got several boxes...

    • @viron6734
      @viron6734 3 роки тому +3

      Interesting. And this is stuff that would otherwise have been thrown away?

  • @user-oh2kt8lf6g
    @user-oh2kt8lf6g 2 роки тому +3

    7:19 "Never ending cans." == Unlimited skills 😆

  • @MissMaggie246
    @MissMaggie246 2 роки тому +3

    That’s a lot of work for you…and a lot of satisfaction for me!

  • @billj5645
    @billj5645 3 роки тому +10

    In high school many years ago we collected cans to get money for our car projects. Back then it took about 25 cans to make a pound. Apparently we are now able to make cans that are a lot thinner.

    • @sunnydays4966
      @sunnydays4966 3 роки тому +1

      I think some is slag and I just put some pop in shopping cart other day and one hit a cart wire and crack open. So there lot thinner Arizona ice tea in can seem thinker of them all.

    • @simpletruth9977
      @simpletruth9977 3 роки тому

      Yep

    • @pariahthistledowne854
      @pariahthistledowne854 2 роки тому

      Those were probably the old tin beverage cans. Drank my first pilfered Coors from a tin can.

  • @romchompa6858
    @romchompa6858 3 роки тому +51

    sometimes i really appreciate content with all visuals and zero chit chat

    • @petejt
      @petejt 3 роки тому

      Agreed.

  • @kevinwarner3771
    @kevinwarner3771 2 роки тому +6

    So, around 500 cans gives you $10 of aluminum? Not worth the COST to you, but Very Worth the enjoyment and artistic options! You can DEFINITELY sell aluminum skulls to people for $10 each, or other intriguing designs!

    • @juniorqindes8335
      @juniorqindes8335 2 роки тому

      .-. Bruh, I’m looking for a purpose for mine. THANK YOU THATS SO AWESOME.

  • @brandonwillis4811
    @brandonwillis4811 2 роки тому +12

    Reminds me of those after day zonbie games when you gotta do this to survive

    • @Goosebag1
      @Goosebag1 2 роки тому +1

      Oh you mean like last day on earth ?

  • @mirishow
    @mirishow 3 роки тому +8

    In Finland one empty can when you return to market one cost 0,15 e, cent - so 500 cans return to market you take 75 euro :) but to collect its not easy and takes time :D

  • @kevinderung8524
    @kevinderung8524 3 роки тому +16

    would have loved to see the polishing process as well, great video! the way you had the ingots laid out on the cement floor i couldn't help but think how cool a sidewalk made out of those all polished would look!

    • @TheGrowingStack
      @TheGrowingStack  3 роки тому +8

      Sorry Kevin, I’ll showcase the polishing in a upcoming video. I was running heavy on time on this one or I would have. A sidewalk would look pretty cool!

    • @martinheath5947
      @martinheath5947 2 роки тому +1

      Parquet floor style would look amazing

  • @bloodsweatandtearsforeverl9833
    @bloodsweatandtearsforeverl9833 2 роки тому +1

    You can reuse the slag, there is company's that refine slag with a big blender and then they squeeze the rest out like a metal grape press

  • @whatareyouwaitenfor
    @whatareyouwaitenfor Рік тому +1

    DUDE! You had me doing math! You had each line as 10 instead of just 1. So each group of 5 lines =50. So you had 10 groups of 5 lines = 500 with 1 line of 10 plus the remainder 7 cans. Woa dude! I had NO idea the line could mean more than just 1. "I'm like dude, you got your count wrong!" but you didn't. MIND BLOWN! Thanks for the brain tease.

  • @Thewulf56
    @Thewulf56 3 роки тому +3

    Always fun to melt a few cans, you ended up with a decent haul. Nice shine on the bar. 🍀🍀🍀👍🐺

  • @IngotJoe
    @IngotJoe 3 роки тому +9

    Nice video and a great haul of ingots. Good mirror finish too!

  • @deona267
    @deona267 2 роки тому +2

    That looks so fun smelting those cans.

  • @kfl611
    @kfl611 2 роки тому +2

    I bet you wish those bars were gold or platinum ! Nice job. And so much better than having those cans go into a landfill. Your collection looks like it is worth thousands of melted down cans.

  • @boatbeard7767
    @boatbeard7767 3 роки тому +23

    Here in South Oz cans and bottles are worth 10c each - so 500 cans is worth $50 to us. We all collect them and once you have several hundred in to the collection point. My average is $120. There are no cans and bottles lying around in our state, literally nothing...

    • @RJM1011
      @RJM1011 3 роки тому +1

      I pick up cans and other metals here in the UK 40,000 cans = £250.00 only !

    • @shawbros
      @shawbros 3 роки тому +4

      "There are no cans and bottles lying around in our state, literally nothing..."
      That is how it **used** to be in Florida, when I was a kid.
      It was great. It was worth returning bottles, it reduced litter, and it reduced trash in the landfill.

    • @booqueefious2230
      @booqueefious2230 3 роки тому +1

      That's pretty much the only way you're going to get regular people to recycle them lol. I used to go through the trouble of separating cans and glass, but then I talked to somebody at the local dump, and he told me it's a waste of time because the recycling plants only process something like less than 25 percent of the recyclables they get, most of it just goes in the dump anyway

    • @EagleMitch
      @EagleMitch 3 роки тому +1

      What a lot of people forget to mention or don't realize though is that you pay a deposit on each of those cans when you first buy them. So in Michigan for example you pay 10 cents extra per can when you buy the beverage and then when you turn that can in at the recycling center you then get that 10c deposit back as a refund. So the only way you are making money is if you are turning in cans from another state which is not legal.

    • @shawbros
      @shawbros 3 роки тому +2

      @@EagleMitch
      I am fully aware where the deposit comes from.
      Regardless of where the deposit comes from, it is still a great incentive to stop litter.

  • @neilreid9005
    @neilreid9005 3 роки тому +8

    I can't speak to the economics of this vid, but it was super cool to watch. Quite satisfying. Thanks for the vid!

    • @kurokitsune6173
      @kurokitsune6173 3 роки тому

      This would be super economical cause those aluminium ingots can now be used for many things and the slag can also be used as well.

    • @deannelson9565
      @deannelson9565 3 роки тому

      @@kurokitsune6173 clearly you've never actually looked at aluminum prices have you! Including time and effort and fuel for the furnace this is a losing proposition he does it for fun not-for-profit!

  • @helenvann3506
    @helenvann3506 2 роки тому +1

    So beautiful. Aluminium is one of my favourite metals

  • @meghannjor6924
    @meghannjor6924 2 роки тому +2

    This is my hubby….omg!! Has me saving cans from work!

  • @christaylor6833
    @christaylor6833 2 роки тому +3

    I just randomly happened to stumble onto this video from UA-cams algorithm (impeccable) and my gosh the effort gone into this video ! Sick mate you can tell you enjoy doing this :) i certainly would , i love this sort of stuff keep it up buddy youve gained yourself a like and and a new SUBSCRIBER

    • @TheGrowingStack
      @TheGrowingStack  2 роки тому +1

      Thank you Chris! That’s awesome, I appreciate that a lot! 👍

  • @Zortorond
    @Zortorond 3 роки тому +7

    Looks about right even a bit more than I expected basing on my experience roughly around 9 grams from one can.

  • @heidivanderheever3984
    @heidivanderheever3984 2 роки тому +2

    Looks like a big process to go through, but must be worth it

  • @gossman75
    @gossman75 2 роки тому +11

    In shop class, I poured metal into sand molds. Made a chess set and also a big arrowhead with my symbol on it. I enjoyed making things out of metal. I am thinking I should be doing the metallurgy once again.

    • @TheGrowingStack
      @TheGrowingStack  2 роки тому +3

      That’s awesome Brandon. I wish I would have had a class like that. I have so much fun just going out to the garage and melting and creating stuff. It’s a true happy place for sure! The things you can do and the creativity is endless. I fell in love for sure.

  • @oddis188
    @oddis188 3 роки тому +24

    I just calculated that with the aluminium prizes at the scrap yard i would get about 3,50€ ( about 3$) for the 4,87 kg.
    But for recycling the 517 cans to the shop i would get 77,55€ ( about 70$) .
    One can is worth 0.15€ and the scrap yards pay 0.70€/kg for aluminium.
    So here in Finland it's a no brainer to melt the cans

    • @777visionquest
      @777visionquest 2 роки тому

      there you go...expand your collection....lots of junk made from aluminum

    • @wynwilliams6977
      @wynwilliams6977 2 роки тому +1

      You mean NOT to melt the cans...

  • @BackyardBeeKeepingNuevo
    @BackyardBeeKeepingNuevo 2 роки тому +13

    It was fun to watch this video. Very relaxing. Thanks for not using music in the video. Thanks for keeping it pure.
    Where did you get your gloves?

  • @jonminer9891
    @jonminer9891 2 роки тому +65

    Hi, TGS. That's an interesting video. You seem to get more aluminum oxide than I expected. I guess the heat is a little low. Melted aluminum will oxidize anyway, but not like what you have. Have you determined what the waste is made of? If it is just aluminum oxide, you can reduce it by tweaking your settings. Thanks for sharing! Stay Healthy!

    • @m4nuz
      @m4nuz Рік тому

      Thanks for the lesson!

    • @paulorchard7960
      @paulorchard7960 Рік тому +6

      A lot of that is the paint and plastic coatings used to manufacture the cans, it burns off but takes a tiny bit of aluminium with it as it forms ash!

    • @donaldmaxie9742
      @donaldmaxie9742 Рік тому +1

      Oxidation is not restricted to recycled aluminum. Granted exterior paint and content residue will affect recycled aluminum quality.

  • @carter4627
    @carter4627 2 роки тому +6

    Tell me that first part couldn't have been a monster energy commercial. How all the cans are crushed, then some how the monster can fall perfect and undented

  • @derekhobbs1102
    @derekhobbs1102 3 роки тому +32

    Here in South Australia, we get 10 cents back for each can taken to recycle, so 500 cans is $50.

    • @MarttiSuomivuori
      @MarttiSuomivuori 3 роки тому +1

      This means that it is not a business but an ecological process.

    • @emjot7908
      @emjot7908 3 роки тому

      No its 0

    • @Salty-Sully
      @Salty-Sully 3 роки тому +6

      It's a return on deposit, right?

    • @gregsmith141
      @gregsmith141 3 роки тому +2

      Michigan has 10 cent deposit for plastic, aluminum or glass but you have to take it back to a gas station or store.

    • @ssm445
      @ssm445 3 роки тому

      It's $150 in Germany.

  • @SeriesFightClass
    @SeriesFightClass 3 роки тому +5

    Enjoy the relaxing sound like rain 😌 7:25

  • @kennethbrowning5923
    @kennethbrowning5923 Рік тому +1

    Everyone keeps mentioning how little the aluminum is worth. The revenue from the views of the video is what this man is after.

    • @TheGrowingStack
      @TheGrowingStack  Рік тому +1

      My goal is to always have fun and make a fun video for people to enjoy. Sometimes… just sometimes… (as I got lucky here) it helps me recover all the money I’ve invested in this passion and adventure of mine. 👍

  • @thomaslapointe7657
    @thomaslapointe7657 2 роки тому +7

    I really really wish you would include time increments between stages i.e. the cooling process and total liquidation, times to heat etc...

  • @blacksquirrel4008
    @blacksquirrel4008 3 роки тому +11

    That’s what we call a “Cat’s weight” of aluminum.

  • @sheskindameansometimes7541
    @sheskindameansometimes7541 3 роки тому +19

    Oh the background sounds while pouring are heaven in the south 😍🤠

  • @honeylarue1
    @honeylarue1 Рік тому +1

    Very satisfying and interesting to watch. I enjoyed the video and the work that went into making these 👏😊🙂

  • @MarkRaker-rc2io
    @MarkRaker-rc2io Рік тому +2

    I have never smoked crack before. After watching this, I think that I will start.