154 STORAGE; 



The sweetened condensed milk does not freeze, because it 

 contains so concentrated a sugar solution that its freezing point is 

 usually far below the refriger- 

 ating temperature. If it is 

 packed in solder-sealed cans 

 there is usually no bad effect 

 .from cold storage. However, 

 when packed in cans sealed 

 with the friction cap or the 

 burr cap, difficulties may arise. 

 These seals are not air-tight. 

 Excessively low storage tem- 

 peratures cause the contents to 

 shrink appreciably. Suction is 

 formed and air is drawn in 



through the seal. When these F|g . 53 . The stevenson co|d storage door 

 cans again warm up, the vis- Courtesy of stevenson GO. 



cous milk in the cans seals the microscopic openings, the air and 

 the liquid expand but the air finds no exit. This causes the cans 

 to swell. While the quality of the milk in these cans is not 

 impaired in the least, the swelled cans suggest gaseous fer- 

 mentation, which means spoiled milk and which is invariably 

 rejected on the market. 



The temperatures at which condensed milk can be stored 

 with least objectionable results, range between 32 and 50 de- 

 grees F. 



Advisability of Storing. A heavy stock of condensed milk 

 is a severe drain on the working capital of the condensery in- 

 volving the cost of the fresh milk, cane sugar, tinplate, boxes, 

 solder, labels, coal and labor. 



Unless the manufacturer has successfully overcome and mas- 

 tered all of the principal condensed milk defects, and, unless his 

 experience justifies him in believing that his goods will stand 

 the trials of storage, he will find it advisable not to manufacture 

 more than he can promptly dispose of. Even at best, the con- 

 densed milk will be from three to six months old before it is all 

 consumed, and, if it is at all subject to deterioration, the sooner 

 it is consumed the better. 



But even if the condensed milk comes out of storage in good 



