Safe to sous vide in the cryovac?

SmokeyPitt

I can't find a definitive answer.  Is it safe to sous vide in the cryovac packaging.  For example, an Excel brand brisket flat.  Thanks!

RRP

I'm still a newbie to sous vide but I don't see why not other than you need a larger container and maybe even some type of cover on that vessel to keep from getting a huge electricity bill next month. Please let us know your opinion of your results.

caliking

Yes it's safe as long as the cryovac is intact. I usually SV in the cryovac because I'm too lazy to rebag it, and because I'm too stingy to rebag it

SmokeyPitt

Thanks guys.  I chickened out and re-bagged it in a food saver but next time I will just use the cryo.  

bweekes

Definitely safe to SV in the cryo, but I rarely do it, because I season most things with salt (at least) prior to dropping in the bath. Where I haven't had the need to season, i've just dropped in the cryovac package. 

bweekes

bweekes said:

Definitely safe to SV in the cryo, but I rarely do it, because I season most things with salt (at least) prior to dropping in the bath. Where I haven't had the need to season, i've just dropped in the cryovac package. 

Also, if you do SV in the cryo, remove any paper labels, as they'll just come loose in the bath eventually (I always get paranoid that it will somehow get clogged in my circulator. 

SmokeyPitt

bweekes said:

Definitely safe to SV in the cryo, but I rarely do it, because I season most things with salt (at least) prior to dropping in the bath. Where I haven't had the need to season, i've just dropped in the cryovac package. 

Thanks @bweeks.  I did go ahead and throw on some brisket rub as long as I was rebagging.  

HeavyG

Sous vide-ing a brisket implies a longer time in the hot tub. If I was just doing something with a short swim - say a couple of hours - I wouldn't hesitate to use the cryovac as is if I didn't want/need to season it beforehand.

If I was doing a brisket for many many hours I would definitely rebag and seal in a proper vac bag.

Different plastics react differently when heated. I'm not positive that the type of plastic used in most cryovacs is suitable for extended periods in hot water without leaching potential nasties into the food.

SmokeyPitt

Thanks @HeavyG and all. 

My *#*#)!*@& food saver bag busted open.  I'm not sure when it happened it might have been when I pulled it out to feel for tenderness.  Oh well it was at 155 so I think it is perfectly safe, but I was basically simmering my brisket for some time.  I'm not sure what happened.  It may be because I had it stuffed in my crock pot.  I am just using one of those crock pot controllers (dorkfood).  

It was in the bath for 12 hours I pulled it, dried it, and put it into a 200 degree oven.  I am going to move it to the egg to finish later. It may turn out to be a flavorless hunk of pot roast.