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Freezing Meat
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Blassiter
Posts: 195
I have thought about buying a freezer to stock up on pork butts, steaks, etc. but am not sure the meat would be as good after its frozen. Do any of you stock up and have good results?
LBGE - 2/12/2015
Chesapeake, VA
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Yup. Haven't had any issues if vacuum sealed and don't keep >12 months.
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Guess I should invest in vacuum sealer? Any suggestions?
LBGE - 2/12/2015
Chesapeake, VA
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Timely question. Lots of threads on this forum if you search. Mine died this AM, Food Saver that was probably 15 years old. Lots of people swear by the chamber commercial models, I decided to try the food saver that Costco has because my last one was good and if I don't like the new one, it's Costco and I can take it back easily.
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Have to say yes to both, freezer and Food Saver. I've had the food saver for about 6 years and their customer service is outstanding backing up the warranty. They accidentally sent me two replacements and said just keep it, so I gave it to my son.
If you have a freezer you need a vac packer, you'll never have moldy cheese either.LBGE - I like the hot stuff. The big dry San Joaquin Valley, Clovis, CA -
Ok to freeze and even better when vacuum sealed. When I vacuum seal I put the date on the package as a way of keeping track.McKinney, TX
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We are on just our 3rd freezer in over 40 years. Just not sure who spreads the rumor that frozen meat etc doesn't taste the same as grocery store red meat bought that day! Sure it the meat wasn't properly protected like in a Food Saver bag then it could get freezer burnt. We buy meat in bulk and on sale. We also dry age large sub-primals of meat weighing 12 to 20 pounds and then steak them out and freeze. Also we buy items on sale like pounds and pounds of bacon and butter. Then I also make various soups and freeze them into individual serving sizes. Ribs go on sale and I'll buy 6 to 10 racks at a time! I could just go on and on!
Then there is the added convenience and meal planning advantages on top of the food cost savings. Guess you can tell we are freezer advocates! LOL
Re-gasketing America one yard at a time. -
@RRP Butter freezes well?
1MBGE 2006, 1LBGE 2010, 1 Mini Max, Fathers Day 2015
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I just got a freezer and food saver at the end of last year. We are just starting to but whole pork loins and other cuts and food saver them or cut down. My question is how do you thaw your meat? I have heard never leave it on the counter or it will smell bad when opened and had this experience with a chuck roast. Thanks.
LBGE Atlanta, GA
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____________________Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. •Niccolo Machiavelli
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Learn something new on here every day
1MBGE 2006, 1LBGE 2010, 1 Mini Max, Fathers Day 2015
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About the only thing that doesn't freeze well is some cheeses. Their texture can get weird and crumbly. My father-in-law even freezes milk.They/Them
Morgantown, PA
XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer - PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker -
@RRP, guess the ones spreading the rumors don't have a vacuum sealer.
We have always put meat in ziplock bag and thrown in freezer knowing we were going to cook it within a couple weeks. Unfortunately, we forget about the food sometimes and when we go to get it, it's got freezer burn and tastes like crap. Now that I have the Egg, I am cooking a lot more and taking much more pride in what I put on it. Not firing up the Egg for something that is not up to par.LBGE - 2/12/2015
Chesapeake, VA
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Smokinpig said:I just got a freezer and food saver at the end of last year. We are just starting to but whole pork loins and other cuts and food saver them or cut down. My question is how do you thaw your meat? I have heard never leave it on the counter or it will smell bad when opened and had this experience with a chuck roast. Thanks.
Obviously with this organization in place it was easy to get in the habit of getting the next night's food out of the freezer and letting it thaw in the top shelf of the kitchen refrigerator. We tried thawing in the microwave but I hated that, so the overnight thaw worked for us!
On top of the benefits I just described you have to realize there is a clear cost savings to this whole freezer & buying on sale mindset that has worked for us all these years including the past 10 years we have been retired! The method works!Re-gasketing America one yard at a time. -
@smokinpig, I am curious about thawing as well. How do you thaw a 10 pound butt or roast? Guessing you would put in fridge for a couple days.
LBGE - 2/12/2015
Chesapeake, VA
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Blassiter said:@smokinpig, I am curious about thawing as well. How do you thaw a 10 pound butt or roast? Guessing you would put in fridge for a couple days.Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
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Thanks @RRP I have thawed some planned out meals in the fridge overnight as you suggested. Spur of the moment meals we have thawed on the counter and now we are trying the method of putting them in cold water. I like your plan though and agree on shopping the sales.
LBGE Atlanta, GA
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Thanks RRP. That makes sense and look forward to trying it.
LBGE - 2/12/2015
Chesapeake, VA
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@Blassiter make sure you get a foodsaver that is easily compatible with dry age bags. Mr. Ron @RRPwill get you pointed in the right direction.
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Blassiter said:@RRP, guess the ones spreading the rumors don't have a vacuum sealer.
Unfortunately, we forget about the food sometimes and when we go to get it, it's got freezer burn
That does remind me of this hint - no matter what or how you place items in your freezer put your own date on them with a permanent marker whether it be in FS bags or otherwise.Re-gasketing America one yard at a time. -
@RRP you are a true renaissance man! I have a feeling if there was a question ranging from Algebra to Zebras you would have an insightful answer on the subject.
@blassiter my 2 cents on the thawing question is for solid cuts (steaks, chops, etc) I submerge them, still in their cryo bags, in cold water until they are fully defrosted. For items that I like to brine before cooking (whole chicken, chicken wings, etc.) I submerge them in a cold water brine until thawed, killing 2 birds with one stone.LBGE 2015 - Atlanta -
Buy on sale, portion out, vac save (date & label each pkg), freeze. I defrost most of the time in the frig or in a pinch under running water. No texture or flavor compromised.LBGE 2013 & MM 2014Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FANFlying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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Blassiter said:@smokinpig, I am curious about thawing as well. How do you thaw a 10 pound butt or roast? Guessing you would put in fridge for a couple days.
SE PA
XL, Lg, Mini max and OKJ offset -
+1 on vac sealing. I did go all the way with a chamber sealer, Vacmaster P215. You take a big hit on the price but the bags are cheaper than Foodsaver type bags. Not that I'll ever recoup the $$ on this sucker (pardon pun) but it really does a pro job & will do liquids & liquidy stuff without risking the machine.
Plus my wife's visiting LPN has started bringing her foodstuffs by to seal when she drops in AND my daughter is buying more meat at Sams & dropping by to vac seal it all. We're very popular now.
The VP215 is large (really needs its own microwave cart) so you might look at the VP112.That's what I probably SHOULD have gotten but I'm such a hoe for dials, leds etc
LBGE, AR. Lives in N.E. ATL -
NPHuskerFL said:Buy on sale, portion out, vac save (date & label each pkg), freeze. I defrost most of the time in the frig or in a pinch under running water. No texture or flavor compromised.
Pulled pork that has been frozen thaws very well in the sous vide with, according to SWMBO, better texture than the day it was pulled.
We even save sauces and gravies in remeasured amounts. I usually freeze them in a Solo cup and then FoodSaver them. Even water you have boiled spuds in is great to make gravy. Could not be without our freezer.Delta B.C. - Whiskey and steak, because no good story ever started with someone having a salad! -
Do you guys flash freeze any of your meat before vac sealing for the longer freeze? I had read that recently and never tried it. I appreciate all the tips I can pick up.
LBGE Atlanta, GA
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too new with mine to know. Interested in technique of that tooLBGE, AR. Lives in N.E. ATL
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We too buy in bulk and freeze in an upright freezer. Primarily pre-packaged items or cryovaced full sub-primals. Will be getting a vacuum sealer soon to do our own packaging and to use with the immersion circulator.Raleigh NC, Large BGE and KJ Joe Jr.
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what model of food saver would you suggest to purchase.
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