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Dry age question.

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Luvs to shoot clay
Luvs to shoot clay Posts: 774
edited November -1 in EggHead Forum
I am headed back to China tomorrow and have a 12# prime, whole prime rib in the garage refrigerator to age for about 35 to 45 days. I have it fat side up and resting on a grate to help air circulation. Nothing on it at all so we can all stay in our happy places tonight but want to make sure fat side up is preferred over down?
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,888
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    Can't say as I've ever heard or seen one way or the other when using Drybags. I know with the 5 I've aged so far I've always had mine fat side on the bottom. Since yours is on a rack so circulation isn't a problem I don't think it makes much difference. Boy, what a nice thing to look forward to upon your return!
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,888
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    Willy, you have email - it may be in your spam folder, but I did send you one!
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
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  • Bobby-Q
    Bobby-Q Posts: 1,994
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    Do it fat down. You won't have air circulation where the rack is touching the meat.
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  • Luvs to shoot clay
    Luvs to shoot clay Posts: 774
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    Got your email, thanks.
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,888
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    Bobby-Q,
    I think we are on the same page, but it depends on the kind of rack used. For instance here is mine and those legs mean I get good circulation.
    IMG_1577.jpg

    So I place it so the fat cap is on the bottom next to the wire rack. In this picture you can see the contact points really didn't block much air flow at all.
    IMG_0743-1.jpg

    and besides that the fat cap is what gets trimmed off the heaviest anyway.

    See you at Oswego!!!
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
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  • Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker
    Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker Posts: 3,743
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    doesn't matter as far as aging goes, not sure how it could

    but, the grid will make some indentations in the meat, so cosmetically you may want fat up.
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  • Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker
    Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker Posts: 3,743
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    if it's a wire rack, it should be fine.
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  • KenHawk
    KenHawk Posts: 58
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    Don't forget humidification. Make yourself a Tupperware container with holes drilled in the lid. Enclose a moist sponge and put some kind of hygrometer in the fridge. You want to keep the humidity close to 70%. Without the humidity you get way more mold and the meat isn't as good (too dry to start).

    I bought a huge plastic storage container at Sam's and have a small tupperware container (sponge sized) inside it. There's also a hygrometer outward facing. It's easier than humidifying a whole fridge.

    Salumi lasts forever in there. Beef will dry age without drying out or spoiling.
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  • Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker
    Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker Posts: 3,743
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    you get more mold with humidity...

    some commercial dry-aging outfits will aim for 55%, others 85%, and anywhere in between.

    kind of a quality choice. usually the argument is that more humidity allows you to age longer, because you can go longer before it becomes too dry

    but some of the experiments posted by people hee who are aging imply that there is very little danger at even 45+ days that the meat will dry too much, whether in dry age bags or commando style (open air).

    never had mold and never had it get too dry, and that's just a standard home fridge.
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  • Hoss
    Hoss Posts: 14,600
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    B) I agree.Whatever method you use,temp is all that matters.Drybag :unsure: or commando. B) In a home fridge that is.
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