OT - are ESD tables safe for food

20stone

Quick question for those that work in electronics (@nolaegghead).

We are gearing up for AW/SS2, where a few of us will be butchering the first of the hog herd in the Graj Mahal.  In an effort to reduce the wobble of multiple hands with multiple sharp knives working on folding tables, I have been looking for something pretty cheap that would be much more stable.

I came across these on CL in Houston:
https://houston.craigslist.org/fuo/6116759755.html

They are electro static dissipation (or discharge, I suppose) tables for working on electronics.  The price is right, but before I pull the trigger, I wanted a read from those more knowledgeable that I won't be poisoning everyone by using these as a work surface.  The seller indicates that they are laminate over particle board, if that is helpful.

TIA 

Focker

Why not stainless?
I'm sure you could find a commercial table for a decent price.

Particleboard and any amount of water is bad juju, it turns to mush in a hurry.

ryantt

I hate to agree with him but @Focker is right on the money. 

20stone

Focker said:

Why not stainless?
I'm sure you could find a commercial table for a decent price.

Particleboard and any amount of water is bad juju, it turns to mush in a hurry.

These are going to be "use once and put on CL" tables, so pricing is important.  I have looked at SS but can't find them for the price I am looking for.

The particleboard is covered in laminant (like Formica, if you are old enough), so it won't be water on particleboard.  I just don't know what they do to the laminant to make it ESD, and whether that is good in sausage.

Focker

20stone said:

Focker said:

Why not stainless?
I'm sure you could find a commercial table for a decent price.

Particleboard and any amount of water is bad juju, it turns to mush in a hurry.

These are going to be "use once and put on CL" tables, so pricing is important.  I have looked at SS but can't find them for the price I am looking for.

The particleboard is covered in laminant (like Formica, if you are old enough), so it won't be water on particleboard.  I just don't know what they do to the laminant to make it ESD, and whether that is good in sausage.

I am very familiar with it, water got in my old countertop, warped it with a small amount of water.  Water will get in, if you clean things like you should.

Had a small leak on my camper, pulley system mounted to particleboard twisted, and broke the cable.

Doesn't Sam's have SS tables for cheap?
What about a gambrel and hoist system for big game to hang the hog from a rafter?  Use plastic graduation tables for processing.  You wouldn't have much $$ invested, could repurpose the tables at some point.
https://www.amazon.com/006458-Hunters-Specialties-Hoist-System/dp/B003RY9YIU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495562017&sr=8-1&keywords=deer+hoist+system

20stone

Focker said:

What about a gambrel and pulley system for big game to hang the hog from a rafter?  

That might work for separating primals (or more, if you know what you're doing, which I don't).  For most of the work, a clean, flat, stable surface is the jam.

HeavyG

I wouldn't worry about it. A high pressure laminate like Formica  is sometimes treated with a film of carbon to dissipate static. Tables like that would also have grounding bolts so a wire could be connected to the table and run to a grounded outlet. Sometimes they'll have a few chains that drag on the floor. 

Keep in mind that these tables would have been used by techs that would likely have been resting their bare arms on them while working for many years. There are not likely to be any toxic substances that exposure to flesh warrants any precautions.

If you are concerned perhaps just giving them a brushing with a drying oil like some use on wood cutting boards or salad bowls will provide a little piece of mind.

Focker

20stone said:

Focker said:

What about a gambrel and pulley system for big game to hang the hog from a rafter?  

That might work for separating primals (or more, if you know what you're doing, which I don't).  For most of the work, a clean, flat, stable surface is the jam.

For example, Gordon and Major Bobby Toon get sh!t done here, out in the wild.  Puts the animal at a good working height, you lower it as you work, starting with shoulders, ending with the hams.  I'm all about using the right tools, for the right job.
https://youtu.be/6p5x0nxtqVs

20stone

HeavyG said:

I wouldn't worry about it. ..Keep in mind that these tables would have been used by techs that would likely have been resting their bare arms on them while working for many years. There are not likely to be any toxic substances that exposure to flesh warrants any precautions.

If you are concerned perhaps just giving them a brushing with a drying oil like some use on wood cutting boards or salad bowls will provide a little piece of mind.

Thanks.  That is what I was looking for.

tarheelmatt

20stone said:

HeavyG said:

I wouldn't worry about it. ..Keep in mind that these tables would have been used by techs that would likely have been resting their bare arms on them while working for many years. There are not likely to be any toxic substances that exposure to flesh warrants any precautions.

If you are concerned perhaps just giving them a brushing with a drying oil like some use on wood cutting boards or salad bowls will provide a little piece of mind.

Thanks.  That is what I was looking for.

Don't see much of an issue either.  They've been used I'm sure and sturdy.  

Something to consider.  We call them church tables.  Those folding brown tables.  Sometimes you can get them cheap or free when they're on the last leg (the tops)and then get some like HDPE material (that the plastic cutting boards are made of) and screw to the top.  Just another suggestion.  Could also do the same to those tables in your post too.  

You can probably get a good deal on HDPE material from a plastics company locally for cheaper than a big box store like Home Depot, etc.