Home processing question

[nateb440]

How long do you age your deer in the fridge? Do you dry age? Or put it in plastic?

 

[bgkyarcher]

I've done two this year. I put the quarters and backstaps in a plastic bag, on top of ice in a cooler. Had the plug pulled and back end elevated so water would drain. I aged one 6 days, the other 3. They both taste great.

 

[OLE RASPY]

I put in plastic bag in fridge for around 5 days before cutting up.

 

[Little FR]

Are you americas next Top Ninja Warrior?

Ive never aged one inside. Sorry. I either age it outside or if it’s hot start processing.

 

[nateb440]

Are you americas next Top Ninja Warrior?

Ive never aged one inside. Sorry. I either age it outside or if it’s hot start processing.

I built that for my kids a while back. Just sits there—but it works great for a meat pole.

 

[baknblack]

We've had perfect weather to age one outside in the last several days. As long as it doesn't get cold enough to freeze.

 

[ribsplitter]

9 days hanging in the cooler for me if everything works out perfect. Minimum 3-4 days in the cooler hanging around.

 

[invasion36]

Some may disagree but I don’t have a walk in so I field dress my deer and then if it’s not over 50 degrees I will let it rest for 2 hours before I debone it. It gives time for the muscles to relax. I learned this from listening to a beef expert on the podcast Meateater. Then I wrap in plastic wrap and place on frozen 2 liter bottles in an igloo marine cooler. Fill cooler with ice and then open drain plug and place something under cooler to tilt it to allow water to run out. Process within 3-5 days. The plastic wrap keeps the meat dry but you have to ice down quickly as it also can hold in heat as with any plastic. Been doing it this way for years and mine always turn out good.

 

[ukyager]

I have an old fridge I gutted the racks out of. I quarter and dry age mine in said fridge for 7 days at 37 degrees. Got one in there now.

 

[Gforcetrivers]

I prefer to age outside hide on. Two to four weeks. But I would settle on one week. If nights are cold and days warmish I stick a thermometer into the meat through the hide. It insulates it also hang it on the north side in the shade if you can. If it’s frozen solid it’s not doing much but dipping into freezing temps then back up during the day is probably ok. That’s where the thermometer comes in. Besides the rigor process playing out the enzymes in the muscle are what breaks down the tissue. Takes time and temp. If there is stomach contents scattered make sure it’s cleaned thoroughly even use a Quaternary sanitizer.

 

[muddhunter]

I prefer to age outside hide on. Two to four weeks. But I would settle on one week. If nights are cold and days warmish I stick a thermometer into the meat through the hide. It insulates it also hang it on the north side in the shade if you can. If it’s frozen solid it’s not doing much but dipping into freezing temps then back up during the day is probably ok. That’s where the thermometer comes in. Besides the rigor process playing out the enzymes in the muscle are what breaks down the tissue. Takes time and temp. If there is stomach contents scattered make sure it’s cleaned thoroughly even use a Quaternary sanitizer.

Quaternary sanitizer.

What is this and how do you use it?

 

[davers]

How long do you age your deer in the fridge? Do you dry age? Or put it in plastic?

When I harvest a Deer, I normally hang it in my Garage for around three days, after removing the hide first. By letting it hang for three days the Deer is drier and easier to process into cuts.

 

[keeruss8]

We used to have an old cooler out of a flower shop that we could get 4 deer in. We leave hide on for up to 2 weeks at 38 degrees

 

[Gforcetrivers]

Quaternary sanitizer.

What is this and how do you use it?

Sanitizer used in food service industry. Mainly for food contact surfaces.

 

[Gforcetrivers]

When I harvest a Deer, I normally hang it in my Garage for around three days, after removing the hide first. By letting it hang for three days the Deer is drier and easier to process into cuts.

Three days is probly good with hide removed. Not enough time for a rind to form.