help with brine container container, please!!

[bman62526]

Hey all,

So I have a round, orange rubbermaid drink container...not the big ones like what gets dumped on the coach after winning the big game

but just like it only smaller...

My plan all night has been to line that with a garbage bag and then put in the bird and then the brine.

However, I just noticed that the Hefty Bag box says, "with odor block technology - unscented"

Now, I don't know wtf this odor blocking technology is, but do you think I can still use that bag?

If not, can I put the bird in this drink cooler withOUT a lining?
Will I ever get the smell of bird and taste of salt water out of the drink cooler if I do go without?? I really don't want to ruin the drink cooler as it's pretty new - got it this summer.

Please help! Want to brine soon.

Thanks!!

 

[stan41]

I would just put the turkey and brine in the cooler without the bag.
Stan

 

[silverback]

Ummm...don't know.

I used a xL Zip Lock bag from either Walmart and/or Target - Good luck!

 

[bignick]

As for those garbage bags...you can leach chemicals into your brine/turkey. You don't want to do that, they aren't designed for holding food (Before you eat it anyway...) Just drop it in the cooler directly.

 

[bryon]

Dont use the bag. You can use a bleach water solution to clean the cooler after the brining is done. Make sure that you dont leave the bleach water in the cooler to long as it will eat the lining of the cooler. Trust me I am speaking from experience

 

[beerthirty]

I'm with Nick on this. Drop it straight in the cooler. That cooler will clean up fine. Use a little clorox in water and it will be fine. Most of the trash bag boxes say not to use for food purposes. Too many chems.

 

[zapper]

The cooler is food safe atleast at low temps. As long as it doesnt leak or you add boiling hot liquid you are good to go. Now clean up might be a bit tricky with the pour spout nooks and crannies.....

I would trust the cooler way before the plastic bag

 

[bill in mn]

you shouldn't get any taste remaining after. The cooler is food grade (NSF) and wont take on anything.Just wash it out and all will be fine.

 

[ronp]

You will be fine in the cooler, no plastic bag.

 

[the dude abides]

Another vote for "no bag"

 

[raceyb]

Emeril Lagasse says use a large trash bag, but I'm not so sure I would listen to that advice. lol.. I'm with these guys, no bag for sure....

 

[meateater]

No bags! I have 2 dedicated coolers for brining myself. 1 for turkeys and 1 for chickens and game hens that I do year round. There both the square Igloo coolers. I just wash them out with soap and water and air dry.

 

[rpmorey]

I use Home Depot "Homer" bucket. 5 gallon, easy clean-up and fridge on the porch will hold 2 of them.

 

[scpatterson]

I used a big pot and in the fridge..
I wouldnt use the bag
But i wouldnt use my water cooler either< I would always taste Turkey in it even though it was clean only because I knew it was there..Im funny that way

 

[pineywoods]

Clean and sanitize the cooler and put the turkey in it then add ice in ziplock bags (so it doesn't dilute the brine) and you should be good to go.

 

[smokewatcher]

Same with me. I use it only for brining.

 

[nate_46]

Same here, but I purchased it from Walmart with lid. I marked it "TURKEY" so i don't use it for any other reason. Works like a charm, just wash it before and after each use.

 

[meat hunter]

Yep, for sure, no bag. Cooler will clean up no problem. If you need a good cheap container in the future, stop by one of the many restaurants in your area. They all have food grade 5 gallon pails that are free. Just clean them out. Just an idea for you

 

[bman62526]

Yes - thanks everyone...I ditched the bag.

Basically, I got caught not thinking 100% through my T-day plan. I didn't want to ruin that cooler, but I sure as heck didn't want to put the bird in the garbage bag once I saw it wasn't plain plastic.

Besides - better to use a 5 gallon pail for sure...and I KNEW this, that's what's embarrassing. HA! I worked in food service a long time ago, and as soon as I realized I didn't have a big enough rubbermaid to brine this bird in - I thought, "D'oh! Sure would be nice to have one of those super-clean old 5 gal. pails we used to give away at Happy Joe's Restaurant." (The ones the sliced mushrooms came in...sweet.)

Anywhoo - I didn't plan ahead on the 5 gal. pail, so I used the rubbermaid drink cooler...I was initially concerned that it would "stain" the cooler - but perhaps that's not a real threat.

Thanks to you guys for hitting me back with your thoughts.

Happy Thanksgiving America!

Brian

 

[cheech]

For cheap 5 gallon containers go to your local grocery store that makes cakes. They get frosting in those containers and often just throw them out. I stop by my store and get around 5 at a time. Today everything goes into those containers, -charcoal, wood chips, tools, etc.