Woke up and found my corned beer floating... I tossed it. Did I do the right thing?

worktogthr · Mar 21, 2017

So I vac packed my corned beef last night about 5:00 PM. Vac sealed it and put it in a 135 bath. Woke up this morning and when I checked it at 7:00 it was floating and the water smelled like meat. Clearly the bag must have had a small leak. I figured 12+ hours under 140 degrees and not air tight wouldn't be safe. So I kissed my $6 and change goodbye.! Kills me throw away food but better safe than sorry. What's all your opinions? Would it have been ok? Thanks!

-Chris

okie362 · Mar 21, 2017

If i was cured it should have been fine I would think. Experts will prove me ignorant any moment now though.

worktogthr · Mar 21, 2017

You know I didn't think about the whole cured aspect! Darn

SmokinAl · Mar 21, 2017

I think I would have just flipped it over & put a plate on it or something to keep it down.

I have had the water smell like what is cooking too, but there was no leak in the bag.

Even if there was a leak I think all that would happen is some of the flavor would be lost in the water.

I saw one guy who uses small stainless steel rods & seals them in the bags to keep the bags from floating.

A couple of spoons will work too.

Al

chef jimmyj · Mar 21, 2017

Yep...Cured no issue. If still in the bag, I'd go get it out of the trash...JJ

worktogthr · Mar 21, 2017

SmokinAl said:
I think I would have just flipped it over & put a plate on it or something to keep it down.

I have had the water smell like what is cooking too, but there was no leak in the bag.

Even if there was a leak I think all that would happen is some of the flavor would be lost in the water.

I saw one guy who uses small stainless steel rods & seals them in the bags to keep the bags from floating.

A couple of spoons will work too.

Al

Chef JimmyJ said:
Yep...Cured no issue. If still in the bag, I'd go get it out of the trash...JJ

Thank you so much guys! Called home and caught my wife before she left for work. It was still in the bag and in a new garbage bag so she didn't complain when I asked her to fish it out. She stuck it in the fridge for now. Can I resume the bath when I get home? And if so should I re seal or just throw it in as is but weighed down?

Thanks again!

-Chris

chef jimmyj · Mar 21, 2017

Seal in a new bag or just chalk this one up and steam it for supper tonight...JJ

cheftjh57 · Mar 21, 2017

Hi Al,

You would've been okay, because at 140° and 12 hours of cooking you would've pasteurized the meat and killed any pathogens that would have been there. Just make sure you clean your immersion circulator good so that the leaking meat juices that might have cooked on the heating element of the circulator are cleaned off.

I use a rack system from LIPAVI, that works great for holding things such as brisket. Or as another member stated you can also use a plate or something else to wait it down

sundown farms · Mar 21, 2017

Chef JJ - We are kindred spirits... "If still in the bag, I'd go get it out of the trash...JJ". The wife and I debate regularly as I do not see the trash as a terrible place -- given certain lines are not crossed. But, for her, anything that passes into that alternate dimension is forever taboo.

416bigbore · Mar 21, 2017

Chef JimmyJ said:
Yep...Cured no issue. If still in the bag, I'd go get it out of the trash...JJ

I am with JJ on this one also, go grab that Bad Boy out of the Trash and Enjoy!

chef jimmyj · Mar 21, 2017

Sundown Farms said:
Chef JJ - We are kindred spirits... "If still in the bag, I'd go get it out of the trash...JJ". The wife and I debate regularly as I do not see the trash as a terrible place -- given certain lines are not crossed. But, for her, anything that passes into that alternate dimension is forever taboo.

I am far too cheap and poor to toss anything I can save or at a minimum, feed the dogs. The wife used to be skeptical but she learned to trust me...JJ

mr t 59874 · Mar 21, 2017

Chef JimmyJ said:
Seal in a new bag or just chalk this one up and steam it for supper tonight...JJ

JJ, I agree, but not even considering the fact that it was cured, wouldn't it be safe being cooked at 130° for two hours let alone twelve?

T

dirtsailor2003 · Mar 21, 2017

Yep as Al has mentioned Intoo have had the water smell when using highly aromatic item in the Sous vide bag. I also get air pockets as the meat shrinks up and gives off moisture. From what I've read both are common occurances with Sous Vide cooking. Air pockets form easier if you vac pack fresh meat rather than frozen or slightly frozen.

worktogthr · Mar 21, 2017

Thanks again everyone for saving me someMeat and someMoney! Put it in a new bag and it's currently doing it thing. When all is said and done at dinner tomorrow it will have been at 135 for 36 hours.

chef jimmyj · Mar 21, 2017

Mr T 59874 said:
JJ, I agree, but not even considering the fact that it was cured, wouldn't it be safe being cooked at 130° for two hours let alone twelve?

T

Yes Sir, barring a large portion sticking out of the water allowing spores to activate at cozy room temp...JJ

mr t 59874 · Mar 22, 2017

Chef JimmyJ said:
Yes Sir, barring a large portion sticking out of the water allowing spores to activate at cozy room temp...JJ

Thanks JJ. Can't imagine that any portion of it, if lidded, in or out of the water, would be anywhere near room temperature. I see another test coming in the near future.

T

tropics · Mar 22, 2017

Chris I hope it worked out for you.

? why would you want to Corn Beer

Richie

416bigbore · Mar 22, 2017

tropics said:
Chris I hope it worked out for you.

? why would you want to Corn Beer

Richie

If we don't hear back from Chris in a few Days on how everything turned out, I guess we all will have figured out the meat should have stayed in the Trash! I am not trying to be funny, this is a very serious issues, especially if the meat wasn't properly cured right the first time around. So a second, third and fourth confirmation that the meat is still ok to eat, should help with taking the first BITE !

IMO, if the meat was truly bad and unsafe to eat? I would have to guess the smell alone would keep anyone from trying to save it from the trash!

Then making sure it was properly cooked to the right temp would also help with any other questionable factors that might remain?

worktogthr · Mar 22, 2017

416bigbore said:
If we don't hear back from Chris in a few Days on how everything turned out, I guess we all will have figured out the meat should have stayed in the Trash! I am not trying to be funny, this is a very serious issues, especially if the meat wasn't properly cured right the first time around. So a second, third and fourth confirmation that the meat is still ok to eat, should help with taking the first BITE !

IMO, if the meat was truly bad and unsafe to eat? I would have to guess the smell alone would keep anyone from trying to save it from the trash!

Then making sure it was properly cooked to the right temp would also help with any other questionable factors that might remain?

Don't worry! haha I am still alive! Corned beef comes out tonight around 6:30. I will share the results right here. As Chef Jimmy and Mr. T discussed, safety should be no issue. It was commercially corned. Got it during the St. Patrick's day sales. Reubens for dinner tonight! Ill be back!

416bigbore · Mar 22, 2017

worktogthr said:
Don't worry! haha I am still alive! Corned beef comes out tonight around 6:30. I will share the results right here. As Chef Jimmy and Mr. T discussed, safety should be no issue. It was commercially corned. Got it during the St. Patrick's day sales. Reubens for dinner tonight! Ill be back!

Awesome worktogthr !

We are all here to learn, have fun, and MOST importantly, be safe ! Anyone possibly getting Sick and or Hurt, no one what's to see and or hear about happening, especially if it could have been easily avoided first by a simple DO or DO NOT question being asked first.

Lots of Great knowledgeable members here more then willing to jump in and help at anytime, why wouldn't anyone NOT want be become a member of this Amazing SMF, just on that alone?

I to found myself here on this SMF asking simual questions just as you, and we are still both here healthy and having fun because of other members who were willing to take a little of their time to jump in and help us with a few of our questions, so we can all Smoke On!

Woke up and found my corned beer floating... I tossed it. Did I do the right thing?

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