Cost Effectively Freezing Smoked Meat

[MJB05615]

That's a really good idea and out of the box thinking Bear. We occasionally restain our outdoor pavilion wood posts and always get new brushes, and throw away after finishing. This is a good way to reuse, especially once we find a brush type we like and works well with the oil based paint/stain.

 

[GaryHibbert]

I have a Ziploc brand vac sealer. Got it for about $50 from local box store. Over 2 years old and going strong. Trick on the cheap ones (as well as avoiding moisture in the pump) is to not rush the sealing element. Give it a 5 minute rest now and then.

I do the same as GaryHibbert with smoked and fresh from Costco.

Two other things I do when vac sealing. After I seal, I wait 10 seconds before I open the lid--give it all the heat possible. Also, I usually double seal both ends of the bag, just in case the first seal wasn't perfect (mine is a pretty inexpensive vac sealer)--takes a little longer, but the food is worth more than my time.
Gary

 

[Bearcarver]

That's a really good idea and out of the box thinking Bear. We occasionally restain our outdoor pavilion wood posts and always get new brushes, and throw away after finishing. This is a good way to reuse, especially once we find a brush type we like and works well with the oil based paint/stain.

I should have mentioned:
After those 2 or 3 years in the freezer, I just get them out the day before painting to let them thaw. Then when I cut the bags off, the brushes are exactly like they were when I bagged them, still damp with leftover Woodguard on them & ready to go.

Bear

 

[whistlepig]

Two other things I do when vac sealing. After I seal, I wait 10 seconds before I open the lid--give it all the heat possible. Also, I usually double seal both ends of the bag, just in case the first seal wasn't perfect (mine is a pretty inexpensive vac sealer)--takes a little longer, but the food is worth more than my time.
Gary

Double sealing is a good idea that I never thought of until you mentioned it. The vacuum sometimes draws moisture from the meats into the seal area effectiong the integrity of the seal. Going to double seal from now on.

 

[Jonok]

Relative to the acquisition cost of vacuum sealers, I’m not sure I’ve ever been to a higher end thrift store that didn’t have two or three on the shelf for less than $50....