how long is a full packer safe to keep in the refer unopened?

[sandyut]

hi all,

I plan to cook a full packer for my wife's birthday, but we have some questions about when to start it (could be a week or two out). so the question is; how long is a full packer safe to keep in the refer unopened?

if it matters, it will likely come from Costco.

Many thanks

 

[daveomak]

Depends on.... Use by date.... Refer temp....

 

[sandyut]

I can manage the use by date :). I thought I read about aging these in the bag??? seemed sketchy?

 

[jokensmoken]

If they are cryovaced they will keep beyond the use by date...I've had them in the fridge for a few weeks... and "wet aging" in a cryovac sealed package is fairly common...
I've read that some have held for 2-3 weeks or more beyond the "use by" date...
I've no experience, am no expert and cant attest to the safety of this practice but have personally held mine for a solid week beyond the "use by" date and suffered no ill effects.
I'm not recommending this...just saying.
Walt

 

[sandyut]

If they are cryovaced they will keep beyond the use by date...I've had them in the fridge for a few weeks... and "wet aging" in a cryovac sealed package is fairly common...
I've read that some have held for 2-3 weeks or more beyond the "use by" date...
I've no experience, am no expert and cant attest to the safety of this practice but have personally held mine for a solid week beyond the "use by" date and suffered no ill effects.
I'm not recommending this...just saying.
Walt

that works. I prefer to have my meat at home ready to go and not buy same day as cook. just trying to see if there is some margin here - likely a little. thanks!

 

[daveomak]

Have your fridge set to ~34 F just to be safe...

 

[sandyut]

i need to check it...it running good and cold tho - just had it worked on. my house came with a sub zero. so those you get fixed when they break. I wouldn't have bought one as a replacement that is for sure.

 

[daveomak]

The thing that bothers me about cry-vac meats.... Who knows what bacteria etc. was sealed in the bag with the meat.. With any packaged meat really....