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re: Deer Self Processing Setup

Posted on 1/4/24 at 10:55 am to
Posted by Cypressknee
Member since Jul 2017
1199 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 10:55 am to
Most points already mentioned here, good advice. I’ll add some more.

Get a bigger grinder than you think you need. I just got the Meat Your Maker brand 1.5hp grinder, mixer, foot pedal and chamber sealer. Very happy.

The bag sealer Loup shared is where it’s at for ground meat. I got one recently and did a run of breakfast sausage with a sow I had deboned. Game changer. If you will do sausage just break down and get a sausage stuffer. I’d recommend no smaller than a 10lb model.

Victornox knives. I like the semi flex models.

Depending on the size of the area you build/set up choose your floor drain wisely. Either do multiple along a sloped wall or dedicate a corner. Do NOT do a center drain.

Heavy duty overhead shelves for storage. I agree marketplace watching you can find plenty fair priced SS tables/sinks/etc.
Posted by Jack Daniel
In the bottle
Member since Feb 2013
25566 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 10:56 am to
I didn’t have any type of commercial grade sealer just a basic FoodSaver so maybe commercial ones are better but I always felt like air pockets were left around the ground meat. Also buying rolls of material then cutting to size and double sealing was time consuming.

Now I’m using the 2lb bags and my stuffer to fill them. It’s quicker and the bags are cheaper than vacuum sealer rolls. I can place the bag on my sausage stuffer tube and hold slight pressure as the stuffer fills the bag then twist the bag top at the desired fill level. There is no air trapped. Then snapping the twisted bag into the tape machine and boom done.

Total time of grinding and packaging a whole deer was cut in half swapping from vac sealer to bags with stuffer
This post was edited on 1/4/24 at 11:17 am
Posted by Sparty3131
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2019
653 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 11:24 am to
Another thing I will add. I package most of my meat in a plastic bag then wrap it up in butcher paper. Easy to write on and works almost as good as vacuum sealing but much quicker. The open gallon bags, twist all the air out and wrap.
Posted by CootKilla
In a beer can/All dog's nightmares
Member since Jul 2007
5917 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 11:57 am to
My only suggestion is to make sure you have hot water. Everything cleans so much better spraying a hose pipe with hot water.
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
11456 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 1:00 pm to
quote:

Can you go into more details on why??


If you have a sausage stuffer it's a lot faster, cheaper, and easier. Takes about 10 seconds to fill a big and a second or two to seal them with the tape rig.
Posted by Cypressknee
Member since Jul 2017
1199 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 1:02 pm to
Loup, as for your stuffing tube hold a bunch at the end of the run, maybe run crackers or bread thru it to push out the remainder.
Posted by Junky
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2005
8395 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 1:02 pm to
quote:

Can you go into more details on why??


As mentioned, the stuffer can do the bags and the tape dispenser setup is faster. I have a nice Westin Vac sealer but it’s just easier to use the stuffer and bags personally.
Posted by No Colors
Sandbar
Member since Sep 2010
10492 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 1:06 pm to
quote:

Do NOT do a center drain.


I'm gonna need a bit more info on why not here.

I was picturing two drains for a 16x24 room. And looking at Reds picture he has basically a channel drain system that runs down the center of the room that looks badass.

So what's the advantage of doing it along the wall?
Posted by Cypressknee
Member since Jul 2017
1199 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 1:22 pm to
It depends largely on the size of the room. Layout and slab slope too. Although, a corner drain is just easier to rinse to/towards. A center drain you kind of have to chase and circle if that makes sense. I’ve used both, I prefer a corner but maybe that’s just me.
Posted by LSUDUCKMAN67
DTB
Member since Sep 2020
933 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 1:34 pm to
WOW thats bad arse!!!
Posted by mylsuhat
Mandeville, LA
Member since Mar 2008
48952 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 1:35 pm to
Whatever you do, get upright freezers.

Maybe 1 chest freezer for obscure things but a good commercial double door freezer would be a game changer


Big surface area cutting table

Deep sink

Hot water

Many meat lugs and big pans

A dedicated drying rack for dishes

Knife sharpener
This post was edited on 1/4/24 at 1:37 pm
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4212 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 2:01 pm to
Bonus pic of inside the walk in for fun.

Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
38929 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 2:17 pm to
dude I just threw away about a dozen insulated walk in cooler panels…I couldn’t give them away
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
11456 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 5:58 pm to
quote:

Loup, as for your stuffing tube hold a bunch at the end of the run, maybe run crackers or bread thru it to push out the remainder


Good idea. I usually just cook it up and eat it. Thanks
Posted by bayoudude
Member since Dec 2007
24965 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 6:16 pm to
I have a commercial grinder (general slicing Mc-100) that’s pushing 30 yrs old it’s from back in the day when my family’s company had a deer camp. I used it for grinding and sausage stuffing. I debone on my outside kitchen counter then do everything else in my kitchen. I have a cabelas commercial grade vacuum sealer that I use to bag the sausage links and I also use the meat bags with hog rings or zip ties still need to get the lem tape machine. The meat bags work great for ground meat or breakfast sausage. They are perfect diameter to cut Patties from while still partially frozen .

I order my casings online and for seasoning I have used Leggs and rebel with good reviews from friends and family. Recently started doing high temp cheese versions
This post was edited on 1/4/24 at 6:18 pm
Posted by White Bear
Yonnygo
Member since Jul 2014
14035 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 6:19 pm to
Damn son. I’ll bring my carcasses to you.
Posted by CootKilla
In a beer can/All dog's nightmares
Member since Jul 2007
5917 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 6:33 pm to
you're just fricking with us now. I'm sure no colors can afford that but not just anyone
This post was edited on 1/4/24 at 6:35 pm
Posted by Yewkindewit
Near Birmingham, Alabama
Member since Apr 2012
20091 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 6:52 pm to
Where do the drains lead?
Posted by Marciano1
Marksville, LA
Member since Jun 2009
18469 posts
Posted on 1/4/24 at 7:14 pm to
quote:

Mine is a towel and cutting board on the kitchen table, stainless bowls, a filet knife, and a hand tenderizer. My meat storage is a NC cooler on the back porch.
Posted by DieselTiger1
9 Dragon
Member since Oct 2008
13672 posts
Posted on 1/5/24 at 9:25 am to
Nearly everything has been covered but the one thing I didn't see that I think would be super helpful is a dishwasher. all those knives, stuffer/grinder pieces can get sanitized and you'll spend less time hand washing.
This post was edited on 1/5/24 at 9:26 am
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