Using a Cooler to age meat?

[shadowhunter]

http://www.realtree.com/deer-hunting/articles/12-reasons-why-your-venison-tastes-like-hell

Interesting article, I do have a shed to hang my deer in but I'm worried with the warm falls here in the lower mainland that it will be too warm to age my buck for a few days. The author states he uses a cooler with ice and keeps the drain plug open with the cooler on an incline. Has anyone done this? I'm tempted to try this but am still unsure of the outcome.

[Gateholio]

If the alternative is letting your deer go sour in hot temperatures, heck yes, use a cooler!

[Steeleco]

This is an older version of the cooler I made to hang game till I had time to cut it. I don't hang deer or bear for any longer than it takes me to cut it. Never had an issue with anything I've eaten or any of my friends that bring their game here to cut.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/steeleco/My%20pictures/IMG_3897.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/steeleco/media/My%20pictures/IMG_3897.jpg.html)

Now I've got a spare 13cu ft freezer that has the controller on it to stop the meat freezing. Next week I'm taking a smaller freezer and a generator in hopes of filling it in the youth season

[Kalum]

Good idea but Don't you get a lot of moisture build up?

[skuntor]

I know guys who use coolers in camp and they take it out at night when it's cool and hang so it dries a bit.

[Steeleco]

Good idea but Don't you get a lot of moisture build up?

That unit was equipped with a fan that cycles on when the unit turns on and a large screened hole on the other end to keep the bugs out. Currently I've got the controller set to right at zero, most condensation forms on the sides of the freezer. Smaller game like deer and bears aren't in there for more than a few days, if it looks like its getting moist in there, I just open the lid for a while.

[leadpillproductions]

What are you using for a controller to keep it from freezing

[Steeleco]

I use one of these, but since I bought mine I find they can be had in waterproof for the guys that tow larger units to hunting camp.
essentially you wire a plug box into the unit and a mains line so you can plug it in. The controller can be set to any temp you like. It will turn off when too cold and turn on when too hot. I've got mine set for 31F to stop cooling and 35F to start again. Had mine about 5 or so years, its the freezers that pooch on me not the box. Most freezers can had for free on Craigslist especially the large ones. Dumping the dead ones is free too.

http://www.blueridgecompany.com/radiant/hydronic/287/johnson-controls-a419-series



(http://www.blueridgecompany.com/radiant/hydronic/287/johnson-controls-a419-series)

[leadpillproductions]

Thanks . did you just extend cooler with ply wood or did you insulate the extention also. Is there a way to get a pic of inside set up of coller
I use one of these, but since I bought mine I find they can be had in waterproof for the guys that tow larger units to hunting camp.
essentially you wire a plug box into the unit and a mains line so you can plug it in. The controller can be set to any temp you like. It will turn off when too cold and turn on when too hot. I've got mine set for 31F to stop cooling and 35F to start again. Had mine about 5 or so years, its the freezers that pooch on me not the box. Most freezers can had for free on Craigslist especially the large ones. Dumping the dead ones is free too.

http://www.blueridgecompany.com/radiant/hydronic/287/johnson-controls-a419-series



(http://www.blueridgecompany.com/radiant/hydronic/287/johnson-controls-a419-series)

[kurtl]

almost looks the same as my setup.
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag352/kurtl525/IMAG0009_zpsd73e9b13.jpg

I'm wondering how many hunters get their meat home, finish butchering/packaging it and don't even hang it at all? Or is it more common practice to hang it? How much difference does it make?

[Steeleco]

I used 2x10's much like the link in kurtl's link. The idea was sent to me long ago from a HBC member who used his cooler for home brew!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/steeleco/My%20pictures/IMG_3899.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/steeleco/media/My%20pictures/IMG_3899.jpg.html)

kurtl. I only hang my game for as long as it takes me to get time to complete cutting it. This year we have a group moose draw, I may have to find a place to hang any game we hope to get dependent on the age of the animal?

[Dannybuoy]

I'm wondering how many hunters get their meat home, finish butchering/packaging it and don't even hang it at all? Or is it more common practice to hang it? How much difference does it make?

Have done it both ways .... no noticeable differences , the key is how the game is shot/handled/skinned etc . That can make huge differences ! It is way easier to properly cut meat when cooled

[Steeleco]

http://www.realtree.com/deer-hunting/articles/12-reasons-why-your-venison-tastes-like-hell

Interesting article, I do have a shed to hang my deer in but I'm worried with the warm falls here in the lower mainland that it will be too warm to age my buck for a few days. The author states he uses a cooler with ice and keeps the drain plug open with the cooler on an incline. Has anyone done this? I'm tempted to try this but am still unsure of the outcome.

Sorry Shadowhunter, I seem to have stolen your thread :( I did read the link, the guy isn't all there in my view. Personally I don't know anybody that adds pork to ground for burgers. I use eggs to help keep them stuck together. If I was going to add fat to my burgers I'd eat beef and stay home!!

If your out this way I'll gladly show you my set up to give you food for thought in your shed!!

[Dannybuoy]

I gotta ask Steelco .. what have you got hanging there ?? too big for a rabbit ... one of those dwarf blacktails maybe ?:-D

[Steeleco]

It was a friends spring bear. Shrinkage was at play that day. Half his packages I labeled as "black lab" LOL We still laugh about it to this day. The meat is gone but the memory will last forever!!

[Dannybuoy]

It was a friends spring bear. Shrinkage was at play that day. Half his packages I labeled as "black lab" LOL We still laugh about it to this day. The meat is gone but the memory will last forever!!

Ahh I'll bet it was good eating alright ...... not a lot of fat so I didn't think bear plus I haven't shot at bears . LOL it did look dog-like but I didn't want insult anyone

[shadowhunter]

Sorry Shadowhunter, I seem to have stolen your thread :( I did read the link, the guy isn't all there in my view. Personally I don't know anybody that adds pork to ground for burgers. I use eggs to help keep them stuck together. If I was going to add fat to my burgers I'd eat beef and stay home!!

If your out this way I'll gladly show you my set up to give you food for thought in your shed!!

Hey no problem! Great setup you have there, once I get my own place Id love to set something like that up. I think the pork to burgers might be and american thing as I have read it in a field and stream magazine years ago. I just have a few extremely large camping coolers that could easily fit a quarter and thought they could be used to cool my meat! Back to the drawing board!

[Steeleco]

Hey no problem! Great setup you have there, once I get my own place Id love to set something like that up. I think the pork to burgers might be and american thing as I have read it in a field and stream magazine years ago. I just have a few extremely large camping coolers that could easily fit a quarter and thought they could be used to cool my meat! Back to the drawing board!

I know there's a few members here that use a beer fridge with the racks removed too. All you need then is a table a knife and some butcher paper!!

[kennyj]

I know guys who use coolers in camp and they take it out at night when it's cool and hang so it dries a bit.


Ive done this a lot. It works great.

kenny

[Viper]

I know there's a few members here that use a beer fridge with the racks removed too. All you need then is a table a knife and some butcher paper!!
Works for me.