The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: waterboy on April 21, 2011, 05:04:33 pm

Title: pork in the fridge
Post by: waterboy on April 21, 2011, 05:04:33 pm
Hi all,

 Someone asked me how long they could keep pork in the fridge before it was no good for eating and i was unsure so i thought id pick your brains ;D

 I know when i take pigs to the abattoir they are killed on the Monday and left to hang till Thursday before being butchered but don't know how long it should last as its generally dished out,cured or eaten at a frightening rate :pig:

Thanks
 Rob
Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: Rosemary on April 21, 2011, 05:06:55 pm
Hello, stranger  ;D
Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: Eve on April 21, 2011, 06:34:23 pm
Ours hang for more than a week, we don't get them back until a week and a half at least after killing, and then the pork can still stay in the fridge for a few days.
Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: waterboy on April 21, 2011, 06:39:56 pm
Hello rosemary,
 
 Been a busy beaver just lately so not been on much :'(

Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: poppajohn on April 21, 2011, 06:57:04 pm
When I was in commercial pig rearing 21 days was considered the maximum for cold hanging before freezing. Now wild boar and Tamworth seem to better after 25 or so. The maggots will let you know usually if you have left it too long...........
Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: waterboy on April 21, 2011, 07:16:14 pm
The look on Manda's face if she saw maggots in the fridge would be well worth any ear bashing ;D
Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: poppajohn on April 21, 2011, 07:24:25 pm
lol! I remember leaving a box of maggots in the fridge once and forgetting about them ( for fishing! ) I heard screaming and rushed into the kitchen to find my daughter surrounded by bluebottles, she was only 9 and still threatens to sue me for child abuse if I upset her. Shes now 31.........  :o
Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: Hilarysmum on April 22, 2011, 10:26:28 am
It depends on whether it was treated properly between killing and refridgerator.  I have seen cases where pigs are home slaughtered, left to hang in a warm area overnight then butchered.  Naturally that meat would not have as long a shelf life as a pig killed in an abattoir, carcass cleaned, hung and split in shortest possible time and then hung to cool in an airblasting refrigeratorm cut in a cold cutting area and then stored in the fridge would give a far longer shelf life.    Then again it also depends if the fridge is continually opened and shut.  How big the meat is i.e.  a joint or a single chop. 

I have a joint in the fridge which has been there a week and is still fine. 
Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 22, 2011, 04:06:21 pm
I have a joint in the fridge which has been there a week and is still fine. 

Which leads into my answer to the original question - which is, so long as it smells and looks ok!   ;D

Some shop-bought meat may not last more than a couple of days, while I expect my own pork to be happy for up to a week after defrosting.  Better drier than wet, I find, so if it's defrosted and you want to keep it in the fridge for a while longer, remove and discard the wrapping, tip any water off and dry the pork, then if possible wrap it in greaseproof or butchers' paper (as I think of it, no idea what it's really called) not clingfilm or anything plastic.  I expect cloth works too but haven't tried it.

Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: Hilarysmum on April 22, 2011, 06:19:11 pm
Its cooking now, the joint, and it smells delicious  ...
Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: poppajohn on April 23, 2011, 12:12:34 pm
Mmmm! Roast maggots and apple sauce, now thats LIVING.........
Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: Hilarysmum on April 23, 2011, 12:22:29 pm
Dont knock it those maggots just add something to the flavour  mmmmmmmmm
Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: poppajohn on April 23, 2011, 02:42:42 pm
I wasnt knocking them honest! I prefer mine deep fried and crispy with a sprinkling of dill.........
Title: Re: pork in the fridge
Post by: Hilarysmum on April 25, 2011, 09:38:50 am
oooh new maggot recipe, ok dinner tonight ....