The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Food processing => Topic started by: Pheasant pharmer on September 05, 2011, 04:51:15 pm

Title: How do I get trays big enough to dry cure my pork?
Post by: Pheasant pharmer on September 05, 2011, 04:51:15 pm

.....so we've now got our 2 saddlebacks booked into the abattoir and thanks to 'smiffy' have now got the butchering and curing booked in (thought it wise to get the professionals help!).

I now need to secure some suitably sized trays to use for the curing.

Any ideas or suggestions. We are currently searching 'tinterweb' but without much success.....
 :pig:

Title: Re: How do I get trays big enough to dry cure my pork?
Post by: Greenerlife on September 05, 2011, 05:34:09 pm

How much do you want to dry cure?  I bought plastic buckets on ebay and drilled holes in half of them to put the hams in salt one inside the other to catch the blood/drips.  i paid 2.88 each bucket.  for bacon I cut my belly pork into sizes that will fit airtight plastic boxes that I have anyway.  last pigs I had, I cured whole bellies in a huge plastic box that I usually keep flour in, but any cookware shop will have them.  catering friends have the metal trays I think you may be looking for, so a catering suppliers may be a good idea.  don't know if this helps or hinders?!   :D

Title: Re: How do I get trays big enough to dry cure my pork?
Post by: HappyHippy on September 05, 2011, 06:03:51 pm

I did my dry cure bacon in ziplock bags (using the biggest sized bag, and cutting the loin into 3) sooooo much easier to fit into the fridge  ;) you only need to open the side of the bag and pour out the liquid and there's no messing about opening boxes and turning meat - just flip the bag over  ;D
HTH
Karen  :wave:

Title: Re: How do I get trays big enough to dry cure my pork?
Post by: SallyintNorth on September 05, 2011, 06:06:48 pm

Quote from: HappyHippy on September 05, 2011, 06:03:51 pm

I did my dry cure bacon in ziplock bags (using the biggest sized bag, and cutting the loin into 3) sooooo much easier to fit into the fridge  ;) you only need to open the side of the bag and pour out the liquid and there's no messing about opening boxes and turning meat - just flip the bag over  ;D
HTH
Karen  :wave:

Brilliant!  I love this site!

Title: Re: How do I get trays big enough to dry cure my pork?
Post by: suziequeue on September 05, 2011, 06:31:42 pm

Yes - same as Karen - I cut my bellies and backs into thirds, wrapped them round and round with cling film and popped them into the chiller boxes in the fridge.

I think next time I might try bail wrap  :D :D :D

Title: Re: How do I get trays big enough to dry cure my pork?
Post by: Pheasant pharmer on September 06, 2011, 11:38:20 am

Great suggestions guys - huge thanks to you all!
 ;D

Title: Re: How do I get trays big enough to dry cure my pork?
Post by: JulieS on September 06, 2011, 11:46:35 am

A good place for plastic trays and boxes is www.nisbets.co.uk (http://www.nisbets.co.uk).

Title: Re: How do I get trays big enough to dry cure my pork?
Post by: nicandem on September 06, 2011, 01:18:40 pm

Try Costco if you have one nearby
They throw loads of 'packaging' out
wooden wine boxes, polystyrene cool boxes (whole salmon size)
plastic trays/boxes

My local store is helpful and would rather give to someone to use than bin it

Title: Re: How do I get trays big enough to dry cure my pork?
Post by: Sylvia on September 06, 2011, 01:26:12 pm

Or you could try 5gallon brewing buckets.

Title: Re: How do I get trays big enough to dry cure my pork?
Post by: violet on September 10, 2011, 05:28:17 pm

I have a similar set up to Greenerlife. I use plastic storage boxes - you can pick them up quite cheaply in one of the poundshops.
I use 2 different sizes, drill holes in the smaller one and balance it on bricks in side the bigger one.