Buying In Bulk

[Ryan]

Anyone here buy their meats in bulk?

We bought a ton of chicken breasts over the weekend. I broke them down into 4 full breasts per meal. There are 16 breasts total.

I made up a few different marinades.. poured them into freezer bags and added the breasts. I then froze them to use for later.

I also diced and fried up a few breasts to use on salads.

Has anyone else ever done this? I've yet to thaw out any of the meals, so I'm not to sure how they are going to taste.

:cool:

[StPeteBBQ]

Yep, freeze stuff all the time. Foodsaver is my best friend. When I smoke pork butts, I can do 4 at a time, so I usually end up pulling one, giving one away, and pulling and freezing the other 2. Pulled pork frozen in Foodsaver bags can be boiled right in the bags. If you have lots to feed, you can use a turkey fryer to boil the water.

Pulled pork this way tastes just like fresh.

Foodsaver rocks!

[sharky]

Yep, freeze stuff all the time. Foodsaver is my best friend. When I smoke pork butts, I can do 4 at a time, so I usually end up pulling one, giving one away, and pulling and freezing the other 2. Pulled pork frozen in Foodsaver bags can be boiled right in the bags. If you have lots to feed, you can use a turkey fryer to boil the water.

Pulled pork this way tastes just like fresh.

Foodsaver rocks!

Interesting! I like that idea! I might need to go to Sams and get a BIG foodsaver!

Where ya been StPeteBBQ?

[StPeteBBQ]

Been around... mostly just workin'... looking for a place to live...

Found a house I liked, then decided screw the yardwork, etc. So then I started lookin' at condos. With condos you gotta make sure you don't find some maniac condo association where they live to make rules... Then you gotta make sure you can grill/smoke... Maybe I should buy a tent and move to the woods...

Anyway, check Amazon for Foodsavers... I got mine (Model 800) for a little over $100. It isn't the biggest, but it does everything the big ones do. It was listed at $129 and they had a $25 promotion. They do that all the time.

Foodsaver bags can be $$, but I have a couple of sources of other bags that work just as well. One is www.vacuum-sealer-bags.com and the other is www.goodmans.net. Keep in mind that Goodman's is in Miami and will charge sales tax.

One of the things people overlook with the Foodsaver is that you can vacuum seal dry stuff in canisters, even canning jars. There is a Foodsaver group over at www.yahoo.com with tons of information.

[sharky]

thanks for the info man!

[Ryan]

I pulled out some chicken that I had froze and grilled it up.
Was nice and juicey... the flavor was great!

[sharky]

So you marinated it, then froze it?

interesting! I'll have to try that!

[TOMP]

Stpetes hit it on the nose. A Foodsaver is you best friend! No freeze burn or off taste. Canning jars are great for sauces, soups and shreaded cheeses. The bags can be washed and reused.

Stpete, at Goodmans.net, do you purchase the off brand or Tilia's? Thats a nice savings on the off brand, IF they work as well!

[StPeteBBQ]

I have not personally used the goodman's bags, but I have a friend who uses them and swears they're as good as Tilia. I do have some from the other place, and they work good too. They will send you a free sample to try, also.

[sharky]

I went to target last night and they had an offbrand item like the foodsaver for $50. not a bad deal. Is there a size I should be looking for?

[StPeteBBQ]

I would get one that you could put a 12" bag or roll in. The Food Savor (and most other brands) bags and rolls usually come in 8" and 12" widths.

I'd be real careful of the off brand sealers. That Yahoo Food Saver group is a good source of info. You can ask about other brands there. It seems they have people who have used almost any food saver made.

Yahoo FoodSaver Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FoodSaver/)

[sharky]

I'll head back to taregt and see the brand they have. It looked like a good deal, but I wasn't sure.

Thanks for the info

[Deuce]

Another thumbs up on the foodsaver. I use mine all of the time. I use it for my venison in the fall and it keeps it great all year.
Thanks for the tip on the cheaper bags.

[sharky]

have any of you heard bad about the black and decker?

Walmart had one for $45 today... I'm cheap so I think I will try it!

[StPeteBBQ]

Black and Decker has been around for a long time, and usually make quality stuff. Let us know how it works out.