Holding meat in a cooler

Mike - CSBBBQ said:

Need some advice... Leaving way early for a contest for the first time. Depart for Lakeland the Saturday before the contest. Meat will be in coolers until the contest. Would it be better to freeze the briskets before leaving or just take from the fridge and keep on ice? What about the butts and ribs. May try and buy the ribs and butts in Florida but like what we have been getting local. Taking the motorhome but will be in a hotel Monday-Wednesday and not hooked to electricity. Head to Lakeland Thursday after work.

Does anyone have a good meat source in Leesburg?Thanks

Click to expand...

I would think that if you keep them on ice, they would be fine. That would be colder than a fridge, and as long as the plastic isn't broken, and let the water leak in, you are ok..... I would do it in a heart beat....

It has been a long time, 20 yrs, since I lived down there. I can send an email to my brother, he works in Leesburg, and see if he knows of any.

In Lakeland, there was a real good meat market called Deloach's.... I don't know if they are still in business or not. I suppose you could do a phone search for Lakeland and see if you can find it.

Bill

De Loach's Meat Mart
1204 E Magnolia St
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 688-7516
http://butchers.iaf.net/route.php?q...e=1204+E+Magnolia+St&qze=33801&ReportType=102
Euni-G Meat Market
1105 Waynesville Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 667-1872

http://butchers.iaf.net/route.php?q...1105+Waynesville+Ave&qze=33801&ReportType=102 Meat The Jones's
2074 E Edgewood Dr
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 665-4707

http://butchers.iaf.net/route.php?q...e=2074+E+Edgewood+Dr&qze=33803&ReportType=102 Roger's Quality Meat & Deli
4610 Cleveland Heights Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 646-1307

http://butchers.iaf.net/route.php?q...eveland+Heights+Blvd&qze=33813&ReportType=102 Daily Food Market
446 N Wabash Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 686-8000

http://butchers.iaf.net/route.php?qce=Lakeland&qse=FL&qae=446+N+Wabash+Ave&qze=33815&ReportType=102 Quick Food Mart & Deli
6001 Old Road 37
Lakeland, FL 33811
(863) 646-1233

http://butchers.iaf.net/route.php?qce=Lakeland&qse=FL&qae=6001+Old+Road+37&qze=33811&ReportType=102 Texas Cattle Company
735 E Main St
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 686-1434

http://butchers.iaf.net/route.php?qce=Lakeland&qse=FL&qae=735+E+Main+St&qze=33801&ReportType=102 Taylor's Meat Market
2933 Duff Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 859-7216

I would think that if you keep them on ice you will be fine. I would buy my meat there though.

Brisket is fine unless you've aged it a lot but then you wouldn't need to ask so Brisket is good. I've held in extremes for a week with 1 change of ice.

Butts and ribs should be OK so ling as the date on them is less than Saturday of contest. Otherwise get them there.

Mike, my butcher is about 30 minutes away from the contest.
LMK if you want help with it. I'll be cooking there too.

Probably goes without the need to be said, but the packaging of each the meats should be taken into consideration. I don't think anyone wants chicken juice floating throughout other cuts.

You will have no problem finding quality chicken and butts in the Lakeland area. Or almost anywhere in FL.

Brent and I are real picky about brisket and ribs.
If you are as demanding, ya might want to bring them along with you.

Lakeland is fun--good event.

TIM