Whole hog cook tomorrow night, defrost advice

markdtn · 11-21-2013, 12:11 PM

I am cooking a 53 lb whole pig (in the ground) for my son's Eagle Scout banquet. The whole frozen pig was supposed to come in on Monday and defrost all week in their cooler, but didn't. It came in this morning. They are going to keep it in the cooler room until I pick it up tomorrow afternoon. They say it is "frozen solid". What can I do to defrost this thing? I could get it earlier tomorrow with some great effort, but if I do I can't leave it outside, tomorrow is 52 low, 63 high. I need to start cooking about 10:00 tomorrow night. Any advice?

luke duke · 11-21-2013, 12:24 PM

Put it in the bathtub and submerge it in some water.

gtr · 11-21-2013, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luke duke

Put it in the bathtub and submerge it in some water.

^^^This - and change out the water several times. It sounds counterintuitive, but use cold water. I always defrost frozen items in a pot with a very small stream of cold water running into it, but obviously this can't really be done with a pig unless you got a big ole pot and sink! With the bathtub, you can fill it up, let it sit a while (maybe 1/2 hour to an hour?) drain it and start over. This would somewhat replicate the process of using a pot. It's probably worth mentioning I've never defrosted a whole pig - I'm just trying to adapt a method I've used successfully for other situations to this one.

I'd pay close attention whether or not the hams and shoulders in particular are frozen before cooking.

PatAttack · 11-21-2013, 01:05 PM

Bathtub or washtub outside changing the water every 1/2 hour.

You'll be surprised how fast it defrosts.

NeoTrout · 11-21-2013, 01:16 PM

Be prepared?

Jason TQ · 11-21-2013, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luke duke

Put it in the bathtub and submerge it in some water.

A bleach cleaned bathtub

markdtn · 11-21-2013, 05:02 PM

Everything is clean with all the family coming into town. Bathtub it is. Thanks!!

MisterChrister · 11-21-2013, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdtn

Everything is clean with all the family coming into town. Bathtub it is. Thanks!!

Pretty sure a photo with the pig in the tub with a rubber ducky is mandatory!

castlepines · 11-21-2013, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterChrister

Pretty sure a photo with the pig in the tub with a rubber ducky is mandatory!

papabill · 11-21-2013, 07:28 PM

markdtn · 11-22-2013, 06:06 AM

I'll see what I can do :)

castlepines · 11-24-2013, 01:03 PM

How did it turn out??

11-21-2013, 12:11 PM	#1
markdtn is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-03-10 Location: Chattanooga, TN	Whole hog cook tomorrow night, defrost advice I am cooking a 53 lb whole pig (in the ground) for my son's Eagle Scout banquet. The whole frozen pig was supposed to come in on Monday and defrost all week in their cooler, but didn't. It came in this morning. They are going to keep it in the cooler room until I pick it up tomorrow afternoon. They say it is "frozen solid". What can I do to defrost this thing? I could get it earlier tomorrow with some great effort, but if I do I can't leave it outside, tomorrow is 52 low, 63 high. I need to start cooking about 10:00 tomorrow night. Any advice?

11-21-2013, 01:05 PM	#4
PatAttack somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-19-11 Location: In the Marsh	Bathtub or washtub outside changing the water every 1/2 hour. You'll be surprised how fast it defrosts. __________________ "You have never lived until you have almost died". "For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the protected will never know".-Unknown Vietnam Soldier 22" WSM 22" Weber Gold Weber Smoky Joe Weber Gasser Rec-Tec 590

11-21-2013, 01:16 PM	#5
NeoTrout is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-26-08 Location: Elmhurst, Illinois	Be prepared? __________________ Steve [B]"Le Grille? What the hell is that?"[/B] Klose 20x48 Deluxe Offset Pipe Smoker Weber 22.5, Weber 22.5 w/Rotisserie Weber Performer, Weber Ranch Kettle, 18" WSM Weber Smokey Joe, Weber Homer Simpson Smokey Joe Bayou Classic Turkey Fryer, Blackstone 28" Griddle Brinkmann Smoke'n Grill, UDS, Weber 26" H-D FLHR

11-21-2013, 12:24 PM	#2
luke duke is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-16-10 Location: Dallas, TX	Put it in the bathtub and submerge it in some water.

11-21-2013, 05:02 PM	#7
markdtn is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-03-10 Location: Chattanooga, TN	Everything is clean with all the family coming into town. Bathtub it is. Thanks!!

11-21-2013, 07:28 PM	#10
papabill Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 09-20-13 Location: Eaton Rapids

11-22-2013, 06:06 AM	#11
markdtn is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-03-10 Location: Chattanooga, TN	I'll see what I can do :)

11-24-2013, 01:03 PM	#12
castlepines is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-23-13 Location: Colorado	How did it turn out??