How Early to Buy Pork Butts & Ribs Before the Competition?

Greg60525 · 05-19-2012, 11:54 AM

How early can you buy the pork butts and ribs before the competition? Is 1 week before the comp. too early?

Thanks,

big brother smoke · 05-19-2012, 11:58 AM

Maybe or maybe not. It depends on their pack date and if they are cryovacked in a cold fridge.

Greg60525 · 05-19-2012, 12:14 PM

Cryovacked in a cold fridge..........probably from RD.............not sure about the pack date.

Funtimebbq · 05-19-2012, 12:34 PM

I buy butts from RD usually on Tuesdays prior to the contest and ribs from Sam's on Wednesdays. I don't buy the ribs from RD because the heavier ribs have the brisket bone attached which just makes for more waste. Also, there is a date on the cryovac of the ribs at Sam's.

Benny

K-Train · 05-19-2012, 01:42 PM

I put an order in with our local butcher about a week ahead to give him time to get everything. Then I pick the meat up the weds or Thurs before.

Greg60525 · 05-19-2012, 08:03 PM

Thanks for the advice. I tend to buy the butts and ribs the week of the comp.........just wondering how far in advance I can get these, as I was going to RD today. I'll stick to what I was doing.........seems in line with you guys.

Hot Wachulas · 05-20-2012, 02:52 PM

The RDepot ribs/meat also have dates on them. Its a 3 digit Julian code for the day of the year. Always look for the highest number. Example code 119 = the 119th day of the year. Jan 1 = 001, Dec 31 = 365)

JerryA · 05-20-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot Wachulas

The RDepot ribs/meat also have dates on them. Its a 3 digit Julian code for the day of the year. Always look for the highest number. Example code 119 = the 119th day of the year. Jan 1 = 001, Dec 31 = 365)

Good to know, thanks!

Greg60525 · 05-20-2012, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot Wachulas

The RDepot ribs/meat also have dates on them. Its a 3 digit Julian code for the day of the year. Always look for the highest number. Example code 119 = the 119th day of the year. Jan 1 = 001, Dec 31 = 365)

Thanks! What does that date mean........sell by date, kill date, etc.?

wyocurt · 05-20-2012, 10:01 PM

Thanks for the info on the date.

Smokesman · 05-21-2012, 08:56 AM

You'll be fine a week out with anything from RD but do check for the higher date code. Our RD (and most I would suspect) moves a lot of meat and I have never had a freshness problem. The 3 digit date code on the label is the date that particular cut is weighed and labeled for individual sale. For cuts labeled that day you can usually check the cases still on the shelf to find the pack date since they were more than likely pulled from the same pallet. All that aside pork in its original cryo will last in the coldest part of your fridge...I've been told upwards of a month from pack date but don't quote me on that. Once the cryo is opened though all bets are off on shelf life!

Greg60525 · 05-21-2012, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokesman

You'll be fine a week out with anything from RD but do check for the higher date code. Our RD (and most I would suspect) moves a lot of meat and I have never had a freshness problem. The 3 digit date code on the label is the date that particular cut is weighed and labeled for individual sale. For cuts labeled that day you can usually check the cases still on the shelf to find the pack date since they were more than likely pulled from the same pallet. All that aside pork in its original cryo will last in the coldest part of your fridge...I've been told upwards of a month from pack date but don't quote me on that. Once the cryo is opened though all bets are off on shelf life!

Thanks Matt!

05-19-2012, 11:54 AM	#1
Greg60525 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 03-08-09 Location: LaGrange Highlands, Illinois Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	How Early to Buy Pork Butts & Ribs Before the Competition? How early can you buy the pork butts and ribs before the competition? Is 1 week before the comp. too early? Thanks, __________________ Greg

05-19-2012, 11:58 AM	#2
big brother smoke somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-06 Location: Ventura, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Maybe or maybe not. It depends on their pack date and if they are cryovacked in a cold fridge. __________________ Peace and Smoke, BBS https://www.bigpoppasmokers.com/stor...nufacturer=314 My Weapons: Custom rig - Kandi, UDS; Bubba Keg; 22.5 WSM x 2; 18.5 WSM; BWS extended party; BWS Gator and an Onyx Oven; 29' ft Coachmen Leprechaun (Lola); Avatar by Grillman. Dan Chambers get well soon, so we can tell you to "Shut up Chambers"

05-19-2012, 12:14 PM	#3
Greg60525 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 03-08-09 Location: LaGrange Highlands, Illinois Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Cryovacked in a cold fridge..........probably from RD.............not sure about the pack date. __________________ Greg

05-19-2012, 01:42 PM	#5
K-Train is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-22-11 Location: Edgewater, MD Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I put an order in with our local butcher about a week ahead to give him time to get everything. Then I pick the meat up the weds or Thurs before. __________________ Keith Fat Maxine's BBQ Thanks to DArtagnan Foods (Awesome ribs)

05-19-2012, 08:03 PM	#6
Greg60525 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 03-08-09 Location: LaGrange Highlands, Illinois Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the advice. I tend to buy the butts and ribs the week of the comp.........just wondering how far in advance I can get these, as I was going to RD today. I'll stick to what I was doing.........seems in line with you guys. __________________ Greg

05-19-2012, 12:34 PM	#4
Funtimebbq Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-19-09 Location: Whittier, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I buy butts from RD usually on Tuesdays prior to the contest and ribs from Sam's on Wednesdays. I don't buy the ribs from RD because the heavier ribs have the brisket bone attached which just makes for more waste. Also, there is a date on the cryovac of the ribs at Sam's. Benny

05-20-2012, 02:52 PM	#7
Hot Wachulas Got Wood. Join Date: 02-03-10 Location: Lakeland Florida Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The RDepot ribs/meat also have dates on them. Its a 3 digit Julian code for the day of the year. Always look for the highest number. Example code 119 = the 119th day of the year. Jan 1 = 001, Dec 31 = 365)

05-20-2012, 10:01 PM	#10
wyocurt On the road to being a farker Join Date: 08-21-11 Location: La Quinta Ca Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the info on the date. __________________ Cowboys Smokin' Hot BBQ Curt - head Chef Stick cooker FEC 100 wsm 22.5 RMBBQA Member CBBQA cbj #63452

05-21-2012, 08:56 AM	#11
Smokesman Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 12-20-09 Location: Cincinnati, OH Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You'll be fine a week out with anything from RD but do check for the higher date code. Our RD (and most I would suspect) moves a lot of meat and I have never had a freshness problem. The 3 digit date code on the label is the date that particular cut is weighed and labeled for individual sale. For cuts labeled that day you can usually check the cases still on the shelf to find the pack date since they were more than likely pulled from the same pallet. All that aside pork in its original cryo will last in the coldest part of your fridge...I've been told upwards of a month from pack date but don't quote me on that. Once the cryo is opened though all bets are off on shelf life! __________________ Matt Schneider - "The Smokesman" - Velvet Smoke BBQ & Catering KCBS Certified BBQ Judge #54767 Weber Smokey Mountain 22 & Superior Smoker SS1 [B][COLOR="Red"]"To BBQ is human, for swine is divine!"[/COLOR][/B]