Pork Purchase question - date and freshness

KC_Bobby · 03-27-2009, 11:57 AM

I'm going to cook 4 butts overnight Saturday and I need 4 more butts to cook the following weekend for a comp.

Should I:
A) go to Sam's Club Saturday morning and buy a case (8 butts)
B) go to Sam's Club Saturday morning to by 4 butts, then go back again Wednesday evening to buy 4 more to cook for the comp

I'd prefer not to freeze the comp butts prior to cooking, but I am willing to put them in the freezer for a few hours at a day to ensure that I'm keeping them as cold as possible - if that would help with freshness.

I'm going to call Sam's to find out when they get shipments - who knows, maybe both days would be out of the same shipment and it wouldn't matter anyway.

musicmanryann · 03-27-2009, 12:16 PM

I think holding them in a cold refrigerator in cryovak for a week should be fine. Just make sure the fridge stays cold. However, this would depend on when the case you are buying was slaughtered and packed. Hope this helps!

BBQ_Mayor · 03-27-2009, 01:23 PM

Should be fine, but like musicmanryan said, check the date.

Plowboy · 03-27-2009, 01:38 PM

I'd talk to the meat guy and see if he'd sell you 1/2 now and 1/2 later at case price. Unless you get a real flunky, they will. Just talk to them. You are probably okay doing it that way, but I'd rather have my pork as fresh as possible.

KC_Bobby · 03-27-2009, 01:50 PM

Yeah, next weekend if full of pork cookin machines. We need to not skip any steps here to have a chance of hearing our name.

Divemaster · 03-27-2009, 02:06 PM

I think you should be fine, and again, check the dates.... Also remember there is a HUGE difference between 'Sell by' and 'Use by'.....

Talk to them, they have always been willing to work with me.

Que'inKC · 03-27-2009, 03:32 PM

You'll be fine...Randy and I cooked 4 butts for the Raisin Ranch Comp last fall that were frozen for 6 mos and we got 3rd place (some of the best pork we ever cooked)....Not saying I would do this every time, but it worked...

moocow · 03-27-2009, 05:09 PM

Last year the Sams in Grandview got there meat in on thursday morning for the weekend rush.

Plowboy · 03-27-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moocow

Last year the Sams in Grandview got there meat in on thursday morning for the weekend rush.

Yep, Tuesday and Thursday are usually meat days at Sam's.

baughman · 03-27-2009, 06:19 PM

Dont some of you guys age them 3 weeks before comps? I think a few extra days in this case is fine.

KC_Bobby · 03-27-2009, 09:50 PM

Meat manager in Indy told me he's getting a truck in on Wednesday. I'll be back Wednesday night to get 4 more. The price diff was only 16 cents a pound. It wasn't enough to get concerned about.

Coz · 03-28-2009, 09:21 AM

What was the price there.We went to the Sams in Madison,Wi last nite and bought 3 cases and it was 1.04 a lb.I think it was 1.38 for the twin cryos.Well worth the hour drive for us.

KC_Bobby · 03-28-2009, 04:08 PM

1.02 a case
1.16 for twins

Big George's BBQ · 03-28-2009, 06:53 PM

I have frozen them with success. Just give yourself plenty of time to thaw them n the fridge

Solidkick · 03-29-2009, 10:59 AM

I think you made the right decision to go back and get 4 more later in the week.
Sedalia, last year, I bought the butts on Monday and held until the weekend.....it was a big mistake, though they weren't bad when I opened them, they were strong....I should have just gone and gotten a couple more there in town and Chris inspect them late, but I chose to go ahead and cook them. Worst finish all year in pork.

Good luck next weekend!

03-27-2009, 11:57 AM	#1
KC_Bobby Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: Gardner KS Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Pork Purchase question - date and freshness I'm going to cook 4 butts overnight Saturday and I need 4 more butts to cook the following weekend for a comp. Should I: A) go to Sam's Club Saturday morning and buy a case (8 butts) B) go to Sam's Club Saturday morning to by 4 butts, then go back again Wednesday evening to buy 4 more to cook for the comp I'd prefer not to freeze the comp butts prior to cooking, but I am willing to put them in the freezer for a few hours at a day to ensure that I'm keeping them as cold as possible - if that would help with freshness. I'm going to call Sam's to find out when they get shipments - who knows, maybe both days would be out of the same shipment and it wouldn't matter anyway. __________________ Boondoggle BBQ Country Smokers 450 Weber Smokey Mountain 18" Proud KCBS Member & Certified Judge

03-27-2009, 12:16 PM	#2
musicmanryann is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-11-08 Location: Ames, Iowa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I think holding them in a cold refrigerator in cryovak for a week should be fine. Just make sure the fridge stays cold. However, this would depend on when the case you are buying was slaughtered and packed. Hope this helps! __________________ Big T'z Q Cru Championship BBQ Team CBJ #50801 6 WSM's 2 Weber Kettles FEC100 2 Backwoods Fatboy 2 Not-so-Ugly Drum Smokers from Gateway BBQ Store Jambo -- The Orange Monster www.bigtzbbq.com Join our facebook group

03-27-2009, 01:23 PM	#3
BBQ_Mayor is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 05-14-07 Location: Cambridge,Ia Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Should be fine, but like musicmanryan said, check the date. __________________ Ray Smokehouse 72 Competition Cooking team Visit our Facebook page - Smokehouse72 WSM Whole Hog Smoker CBJ #4643

03-27-2009, 01:38 PM	#4
Plowboy somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-09-06 Location: Blue Springs, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'd talk to the meat guy and see if he'd sell you 1/2 now and 1/2 later at case price. Unless you get a real flunky, they will. Just talk to them. You are probably okay doing it that way, but I'd rather have my pork as fresh as possible. __________________ Pork Pullin Plowboys (and Smoke on Wheels) Save a hog, ride a plowboy! www.plowboysbbq.com Todd Johns (me); Blue Springs, MO Randy Hinck (PigBoy); Concordia, MO Andy Groneman (Hodedo); KC, KS (Cameo Appearances) FEC-500SS; FEC-100 (Right handed); FEC-100 (Left handed); Country Smoker Tailgater; Big Green Egg (2-large, small, mini); Cookshack Pellet Fired Charbroiler

03-27-2009, 01:50 PM	#5
KC_Bobby Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: Gardner KS Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yeah, next weekend if full of pork cookin machines. We need to not skip any steps here to have a chance of hearing our name. __________________ Boondoggle BBQ Country Smokers 450 Weber Smokey Mountain 18" Proud KCBS Member & Certified Judge

03-27-2009, 02:06 PM	#6
Divemaster somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 09-23-07 Location: North Side of Chicago Illinois Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I think you should be fine, and again, check the dates.... Also remember there is a HUGE difference between 'Sell by' and 'Use by'..... Talk to them, they have always been willing to work with me. __________________ Jeff CBJ# 23376 Stockcar BBQ Race Fast, Cook Slow, and Enjoy Life! If it don't come off a smoker, it's just a side dish! Lang 60 Patio (The Mistress), Black Stainless Lang 36 (Little Princess), Large BGE (Ramona), Big Green UDS (Cottage Cooker), Brinkman SnP Pro (Little Bubba-Retired), 8 Burner Gasser, 3 - 22.5" & 1 - 18" (circa 1975) Weber Grills, & a Weber Smoky Joe.

03-27-2009, 03:32 PM	#7
Que'inKC is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-27-07 Location: Blue Springs, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You'll be fine...Randy and I cooked 4 butts for the Raisin Ranch Comp last fall that were frozen for 6 mos and we got 3rd place (some of the best pork we ever cooked)....Not saying I would do this every time, but it worked... __________________ Jeff WSM w/Mods 22" Weber Kettle - Gold Country Smoker CS-450 KCBS Member #24405 CBJ #24405 [B]R Butts R Smokin Comp Team [URL="http://www.rbuttsrsmokin.com"]www.rbuttsrsmokin.com[/URL] [/B]

03-27-2009, 05:09 PM	#8
moocow is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-31-08 Location: Belton, mo Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Last year the Sams in Grandview got there meat in on thursday morning for the weekend rush. __________________ -Shane Petzold- -MooCow BBQ team- -President of Operation BBQ Relief- -www.moocowbbq.com- -Home of the Make it Take it Drum Class- -kCBS/ CBJ- - Stoker powered stainless steel cabinet smoker-Mini & 3 Regular UDS-BLUE Weber OTG-Saffire ceramic grill-26" plow disc-Green mountain pellet -Haulmark Competition trailer-

03-27-2009, 06:19 PM	#10
baughman Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 06-15-08 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Dont some of you guys age them 3 weeks before comps? I think a few extra days in this case is fine. __________________ 1 wsm

03-27-2009, 09:50 PM	#11
KC_Bobby Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: Gardner KS Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Meat manager in Indy told me he's getting a truck in on Wednesday. I'll be back Wednesday night to get 4 more. The price diff was only 16 cents a pound. It wasn't enough to get concerned about. __________________ Boondoggle BBQ Country Smokers 450 Weber Smokey Mountain 18" Proud KCBS Member & Certified Judge

03-28-2009, 09:21 AM	#12
Coz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-05-07 Location: Montello,Wi Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What was the price there.We went to the Sams in Madison,Wi last nite and bought 3 cases and it was 1.04 a lb.I think it was 1.38 for the twin cryos.Well worth the hour drive for us. __________________ Stumps Clone "RAINMAKER" Stumps Clone RIP 9-20-08 Stumps Clone "LIL RAIN " Stumps Clone " CHRISTINE " ONE Evil Biotch and another in process BRINGIN' THE HEAT BBQ Team just Cloning around

03-28-2009, 04:08 PM	#13
KC_Bobby Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: Gardner KS Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	1.02 a case 1.16 for twins __________________ Boondoggle BBQ Country Smokers 450 Weber Smokey Mountain 18" Proud KCBS Member & Certified Judge

03-28-2009, 06:53 PM	#14
Big George's BBQ somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 02-07-08 Location: Phoenixville, PA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have frozen them with success. Just give yourself plenty of time to thaw them n the fridge

03-29-2009, 10:59 AM	#15
Solidkick somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-21-03 Location: Bandera Owner in Missouri Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I think you made the right decision to go back and get 4 more later in the week. Sedalia, last year, I bought the butts on Monday and held until the weekend.....it was a big mistake, though they weren't bad when I opened them, they were strong....I should have just gone and gotten a couple more there in town and Chris inspect them late, but I chose to go ahead and cook them. Worst finish all year in pork. Good luck next weekend! __________________ Mr. Kick ------------------------------------------------ *Belly Brothers BBQ Team* "Sister Flame" Spicewine Trailer Smoker,Modified Bandera, Uni-Flame Chicken Cooker with a Spicewine Thermometer mod,Kingsford Barrel cooker and a super fast RED thermapen KC always said "fat cap up!!

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