Butchering a pig

[eagle697]

I have always purchased my meat from a butcher, but have the opportunity to have a hog slaughtered. Arnold is 235 lbs now and they still have to fatten him a little more. It was raised by a local 4H kid and i can get it butchered however i like. Is there anything i should ask for, or just have them do it "normally". Only thing i could think of was that i have never done a whole shoulder, only done butts. Would it be worth it to get the two shoulders whole? Is there really an advantage to doing them whole? Anything else i should ask for? Thanks

[anygrill]

Decide if you want pork loin or pork chop.

[eagle697]

I will get the loins whole. I always get whole loins when they are on sale for under 2 bucks a pound and cut my own just before i cook them. Seem to taste much better that way.

[eagle697]

I got to thinking ( sometimes dangerous) I never cook bone in porkchops and was wondering what the advantage is. And,if i had them cut as chops, bone in, how would that effect the ribs?

[CajunSmoker]

have them give you the bellies whole so you can make your own bacon

[Mike - CSBBBQ]

If using for a KCBS comp, just the butts not a whole shoulder. If MIM then the entire shoulder. They should be able to do you a good job on the money muscle. They should also be able to trim the ribs so you don't get shiners. Fresh sausage is the best and don't forget the jowl.

[cvan]

if you have the bone in pork chop you don't get baby back ribs just spare ribs.
I have hogs killed I don't like getting anything cured around where I live it always seems to have an old taste to it.
I like fresh side bacon sliced very thick you can put some flour on it and fry it for breakfast its like eating pork chops.
I do like the jowls to be cured and smoked. exception to above rule.
the liver is real good from pigs.
the tounge is good.
you can get better hams from a store I would have sausage made from them for FATTYS
If you are adventuresome keep some intestinse to grill up clean them GOOD and they'll taste good.
Hope I helped

[eagle697]

was thinking of cooking the whole thing at home, just to be different. Is their an advantage to cooking them whole? Was planning on trying to make bacon, and hadn;t thought about getting the ribs cut thicker.

[cheez59]

I think that pork chops have more flavor and juice than boneless loin. I'm not too crazy about babybacks anyway. Grind the hams unless you can sugar cure them. Leave the shoulders whole for smoking. Leave the belly whole for bacon. Lots of good recipes available but I like the Morton sugar cure for bacon. You can do it easily in the fridge. JMHO

[seattlepitboss]

Originally Posted by eagle697

I got to thinking ( sometimes dangerous) I never cook bone in porkchops and was wondering what the advantage is. And,if i had them cut as chops, bone in, how would that effect the ribs?

Bone-in chops simply have much more flavor IMO.

seattlepitboss

[jestridge]

Whole shoulder does really well I would use tender ouick on the bacon then smoke it bring temp. up to around 140 then slice and freez. Those fresh ham make some really good Q or you could tender quick them and smoke like the bacon. Then you have the jowel feet and head. Actually I have ate the ears and heart

[rocketmanray]

You’re going to eat Arnold??
Reminds me of a funny story – My brother and I were seeking sanctuary at some friends house in rural Lake City, Fl after our old VW van threw a rod on a return trip to Georgia Tech from Merritt Island.
We were at dinner after the long day enjoying one of the best rib eyes I had ever eaten, and the our friend asked “How do you like Blackie??”… <Looking down at both their dogs looking at me eating the steak, and neither one were named Blackie…>
I asked back…. “Who's Blackie?”
She said….”you’re eating her, she was slaughtered last fall!”
I kinda lost my appetite. …. Just something about eating a named pet….
OK, so to answer the question and just an opinion…. Bone in anything is better…..

[eagle697]

Too funny! Arnold has hip problems so wouldn't really do to well as a pet or at a farm as he can hardly walk. I guess i will try and get bone in chops, and have the hams ground into sausage. If i tell the butcher to cut boston buts, how do i get him to try and cut a generous "money muscle"? WOuld he know what i meant?

[RW Willy]

Will he make Scrapple?
Its good as long as there is not to much hair init.
Enjoy the pig. It will all be good.

[CajunSmoker]

Originally Posted by eagle697

Too funny! Arnold has hip problems so wouldn't really do to well as a pet or at a farm as he can hardly walk. I guess i will try and get bone in chops, and have the hams ground into sausage. If i tell the butcher to cut boston buts, how do i get him to try and cut a generous "money muscle"? WOuld he know what i meant?

I don't know about the money muscle, but it sure seems like a waste to grind those hams into sausage. I would at least keep one whole to play around with