Boiling head issue

[LWArchery]

they will lighten up

[engine4on]

Had the same problem.... I think it is oil / grease that floats to the top of the water.

[texan16]

X2 what Aggie said. Wrap the bases with aluminum foil. Also, once you have the skull cleaned up really good, put it back in the pot with clean water with about a cup of bleach and let it boil again for about 20-30 minutes.

[trjones87]

Ive got a ton of tough meat on the back of the head thats tough to get off and is not just falling off like everything else. suggestions?

[LWArchery]

Wire brush and bohing knife

[Nova]

Back in the pot for more simmering and picking. You can add sodium carbonate to the water to help break down the meat. It is a taxidermy product but you can also find it in Arm and hammer "washing powder". I have also heard it is found in products labeled as "laundry booster". Read the labels and make sure you get the right thing. You also don't want to use too much or use it for too long as it breaks down the joints that hold the more delicate bone like the nose together.

[Texastaxi]

I'm new to this procedure ... what does the tin foil do around the base of the antler?
I have yet to get tin foil to provide a water tight seal on anything.

[Lokmdwn]

I'm new to this procedure ... what does the tin foil do around the base of the antler?
I have yet to get tin foil to provide a water tight seal on anything.

Keeps the steam from lightening the antlers

[Texastaxi]

Keeps the steam from lightening the antlers

I've never had steam lighten the antlers. Maybe it will if you add some crazy chemicals to the water (like soda ash or BLEACH or peroxide), but straight up steam won't do anything to the antler. They will look a little darker, but that's only from the moisture in the steam. After they dry, they'll return to normal.

So, try again ... what does the tin foil do?

[Shane]

Ive got a ton of tough meat on the back of the head thats tough to get off and is not just falling off like everything else. suggestions?

Keep simmering. It'll fall right off when it's done.

[HotRod Hunter]

"So, try again ... what does the tin foil do?"

It keeps the extra meat on the base of the antlers from falling off so you can knaw on it later.

[Bill]

Sodium carbonate is the same stuff you use to raise the pH in a swimming pool. It makes the water more basic and that helps to break down the protein in the tissues. I put a handful into a big pot for a pig's head, plus about a cup of Dawn dish detergent which has enzymes to break down fats and oils. Simmer and do not boil. I think the boiling is bad for the skull, and I know it will inactivate the enzymes in the Dawn.

[Texastaxi]

It keeps the extra meat on the base of the antlers from falling off so you can knaw on it later.

OK, I'll buy that one!

[tookeymonster]

great thred

[Blue Eagle2]

ttt