game processing tools

[egress81]

Ok I have finally decided to butcher and process my own game. I haven't ever processed my own stuff before and I wont be processing a huge amount of game so I don't think I will necessarily need the biggest most HP items.

With that in mind, I am planning to head up to Bass Pro here in a few days so I could use some recommendations on tools, equipment, packaging stuff, etc and any other advice you guys could give me.

[tx07]

Grinder
Slicer
Vacuum sealer
Dehydrator

Thats my list, I still need the vacuum sealer. Been using ziplocks

[Razorback01]

I suggest you specify what you want as far as final product. It can be as simple as steak and stew meat, or as fancy as sausage, jerky, sticks, etc.

[SB09]

I suggest you specify what you want as far as final product. It can be as simple as steak and stew meat, or as fancy as sausage, jerky, sticks, etc.

X2

[ddcainjr]

SHARP knives. I use the Cutco filet knife.

I have the Foodsaver vacuum sealer and I would not recommend it. About half way through a deer or pig it doesn't seal properly. I've talked to other people and they have the same problem. This year I will just wrap the meat rather than vacuum sealing.

[Jaybo31]

I do ground meat(hamburger, chili and pan sausage) and basic cuts (steak, stew, jerky)
Here's what I have and do about 3 deer per season

LEM Big bite grinder
Cheap Oster dehydrator from Walmart(going on 5 years now for jerky)
Vaccum Sealer
Dexter Fillet knives for deboning and cutting up steaks.

[cmeadors]

Its a fun process. For the most part you can get a lot done with a grinder and vac sealer. I would also get a couple meat totes with lids and a scale. Once you debone your game you can age the meat for a couple days in the totes on a shelf in your fridge.. I usually only vac seal the backstraps and loins for steaks on the grill and grind everything else into burger. I use heavy duty 1qt ziplock freezer bags for the burger. Squeeze all the air out and fill the whole bag with about 1.5lb.

I have the cabelas brand stuff and they work awesome but im sure BP has some good stuff too.

[HoustonHunter]

Whatever you do, make sure you buy an electric grinder.

I make mine into ground meat, steaks and cutlets. All I've ever needed is a grinder, a scale, a few good knives and a vacuum sealer.

A few big plastic containers are great when you're grinding up a lot of meat.

Have fun with it--it is rewarding and definitely the best tasting if you do it right.

[Cajun Blake]

my sugestions

get you a couple of the Dexter Sani Safe 6" boning knives model S136 ; the best grinder (with sausage stuffer attachments) you can afford, and a vacuum sealer

the Dexter can be found on fleabay for around $12.00


I de-bone everything and have never used a meat slicer in 25+ yrs of processing wild game. Would be nice to have (want), but not necessarily a need.

[Patton]

Sharp knives is a must for de-boning and cutting
Grinder
I like my Foodsaver Vacuum Sealer, buddy uses Saran Wrap and butcher paper and it works fine.
Scale
Meat tub/bucket
I like to have one or two tubs so you can grind meat, fill up the tub, put it into the cooler, grind more meat and fill up second tub. Then start making things like patties/meatballs etc.

[hot_rod_eddie]

Start slow and add equipment as you need it. Basically just a couple sharp knives and a meat grinder. I do steaks, roasts, jerky and hamburger. Butcher paper or zip lok works fine until you step up to vacuum seal. Make sure you have the time and enjoy the process before you sink a lot of money. By then you will know what you want, and how much you should pay for it.

[bowhunterchris]

Good knife! I would reccomend Dexter or F. D!ck (can't say **** d.i.c.k) I like Dexters but they make my hand hurt after a while. I love how F.D!cks handles feel, much more comfortable.

LEM meat grinder. I have a 1.75hp and that is overkill.

I have moved away from a vaccuum sealer and now just store in butcher paper. Most of my meat does not las a year but I found a backstrap from 3 seasons ago that got buried and it was just fine in the butcher paper. You can get the paper from meat markets and it is ussually $50 per roll and I have processed 7 deer and I am not even halfway through the roll. It is up to a 75% savings versus vaccuum sealing.

A good scale also help and a few big stainless steel bowls.

LEM makes a good hand crank sausage stuffer.

[SwampRabbit]

These are my main tools that I use the most.

-Sharp Deboning knife or two.
-Knife sharpener
-Grinder (#8 or bigger)
-Vacuum Sealer
-Sausage stuffer
-Scale

Other things that I use occasionally

-Dehydrator
-Slicer
-Jerky Cannon
-Electric smoker

Small cost items

-Meat hook
-Meat lugs (bus boy bins)
-Cutting boards

[Cajun Blake]

Small cost items

-Meat hook
-Meat lugs (bus boy bins)
-Cutting boards

I have 3-4 and very useful when processing meat

[SwampRabbit]

I have 3-4 and very useful when processing meat

Yeah, I get then 2 for 12 bucks at Sams club. They even fit in my fridge