More About Sous Vide

[dcarch]

This is a spin-off from Mark R's thread as per his request:

http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/sho...412#post475412

Just to clear a few issues:

"---As stated in the previous quote, that leaves an air pocket causing uneven cooking. It is cooking it without cleaning (washing) it. It is cooking it in the mfg packaging that is not intended for cooking. Most frozen turkeys come with the neck and giblets inside them wrapped in paper, they could not have been removed.--"

No, there is no air pocket in a frozen turkey. Even there is, it has no effect on temperature, since heat is applier from outside into the center, not the other way around.

Regarding cleaning, there are many recommendations not to wash poultry to avoid spreading germs. In any case, recommended cooking temperature and time basically sanitize the turkey.

Yes, giblets are cooked inside the turkey, which for the purpose of preparing cooked meat for the freezer, it does not matter to me.

The packaging I would assume it is food-grade heat shrink plastic. In any case, chemical reaction is temperature dependent as well as the amount of agitation involved. At low temperature and no agitation, I assume any chemical reaction would be minimal. Furthermore, if there is chemical migrating from the plastic, it would be blocked by the thick turkey skin, which is discarded and not consumed.

I agree with you, it is always good advice to do plenty of your own research, never follow just one source, including this one, when it comes to health.

dcarch

[Mark R]

Hey, if it works for you - fine!

[HawgHeaven]

I don't know enough about this type of cooking yet to give an educated answer, butt my gut tells me, take it out of its original wrapper, clean it, do what ever you want to with seasoning, seal it up, then drop it in the bath. Simple.

Am I missing something?

[Mark R]

I don't know enough about this type of cooking yet to give an educated answer, butt my gut tells me, take it out of its original wrapper, clean it, do what ever you want to with seasoning, seal it up, then drop it in the bath. Simple.

Am I missing something?

Not to speak for dcarch but yes and no.
It's kind of difficult to cut a turkey in half while frozen, to get the giblets out also. He's also cooking it just for sammies so a lot of seasoning is not required. I would at least wash it and re bag it. I still don't think it's a good idea to cook whole, but it works for him.

[Richtee]

How are there no air pockets in a frozen turkey? There's SOME water/juice etc. in there but that cavity is not full...in my experience.

[Mark R]

How are there no air pockets in a frozen turkey? There's SOME water/juice etc. in there but that cavity is not full...in my experience.

Ya know there is no reason you couldn't fill it with liquid, just thinking out loud.
Put it in the bag, pour some broth and white wine in there?
Kind of defeating the keep it as "simple as possible", butt.

[Richtee]

Ya know there is no reason you couldn't fill it with liquid, just thinking out loud.
.

Had the same thought. Quietly.

On edit... if the factory packaging is not an issue (I'd remove it) you could just inject till full and vac over the packaging.

[dcarch]

How to cut a frozen turkey in half? My video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdqR9ZV-8_4

You will see also there is no cavity.

Regarding washing:

Drexel university

DON'T WASH YOUR CHICKEN
Although raw chicken and turkey can carry bacteria on their surfaces, research has shown that washing raw poultry under running water in your kitchen sink is a bad idea.
If germs were visible to the naked eye, you would see that washing poultry just splashes bacteria all over you, your kitchen towels, your countertops, and any other food you have nearby, such as raw foods or salads. This can make people sick, especially young children, pregnant women, older adults and the immuno-compromised.
Instead, just take raw poultry straight from the package into the cooking pan. The heat from the cooking process will kill any bacteria that are present. Then simply clean up any splashes and wash your hands with soap and hot water.
--------------------------------------------------
From USDA:

But the U.S. Department of Agriculture has advised against washing raw poultry, including turkey and chicken, according to food researcher Jennifer Quinlan. The department suggests that, rather than getting rid of bacteria, washing your raw poultry is more likely to spread it around your sink. This increases the risk of contaminating clean dishes, which would make the bacteria easier to ingest.

[Richtee]

OK..that looks pretty fun. I have never used a sawz-all on food. I HAVE used a table and band saw however.

Might this be solid because it's not a big bird? What was the weight?

[dcarch]

OK..that looks pretty fun. I have never used a sawz-all on food. I HAVE used a table and band saw however.

Might this be solid because it's not a big bird? What was the weight?

I use my table saw for big bones a lot, for marrow. Wrap in plastic, frozen, not much mess, and quick. For leg of lamb also.

12" table saw with carbide blade. Takes seconds.

I have split many turkeys, big and small, no cavities.

dcarch

[Mark R]

I have cut a few with a band saw (butcher shop) and there was an air pocket in them. Prolly varies from bird to bird.
Rich, sawz-all is all we use on deer these days, much easier. Butt that's all we use that one on, well - pigs too!

[dcarch]

I have cut a few with a band saw (butcher shop) and there was an air pocket in them. Prolly varies from bird to bird.-------

As I said, those birds were $0.39 a lb (sometimes free, if you spend $100) all pre-salted "enhanced" packed with water.

dcarch

[Richtee]

As I said, those birds were $0.39 a lb (sometimes free, if you spend $100) all pre-salted "enhanced" packed with water.

AhhHA. I missed that. Thanks DC. Hey- for grins... chain saw?? C'mon! U CAN DO IT!

[Mark R]

As I said, those birds were $0.39 a lb (sometimes free, if you spend $100) all pre-salted "enhanced" packed with water.

dcarch

I missed that too!

[Charcuteryan]

AhhHA. I missed that. Thanks DC. Hey- for grins... chain saw?? C'mon! U CAN DO IT!

How bout a log splitter?