Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Food Grade Plastic for Meat Processing & Brining

Collapse
This is a sticky topic.
X
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Food Grade Plastic for Meat Processing & Brining

    Due to a resent discussion on the use of PVC I decided to post this information that I found while doing some research on PVC. Information below is well written and fairly easy to understand & alot better presentation than I could have ever have done.

    I found this very interesting...


    safersolutions.org

    It is important that only 'food-grade' PVC be used with food as ordinary PVC may contain much more of the toxic monomer. This can diffuse out of the plastic into the food, particularly if the food is oily or strongly acid or alkaline. For example, do not use garbage cans for making fruit drinks or pickled cabbage, or for storing edible oil.
    The plastic is made flexible by adding plasticisers, and commercial cling film may contain up to 40 per cent by weight of this. The plasticisers are non-volatile esters and may diffuse into such foods as cheese and meat.

    -----------------------------------------------------------

    I borrowed this information from our friends over at virtualweberbullet so they deserve any and all credit for the information below. Photo attachments are in order from top to bottom 1-13.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    When the subject of brining comes up, people ask what kinds of containers can be used to hold the brining solution and meat. The usual answer is a non-reactive container made from plastic, ceramic, glass, stainless steel, or anodized aluminum (not regular aluminum). Plastic containers are most popular because they are widely available in sizes large enough to hold a whole turkey, a commonly brined meat.
    But are all plastic containers appropriate for contact with your food during brining?

    What Is Plastic?
    Plastic is made from hydrocarbons derived from petroleum or natural gas. The hydrocarbons are formed into chains called polymers, or plastic resins. By combining hydrocarbon molecules in different ways, different types of plastic can be created.

    What Is Food Grade Plastic?
    The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires that plastics used in food packaging be of greater purity than plastics used for non-food packaging. This is commonly referred to as food grade plastic. Plastics used to package pharmaceuticals are held to an even higher standard than food grade.
    Food grade plastic does not contain dyes or recycled plastic deemed harmful to humans. However, this does not mean that food grade plastic cannot contain recycled plastic. The FDA has detailed regulations concerning recycled plastics in food packaging.
    Another aspect of food grade plastic is matching the appropriate type of plastic to the food in question. Foods that are highly acidic or that contain alcohol or fats can leach plastic additives from the packaging or container into the food. As a result, you should only use plastic containers that are FDA approved for the particular type of food the plastic will come into contact with.
    Finally, it should be noted that a plastic container can no longer be considered food grade if it has been used to store non-food items like chemicals, paint, or detergent.

    Types Of Plastic
    In the United States, the following codes represent the seven categories of plastic used in nearly all plastic containers and product packaging:
    PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) is a clear, tough polymer with exceptional gas and moisture barrier properties. PET's ability to contain carbon dioxide (carbonation) makes it ideal for use in soft drink bottles. Examples: Soft drink bottles, detergent bottles

    HDPE (high density polyethylene) is used in milk, juice and water containers in order to take advantage of its excellent protective barrier properties. Its chemical resistance properties also make it well suited for items such as containers for household chemicals and detergents. Most five gallon food buckets are made from HDPE. Examples: Milk bottles, shopping bags

    Vinyl (polyvinyl chloride, or PVC) provides excellent clarity, puncture resistance and cling. As a film, vinyl can breathe just the right amount, making it ideal for packaging fresh meats that require oxygen to ensure a bright red surface while maintaining an acceptable shelf life. Examples: Plastic food wrap, shrink wrap, garden hoses, shoe soles

    LDPE (low density polyethylene) offers clarity and flexibility. It is used to make bottles that require flexibility. To take advantage of its strength and toughness in film form, it is used to produce grocery bags and garbage bags, shrink and stretch film, and coating for milk cartons. Examples: Squeeze bottles, dry cleaning bags

    PP (polypropylene) has high tensile strength, making it ideal for use in caps and lids that have to hold tightly on to threaded openings. Because of its high melting point, polypropylene can be hot-filled with products designed to cool in bottles, including ketchup and syrup. It is also used for products that need to be incubated, such as yogurt. Many Cambo, Tupperware and Rubbermaid food storage containers are made from PP. Examples: Bottle caps, take-out food containers, drinking straws

    PS (polystyrene), in its crystalline form, is a colorless plastic that can be clear and hard. It can also be foamed to provide exceptional insulation properties. Foamed or expanded polystyrene (EPS) is used for products such as meat trays, egg cartons and coffee cups. It is also used for packaging and protecting appliances, electronics and other sensitive products. Examples: Plastic foam, packing peanuts, coat hangers

    Other denotes plastics made from other types of resin or from several resins mixed together. These usually cannot be recycled.
    Another important type of plastic is polycarbonate, a clear shatter-resistant material used in restaurant food storage containers and the Rubbermaid Premier line of stain-resistant home food storage containers.
    Why do we need different types of plastics, anyway? This excerpt from the American Plastics Council website explains it well.
    "Copper, silver and aluminum are all metals, yet each has unique properties. You wouldn't make a car out of silver or a beer can out of copper because the properties of these metals are not chemically or physically able to create the most effective final product. Likewise, while plastics are all related, each resin has attributes that make it best suited to a particular application. Plastics make this possible because as a material family they are so versatile."
    Not All HDPE Containers Are Food Grade
    There is a common misconception that all containers made of white plastic or HDPE plastic bearing the symbol are food grade containers. This is not true.
    If you are considering the purchase of a container from some place other than a kitchen or restaurant supply store, and the container is not clearly labeled as "food safe" or being made of food grade plastic, then you should assume that it is not food grade and you should not brine in it—unless you line it with a food grade plastic bag.

    Plastic Containers For Brining

    Any food grade HDPE, PP, or polycarbonate container is appropriate for brining. These materials can withstand the salt, acids (e.g. orange juice, Coca-Cola), and alcohol (e.g. beer, booze) used in flavor brines.




    As a general rule:
    • Food storage containers sold at restaurant supply stores are made of food grade HDPE, PP, or polycarbonate.
    • The interior of ice chests are made of food grade HDPE.
    • Any white, opaque plastic bucket that contains food for human consumption is made of food grade HDPE.
    When in doubt, ask the seller or manufacturer if the container is made of food grade plastic.




    Here are some examples of plastic brining containers you can use:
    • Food Service Containers: Cambro or Rubbermaid food-grade containers from a restaurant supply store (See photos 1-3)
    • Food-Safe Plastic Buckets: Used bulk food buckets (Photos 4-5). You can often get food grade HDPE buckets free for the asking from restaurants, delis and bakeries. Think pickles, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, chocolate syrup, strawberry puree, shortening—all these things come in food grade plastic buckets.
    • Coolers: Large, medium and small insulated ice chests (Photos 6-7, 11)
    • Non-Food-Safe Plastic Buckets: Lined with a food-safe plastic bag, Ziploc Big Bags XL, or turkey roasting bag
    Plastic Bags For Brining

    Sometimes brining in a food grade plastic bag is more convenient and takes less space in the refrigerator than using a bulky plastic container.
    Regular Ziploc bags can be used safely for brining (Photo 7). The one-gallon size can be used for small cuts of meat like pork chops, chicken pieces, while the two-gallon size will accommodate a whole or butterflied chicken. Just put the meat in the bag, add the brine, zip the top, and place in a mixing bowl in the fridge for support and to catch any leaks (Photo 8).
    For items like a whole turkey, large food grade plastic bags will do the trick. One such product is Ziploc Big Bags XL (Photos 9-11). These thick, sturdy bags are designed to store anything, including food, and are made of the same food grade plastic as regular Ziploc bags. They measure 2' x 1.7' and hold up to 10 gallons. They include built-in handles and a pleated bottom that allows the bag stand up on its own.
    Another product is Reynolds Oven Bag for Turkey (Photos 12-13). These bags can be used as a liner inside any non-food grade plastic container. In fact, you can add plain water outside the bag to displace some of the volume of the container, thus reducing the amount of brine needed inside the bag.
    Both Ziploc Big Bags XL and Reynolds Oven Bag for Turkey are available in stores alongside regular Ziploc bags.

    Some kitchen supply stores and catalogs sell disposable plastic bags designed especially for turkey brining. They are made of food grade plastic, but tend to be very expensive compared to the bags shown above. Plastics To Avoid
    If you know that a plastic container or bag is not made of food grade material, you should not use it for brining. If you cannot determine the food grade status of a container or bag, you should not use it for brining.






    Examples include:
    • HDPE white plastic containers of unknown food grade status
    • Garbage cans or pails
    • Mop buckets
    • Laundry detergent or kitty litter buckets
    • Dry pet food buckets
    • 5-gallon utility buckets from the home center
    • Household storage containers
    • Garbage bags
    • Any container—even if made of food grade plastic—that has been used to store non-food items like chemicals, paint, or detergent
    Attached Files
    Last edited by Blowin Smoke; 02-05-2012, 12:56 PM.



  • #2
    good information and nice to have it put together in one area.
    BBQ Eng.

    The "Cow Girls" were adopted from the shelter, and found on petfinder.com.
    Adopt a homeless pet - http://www.petfinder.com
    I built the Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden Smoker Build

    Over 5000 unreadable posts...Photobucket can kiss my ass...they will never get a dime. I will not pay a ransom.

    Comment


    • #3
      Seriously, I almost used a plastic bucket from a hardware store for something recently but decided against it. This is good info!
      I rub it every chance I get!




      QUOTE = Meat Hunter

      Granted, all this is just in my head. Until I win the lotto, or my career as a stripper pays off, I'm forced to use the kitchen counter....

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks for the info!!
        Brian

        Certified Sausage & Pepper Head
        Yoder YS640
        Weber Genesis
        Weber 18.5" Kettle
        Weber Performer
        Misfit # 1899

        sigpic

        Comment


        • #5
          Excellent Stuff


          sigpic

          Comment


          • #6
            Someone needs to sticky this.
            Great info. Still not sure high pressure drinking water pvc isn't safe, but this will certainly make me do my homework before I use it.


            Tom

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks Dan... and you CAN get a small to medium sided yardbird in a gallon bag... I even have video...

              I shudder to think on that whole "Garbage bag brined turkey" thing from a while back. Yeesh...
              In God I trust- All others pay cash...
              Check out the Mad Hunky and products at https://madhunkymeats.com or https://www.facebook.com/MadHunkyMeats
              Lang 60D, The Beast, 18 and 22 WSM, Brinkmann Backroads trailer, Weber 22 Kettle, gutted MB burning watts

              Comment


              • #8
                Great thread... thanks for posting!

                Originally posted by Richtee View Post
                I shudder to think on that whole "Garbage bag brined turkey" thing from a while back. Yeesh...
                Oops, I am guilty of this... but still alive!
                --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
                www.OwensBBQ.com

                Comment


                • #9
                  Excellent post. Thank you for your time in putting it together.
                  Rudy

                  sigpic
                  GOSM Big Block
                  SnPP - Rehab'd after 16 years
                  22.5" Weber Kettle
                  Smokey Joe for the RV
                  Assorted Digital Thermos
                  and a ugly BROWN thermapen cuz it was on sale!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Back when I consumed alcohol on a regular basis, I drank what I swear was 2 gallons of the best everclear punch in the world from a plastic trash can. Oh well, I guess it's better than eating smoked food from a galvanized trash can.


                    Tom

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Gunslinger View Post
                      Back when I consumed alcohol on a regular basis, I drank what I swear was 2 gallons of the best everclear punch in the world from a plastic trash can. Oh well, I guess it's better than eating smoked food from a galvanized trash can.
                      I hear ya Gunny...had some bad flashbacks myself of my days at LSU and all the Jungle Juice we made every Friday night before game days...all consumed dippin' dixie cups out of a green plastic 40 gallon garbage can.
                      Rudy

                      sigpic
                      GOSM Big Block
                      SnPP - Rehab'd after 16 years
                      22.5" Weber Kettle
                      Smokey Joe for the RV
                      Assorted Digital Thermos
                      and a ugly BROWN thermapen cuz it was on sale!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        very informative post, and i thought plastic was plastic
                        sigpic
                        Brown Trout Wickiup Reservoir, beautiful Central Oregon

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          A very interesting read but it still does not address the issue of using water pipe as a container. I would like to see some info on the directly referring to water pipe.
                          Thanks for posting this info also though.
                          Karl
                          Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, Rage against the dying of the light.

                          www.wedlinydomowe.com/

                          http://www.wedlinydomowe.com/sausage...ure-calculator

                          ExhaustedSpark
                          Disabled
                          Member American Legion
                          Life Member NRA
                          Life Member ARRL

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Great info and thanks for posting it.
                            sigpic

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by ExhaustedSpark View Post
                              A very interesting read but it still does not address the issue of using water pipe as a container. I would like to see some info on the directly referring to water pipe.
                              Thanks for posting this info also though.
                              Karl
                              All I have found says OK for COLD potable water, NOT food safe applications. There IS a type, or a couple that are safe, but not the standard Sch 40 PVC pipe.
                              In God I trust- All others pay cash...
                              Check out the Mad Hunky and products at https://madhunkymeats.com or https://www.facebook.com/MadHunkyMeats
                              Lang 60D, The Beast, 18 and 22 WSM, Brinkmann Backroads trailer, Weber 22 Kettle, gutted MB burning watts

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X