I was just wondering how people freeze the venison to get the best results.

The use of freezer paper seems to be highly recommended and common practice by many American's, but its not something I have tried..

For the small quantities I normally deal with, I just use freezer bags and try to exclude as much air as possible before sealing...I can't say I've noticed any of the cuts suffering from freezer burn and I don't know whether using freezer paper would offer any improvement...

Vac packers also seem to be growing in popularity for home use but again I've not used one...Are they used mainly for the convenience or do they actually keep the venison better? I assume that unlike freezer bags, the plastic used is not air/water permeable, which should be an advantage in it self??

is there any particular brand that is recommended for domestic use?

Regards,

Peter

Vacuum packing (with a device generating proper vacuum) is the way to go. It avoids freezer burn and increases storage life in the freezer compared to paper or plastic wrapped items.

- mike

I vac pack everything now including game birds, & mince etc... However I would reccomend defrosting outside of the bag to prevent the meat sitting in the liquids created as this can affect/effect the product when cooking.

FB

FB,

What sort of vac packer do you have?

Regards,

Peter

Petee!

I have a "Manual" vaccum packer.

All it requires is a large quantity of appropriately sized Zip-Lock Bags; they are currently available in many differnet (large) sizes but the thickest or "heaviest" ones work best for larger cuts like hindquarters or complete backstraps. You may not find the largest sizes in Supermarkets, either, but in agricultural supply stores, pet food shops or hardware stores where they sell loose items in bulk.

Insert Bits & Pieces of Game, close the lockable tab almost to end leaving a small opening large enough to suck out remaining air. Works very well Thank You and you won't get freezer burn.

Pete,

Oh, forgot to anwer the mail.......the Freezer Paper has gone the way of the Red Plaid hunting shirt, some still use it but not many.

Pete,

I use the venus vac packer that works well providing the items are dry ish, and there isn't oil on the bag wgere it seals.

I vac pack large mumbers of packets each year between the venison, game birds and ready meals that I pre cook and it works fine for now. If I'm really honest though I want a better machine but that's just me because sometimes it just isn't quite enough for what I want, but that's marginal.

Thanks for the feed back guys...

I'm still not sure why freezer paper was so popular in the States though, unless its a hang over from before freezer bags?

Anyways, it looks like I have found a Christmas present for my self!

Regards,

Peter

I bone the meat and wrap with plastic wrap and I haven't had problems. Remember that for every 10 F lower temperature you double storage life ! Organ meats have much shorter storage life.

Backstraps /Fillets Etc, Never ever make it to the freezer, They're all gone before the fortnight after the aquisition of same is over Buurrrpp!