I've been reading some of the pig hunting books Muzza sent my way (thanks again mate)and a few talk about singeing. I've also heard of scraping the hair off after a hot bath. Whats the best way and could someone explain the process (water temp and such?)

Bakes;
It depends if you are going to cure the meat or
not- if you need to scrape it- or just skin out
* need 55 gallon drum
* build platform to hold barrel
* dig out fire pit under platform
* boil water
* need burlap sacks several -when water is
boiling put sacks in water-
* have platform/table to lay hog on
* place hot sacks on hog occasionally
pulling at hair when comes out easy scrap
repeat as needed-
* you can use the tip of a garden hoe to
scrap hog-

Hi Bakes,

prety muchas Bolt Action describes, however, I would add... don't make the platform out of wood... it might seem obvious, but I've seen it done, and when the platform burns away, the result can be hilarious, or dangerous, depending on how close to the fire everyone is...

use a thermometer too - get mr pig too hot and the hair wont come out at all . We use an old cast iron bath filled with hot water - you need to roll the hog around a bit , and once he is lifted out you dont have a lot of time to scrape the hair off.
Nothing worse than a half hairy pig - looks like a bit like a german womans armpit...

muzza's bathtub, beats an old drum, it's much easier to use. Water temp, should be around 140 F., if I remember correctly. He is right about having to work fast before Herr Swine cools off.

That is why I just skin my hogs. A whole lot less trouble.


Hog Killer

And a Kiwi can have a wash in it too (after the pig is done). Saves water.

Now , John-boy - just cos a badly scalded pig is as bristly as a German winemakers chin doesnt mean you have to make uncomplimentary remarks about the bathing habits of either pigs or kiwis....At least we have more than enough water to be able to bathe as often as we wish , unlike many of your fellow desert-dwellers....

quote:

Originally posted by muzza:
..... the bathing habits of either pigs or kiwis....

Are they similar?

Hey it is raining at the moment. Hasn't done that properly for several months. Still not raining properly but is promising to do so. Might be my turn to have a bath soon .

Talking about rain, it creates this stuff called mud and got bogged today. Not used to wet-dirt.

I've helped scrape em, and Ive also helped "singe" em. Both do the same thing, but singing is much easier.
You need a large propane torch head (rosebud type) and keep the torch moving (otherwise you'll blister the hide).
Another advantage to singing is that you can do it while there hanging.

Simplest way is plunge him/her (pig) into a bath of water made up of 2 parts boiling water and 1 part cold and start scraping with the back of a large knife.
No need or a thermometer! Used this method numerous times,simple and works a treat.

Al.

Actually got some wild pork in the freezer right now. We'll be serving it up to my work mates on our mid year do. Thanks for the replys fella's.

Bakes, it's surprising to me that you'd eat some wild pork. I'd asked you some time ago whether you ate any pig you ever shot and you said that all you did was take the tusks and kick the carcass to one side.
What made you change up?

My mate Gary has been raving about the meals he's been having, pork,buff,donkey and horse. He supply's the meat to a work mate who is a foodie and Dimmi (the work mate) cooks Gary curry's and such in a preasure cooker. I thought I'd give it ago and try some (not touching the horse or donkey though)

Who knows I may even like it

I thought a lot of Aussie feral pigs had a high incidence of disease.

How do you tell a diseased one from a clean one?

Nitro
I took a mate out who, before he joined the RAAF, did a stint as an accredited pig hunter. He was also a boner at a meat works. Handy bloke. He gave me a run down on what to look for on the lungs,liver and kidneys, ie no spots/lumps.