thawing a whole packer

[j. pavone]

i plan on smoking a 15lb. whole packer during the holidays and was wondering the best way to thaw. should i put it in the fridge a week before or is that too much time? how long to thaw in a bucket of water?

 

[Ken Nelson]

Thawing the packer in the fridge over a couple of days is definitely the safest and most hassle-free way to go.

Storing it in the refrigerator for a week as it thwws is also not a problem, as long as it's in the original COV package. Many competition cooks wet age their briskets in the Cryovac for a month or more.

Hope this helps.

Ken

 

[Paul H]

Did one a few weeks ago. Took about three days to defrost.

 

[j. pavone]

thanks for the response. its cryo packed so i will give it a week in the fridge.