Game Processing at home

[FeniQuest217]

Wanted some opinions on game processing equipment. Is everything - get what you pay for or are some things you can find bargain wise that work just fine. e.g. weston knife set for $40 versus like a japanese set for $300. Basically will i get a lot out of a knife set --- and its more important to buy a quality meat grinder.

What do you all use anyways? Thanks!

[archer36]

Depends on how much you plan on processing. If you plan on doing one or two deer a year, you don't have to spend on top dollar stuff. 

[Mr12gauge]

I only use 2 decent knives(under $60), the Cabela's meat grinder ($300), and my big expense, the chamber vac ($600 I think). All have paid for themselves in a couple seasons. 

[JFC1]

Just now, Mr12gauge said:

I only use 2 decent knives(under $60), the Cabela's meat grinder ($300), and my big expense, the chamber vac ($600 I think). All have paid for themselves in a couple seasons. 

Have your anyone else compared the quality of meat wrapped carefully in saran wrap and then freezer paper to deer (not fish) that's been vacuum sealed? Is it worth $600 (for fish I have no doubt it is, but my venison comes out clean and sweet a year after I pack it that way). But if you see really differences I'm all ears. Thanks

[mazzgolf]

Question is how many deer do you plan on processing? If its one or two a year, no sense buying best-of-the-best. I do at most 2 a year now. What I have that works really well for me without any problems - I bought these specifically for processing deer at home (so this doesn't count the filet knives and such that I already had):

* A basic Cabela's Deluxe grinder that I bought for about $175

* Just a basic deboning knife I bought on Amazon. Probably no more than $20 or $30.

* I did splurge on a Harbor Freight reciprocating saw to more easily cut the shanks and neck.

* And I did splurge on a better vacuum sealer. For a couple years, I used one I bought from Amazon for no more than $30. But I upgraded to an Anova vacuum sealer for like $150 which I like better

 

[archer36]

4 minutes ago, JFC1 said:

Have your anyone else compared the quality of meat wrapped carefully in saran wrap and then freezer paper to deer (not fish) that's been vacuum sealed? Is it worth $600 (for fish I have no doubt it is, but my venison comes out clean and sweet a year after I pack it that way). But if you see really differences I'm all ears. Thanks

I agree. If you do it properly, you don't need a vacuum sealer. But I bought one for around $100 and have had it for about 10 years with moderate use. Worth it. I wouldn't spend $600. Unnecessary expense for my needs. My Butcher vacuum seals all the venison. I only have to do a little beyond that. Some fish, venison I butcher at home, bulk meats, etc. 

[vdep217]

I have a grinder from dicks that's 10 years old works great still.  I use ducks unlimited knives I get from the decoy show and a skin n blaze.  I also have a cabelas slicer that was 70 bucks 5 years ago.

[mazzgolf]

5 minutes ago, JFC1 said:

Have your anyone else compared the quality of meat wrapped carefully in saran wrap and then freezer paper to deer

I was getting freezer burn on some of my meat I wrapped like that. I definitely feel it is better using a good vacuum sealer (I don't use a chamber vac - I'm cheap, and those are expensive  )

[Deerslayer21]

I generally butcher 2-5 deer a year and this is all I ever need.  plus a case of beer for the garbage men...    

Knives I use one good knife ( Henckels)  and my skinning knife is a outdoor edge ( Which is excellent) watch the fingers....   

I grind with my Kitchenaid attachment that goes on my  mixer ( been using it forever ) 

Butcher block I got from a good buddy that was doing a demo job in a commercial kitchen. 

food saver works fine.  The Chamber vac is obviously more superior but, my food saver works good for me. Never have meat spoil . 

 

[mazzgolf]

Speaking of knives... even just butchering one deer, you will still want to keep your knives sharp (be it your field knife for skinning, or the deboning knife, or filet knife for the finer cuts)... my recommendation (after trying a bunch of knife sharpeners/gadgets before I broke down and bought this) is:

Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener

Don't even think about it - just buy it  

(Amazon link here)

I could never get knives sharp with all the kinds of gadgets that I tried until I bought this thing - it is amazing.

 

 

[vdep217]

16 minutes ago, mazzgolf said:

Speaking of knives... even just butchering one deer, you will still want to keep your knives sharp (be it your field knife for skinning, or the deboning knife, or filet knife for the finer cuts)... my recommendation (after trying a bunch of knife sharpeners/gadgets before I broke down and bought this) is:

Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener

Don't even think about it - just buy it  

(Amazon link here)

I could never get knives sharp with all the kinds of gadgets that I tried until I bought this thing - it is amazing.

 

 

I use one to for my knives and I sm very good with a stone.(I shave with an old school straight razor.

[Mixbaghunter]

Ok been do own deer for 30 year plus other.

Cabelas grinder bought 30 year

Cheap knifes one filet one boneing 

Cutting board from walmart

A few stainless bowl

I have foodsaver but rap in plastic wrap and freezer paper

I do have a slicer dehydration in the last year

And bought a stainless table when I started.  All stuff was payed for years ago 

[GoodOleBoysinPA]

Glad to hear you doing your own butchering.   The way I see it you shouldn't hunt if you can't take care of the meat yourself.   To each his own though.

I would recommend a good boning knife. Doesn't have to be expensive. I'd recommend this:

Amazon.com: Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro Curved Boning Knife, Flexible Blade, 6-Inch, Black : Home & Kitchen

Also, if you need any info on butchering  Bearded Butchers on youtube are pretty good. (1114) The Bearded Butchers - YouTube

[Bigmac]

1 hour ago, mazzgolf said:

Speaking of knives... even just butchering one deer, you will still want to keep your knives sharp (be it your field knife for skinning, or the deboning knife, or filet knife for the finer cuts)... my recommendation (after trying a bunch of knife sharpeners/gadgets before I broke down and bought this) is:

Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener

Don't even think about it - just buy it  

(Amazon link here)

I could never get knives sharp with all the kinds of gadgets that I tried until I bought this thing - it is amazing.

 

 

I agree I’ve had multiple different sharpeners and this is a great sharpener, I have the Ken Onion edition

[Bigmac]

Between my 2 sons and I we butcher 3-5 deer most years.  I have couple of good boning  and filet knives, a Cabela’s 1/2 HP grinder , Cabela’s stuffer, an old Globe slicer that is a workhorse and Weston 15 inch vacuum sealer, a worksharp sharpener to keep knives sharp, I think vacuum sealer with meat first wrapped in plastic wrap is definitely the way to go, I use all year  for wild game, chicken, beef, fish, crabs, and fruits and vegetables.  Don’t have to go crazy and buy all at once