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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
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United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Vac packing meat for extended life
I’m thinking of buying a food vacuum sealer next time they are in Aldi. The idea being for my next trip I can repack fresh meat so it takes up less space in the fridge and has a longer life. Does anyone have an idea of how much extra life I’ll get from say chicken breasts or burgers when vac packed assuming they are kept refrigerated, not frozen. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #763565 15th Mar 2019 8:58am
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IGP



Member Since: 05 Feb 2019
Location: Caverswall
Posts: 28

United Kingdom 
That's what we have done in the past. We also freeze all the meat and allow it to defrost in the fridge. If it needs more defrosting ten we put it in the storage drawer during the day and it's ready for the evening.
We were still eating Bacon sandwiches for breakfast after 3 weeks in Libya (a while ago before it got dodgy).

Ivan
Post #763566 15th Mar 2019 9:27am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3993

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Thanks. I think bacon has quite a long shelf life anyway though doesn't it? Wondering how much extra I might get from something with a shorter life. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #763568 15th Mar 2019 9:45am
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IGP



Member Since: 05 Feb 2019
Location: Caverswall
Posts: 28

United Kingdom 
When we lived in Oz , we were told vacuum packed meat could last up to 3 weeks out of a fridge provided it was kept from the sunlight. However, we didn't trust that advice so on all long trips, we always freeze the meat and store it in the fridge. We have had it last up to 4 weeks like that (trip ended after 4 weeks). Have stored Pork, Chicken and Steak like this.
We used to vac pack it in meal size portions so we only had to get out one portion a day.

HTH

Ivan
Post #763571 15th Mar 2019 10:10am
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X4CAC



Member Since: 30 Apr 2018
Location: Midlands
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United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
You could get 7 -> 10 days extra shelf life on fresh meat that is vac packed and kept refrigerated. It would depend on the way the meat was packed prior to purchase (i.e. already vac packed or fresh). Burgers being processed pose a higher risk of contamination due to production processes and would have a shorter shelf life fresh or vac packed. Refrigeration needs to be ideally no higher than 5 deg C.

Personally, I would not go over 7 days (4-5 days for burgers) due to potential clostridium botulinum growth (it grows with very low levels of oxygen), and not knowing how the meat was prepared/stored/packed prior to purchase adds to the complexity. As with all food, care should be taken with cooking thoroughly before eating.

That's the official line of what they teach in the Advanced Food Safety courses in the UK where I appreciate they will always veer on the side of caution, especially when these rules apply to those working in hospitals, schools, care homes etc
Post #763578 15th Mar 2019 10:48am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3993

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Thanks, that's useful, probably best to stay away from processed stuff then. Just trying to work out if it is worth doing this for Morocco, bearing in mind i'm taking four days to get down there, or just buy fresh in normal packaging in Spain before we cross the boarder. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #763587 15th Mar 2019 11:31am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
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United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
We took some vac packed meat on a three week Morocco trip nearly twenty years ago. In combination with a fridge, it worked very well. ISTR we ordered it from a specialist meat company for the purpose of the trip. This was obviously long before it was practical to buy the kit for home use. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #763598 15th Mar 2019 12:22pm
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IGP



Member Since: 05 Feb 2019
Location: Caverswall
Posts: 28

United Kingdom 
When we went to Morocco we got the butcher to vacuum pack the meat for us (was before you could get the kit from Aldi). Only ever vac packed fresh meat and it lasted the 3 weeks of the trip.

Ivan
Post #763600 15th Mar 2019 12:41pm
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dantastic



Member Since: 04 May 2010
Location: London
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Just a heads up on the Aldi machine. I bought it a couple of weeks ago when it was on offer here.
It's not great.
There are cheaper ones on Amazon and eBay and your usual places. Lidl also do a cheaper one.
As for the function it works ok. Sealing ends still tries to suck and takes a long time. If you have any liquid at all in the bag (think the extra wetness on cooked veg) the unit often fails to seal.
For the money, there are better units out there. Just my 2c.

Other than that, vacuum packing is great!
Post #763625 15th Mar 2019 2:37pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
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United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Could someone recommend a unit that is better than the Aldi one then? 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #763829 16th Mar 2019 4:33pm
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m3vert



Member Since: 15 Mar 2018
Location: Central Scotland
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Scotland 2011 Defender 110 2.5 TD PU Stornoway Grey
Quote:
Could someone recommend a unit that is better than the Aldi one then?


I have been using this Andrew James brand for years for Sous Vide cooking, not the best on the market but certainly worth the money in my opinion. None of them at this price range will deal with liquid in the bag, for that you need a chamber machine but they are serious money! I am sure this will do everything you need, the bags are very cheap on Amazon as well, just buy them in a roll as they work out cheaper. I am on my second one now as the first one failed after about 2 years use.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Andrew-James-Mach...B001HBP7HW
Post #763916 17th Mar 2019 4:15am
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RFT



Member Since: 13 Nov 2010
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 673

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 130 Puma 2.4 HCPU Zermatt Silver
I have one from Lakeland
It’s always been reliable 130 Puma HCPU with an Artica 240LR Demountable Camper
Post #763948 17th Mar 2019 10:16am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3993

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
I just had the Google what a Lakeland was. Don’t think I’m their target clientele! 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #763952 17th Mar 2019 10:35am
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