elk freezer time?

[asusual]

Googled and searched and I can find that the ideal freeze temp for red meat is -40. OK so I've been keeping it there. Its sealed up good. Cant seem to get a straight answer as to how long it can keep. Thoughts,experiences?

 

[snowshoe]

It depends on how well it is sealed up. We have had meat that was more than 2 years old and it was still in good shape. We wrap it with stretch and seal, then in meat paper. I have seen meat from the butcher that was freezer burnt.

 

[asusual]

It depends on how well it is sealed up. We have had meat that was more than 2 years old and it was still in good shape. We wrap it with stretch and seal, then in meat paper. I have seen meat from the butcher that was freezer burnt.

Its more the spoilage I'm concerned with. I know I'm good on the coverage

 

[trevj]

There are written reports of guys eating mammoth meat that was dug out ofthe permafrost. They said it was edible.

Condition is everything. Trim any freezer burn off, and carry on as if it was fresh yesterday.

Keep it well sealed and as cold as the freezer will go, and it should be good for a lot more than just two years! Spoilage will be caused by raised temperatures, or a poor seal on the wrap.

Cheers
Trev

 

[beefman]

I've found venison and beef that was 3 years old in the freezer...it was fine.

 

[looch]

I think liability issues will prevent you from finding anything that defines a a clear time limit. It's the same reason all the best canning and pickling recipes are the ones that are passed down.

 

[MD]

I'm unearthing elk from October 2007 that is fine, and I've had other elk keep well for over two years.

 

[sjemac]

The other night I ate a loin from a 2005 Mulie that had been rattling around in the bottom of my deep freeze. It was just as good as this season's deer. Meat in the freezer will not "spoil" in the sense of going bad. It can and will freezer burn though. That only affects the flavor, not the safety of it.

 

[Magnum gurly]

I use a vaccum sealer for all our meat and find it keeps really good. But if useing it the best thing to do is put meat on cookie sheet throw in freezer for an hour and then seal so that juice does not wreak your machine. Can keep for 3 plus years and you can see what ya got in the bags.