We don't have one. And for people living in south Louisiana, we don't have a turkey fryer either! We have a huge stainless steel crawfish pot, but no burner. Other half wants to buy a small wood burning stove to put the pot on, I wanted something cheaper.
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Cinderblock rocket stove.. if he really wishes to go that way. Seems like a lot of work when you can just carry a pot outside.
I actually processed mine in the kitchen... I don't clean very often, so it gives me a good reason to clean the kitchen well
Mind you, I've only processed a bird at a time, never multiples... I am really slow still. We have a porcelain double sink, put pot in one side, pluck bird in the other side (put a bag in bottom, for easy cleanup). Lift pot out, put on back porch, fill sink with icewater, gut bird, rinse under tap, dunk in icewater. Our house is pretty tiny, so I have to make do with what space we have. Eventually I will put a processing area outdoors.
You know, I said this to him. That we could boil water on the stove and bring it outside. We are only going to be doing 3-4 chickens each time, so we don't need tons of hot water going at once.
Thank you! We've had laying chickens for nearly 6 years now, but this is our first time with meat chickens. I just want healthy meat for my kids, that had a happy life in the fresh air, isn't bacteria ridden and pumped with saline. My nearly 6 year old daughter has said she wants to help with plucking, I'm proud of her.
I always feel so ripped off when you have all that saline dripping out of your bird.. you can still brine a bird, but I don't wanna pay for that brine dangit
On a side note, wet chicken smells worse than wet dog.
I've used a cooler to hold the scalding water I take outside from the house. Works well.
The water stays hotter longer, there are no hot pot edges to watch out for, and if you've got help to pluck several birds a once, you've got room to scald several at a time.
That's a great idea. Thanks!
My DW commented yesterday on the Costco roasted chickens. She said she was going to buy one and then read the ingredients. She did not like that they were injected. I told her that most of the chicken sold were injected. Not to mention what they are fed.
We ate one of our own this weekend and will be making soup tonight.
Much healthier!
I used to work at a restaurant where we sold A LOT of fried chicken (2000+ pieces a week!).... it just makes you realize how much chicken this country consumes.. and the prices we get it for (as a restaurant)...
People have grown so used to cheap, companies have to produce cheap, cut corners everywhere. We get what we pay for. Such a vicious cycle! I am glad to slow down, produce my own and work hard for my meal. It makes you appreciate life more, really. I hate working for money, it's so abstract... working for a meal brings a much greater sense of accomplishment.
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