Turkey Plucking

[Haunted55]

When do we eat?

Lol! How about when I get the stupid tub layed out and then those poor birds processed? Would a brining be too much with this do you think? I'm thinking a sage and orange juice one and then the wine just before cooking?

 

[Haunted55]

Really, a 3/4hp motor? That's got to be a bit spendy. I'm still toying with the tractor PTO idea. I could gear it down if I had to with additonal pulleys. At an idle speed, it would not spin very fast, but the torque would sure be there. Please be sure to let us know how that wine injected bird comes out! That sounds very interesting.

Okay, found my book and in it I had written down the info on the motor. Brand new at TS it is 189.99. Yes more than I remembered. this is 3/4 horse and I was close to the rpms, it's actualy 1725 not 1750 rpms. The SKU is 3241142. Just FYI.

For myself, I went with the new motor because #1 there are times in the plucker when a head or leg will get caught in between the plate and the sides. With the motor it's a quick fix to flip a switch and shut it down. #2 I had a couple of washing machine motors but didn't want to play with the pulley size and then find I still didn't have enough torque. If you can get the PTO to work, I say go for it. You might even find that someone before you has tried it and posted their plans on the Yahoo group.

All told for my plucker and scalder, I've spent under 700.00. This is for new everything. $50.00 at a welding shop to modify the washer tub and add legs. All in all, I'm way below the cost of a ready made plucker that would be smaller than what I will end up with. I also bought the pieces over time, not all at once. The first purchase was the wheels, I got them for 10.00 the pair. The next was the kit. Then the motor, etc., etc.. It hurt but not as bad as buying it all at once.

 

[3 NH reds]

As far as a Brine I used 1/4 cup Kosher salt 1/4 cup sugar and 1 qt of water I injected all of this into the bird. Store turkey are already water added so they hold less. If you use this make sure it is kosher salt, regular salt 1/4 cup is allot more. Experiment with wines juices spices etc. Can't hurt.

 

[Haunted55]

As far as a Brine I used 1/4 cup Kosher salt 1/4 cup sugar and 1 qt of water I injected all of this into the bird. Store turkey are already water added so they hold less. If you use this make sure it is kosher salt, regular salt 1/4 cup is allot more. Experiment with wines juices spices etc. Can't hurt.

It just sounds so good. Working on the plastic for the plucker tub tonight so one step closer.

 

[3 NH reds]

good luck and don't forget the pics.

 

[Haunted55]

good luck and don't forget the pics.

Which pics? The finished product or the ones of me pulling my hair out?

 

[Celie]

Well DH has been thinking about a plucker and told me to order 150 plucking fingers, so they are on their way! We have several really big seafood boiling pots and propane burner set ups, so no scalder needed. Also a digital thermometer, with a laser that measures the temperature of the water without touching it, that he uses for his welder, or something. He said he did not like the idea of using a washing machine tub, because, "Why use a tub you have to remove the agitator and modify the clutch plate(or something like that), when you can use an old dryer, and they have a larger tub to start out with". So, with the fingers on route, the dryer(and washer) available and in good working condition, sounds like we're halfway there. The holes won't be a problem, we have a big drill press. A few other parts, we should end up spending around $100. or at the very most under $200. The fingers cost $62.00 including tax and shipping for 150 fingers. DH just needs to find the time to do it! I think it might take him 2 days or most of 2 days, since he's a perfectionist! I don't need perfect, I just need usable and safe, but if I know him and he even scratches the machine, he will repaint it too. It will be good to see him working in his shop again, doing something that he loves. Building things with metal and working with his machines!
BTW, we have a large street safety cone that makes a good cone, turned upside down and trimmed to size to fit the turkey head through. Mount it on a wall or tree or build a stand. It works well on heritage breeds, but probably not be big enough for a 60# BB Turkey! I'll let you know how it goes, when he gets the machine started.

 

[Haunted55]

Well DH has been thinking about a plucker and told me to order 150 plucking fingers, so they are on their way! We have several really big seafood boiling pots and propane burner set ups, so no scalder needed. Also a digital thermometer, with a laser that measures the temperature of the water without touching it, that he uses for his welder, or something. He said he did not like the idea of using a washing machine tub, because, "Why use a tub you have to remove the agitator and modify the clutch plate(or something like that), when you can use an old dryer, and they have a larger tub to start out with". So, with the fingers on route, the dryer(and washer) available and in good working condition, sounds like we're halfway there. The holes won't be a problem, we have a big drill press. A few other parts, we should end up spending around $100. or at the very most under $200. The fingers cost $62.00 including tax and shipping for 150 fingers. DH just needs to find the time to do it! I think it might take him 2 days or most of 2 days, since he's a perfectionist! I don't need perfect, I just need usable and safe, but if I know him and he even scratches the machine, he will repaint it too. It will be good to see him working in his shop again, doing something that he loves. Building things with metal and working with his machines!
BTW, we have a large street safety cone that makes a good cone, turned upside down and trimmed to size to fit the turkey head through. Mount it on a wall or tree or build a stand. It works well on heritage breeds, but probably not be big enough for a 60# BB Turkey! I'll let you know how it goes, when he gets the machine started.

He is so right about the washer. My son and I stripped it down to the point of the agitator and couldn't get any further without the help of a saws all. It didn't matter for me as the tub did have some rust spots in it and I wanted a much thicker plate on the bottom for the scalder. The dryer drum should work great for the plucker. Getting out of it that cheaply is a beautiful thing as well! That is awesome! You know...I was reading on the Yahoo group for the pluckers how a few have made a chain driven system instead of the belt. Your husband might like that idea and if he can do the welding and such you are ahead of the game. I highly reccomend checking out the group page and reading through some of the posts and files. Some really smart people on there with great ideas.

I've been looking for 'big' traffic cones and can't find what I need. I think Hubby needs to figure out what we are going to do. He'll be the one doing the killing and if he doesn't want to be repeatedly slapped by the wings he'll need to figure this out. We could use a grain bag but that sounds a little iffy to me. I think the way to go is the cones, for their well being and ours.

And please do let us know! I think it's great to see what others have done.

 

[turkey lover]

How do ya build a plucker

 

[Arielle]

Try the search feature and put in making plucker, or plucker and see the old threads. Many different ways. I almost made one attached to a drill to drive the fingers while I hold the bird to it, but could never figure a method to hold the drill well enough. I pluck by hand. Happy searching and lots to read.

Welcome to BYC!