crab cleaning tools

[intowin]

Has anyone tried those rolling pin type tools that smash the meat out of the blue crabs body?

Just wondered if they are sufficient for crab cakes and how much shell gets in the meat.

tia

[CaptMoose]

Try the search function.  It has been discussed many times before.  The consensus was that the device smashes the crab with much shell in the meat.  Hand picking was better.

I did a trial of this technique using a coffee can rolling over half a crab on a cutting board but I didn't like the results.  You might want to try it.  All you need is a large diameter cylinder to roll over the crab while applying downward pressure.

[intowin]

thanks for the reply.  Sorry about the repeat question.  I must have used the wrong search words as didnt seem to get pertainant hits.

[Seanile]

Try this link:

http://crabmaster.net/default.aspx

[Crabs n clams]

I have one but seldom use it. It is much faster than picking but it changes the texture of the meat or ruins the texture. But its OK for some things like soup, sauces,Or dip...Charlie

[captaincrab55]

I have one but seldom use it. It is much faster than picking but it changes the texture of the meat or ruins the texture. But its OK for some things like soup, sauces,Or dip...Charlie

Sounds about right and you won't end up with meat for prime crab cakes..   Crab bodies will need to be preped and chilled, before this tool works...    I use it to pick meat for soup, but my son in law is happy with the crabcakes made from the meat...    Keep in mind that the meat is removed raw...

[Seanile]

CC55 : Obviously, immediate use of the fresh crabmeat would be preferred.
 Have you attempted to freeze it? Sounds like it could be a candidate for vacuum sealing bags. Any success with that method of freezing? Any problems with excessive shell pieces?

The illustration that Crabmaster now shows on their website gives greater detail than previous instructions.

[captaincrab55]

CC55 : Obviously, immediate use of the fresh crabmeat would be preferred.
 Have you attempted to freeze it? Sounds like it could be a candidate for vacuum sealing bags. Any success with that method of freezing? Any problems with excessive shell pieces?

The illustration that Crabmaster now shows on their website gives greater detail than previous instructions.

Never tried freezing the meat, because we used it in soup that went in the freezer..   Didn't have any issues with shells, but if one was careless one may have issues..    I use it for the 5 1/2" to 6" crabs..       

[Cajun Crab]

We initially had one that was a 2X4 cut at a  45 degree angle then reversing the two pieces and securing with a hinge screwed on.  My father later took the idea to a fabricator and had one made of aluminum.  I've never seen any like it and will try to take a pic when I get time to post.

We love it, chunks of meat come out.

[Cajun Crab]

Oh well, I see I can't post pics, sorry.

[jack1747]

Never tried freezing the meat, because we used it in soup that went in the freezer..   Didn't have any issues with shells, but if one was careless one may have issues..    I use it for the 5 1/2" to 6" crabs..       

What a waste of Jumbos... 

[Seanile]

Jack, I'm crazy, not stupid- remember?

Jumbos & mumbos are for hand-picking only. 

[SHELLFISH]

Cajun Crab sent me these two photos to post of his crab cleaning tool. It's a  press.

He states he lightly steams the crab to firm up the meat first.
Then pulls off the shell, cleans out the entrails and cuts off the legs but not too close.
I believe he then brakes in the body half and enters, leg side first, into the press and the meat will squeeze out in chunks!

His father had it professionally made of aluminum.

[SHELLFISH]

Cajun Crab sent me another photo of his tool with placement of the 1/2 crab.
The pictures shows a fresh uncooked crab.

[Summertop]

Interesting..  Thanks  for sharing Jim.

[rock n crab]

how do you cook the meat that comes out of the press?

[captaincrab55]

how do you cook the meat that comes out of the press?

  One can cook it in soup or steam it on a rack with a screen...

[rpbayly]

Cajun Crab sent me another photo of his tool with placement of the 1/2 crab.



The pictures shows a fresh uncooked crab.

if I may ask - why not steam the crab first (before using the press)?