Is it safe?

[tbone2486]

Just checking with the pro's on this forum if it's ok (or not recommended) to keep about 2 dozen crabs in a half bushel box covered with wet newspaper in the refrigerator for a couple of days and then cook them. I went out Friday and caught 44 large crabs and cooked 20 that day after putting them in the frig. I then put two dozen in a half bushel box with wet newspaper and keep them till Sat. around 3 PM. I know that they go dorment when cold but how do you know that they're still alive before you cook them. 

[ChrisS]

Put em in the sun and let em warm up. After an hour or two, you'll know which ones are alive and which are dead.

[Crabbyd]

Pull their mouth flaps down.  If they pull them back then they are still alive.  If not, let them warm up a little and try again but most likely they will be dead.

[tbone2486]

Is there a time limit on how long you can keep them in the frig before cooking?

[Crabbyd]

Is there a time limit on how long you can keep them in the frig before cooking?

until they are dead.     The longer you hold them the less "fresh" they will taste.  I have found they also seem to loose some of their weight in meat.

[tbone2486]

Ok thanks for the info.

[KennyCainJr.]

What's all this talk of Boiled crabs!? 

[coggi]

Pull their mouth flaps down.  If they pull them back then they are still alive.  If not, let them warm up a little and try again but most likely they will be dead.

  that about sums it up.

[Crab Shack]

Is it safe?

[elsmere ed]

Crabshack,someone was calling for FRANKENSTEIN........BOILED BAD!