Steaming Crabs - Time

[mike007]

Been a long time since I steamed my own crabs....I seem to remember that once I see steam coming out around the lid I would let them steam for 20 minutes.....does this seem right.??

Also.....how much water/vinegar/beer do you guys put in bottom of steam pot? I will be using a typical propane tripod steamer......should there be an inch.....1.5 inches....etc in the bottom of the pot?

[tedbo]

I do 17 but I clean mine first, but I think that's about right for whole crabs.

And when you talk about steam coming out, I'm talking puffing really good not just the occasional wisp of steam. After 10 mins. I cut the burner back to just keep the boil going, at that point with everything up to temp it simmers for 7 more.

I put 1 1/2 inch water, salt, & vinegar.

I know a guy who could turn a jumbo shrimp into a popcorn shrimp in 45 mins. with steam.  You'd  swear you were chewing rubber bands.

[JLM66]

Once the pot starts steaming put your crabs in and cook them 25 minutes after they turn red. They always turn out great. Fill your pot just below your bottom tray with water, beer and vinegar. 1 cup of vinegar, one beer (preferably Nattie Boh) and the rest water. Hope this helps out. Good luck crabbing!!!

[crabbywaters]

More beer and vinegar then water..and yes full flavor beer is best and don't forget the JO.

[CrabDog]

Once the pot starts steaming put your crabs in and cook them 25 minutes after they turn red. They always turn out great. Fill your pot just below your bottom tray with water, beer and vinegar. 1 cup of vinegar, one beer (preferably Nattie Boh) and the rest water. Hope this helps out. Good luck crabbing!!!

spoken like a true marylander...    I use 2 Yeungling in my pot and my rack is 3 1/2 inches high on a 1/2 bushel steam pot.  JO #2 or JO#1 that I doctor up......
once steam starts I hit it up bit for about 8 minutes then turn it down to just to a wisp for 15 minutes... - 23 minutes worse case 25 but they come out right.....

I run my pot just high enough to keep the steam going.. I don't do it with the pot in a rolling boil......

[crabbywaters]

Why do you prefer a slow steam? Just wondering.. I've always steamed my crabs hard for 25 mins on a half bushel.

[CrabDog]

Why do you prefer a slow steam? Just wondering.. I've always steamed my crabs hard for 25 mins on a half bushel.

I like to do an easy steam cause with my cooker if I go hot on it.. the beer / liquid wil boil up into the steam plate and then the bottom layer of crabs get soggy from sitting in the liquid.. I just say the person who started this thread also lives in Stewartstown PA   

[crabbywaters]

Got ya..

[Mikie]

Two problems with "wide open". Boil the liquid up into the crabs, or worse yet, boil the pot dry and burn the crabs. Everybody has a method, whatever works for you, works for you.

[crabbywaters]

Two problems with "wide open". Boil the liquid up into the crabs, or worse yet, boil the pot dry and burn the crabs. Everybody has a method, whatever works for you, works for you.

Not wide open but a good rolling steam.

[prosh442]

Two problems with "wide open". Boil the liquid up into the crabs, or worse yet, boil the pot dry and burn the crabs. Everybody has a method, whatever works for you, works for you.

I let it boil dry once,thats the nastiest smell not to mention the crabs  get the same flavor . its a real Bummer when you spent all day catching them ..

[cja313]

Any need to cook a larger pot of Crabs say 3/4 of a bushel any longer than you would say a smaller pot that had maybe 2-3 dozen?  Or are cook times pretty standard once you get a good steam going?

[Mikie]

Any need to cook a larger pot of Crabs say 3/4 of a bushel any longer than you would say a smaller pot that had maybe 2-3 dozen?  Or are cook times pretty standard once you get a good steam going?

Can't believe I'm helping a Redskins fan!

I've cooked everything from 6 crabs to 4 1/2 bushels in all different size pots. I cook them all 25 - 30 mins AFTER the steam is rolling. I put the crabs in the pot BEFORE starting the fire. The only variable is how long it takes to build up the head of steam.

[jack1747]

Can't believe I'm helping a Redskins fan!

I've cooked everything from 6 crabs to 4 1/2 bushels in all different size pots. I cook them all 25 - 30 mins AFTER the steam is rolling. I put the crabs in the pot BEFORE starting the fire. The only variable is how long it takes to build up the head of steam.

You musta knew my Grandmother.    She always said, "1 crab or 101 crabs, 25 minutes after steam starts coming out of the pot."

[Mikie]

You musta knew my Grandmother.    She always said, "1 crab or 101 crabs, 25 minutes after steam starts coming out of the pot."

She musta been a wise lady!

[CrabDog]

She musta been a wise lady!

yeah.... that is Jack's story anyway.... Mike007... Come over my house I can show you how I do em...... almost as good as Jack's mom...

[cja313]

A good steam rolling would be the steam coming out of the top at a good rate?   Also, do you cute back the heat at all, to mid/low?   or just keep it on high for the 25 minutes?

P.S....We're all on the same team during the summer....The Crabs are what we're after!:)

[Lordron]

Or you could just boil them and not worry about burning them   

[Mikie]

A good steam rolling would be the steam coming out of the top at a good rate?   Also, do you cute back the heat at all, to mid/low?   or just keep it on high for the 25 minutes?

P.S....We're all on the same team during the summer....The Crabs are what we're after!:)

I cut mine back to the point to keep a good steam puffing out. I don't want to boil the liquid up into the crabs or run the pot dry and burn them. Everybody does it a little different and everybody swears by their method. Experiment with all of the advice you get on here and pick your method.

[Uncle Mike]

I use 1 can of beer... 1 can of vinegar....1 can of water (same can) Heat till you see steam then set the timer for 20 minutes.... I also layer the top of the crabs with husked corn.... Getting hungery... lol...  we use a old bay mix ..... Gonna try this JO stuff.... Works every time...

[Ronster]

Sounds like you have a tried and true system.

[crabbywaters]

I use 1 can of beer... 1 can of vinegar....1 can of water (same can) Heat till you see steam then set the timer for 20 minutes.... I also layer the top of the crabs with husked corn.... Getting hungery... lol...  we use a old bay mix ..... Gonna try this JO stuff.... Works every time...

I wish i was that organized.. I poor some of this then some of that then dump some JO then poor some beer into my face then poor some on the crabs then cook for 25 mins

[Mikie]

We measure our liquids with a measuring cup, different for each size pot - 1/2 water, 1/2 cider vinegar.

[JJ_Crabber]

I think if they are iced and stunned.. you would have to account for that... perhaps a couple of minutes or so. 

[Ronster]

Agreed