cook before you clean vs clean before you cook

[F.I.sherman]

advantages and disadvantages of both.

clean before you cook

advantages-
spice goes on meat.
lesser cooking time.
less mess when you goto eat.

disadvantages
you do all the work cleaning.
the shells start to degrade quickly so if you dont make it to the dump the same day it leaves a very foul smell.
the shells are very hard to rip off.

cook before you clean
advantages-
everyone else gets to clean thier own crab
you can pile them in and get them cooked quicker.
your sure that the crabs will be safer to eat.

disadvantages-
you dont get the spice on the meat.
you can put as many crabs in the cooker.


feel free to add to this.

[Larry_D]

cook before you clean
advantages-

your sure that the crabs will be safer to eat.

I thought it was safer to clean first, then cook.

[captaincrab55]

I thought it was safer to clean first, then cook.

That is, if you don't get bit!

[Vynyluvr]

Who needs spice when you get mustard all over the meat.  YUMMY

[procrabber]

ive never heard of CB4C before this site, but i dont care how you cook them, as long as you are jacking up the price in annapolis by selling them for 300 a bushel like they did last year.

you can CB4C, shape them into a male organ and shove it in your....     for all i care      as long as your buying them and helping the economy

[long green crabber]

now ain`t that a pretty picture. this site keeps getting classier by the minute.    lgc

[CRABGUY]

I MOVED THE REST OF THIS TO JOKES AND HUMOR

[R D]

I just got through steaming crabsfor the first time, we always fry,boil or garlic them, i cleaned the first batch like any good southern boy should and all went well but after reading all this and a 6pk of amberbock i said what the [Sam Hill] i will cook these whole and everybody was pissing and moaning until they got a few more beers down,they did finish the crabs up but it was unanimous.........CLEAN BEFORE YOU COOK

[KristieInPA]

We bought 2 bushels this weekend and we cleaned before we cooked, one and cooked the other in the shells.

I have to admit, since we were shown the cook before method, its becoming a favorite routine. 

I have more cuts on my hands today from the ones with the shells rather than the ones with out the shells. But thats ok!

[CRABGUY]

I just got through steaming crabsfor the first time, we always fry,boil or garlic them, i cleaned the first batch like any good southern boy should and all went well but after reading all this and a 6pk of amberbock i said what the [Sam Hill] i will cook these whole and everybody was pissing and moaning until they got a few more beers down,they did finish the crabs up but it was unanimous.........CLEAN BEFORE YOU COOK

WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE BROTHER RD

[R D]

WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE BROTHER RD

I feel right at home

[crabologist]

You all outside of Maryland just don't know . Our way is the BEST way ................. with all the goodies still inside and steamed to perfection !!

[CRABGUY]

NO GUTS,........... NO GUTS

[CRABGUY]

IFN YOUR GOING TO LEAVE THE GUTS IN YOU MIGHT AS WELL BOIL THEM

[Stevo]

IFN YOUR GOING TO LEAVE THE GUTS IN YOU MIGHT AS WELL BOIL THEM

Doe's your kind drain all the blood out of a steak before you cook it too?

[Islander]

You all outside of Maryland just don't know . Our way is the BEST way ................. with all the goodies still inside and steamed to perfection !!

   I couldn't have said it better!! 

[Stevo]

IFN YOUR GOING TO LEAVE THE GUTS IN YOU MIGHT AS WELL BOIL THEM

Essentially, isn't that what you are doing when you wash them thoroughly with clean water, then steam them stripped of everyting they are made of? Seems to me CBC crabs would be just as good cooked in some shrimp boil, rater than whole crabs being boiled.

[CRABGUY]

Doe's your kind drain all the blood out of a steak before you cook it too?

NO  I DONT!! I EAT MY STEAK MEDIUM
BUT THE PANCREAS, INTESTINES AND OTHER ORGANS IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO IT EITHER

[procrabber]

i just want to make one thing clear to those that are not as familiar with steaming crabs.  steaming the crab whole cooks it with the fat in, and the fat is good flavor.  if you clean first, your crabs may not taste as good.  it may be easier to keep the mustard out, but you will suffer in flavor.  so go ahead and try them that way if you would like, but compare th flavor between the two.  remember that 99.99% of all crabs are cleaned after steaming and all pickhouses steam first for a reason.

Im not taking sides here. I just dont want anyone to think that this is the "norm" and wonder why these world class MD crabs taste like [curd].

[crabologist]

i just want to make one thing clear to those that are not as familiar with steaming crabs. steaming the crab whole cooks it with the fat in, and the fat is good flavor. if you clean first, your crabs may not taste as good. it may be easier to keep the mustard out, but you will suffer in flavor. so go ahead and try them that way if you would like, but compare th flavor between the two. remember that 99.99% of all crabs are cleaned after steaming and all pickhouses steam first for a reason.

Im not taking sides here. I just dont want anyone to think that this is the "norm" and wonder why these world class MD crabs taste like [curd].

That's right PC , just like any good cut of meat . You leave the fat on for the best flavor !!

[Stevo]

NO  I DONT!! I EAT MY STEAK MEDIUM
BUT THE PANCREAS, INTESTINES AND OTHER ORGANS IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO IT EITHER

No, they are in the hot dogs, sausage, and scrapple we eat!

[Crabber Joe]

I Don't see any picking houses marketing a "tastey" dipping sauce made out of the gut juices either.... to each their own..... "Clean before you cook um"

[Stevo]

.... to each their own.....

That's the only right answer to this ongoing saga.....

I have never seen CBC crabs offered in any crabhouse in MD! Hmmmmm, wonder why?

[CrabstaDude]

NO  I DONT!! I EAT MY STEAK MEDIUM
BUT THE PANCREAS, INTESTINES AND OTHER ORGANS IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO IT EITHER

good point Russ.. i like my steak rare and the blood still intact minus the guts and junk. i don't doubt there is some flavor in the Crab when cooking with the junk before eating.. that is why JO was invented. to season the crab for the CBC crowd

ps.. i would like to try the cook before clean.. but i think i would still prefer the clean before cook..

[Islander]

That's the only right answer to this ongoing saga.....

I have never seen CBC crabs offered in any crabhouse in MD! Hmmmmm, wonder why?

You make a good point, Stevo!!    Maybe some of these CBC guys will open a crabhouse that serves them that way.