Seasoning falling off

[FFGomer]

When I steam mine all the seasoning is coming off the bottom layer or two of crabs. I chill them down so I can stack them in the steamer and cover each layer with a good amount of JO(is there even another seasoning to use? 😁). I put the basket in the pot then light the burner and start the timer for 25 minutes when I see steam rolling out. Is it possible that I'm boiling the water too hard and steaming the seasoning off? None of the crabs have been mushy, they've actually been perfect other than having no seasoning on them! Any advice? Should I turn the burner down so that it's just a wisp of steam? TIA

[Stabilizer]

Maybe add the basket to the pot after the liquid begins to boil.

[rdbeard]

 one thing you can do is add a good bit of dry mustard to your crab seasoning, this will make the seasoning stick to the crabs. The other thing you can do is put less seasoning on the crabs when you steam them, when the crabs are done put them in layers into a clean cooler while they are still very hot and put more seasoning on each layer then close the lid and let it set for 10 to 15 min. this method lets you take them into the house and get them out as you eat them so they stay warm as you eat them. as a side note, all crab houses steam crabs with no seasoning added till the are done steaming then they put the seasoning on while they bag them or before they serve them.

[discover]

I like rdbeard suggestion, and I also use some dry mustard in my seasoning mix. I also have the issue of the seasoning falling off the bottom layer of crabs, which I no longer season them for that reason.

Two preferences that I do differently then most is I add about a 1/4 cup of JO seasoning to the liquid and I steam my crabs upside down which pulls the guts/mustard away from the meat leaving a cleaner body when you open them. I also don't mind a little boiling liquid up around the bottom layer of crabs as these will have the most flavor from the seasoned liquid imparted into the crab, which I like these crabs the best. Many times these upside crabs have a delicious pool of juice sitting in the top shell when you pull it off upside down.

No matter how you choose to cook your crabs, keep on trying the different suggestions you get until you find what works for you.

[FFGomer]

Thank you for the suggestions and insight! I may have to try that upside down thing! I already put them in a cooler after steaming to keep them warm, I'll just wait to season them until I get to that point.

[Wallco99]

If all else fails, try duct tape. What the [Sam Hill]!! It works for everything else.