Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

In article >,
says...
> In article .com>,
> James > wrote:
>
> > Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
> > Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.


> I've never seen frozen steaks for sale.


This place does online ordering, and apparently has a few
physical locations:

http://www.omahasteaks.com/servlet/O...opping?DSP=114


--
Get Credit Where Credit Is Due
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In article .com>,
James > wrote:

> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

I've never seen frozen steaks for sale.

Yes, I freeze steaks when I get them on sale.

Double bagged or vacuum sealed.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

On Aug 23, 3:58 pm, Omelet > wrote:
> In article .com>,
>
> James > wrote:
> > Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
> > Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.
>
> I've never seen frozen steaks for sale.
>
> Yes, I freeze steaks when I get them on sale.
>
> Double bagged or vacuum sealed.
> --
> Peace, Om
>
> Remove _ to validate e-mails.
>
> "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

I've seen a couple of places that sell large packages of individually
portioned steaks frozen steaks at good prices. When I looked closely
they are from Australia. Not sure if thats good or bad or indifferent.

Growing up as a kid we used to buy beef in bulk and wrap ourselves for
the freezer. Never had a problem with steaks.

James
James

James wrote:
> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?

Depends on the sale price... if regularly $9/lb and you can buy it on
sale for $8/lb than it's no bargain. But if you can buy $9/lb steak
for $6/lb then it begins to be a bargain.

> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

Once it's frozen meat is no longer fresh... there is no such thing as
fresh frozen anything, frozen food is preserved food... and that's why
I answered as I did above. Frozen meat is no more fresh than pickled
meat is fresh. In fact properly pickled meat is a much better bargain
than frozen meat... corned beef rules! Fresh brisket can sell for say
$2/lb, but a proper corned beef brisket can sell for $20/lb, even
more... a NYC kosher deli will sell you 6 ounces of corned beef
brisket between two slices of rye for $15.

I rarely freeze tender steak, very rarely, but this week my regular
stupidmarket had a great sale on some gorgeous steaks, so I bought a
dozen and froze them all but for one 22 ounce porterhouse I grilled
this past Tuesday for dinner for me and my cats.... they had
porterhouse, t-bone, ribeye, and NYstrip all USDA Choice at $5.99/lb

Check out this sale: http://tinyurl.com/334qwz
http://www.pricechopper.com/WeeklyAd/WeeklyAd_Store_S.las?-token.date=2007-08-23&-token.S=CDBT9RC75C31418P78327748jXuN6L53650421|117 195|0708231616|||||

Sheldon

On Aug 23, 12:22 pm, James > wrote:
> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?

Depends on what you want. If you want to store food for a while it's
a good idea. If you want to eat a really good steak it's not a good
idea. A fresh steak will keep in the refrigerator for a week or so,
two or three days of which you can use for dry aging it. When it's on
sale I usually buy enough for two meals a week apart. Then I wait for
the next sale.

Of course you can freeze, thaw, cook and eat steak. It just won't be
as good. Whether that makes it a good idea depends on how much you
enjoy a really good steak.

> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

The only steaks I've seen frozen are those so-called "minute steaks"
which I haven't tried for so long I have no idea if there's any way to
make them eatable. -aem

James wrote:
>
> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

If they are on sale for a good price they are better than no steaks at
all. I usually eat my steaks fresh, but have stocked up on the on sale and
put them in the freezer for a while. I have tried some of those boxed
frozen steaks and was never impressed with them.

In misc.consumers.frugal-living James > wrote:
> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?

I think so. Assuming it's a good sale. Frozen steak is
better than no steak if it's a good steak to begin with.

> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

The only place I've seen frozen steaks is the prepackaged
and vacuum packed stuff which is more expensive than my
local supermarket's fresh steaks, or the stuff being sold
out of the back of a truck in some gas station parking lot which
I would not touch with a ten foot pole.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.

James > wrote:

> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?

Yes, and best to cook it frozen, not thaw it before cooking it.

> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

Just because they last a lot longer frozen.

aem wrote:
>
> The only steaks I've seen frozen are those so-called "minute steaks"
> which I haven't tried for so long I have no idea if there's any way to
> make them eatable. -aem

You've never seen frozen steaks for sale? There are frozen food retailers
like M&M around here that sell boxes of frozen steaks. The larger grocery
stores have been selling them for years. I tried them a few times and was
not impressed. My local butcher sells boxes of frozen steaks and those
aren't bad.

Melissa > wrote
> Omelet > wrote
>> James > wrote

>>> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
>>> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

>> I've never seen frozen steaks for sale.

>> Yes, I freeze steaks when I get them on sale.

>> Double bagged or vacuum sealed.

> Just don't freeze them in the wrapping they are in from the store.
> Re-wrap in something that allows you to get as much air out as possible.

Its a lot easier to let the steak wet the plastic than to try getting as much air out as possible.

> Then use them within 6 months at the most.

They're fine for longer than that if you let the steak wet the plastic before freezing.

Omelet > wrote in newsmp_omelet-0CD94D.14583123082007
@news.giganews.com:

> In article .com>,
> James > wrote:
>
>> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
>> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.
>
> I've never seen frozen steaks for sale.
>
> Yes, I freeze steaks when I get them on sale.
>
> Double bagged or vacuum sealed.

When we went grocery shopping in St. Kitts, ALL the meat was frozen. The ground beef looked like
pellets, instead of long strings (we didn't buy any meat there).

J.

Rod Speed wrote:
> James > wrote:
>
>> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
>
> Yes, and best to cook it frozen, not thaw it before cooking it.


http://www.omahasteaks.com/servlet/O...cipe_storethaw



Cooking from Frozen
Although it is preferable to cook your steaks, burgers and roasts from a
thawed state, it is possible to obtain satisfactory results without
thawing. Place meat farther from the heat when broiling or grilling.
Broil or grill 1 1/2 to 2 times the required time for unfrozen steaks,
burgers and chops. Roast 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 times that required for unfrozen
roasts.


>
>> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.
>
> Just because they last a lot longer frozen.
>
>

On Aug 23, 4:26?pm, wrote:
> In misc.consumers.frugal-living James > wrote:
>
> > Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
>
> I think so. Assuming it's a good sale. Frozen steak is
> better than no steak if it's a good steak to begin with.
>
> > Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.
>
> The only place I've seen frozen steaks is the prepackaged
> and vacuum packed stuff which is more expensive than my
> local supermarket's fresh steaks, or the stuff being sold
> out of the back of a truck in some gas station parking lot which
> I would not touch with a ten foot pole.


There are plenty of meat purveyers that ship all types of frozen meats
includings beef steaks... Lobels ships frozen USDA Prime. I think
it's extremely over priced for frozen beef. In fact I think USDA
Prime is very over priced, I'm very satisfied with fresh USDA Choice
from the stupidmarket, especially that I can pick it out myself... the
batch I picked this week is superb, I challenge anyone to distinguish
it from prime. There's a range within grades, with a lot of overlap,
top of the ladder Choice is much better than bottom rung Prime. The
trick to choosing is to educate yourself some on the anatomy of primal
sections... for instance, not all of the rib and loin section is
desirable.

Sheldon

William Souden > wrote
> Rod Speed wrote
>> James > wrote

>>> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?

>> Yes, and best to cook it frozen, not thaw it before cooking it.

> http://www.omahasteaks.com/servlet/O...cipe_storethaw

> Cooking from Frozen
> Although it is preferable to cook your steaks, burgers and roasts from a thawed state, it is
> possible to obtain satisfactory results without thawing.

There's plenty that say the exact opposite, that its best to not thaw and to cook them frozen.
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=steak+frozen

> Place meat farther from the heat when broiling or grilling.

No need to do that.

> Broil or grill 1 1/2 to 2 times the required time for unfrozen steaks, burgers and chops.

Steaks should be cooked on the internal doneness, not time.

>>> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

>> Just because they last a lot longer frozen.

On Aug 23, 12:22 pm, James > wrote:
> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

If you're talking about those frozen steaks that come in a package of
4-8; they aren't necessarily cheaper. Most come with some kind of
flavor/saline injection/preservative and are sold by the package; not
per pound. Do the math sometime, find out what the approximate weight
is (they usually don't have an actual on the package) and divide the
price by 16 and then multiply that # by the number of ounces to get
the per pound price. Additionally they may be "select" cut which
means a bit tougher.

Now if I can find rib eye steak on sale for $2.99-$3.99 a pound,
that's a decent price and I'd freeze it myself.

Seerialmom wrote:
>
> If you're talking about those frozen steaks that come in a package of
> 4-8; they aren't necessarily cheaper. Most come with some kind of
> flavor/saline injection/preservative

If they're injected with flavor/saline they can't be USDA graded.

Sheldon

On Aug 23, 5:17 pm, Sheldon > wrote:
> Seerialmom wrote:
>
> > If you're talking about those frozen steaks that come in a package of
> > 4-8; they aren't necessarily cheaper. Most come with some kind of
> > flavor/saline injection/preservative
>
> If they're injected with flavor/saline they can't be USDA graded.
>
> Sheldon

Which means you'll have no idea what grade they are; but chances are
unless they're one of those Omaha steaks they could be any grade with
artificial tenderizers added.

In article .com>,
James > wrote:

> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?

Yes, but wrap them tightly in plastic wrap prior to freezing.

> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

Probably lower quality beef.

> wrote...
>
> This place does online ordering, and apparently has a few
> physical locations:
>
> http://www.omahasteaks.com/servlet/O...opping?DSP=114

VERY overpriced!

You can probably do almost as well in quality, and definitely in price, at
Costco.

OTOH, buying fresh steaks at your local supermarket or meat market, then
freezing them yourself, will likely be as good as omahasteaks at a MUCH cheaper
price!

John Weiss wrote:

> > wrote...
>
>>This place does online ordering, and apparently has a few
>>physical locations:
>>
>>http://www.omahasteaks.com/servlet/O...opping?DSP=114
>
>
> VERY overpriced!

Not a very good value compared to a supermarket, no. But that's
what it costs to have something overnight shipped in a dry ice
container.

It's an apples and oranges comparison to a supermarket.

--
Reg

James wrote:
>
> On Aug 23, 3:58 pm, Omelet > wrote:
> > In article .com>,
> >
> > James > wrote:
> > > Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
> > > Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.
> >
> > I've never seen frozen steaks for sale.
> >
> > Yes, I freeze steaks when I get them on sale.
> >
> > Double bagged or vacuum sealed.
> > --
> > Peace, Om
> >
> > Remove _ to validate e-mails.
> >
> > "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson
>
> I've seen a couple of places that sell large packages of individually
> portioned steaks frozen steaks at good prices. When I looked closely
> they are from Australia. Not sure if thats good or bad or indifferent.
>
> Growing up as a kid we used to buy beef in bulk and wrap ourselves for
> the freezer. Never had a problem with steaks.
>
> James
> James

I've got a meat market a couple miles from me that does the half a cow
processed however you want for your freezer thing. Problem is the cost
of power for a chest freezer would exceed any savings on the meat vs.
just getting it "fresh" as I need it from another market, based on how
long it would take a single guy to use up half a cow.

Pete C.

"Pete C." > wrote

> I've got a meat market a couple miles from me that does the half a cow
> processed however you want for your freezer thing. Problem is the cost
> of power for a chest freezer would exceed any savings on the meat vs.
> just getting it "fresh" as I need it from another market, based on how
> long it would take a single guy to use up half a cow.

Even the price of a freezer alone, you would have to save a hell
of a lot on your purchases to make up that money. Then you
add the cost of running it, as you say.

Like the guy giving an estimate to replace my windows, his spiel
included How much is your heating bill. I told him, forget that
part of the presentation, I could have free heat till I'm dead and
buried and these windows will never pay for themselves that way.

Not sure he appreciated that. Oh, well.

nancy

In article >,
"Melissa" > wrote:

> Just don't freeze them in the wrapping they are in from the store. Re-wrap
> in something that allows you to get as much air out as possible. Then use
> them within 6 months at the most.
>
> Melissa

I do.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

"James" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

I usually freeze most of the steak I buy because I can't eat very much of it
at a single sitting. The market near me sells excellent USDA prime meats
and I like the boneless ribeye the best. I put them in sandwich size zip
lock bags and squeeze the air out as soon as I get home from the market.
When I thaw them out in warm water, it is hard to tell they have been
frozen.

I once bought some ribeyes online that the seller claimed to be USDA prime.
The LA Times gave this seller a great review. The steaks were garbage.

I suspect that most prepackaged steaks are garbage. I suspect they were
garbage before they were frozen.

Mitch

In article >, "Rod Speed" > wrote:
>Melissa > wrote
>> Omelet > wrote
>>> James > wrote
>
>>>> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
>>>> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.
>
>>> I've never seen frozen steaks for sale.
>>> Yes, I freeze steaks when I get them on sale.
>>> Double bagged or vacuum sealed.
>
>> Just don't freeze them in the wrapping they are in from the store.
>> Re-wrap in something that allows you to get as much air out as possible.
>
>Its a lot easier to let the steak wet the plastic than to try getting as much
> air out as possible.
>
>> Then use them within 6 months at the most.
>
>They're fine for longer than that if you let the steak wet the plastic before
> freezing.

Hey, Rod! What are you doing here in rec.food.cooking? Or are you
just living frugally these days? (With no water in the creek down
there I suppose you have to be careful. :-) [The Condamine is running
again in the headwaters, maybe some will reach you. Pity the 713 mm
received at Rainbow Beach in the past 24 hours (to 9 a.m. 24 Aug 07)
just ran back into the bloody sea instead of into a dam somewhere! ]

Returning to topic: Oz MSA standards seem to be pretty reliable now,
certainly possible to get some really good chewing steak these days
fairly consistently (at a price!) instead of the traditional roulette!

Cheers, Phred.

--
LID

James wrote:
> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

I thought school was back in session? The best idea is to killfile anyone
who immediately cross-posts with stupid questions.

Dinner here tonight will be grilled Andouille sausage and yellow squash.

Jill

Phred > wrote
> Rod Speed > wrote
>> Melissa > wrote
>>> Omelet > wrote
>>>> James > wrote

>>>>> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
>>>>> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

>>>> I've never seen frozen steaks for sale.
>>>> Yes, I freeze steaks when I get them on sale.
>>>> Double bagged or vacuum sealed.

>>> Just don't freeze them in the wrapping they are in from the store.
>>> Re-wrap in something that allows you to get as much air out as possible.

>> Its a lot easier to let the steak wet the plastic
>> than to try getting as much air out as possible.

>>> Then use them within 6 months at the most.

>> They're fine for longer than that if you let the steak wet the
>> plastic before freezing.

> Hey, Rod!

Hay, Phred!!!

> What are you doing here in rec.food.cooking?

Its the result of the OP's original cross post.

> Or are you just living frugally these days?

Nope, just find the group interesting.

> (With no water in the creek down there I suppose you have to be careful. :-)

Its been a complete yawn for me, we only got watering restrictions at
the start of winter and I dont water in the winter anyway and we got
some decent rain in the first half of winter too, everything is quite green.

> [The Condamine is running again in the headwaters, maybe some will reach you.

Nar, that cant ever end up in my river unless we get another Noah type flood.

> Pity the 713 mm received at Rainbow Beach in the past 24 hours (to 9 a.m.
> 24 Aug 07) just ran back into the bloody sea instead of into a dam somewhere! ]

Yeah, looks like Noosa has been washed out to sea too.

> Returning to topic: Oz MSA standards seem to be pretty reliable now,
> certainly possible to get some really good chewing steak these days
> fairly consistently (at a price!) instead of the traditional roulette!

Thats a significant improvement for you denizens of the north. Tropical beef has never been that
flash.

Jimington > wrote
> Rod Speed > wrote
>> Phred > wrote
>>> Rod Speed > wrote
>>>> Melissa > wrote
>>>>> Omelet > wrote
>>>>>> James > wrote

>>>>>>> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
>>>>>>> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

>>>>>> I've never seen frozen steaks for sale.
>>>>>> Yes, I freeze steaks when I get them on sale.
>>>>>> Double bagged or vacuum sealed.

>>>>> Just don't freeze them in the wrapping they are in from the store.
>>>>> Re-wrap in something that allows you to get as much air out as possible.

>>>> Its a lot easier to let the steak wet the plastic
>>>> than to try getting as much air out as possible.

>>>>> Then use them within 6 months at the most.

>>>> They're fine for longer than that if you let the steak wet the
>>>> plastic before freezing.

>>> Hey, Rod!

>> Hay, Phred!!!

>>> What are you doing here in rec.food.cooking?

>> Its the result of the OP's original cross post.

>>> Or are you just living frugally these days?

>> Nope, just find the group interesting.

> Yeah interesting because of the unfrugal ways of so many here.

And for other reasons too.

>>> (With no water in the creek down there I suppose you have to be careful. :-)

>> Its been a complete yawn for me, we only got watering restrictions at
>> the start of winter and I dont water in the winter anyway and we got
>> some decent rain in the first half of winter too, everything is quite green.

>>> [The Condamine is running again in the headwaters, maybe some will reach you.

>> Nar, that cant ever end up in my river unless we get another Noah type flood.

>>> Pity the 713 mm received at Rainbow Beach in the past 24 hours (to
>>> 9 a.m. 24 Aug 07) just ran back into the bloody sea instead of into
>>> a dam somewhere! ]

>> Yeah, looks like Noosa has been washed out to sea too.

> Might bring them down to earth for a while,

Or they might get washed out to sea |-)

> they've been getting a bit uppity lately.

True.

> I must query the 713mm, i sense somebody's poured a jug of water
> into the gauge. Nearby areas didn't get within coo-ee of that amount.

Yeah, I auto update the national rainfall map at 2pm.

>>> Returning to topic: Oz MSA standards seem to be pretty reliable now,
>>> certainly possible to get some really good chewing steak these days
>>> fairly consistently (at a price!) instead of the traditional roulette!

>> Thats a significant improvement for you denizens of the north.
>> Tropical beef has never been that flash.

> It seems to have improved in the past years. In fact i'd almost forgotten about that.

Presumably we send the worst of the tropical beef to the yanks now.

They just grind it up and wouldnt even notice.

Peter A wrote:

> No, it's not "apples and oranges," it's "steaks and steaks." These are
> two ways of getting essentially the same product and the various
> elements that go into the price are all part of the picture.
>

You crack me up.

You wanna argue about the TRUE meaning of "Apples and Oranges"?

I think not.

But thanks anyway

--
Reg

In article >, "Rod Speed" > wrote:
>Phred > wrote
[snip]
>> What are you doing here in rec.food.cooking?
>
>Its the result of the OP's original cross post.
>
>> Or are you just living frugally these days?
>
>Nope, just find the group interesting.
[snip]

Hmm... Maybe an old pov like me should drop in on
misc.consumers.frugal-living too. Especially given your
recommendation. ;-) Think I'll have a squiz at it tonight.





Cheers, Phred.

--
LID

In article >, "Rod Speed" > wrote:
>Jimington > wrote
>> Rod Speed > wrote
>>> Phred > wrote
[snip]
>>>> Pity the 713 mm received at Rainbow Beach in the past 24 hours (to
>>>> 9 a.m. 24 Aug 07) just ran back into the bloody sea instead of into
>>>> a dam somewhere! ]
>
>>> Yeah, looks like Noosa has been washed out to sea too.
>
>> Might bring them down to earth for a while,
>
>Or they might get washed out to sea |-)
>
>> they've been getting a bit uppity lately.
>
>True.
>
>> I must query the 713mm, i sense somebody's poured a jug of water
>> into the gauge. Nearby areas didn't get within coo-ee of that amount.

It does look a bit sus. Tewantin and Double Is Pt both got a bit over
300 mm, but that's a long way short of 713 -- maybe they measured in
points and forgot to divide by four. :-) However, it must be said
the met bureau guy seemed to be taking it seriously on the Country
Hour weather summary yesterday (24 Aug 2007).

That part of the world seems to have a history of unusual rainfall
events. I've always been suspicious of Inigo Jones's record from
Crohamhurst, for example. But then, maybe it takes a professional
weather forecaster to keep emptying the gauge before it overflows!

Quoting from the biog of Inigo Jones at:
<http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A090511b.htm>

"In 1892 his parents bought a farm about sixty miles (97 km) north of
Brisbane and named it Crohamhurst after a property near Inigo's
birthplace. Inigo joined them there and on 2 February 1893 recorded an
Australian record for one day's rainfall of 37.714 inches (958 mm)."

{Did he *really* measure to thousandths of an inch?]

>Yeah, I auto update the national rainfall map at 2pm.
>
>>>> Returning to topic: Oz MSA standards seem to be pretty reliable now,
>>>> certainly possible to get some really good chewing steak these days
>>>> fairly consistently (at a price!) instead of the traditional roulette!
>
>>> Thats a significant improvement for you denizens of the north.
>>> Tropical beef has never been that flash.
>
>> It seems to have improved in the past years. In fact i'd almost forgotten
> about that.
>
>Presumably we send the worst of the tropical beef to the yanks now.
>
>They just grind it up and wouldnt even notice.

The "hamburger trade" was the saviour of the northern beef cattle
industry decades ago, and continues to be a major market for the
lesser quality beef. The yanks like the low-fat grass-fed product to
mix with their own stuff for healthier burgers. :-)

Cheers, Phred.

--
LID

Phred > wrote
> Rod Speed > wrote
>> Jimington > wrote
>>> Rod Speed > wrote
>>>> Phred > wrote

>>>>> Pity the 713 mm received at Rainbow Beach in the past
>>>>> 24 hours (to 9 a.m. 24 Aug 07) just ran back into the
>>>>> bloody sea instead of into a dam somewhere! ]

>>>> Yeah, looks like Noosa has been washed out to sea too.

>>> Might bring them down to earth for a while,

>> Or they might get washed out to sea |-)

>>> they've been getting a bit uppity lately.

>> True.

>>> I must query the 713mm, i sense somebody's poured a jug of water
>>> into the gauge. Nearby areas didn't get within coo-ee of that amount.

> It does look a bit sus.

Dunno, after the ABC TV News footage last night, something made the two
rivers overflow to levels you only ever see a couple of times a century, so
presumably it was real and not someone playing silly buggers with the rain guage.

> Tewantin and Double Is Pt both got a bit over 300 mm, but that's a long way
> short of 713 -- maybe they measured in points and forgot to divide by four. :-)

Its not that unusual to get that much variation between guages that close.

> However, it must be said the met bureau guy seemed to be taking it
> seriously on the Country Hour weather summary yesterday (24 Aug 2007).

> That part of the world seems to have a history of unusual rainfall events.

Yeah, I've never seen rain like it.

> I've always been suspicious of Inigo Jones's record from Crohamhurst,
> for example. But then, maybe it takes a professional weather forecaster
> to keep emptying the gauge before it overflows!

> Quoting from the biog of Inigo Jones at:
> <http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A090511b.htm>

> "In 1892 his parents bought a farm about sixty miles (97 km) north
> of Brisbane and named it Crohamhurst after a property near Inigo's
> birthplace. Inigo joined them there and on 2 February 1893 recorded
> an Australian record for one day's rainfall of 37.714 inches (958 mm)."

> {Did he *really* measure to thousandths of an inch?]

Or maybe thats just the result of a couple of reverse metric conversions.

>> Yeah, I auto update the national rainfall map at 2pm.

>>>>> Returning to topic: Oz MSA standards seem to be pretty reliable
>>>>> now, certainly possible to get some really good chewing steak these
>>>>> days fairly consistently (at a price!) instead of the traditional roulette!

>>>> Thats a significant improvement for you denizens of the north.
>>>> Tropical beef has never been that flash.

>>> It seems to have improved in the past years. In fact i'd almost forgotten about that.

>> Presumably we send the worst of the tropical beef to the yanks now.

>> They just grind it up and wouldnt even notice.

> The "hamburger trade" was the saviour of the northern
> beef cattle industry decades ago, and continues to be
> a major market for the lesser quality beef.

Yeah, thats what I meant.

> The yanks like the low-fat grass-fed product to
> mix with their own stuff for healthier burgers. :-)

And they dont even notice the kangaroo mixed in with it.

Phred > wrote
> Rod Speed > wrote
>> Phred > wrote

>>> What are you doing here in rec.food.cooking?

>> Its the result of the OP's original cross post.

>>> Or are you just living frugally these days?

>> Nope, just find the group interesting.

> Hmm... Maybe an old pov like me should drop in on
> misc.consumers.frugal-living too. Especially given your
> recommendation. ;-) Think I'll have a squiz at it tonight.

Its gone down hill quite a bit from what it used to be.

Guess its the sort of thing that is easily covered and doesnt change much over time.

The title does attract a lot of spam too.

On Aug 23, 5:00?pm, "Rod Speed" > wrote:
> James > wrote:
> > Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
>
> Yes, and best to cook it frozen, not thaw it before cooking it.
>
> > Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.
>
> Just because they last a lot longer frozen.

Not eggsactly... they needed to be preserved before they'd rot...
frozen meat is preserved meat, frozen meat is no longer fresh meat...
frozen meat costs less (or should cost less) because freezing (and
thawing) causes meat texture, and flavor, to deteriorate. Btw, even
if beef has been previously USDA graded, once frozen that grading (by
law) must be uninstalled, like it was never there... only fresh,
unadulterated beef can carry a USDA grade... saline enhanced (or
otherwise cured) beef is not permitted a USDA grade either... there's
no such thing as USDA graded corned beef, the best one can hope for is
Kosher. Any beef purveyer shipping frozen product and insinuating
it's USDA Prime is misleading... any USDA graded beef by freezing
automatically reduces the texture and flavor of that beef by at least
a grade, probably two grades... in effect reducing it to stewing
beef. Ground beef cannot carry a USDA grade either.

Sheldon

Sheldon > wrote
> Rod Speed > wrote
>> James > wrote

>>> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?

>> Yes, and best to cook it frozen, not thaw it before cooking it.

>>> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.

>> Just because they last a lot longer frozen.

> Not eggsactly...

Fraid so.

> they needed to be preserved before they'd rot...

So the shelf life of frozen steak is much higher than fresh steak, so its usually cheaper.

> frozen meat is preserved meat, frozen meat is no longer fresh meat...

Duh.

> frozen meat costs less (or should cost less) because freezing
> (and thawing) causes meat texture, and flavor, to deteriorate.

Its much more complicated than that. And it doesnt deteriorate, its just different.

> Btw, even if beef has been previously USDA graded, once frozen that
> grading (by law) must be uninstalled, like it was never there... only fresh,
> unadulterated beef can carry a USDA grade... saline enhanced (or
> otherwise cured) beef is not permitted a USDA grade either... there's
> no such thing as USDA graded corned beef, the best one can hope for
> is Kosher. Any beef purveyer shipping frozen product and insinuating
> it's USDA Prime is misleading... any USDA graded beef by freezing
> automatically reduces the texture and flavor of that beef by at least
> a grade, probably two grades... in effect reducing it to stewing beef.

That last is just plain wrong.

> Ground beef cannot carry a USDA grade either.

That wasnt even being discussed.

"Michael \"DawgThree\" wrote:
> James writes:
>
> > Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
> > Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.
>
> Yep. Vacume seal them if you have a sealer gizmo. If not, wrap them well
> and put them in a freezer bag. Squish out all the air and then label the
> bag with the contents and date.
>
> As far as which steak is better... I dunno. I have my faves but I like
> them all. To me Porterhouse and T-Bones are the best for grilling. I like
> sirloin for grilling but use it in other recipes. Then there is flank
> steak. Oh hell, I like almost all of them.

Wrapping tightly in ordinary freezer paper and clearly marking the
contents and date is the right idea.

Hi-Tech vacuum packaging only reduces freezer burn, does absolutely
nothing to maintain the texture/flavor of the meat. It's far less
expensive and there's much less effort involved if folks would simply
prominently date their meat purchases before freezing and then use the
older ones first and use them all within a moderate amount of time,
within less than three months for tender beef, less than a year for
toughter cuts. The argument about the savings from stocking up on
steaks on sale is horseshit... anyone who lives in the US can buy
fresh beef steaks on sale every day... maybe not every cut every day
but at least two of the most desireable variety each week, and the
choices rotate weeky.... there's more beef in the meat case of the
typical US stupidmarket at any given time than there is in many entire
countries. Anyone in the US who stocks up a big freezer full of meats
and whatever to last a year and longer is seriously paranoid/schizo
about going hungry... they're mentally ill and need to see a shrink...
very likely rasied by parents with an acute case of Depression
Mentality.

Sheldon

Sheldon > wrote:
> "Michael \"DawgThree\" wrote:
>> James writes:
>>
>>> Is it a good idea to freeze fresh steak when they are on sale?
>>> Usually already frozen steaks are cheaper than fresh.
>>
>> Yep. Vacume seal them if you have a sealer gizmo. If not, wrap them
>> well and put them in a freezer bag. Squish out all the air and then
>> label the bag with the contents and date.
>>
>> As far as which steak is better... I dunno. I have my faves but I
>> like them all. To me Porterhouse and T-Bones are the best for
>> grilling. I like sirloin for grilling but use it in other recipes.
>> Then there is flank steak. Oh hell, I like almost all of them.
>
> Wrapping tightly in ordinary freezer paper and clearly marking the
> contents and date is the right idea.
>
> Hi-Tech vacuum packaging only reduces freezer burn, does absolutely
> nothing to maintain the texture/flavor of the meat. It's far less
> expensive and there's much less effort involved if folks would simply
> prominently date their meat purchases before freezing and then use the
> older ones first and use them all within a moderate amount of time,
> within less than three months for tender beef, less than a year for
> toughter cuts. The argument about the savings from stocking up on
> steaks on sale is horseshit... anyone who lives in the US can buy
> fresh beef steaks on sale every day... maybe not every cut every day
> but at least two of the most desireable variety each week, and the
> choices rotate weeky.... there's more beef in the meat case of the
> typical US stupidmarket at any given time than there is in many entire
> countries. Anyone in the US who stocks up a big freezer full of meats
> and whatever to last a year and longer is seriously paranoid/schizo
> about going hungry... they're mentally ill and need to see a shrink...
> very likely rasied by parents with an acute case of Depression Mentality.

Or they just dont understand the basics on how long the meat will be good for.

I choose to buy the meat uncut and cut it myself, so I get what I want cut wise
and I get to use the offcuts for other meals like curry so I do get the meat
quite a bit cheaper than buy buying it already cut up, and so do get to store
significant amounts of meat.

I do the same with chicken too.