Thread: Seeking advice on processing deer at home without access to a chiller

Few good options here thanks everyone.

I'll keep an eye out for a reasonably priced second hand double door Skope fridge. In the meantime I'll probably try the bucket trick to get by.

Really appreciate all the advice on these forums, thanks all.

Get a cheap 2nd hand fridge. Mine would be better without the freezer but I can get 8 legs in there.

A decent vacuum packer will be your best friend. Hang it for as long as you can then bone it out and vacuum pack the cuts and leave in your fridge for 10 days too two weeks. It will turn out awesome.

Originally Posted by Fatberg

Few good options here thanks everyone.

I'll keep an eye out for a reasonably priced second hand double door Skope fridge. In the meantime I'll probably try the bucket trick to get by.

Really appreciate all the advice on these forums, thanks all.

I use my light weight meat safe in garage at home for a couple of days and then bone out and vacuum pack into the fridge for at least 6 days - would like to hang for longer but temp a worry in garage

Originally Posted by 300wsm for life

Get a cheap 2nd hand fridge. Mine would be better without the freezer but I can get 8 legs in there.

Attachment 225619

thats a damn good set up

An old shop chiller with a new blower in it. Cheap as chips. You just need the room for one cause they take up a bit of space. @Brian has the details.

Originally Posted by 300wsm for life

Get a cheap 2nd hand fridge. Mine would be better without the freezer but I can get 8 legs in there.

Attachment 225619

I wonder instead of using the tray slots like this if one drilled two holes up thru roof and used two alloy plates on top as anchor to distribute weight - one could make up a hanging rack closer to roof - only needs two say 8mm holes and bolts exact same size - bit of welding to make hooks - should work ???

It's worth noting that commercial chillers like you find in a dairy or old vending machines have an evaporator fan that circulates air.
Domestic fridges and freezers don't.

Yes drilling holes will work. My mate fitted a PC fan to his set up like mine. Moves a surprising amount of air. If your only hanging legs for 3-4 days then it isn't too much of a problem.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

I wonder instead of using the tray slots like this if one drilled two holes up thru roof and used two alloy plates on top as anchor to distribute weight - one could make up a hanging rack closer to roof - only needs two say 8mm holes and bolts exact same size - bit of welding to make hooks - should work ???

I’d not be going anywhere close to the fridge sides with a drill. There can be all sorts of pipes running under that skin. You just need to nick one and that’s it. Now you own a cupboard. Seen a cabinetmaker do this was not a pleasant bill

Originally Posted by Sideshow

I’d not be going anywhere close to the fridge sides with a drill. There can be all sorts of pipes running under that skin. You just need to nick one and that’s it. Now you own a cupboard. Seen a cabinetmaker do this was not a pleasant bill

does the same apply to roof ???

That’s a top set up @Thar I like that it’s raised and the drain hole. They can get a bit smelly when empty and turned off. Helps with the clean out. For the smaller set up you can get away with spray and wipe out with disinfectant and some paper towels. But for yours you would look like those loo roll horders back at Covid

Originally Posted by Blackfern

As noted above keep your eye out for a skope drinks fridge they pop up on Facebook marketplace quite often. Put a rail across the top and hang your deer up in there.

Skope are a good brand but expensive. they probably have a slow gas leak if they're cheap.

for most people a second hand domestic fridge will be fine for the amount of deer they shoot

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

Skope are a good brand but expensive. they probably have a slow gas leak for that price

They do pop up I paid just over $200 for my double door skope

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

I run a skope fridge at home and it works very well.

Re how long to hang a deer - it's multiple of 40 ie 10 days at 4 degrees or 2 days at 20 degrees and all multiples in between. I found 10 days skin on in the chiller and fallow were fantastic eating.