I started a new topic on crabs since the other one had gotten quite long. It was a great topic though and I had another question.
How long can you keep the crabs right out of the trap on ice until you clean/steam them? The reason I ask is that I was wondering if you could keep them chilled a few days while you were accumulating enough for a good meal to steam. Any other ideas on saving them for a few days?
Ice on them is bad. Try to keep them cool in a refrigerator or suspended above ice. Submerged in ice or fresh water will kill them.
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Keep them cool, don’t suffocate them, once their mouth opens then that means they are dead. They shouldn’t be dead long before being eaten. I keep them cool above the ice in the cooler.
PEW…something stinks!
[quote]Originally posted by CoachLuck
I started a new topic on crabs since the other one had gotten quite long. It was a great topic though and I had another question.
How long can you keep the crabs right out of the trap on ice until you clean/steam them? The reason I ask is that I was wondering if you could keep them chilled a few days while you were accumulating enough for a good meal to steam. Any other ideas on saving them for a few days?
[/quote
I have had them last three days on ice, but I keep removing the water so they don’t drown. Keep checking and make sure they’re still living. If you find a dead one toss it or it might cause the others to die as well. This past memorial day I only managed about 10 keepers over 3 days (some kids kept screwing with my traps). On the last day 8 were still fiesty after about 20 min in the sun to warm up and they went to back to their homes. The two that showed little to no life became bait.
You gonna talk or FISH!
Anyone have a good source for buying live crabs in the Mt. Pleasant area?
You can buy a machine to squeeze the meat out of the crabs and freeze it fresh. About a pound of meat out of 12-18 good size crabs. Look for the Crab Master at Hadrells or other.I cook the claws seperately when you process and make a seperate meal. Does anyone know the secret of just cooking the claws so the meat pops right out without having to crack the claw. Sometimes it works great sometimes not. It seams like if they are right out of the water it works well but if I ice them overnight the meat sticks to the shell.
You said it dimarc - ice on them makes them stick. I learned that from icing stone crab claws. Its a no-no if you don’t want the meat to stick. You are supposed to cook them asap to avoid the sticking problem. It is ok to put them on ice AFTER they have been cooked, so I’m told. I guess we just need crab steamers installed on our boats. 
pluffmud talk with penny her dad sells them
Add some vinegar to your boil, is supposed to help the meat release.
quote:Wando Shrimp Co. has them. $10.00/dozen for mixed, or $13.00/dozen for all males. They're out on Haddrells Point, past Magwoods dry boat storage lot.
Originally posted by pluffmudAnyone have a good source for buying live crabs in the Mt. Pleasant area?
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quote:I fill galon milk jugs with water and keep one over the crabs in the cooler . this makes them very slow and will keep them live for over a week. They'll liven up when they warm up. You can check them by holding them up and they will slowly move their legs. this means they are live.
Originally posted by CoachLuckI started a new topic on crabs since the other one had gotten quite long. It was a great topic though and I had another question.
How long can you keep the crabs right out of the trap on ice until you clean/steam them? The reason I ask is that I was wondering if you could keep them chilled a few days while you were accumulating enough for a good meal to steam. Any other ideas on saving them for a few days?
Is this fun or what?
I just go ahead and clean them and then put them in the fridge for as long as two days before I steam them Been doing it this way for 15 years.
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