Mouldy fallow carcass :(

[75]

Shot a fallow just less than 2 weeks ago. Hung overnight at about 10
degrees and then chiller turned down to about 4 degrees and hung since. Been away for a couple of days and just gone to skin and cut and it's covered in mould. Chiller is a commercial fridge with fan.

Any thought? Simply too moist in there??

 

[I. Farticus]

Sounds like your seals have had it... I'd check them first

 

[paul o']

plus one feller do a smoke test see if any points other than fan outlets leak

​

Sounds like your seals have had it... I'd check them first

 

[75]

Newish chiller - less than a year old Stupid question - how do I do smoke test? Just put something smouldering in there and leave the fan running a bit? Don't have any smoke bombs or owt

 

[09mutley05]

smoke pellets from a plumbers merchants make sure the chillers empty first

 

[norma 308]

So how long was it hung for in total please ?

 

[75]

13 days in total. Wondering whether I put it in there too warm to start with and too much moisture. It prob only had about 4hrs to cool before it went in at 10 degrees overnight then turned down to about 4ish...

 

[norma 308]

I would have mould on any carcase I left in my chiller for that long too and it's working fine no leaks .i leave mine 7 days max .so just get them processed a bit quicker chap .
kind regards
​norma

 

[75]

Cheers Norma, Bloody work trip came out of nowhere an scuppered plans to process last week Regularly hung stuff that long in a big commercial walk in chiller, but I guess a lot less air moving in a small one... First time I've left one anywhere near this long in my chiller - lesson learnt!

 

[paul o']

hope this helps you can buy smoke tabs for gas testing in tablet form just put them in a tin and light them try diy store or http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41527BykHqL._SX450_.jpg .

you need to find a leak so fan off i would say even tape it over

 

[norma 308]

Yep mine will hold 2 fallow does max but not a lot of air circulating ,still hopefully we will get some colder weather soon and I won't need it on all the time .
​cheers

 

[243ack]

A bit of a coat on the inside is no problem. I stalked with an old boy in Kinlock Rannoch a few years back. He had reds in an open room with more fur on the inside than outside (and stunk to high heaven). When I suggested he dumped them, it was akin to a mortal insult. 'Just a wee wipe down with vinegar and they'll be just fine'.
Rather him than me, though!.

 

[badbob]

Yes too damp. mold spores are everywhere
​waiting for the right environment
dont leave it so long next time

unless you`ve got a well controlled environment and humidity
2 weeks will produce mold growth even at low temperatures.
especially if the carcass was wet to start with
opening the rib cage helps to prevent localised humidity inside
5 days is plenty imo for venison.

 

[limulus]

Mold will develop after 2 weeks incubation at 4c
most commercial chillers will be at 0 or even just below slowing mold growth down considerably (generally its an exponential relationship between temp and growth rate)
next time whip the fillets out and try and process the rest a bit earlier or see if you can lower the fridge temp. Mine runs at 0-2 and a roe will keep 2 weeks with very little mold.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Mines hang in the garage overnight and are in the freezer processed within 30 hrs !

I wish I shot enough to need my own chiller

 

[75]

Thanks again for the comments chaps - I now begrudge the unplanned work trip to Germany even more!!

 

[bull dog]

smoke pellets from a plumbers merchants make sure the chillers empty first

just a quick heads up you dont need to use smoke bombs to check the door seals just 1 sheet of news paper shut in the door leaving half outside the chiller and u should have good resistants all the way round the seal

 

[paul o']

Yup he should know it his trade and business .lol . pity your not near him he is a top white goods and chiller/freezer guy