Upright freezer that fits meat lugs?

[birdman86]

Looking for an upright freezer than can hold maybe 6+ meat lugs, 5 and 7” versions and ideally a shelf for each to avoid stacking.

I have a regular upright Frigidaire but like most models they don’t really fit any lugs yet alone a bunch…I can jam two in but then need to tie the door shut with a rope. Do I need to go commercial to find this?

[marky_mark]

what's a meat lug?

[fishnguy]

^ Was wondering the same, so I googled:

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/80307/cabelas-7-meat-lug

[Dean2]

You are going to have to get a commercial version if you want to do that many. No consumer freezer I have seen will.

[MountainTi]

What Dean said. I can get a couple in mine, but the "pockets" in the door screw up most of the shelves for lugs

[vance]

Do you need them to be leakproof? If just using for storing stacked wrapped meat, plastic milk crates will fit in a typical size upright freezer. Very durable and easy to pull out
Vance

[birdman86]

What Dean said. I can get a couple in mine, but the "pockets" in the door screw up most of the shelves for lugs

Yeah that's the same problem I'm having, the spacing of the shelves on the door seems to work just right so that no matter what I do the trays hit the doors.

Do you need them to be leakproof? If just using for storing stacked wrapped meat, plastic milk crates will fit in a typical size upright freezer. Very durable and easy to pull out
Vance

I'm thinking more for the sausage party. We work right out of the freezer to keep things cold while staying clean indoors.

One 5" lug holds 20 lbs of meat mixture so we can grind a bunch of 20 lb batches one at a time, then mix each batch, then stuff each batch. Currently we end up running lugs of meat into the freeze box upstairs, deep freezes, maybe outside, and the fridge for overflow/freeze control and its a big juggling match to keep them all cold and organized. One big upright freezer that can hold 6 tubs and a steady 30F would allow us to do 120 lbs of sausage without all that monkey business.

Judging by prices of commercial units I might just be dreaming I guess!

I do like the milk crate idea for freezing the wrapped sausages though.

[vance]

I understand. I do sausage in smaller lots and so I can manage with large mixing bowls that hold 10lbs. Have you tried restaurant supply places for food grade tubs in plastic or stainless that would fit your freezer? I am thinking of the large stainless trays that I think are called hotel trays/pans? They are 4-5 inches deep I believe

Somewhere out there is the vessel you need!

Vance

[Dean2]

Smaller lugs is one answer. The other is to take all of the factory shelves off your consumer freezer. Other, depending on your space is to build your own freezer unit. Way cheaper than buying one.

[vance]

Hotel pans is what they are called (google).

[MountainTi]

I'm thinking more for the sausage party. We work right out of the freezer to keep things cold while staying clean indoors.

One 5" lug holds 20 lbs of meat mixture so we can grind a bunch of 20 lb batches one at a time, then mix each batch, then stuff each batch. Currently we end up running lugs of meat into the freeze box upstairs, deep freezes, maybe outside, and the fridge for overflow/freeze control and its a big juggling match to keep them all cold and organized. One big upright freezer that can hold 6 tubs and a steady 30F would allow us to do 120 lbs of sausage without all that monkey business.

Judging by prices of commercial units I might just be dreaming I guess!

I do like the milk crate idea for freezing the wrapped sausages though.

That's when I am trying to find freezer space for a meat lug as well. Nice to keep 100 lbs plus of sausage mix chilled before stuffing

[urban rednek]

You need something smaller than the 20" x 15" meat lugs. Would something like these 18" x 12" x 6" Cambro food storage totes fit on your freezer shelves? Probably cheaper than buying a commercial freezer.
https://www.russellhendrix.com/product/849/cambro-camwear-food-box-no-lid-clear-12-x-18-x-6-12186cw135

[calgarychef]

You could make your own wooden boxes and use a plastic bag or sheet to line them. I use the blue rubbermaids in my chest freezer, they fit nicely but aren’t food safe, I just use them for organizing frozen foods.

[birdman86]

Thanks for the ideas, I think those stainless hotel pans will be perfect - seems like they’re designed to fit in standard freezers (well the measurements perfectly fit mine anyway). And if my math is right a 4” half size will fit 10 lbs of meat, or full size for 20. And bonus is they’ll actually for in my sink for washing after.

Way way way better than buying a whole new freezer!

[calgarychef]

Thanks for the ideas, I think those stainless hotel pans will be perfect - seems like they’re designed to fit in standard freezers (well the measurements perfectly fit mine anyway). And if my math is right a 4” half size will fit 10 lbs of meat, or full size for 20. And bonus is they’ll actually for in my sink for washing after.

Way way way better than buying a whole new freezer!

And they make good roasting pans in the oven

[JBE]

In this weather all you need is a lid and set it outside

[fatboyz]

Thanks for the ideas, I think those stainless hotel pans will be perfect - seems like they’re designed to fit in standard freezers (well the measurements perfectly fit mine anyway). And if my math is right a 4” half size will fit 10 lbs of meat, or full size for 20. And bonus is they’ll actually for in my sink for washing after.

Way way way better than buying a whole new freezer!

There’s a guy on the pigeon lake swap and buy that has used resteraunt equipment cheap all the time. He has plastic and stainless pans for like $5 each. Location says he’s in Leduc?

[KMCL0610]

"If you don't really have an extra fridge, you can fit two of them in a cooler large enough to accommodate the lugs.
I've used a variety of containers throughout the years, but the meat lugs were far more handy. They stack and fit in the refrigerator (https://ancasterfoodequipment.com/true-commercial-refrigerators-coolers/). It is simple to clean and has a cover. When not in use, keep it in a beautiful place.

I've never had a large grinder, and I've never even had an issue with it; the larger ones are quicker, and you can continue packing them full. The smaller one simply has to let the machine proceed at its own pace. I'd rather spend $100-150 on a grinder and the remaining money on a stuffer and flesh mixer than $400 on a grinders."

[junglejay7320]

i bought 5 cat litter boxs from dollarama...fits exactly in your fridge or stand up freezer..i get 20-25 pounds of ground up meat in each one...2 or 3 bucks each...mind you have to be gentle when frozen..they like to crack or small pieces can break off into your meat...but very cool for the fridge to keep chilled...just a thought..works for me...