$$$ Mid range skull boil kit?

[180ls1]

I am looking at a skull boiling kit and it seems like there are only two options. 1 is $450 (very nice, Bridger) and the other options are DIY parts and pieces. Is there anything in between as I would like something a little more "put together" I could gift a rancher?

 

[WCB]

Only other thing I have seen is "The Buck Boiler" basically a feed bucket with electric heater in it. Sell them at Cabelas.

 

[txtransplant]

Crock Pot bruv

 

[Wrench]

Amazon.com

 

[DenimChicken]

I use a turkey fryer. Big pot and a burner. It cost around $100.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Cut 10”-12” bottom out of 55gal drum and buy a propane turkey frier bottom.

 

[BackcountryIdaho]

Just use an old big pot, or find one at a yard sale, and the cooking burner on your grill. You'll need some borax, and detergent which you probably already have, and some of the more concentrated peroxide from a beauty supply store. All in you're probably under $30 even if you have none of the above.

 

[S.Clancy]

I suggest a Sou vide. Been using it the last couple yrs and it does a great job with next to no oversight.

 

[SloppyJ]

Big metal bucket from tractor supply. I used my burner for frying turkeys, a power washer, and some of the bleach powder and peroxide from the beauty supply shop.

I wouldn't buy a "kit".

 

[Jblodgett]

I’ve also been using the Sous Vide for a few years now and it works perfectly. Set it to 160 degrees and add oxyclean to the water. Spray off the skull with a garden hose and change the water every 4 hours until it is completely clean. No risk of over heating the skull.

 

[SloppyJ]

I’ve also been using the Sous Vide for a few years now and it works perfectly. Set it to 160 degrees and add oxyclean to the water. Spray off the skull with a garden hose and change the water every 4 hours until it is completely clean. No risk of over heating the skull.

How long does it normally take?

 

[Crowmangler]

Big metal bucket from tractor supply. I used my burner for frying turkeys, a power washer, and some of the bleach powder and peroxide from the beauty supply shop.

I wouldn't buy a "kit".

The 5.5 gallon tub from Tractor Supply is the perfect size & shape for elk

 

[SloppyJ]

View attachment 766230

The 5.5 gallon tub from Tractor Supply is the perfect size & shape for elk

That's the exact one I have. Works great.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I do basically what crowmangler does. Outdoor cooker and a dedicated skull boiling vessel. Definitely boil outside as your wife will want to kill you when you do it inside (I have experience with this). A bit of borax and dawn dishwashing soap in the boiler will help with the degreasing. Change the water once or twice and simmer on low. Then the peroxide treatment. I've done 20 or more like this.

 

[huntnful]

Big metal bucket from tractor supply. I used my burner for frying turkeys, a power washer, and some of the bleach powder and peroxide from the beauty supply shop.

I wouldn't buy a "kit".

I second this 100%. I do all my own euros exactly like this.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

I suggest a Sou vide. Been using it the last couple yrs and it does a great job with next to no oversight.

Explain your process please.

 

[txtransplant]

Explain your process please.

Yeah, id think the chunks of flesh would clog up the machine and cause issues…

 

[Jblodgett]

How long does it normally take?

For deer it usually takes 2 days, and 3 days for elk.

 

[S.Clancy]

Explain your process please.

1. I bought sov vide you can put in any pot, I like 1000 Watt.
2. Put head in pot, cover to antlers, put degreaser in (soap, borax, etc), set Sov Vide.
3. Set Sou vide to 140F for 24 hrs, make sure the water doesn't go below the intake.
4. After first cook, use a hose to wash off.
5. Set second cook for 150F, 8-12 hrs. Wash off second time.
6. Final cook at 150 for 4-12 hrs (depending on how much is left). Wash off.

At this point it should be as clean as it will ever get. I like to use a combo of high pressure wash for the outside of the skull and low pressure for the inside (nasal passage, etc). This preserves all those cool structures. You will prob need to do some fine tuning with the temps to get the results you want. You could do the whole thing at 130-140F, it will just take longer.

Finally, try to remove as much meat etc from the skull before cooking, this will make the process faster. I've done everything from antelope to big bull elk with this process.

 

[Dos Perros]

I use a turkey fryer. Big pot and a burner. It cost around $100.

Got mine at Menards on sale for $40!