Brining the Turkey Breast

Francesca Knowles wrote:

tplife wrote:
Aluminum pots are anodized with a coating.

??????????????????

That process is so expensive that AIRSTREAM stopped doing it on their very expensive trailers. In what universe would the Chinese be doing it to ten-dollar aluminum cookware?
It's the taste I'm worried about! I've actually stopped using aluminum for anything except baking

Exactly. I have one AL pot, an IMUSA that I use for beans, but that's it. They also quit using it in f tooth fillings and are replacing them.

I use Rumford baking powder, no AL. Bakewell Cream is another that can be had online, but it doesn't contain baking soda.

tplife wrote:
Aluminum pots are anodized with a coating.

??????????????????

That process is so expensive that AIRSTREAM stopped doing it on their very expensive trailers. In what universe would the Chinese be doing it to ten-dollar aluminum cookware?

Aluminum pots are anodized with a coating. I guess there are unlined aluminum pots out there, I've never seen one as I don't go to many museums. I'd go with a bag liner, plastic bucket, cooler, or what have you...But paranoia is definitely out.

I was part of a church pancake breakfast once where my job was to do all the scrambled eggs. We used big foil pans and all the eggs were green. Felt like I was in a Dr. Suess story.

tplife wrote:

Of course it's not the best option, but if it's the only option, brining in aluminum is safe. It can affect the pot and the taste, but it won't make you sick. Unlike a boat, it's not going to be brining for a few years outdoors.

It's the taste I'm worried about! I've actually stopped using aluminum for anything except baking- water itself seems to leach the taste, especially over long exposure times.

Someone gave me an aluminum "turkey fryer" pot with a spigot. I thought it would also be ideal for making soup stock, which I like to do in big quantities. It takes hours to make, and despite the fact that I added no salt at all, there was a metallic taste to the stock so distinct that I threw all that beautiful stock away.

Lesson learned!

Francesca Knowles wrote:

robsouth wrote:

tplife wrote:
A couple of days in a salt water (brine) solution is not going to do any harm to the pot or the food...Good grief! Who doesn't cook with salt???

He said "aluminum pot". Have you ever seen what salt water (or even salt air breeze" will do to the aluminum parts of a boat? Salt and aluminum do not get along.

No kidding...try leaving a brining solution in an aluminum container overnight and see for yourself!

Of course it's not the best option, but if it's the only option, brining in aluminum is safe. Stick a plastic bag inside it as a liner. The brine can affect the pot and the taste, but it won't make you sick. Unlike a boat, it's not going to be brining for a few years outdoors.

When I last brined a turkey I put it in a Reynolds oven bag, filled it with the brine and stored it in a small cooler. The bags are strong enough to hold up and can then be used to bake the turkey in. They hold the moisture when baking and you can still do a quick browning without drying the bird out.

Mine went in the brine this morning:

My choices for brining in order of preference

1) Big-A*** Porcelain pot: Only works for smaller turkeys and has to be where one can set it outside to keep cool.

2) Appropriate sized cooler that can hold the turkey, the brine, and ice for keeping cool

3) Big-A** plastic bags...the default option if the turkey is too big for any other option...but again, one must put the bag somewhere where it can stay cool.

DO NOT use an aluminum pot with brine. Results are very unpleasant and likely toxic.

robsouth wrote:

tplife wrote:
A couple of days in a salt water (brine) solution is not going to do any harm to the pot or the food...Good grief! Who doesn't cook with salt???

He said "aluminum pot". Have you ever seen what salt water (or even salt air breeze" will do to the aluminum parts of a boat? Salt and aluminum do not get along.

No kidding...try leaving a brining solution in an aluminum container overnight and see for yourself!