Went gut barrel diving for the first time yesterday. It was 100 degrees.

I knew that a cow's stomach was big, but had no idea it was that big. All the offal left the 55 gallon drum a little more than 1/2 full. I couldn't lift the stomach out of the drum, even with most of the grass removed, so I had to cut it out one manageable piece at a time.

It was SO hot in the "gut house" that I gave out after about 25 lbs. I would have tried to get more, but I left my sharpening steel at home, and tripe will dull an edge quick. Its so "gummy" that a knife that isn't sharp just rolls it back and forth without really cutting. Mainly I quit because I was about to have a heat stroke, and I was afraid the butcher wouldn't let me come back if he had to call an ambulance for me.

Got it home and cut it into 1 lb. chunks, then vacuum sealed it.

Finished it all off with a looooooooooong shower.

Anything below $5.00 a lb. for tripe is cheap this time of year, IMHO.

Those that process this stuff to sell are working their butts off.

Now that I know what its like, I think I can plan it out a little better and get more. Call me greedy.

Wise Choice Tripe has a ring to it.:wink::wink:

what we wont do for our dogs!

Welcome to the Gut Bucket Club!
You are braver than most people to tackle a big stinking beef gut pile, especially in heat stroke weather.
And even after all that washing I bet the smell is still there on your hands. :laugh:
Tripe is best cut by stabbing through it with your knife and then slicing it. (I never take my knife without my favorite sharpener.) A hay hook also is very useful for moving big animal parts.
If you were trying to get your tripe while the gut pile was still in the barrel it would be hard. It is almost easy if the pile is layed out on the floor and you just cut the tripe off of the pile, but then you would have to put all the grass back in the barrel (a scoop shovel would make that job easier).
I save a lot of time and labor by cutting a long strip and leaving it attached to the pile and then cut pieces off of the end. That way one hand holds the end of the tripe strip, the other hand cuts and the guts hold the other end for me. It works the same way when I cut meat off of a carcass. :smile:

You know I wonder if Nature's Miracle works on people? I've had good luck with poultry shears and a gaff hook on guts...

 Quote: Debbie Bruce

And even after all that washing I bet the smell is still there on your hands. :laugh:

I had on one pair of shoulder length plastic gloves and one pair of regular latex gloves. I couldn't find a hole in any of them, but I STILL had stink on my hands. Thats potent.

 Quote: Debbie Bruce

It is almost easy if the pile is layed out on the floor and you just cut the tripe off of the pile, but then you would have to put all the grass back in the barrel (a scoop shovel would make that job easier).
I save a lot of time and labor by cutting a long strip and leaving it attached to the pile and then cut pieces off of the end. That way one hand holds the end of the tripe strip, the other hand cuts and the guts hold the other end for me. It works the same way when I cut meat off of a carcass. :smile:

Next time, I'm gonna take a wheel barrow down there the day before. He said it wouldn't be any more trouble for him to put the stomach in there. He would have done it Monday, but lucky me, the tire busted as he was airing it up.

I knew you would have some good tips for me. I should have pm'd you Sunday. Good to know that there is an easier way. Thanks!

 Quote: Melissa Thom

You know I wonder if Nature's Miracle works on people? I've had good luck with poultry shears and a gaff hook on guts...

Nature's Miracle would definitely be worth a shot, IMO. I had to use a combo of vinegar....soap....vinegar....soap....Over and over and over.......

A good pair of shears will also be making the next trip with me, too. Thank you.

Tripe is tough. Will it withstand tearing under load when using hooks like you and Debbie mentioned?

As I was getting in the jeep to leave a man came up to get tripe for himself. Had we been there at the same time, it would've been a ton easier on the both of us to work as a team.

Greed almost made me go back for more. Wanting to be helpful to the man almost made me go back for more. Exhaustion put my butt in the jeep to head home.