Maceration problems

[blindluck]

Will do.

[Weehunt66]

How do you keep the water at 85 degrees? How many heaters are you using?

[blindluck]

I use a hot water tank element now, good for maceration then degreasing.

[sirmissalot]

I've had bad luck with the hot water tank elements when macerating. They always seem to burn up, which I think is caused from all the gunk in the water. For degreasing they do fine though. Did you do anything to keep the gunk from getting on the element?

[blindluck]

Yes fill the tub with water above the element then put your skull in a 5 gallon bucket and put it in the tub,the water in the tub heats the water in the bucket and you always have clean water surrounding your element.

[blindluck]

what the heck, Im still macerating and nothing. I pull the head out and all the meat is tight on the head. Its all white but still not coming off.

[Pathfinder101]

what the heck, Im still macerating and nothing. I pull the head out and all the meat is tight on the head. Its all white but still not coming off.

What you are describing sounds like almost the exact same thing that happened when I tried it.  Eventually it worked, but took a really long time...

[blindluck]

Really, how long did yours take?

[Weehunt66]

I have given up. The smell was horrible and it didn't appear anything was happening. I'm going to just boil them and settle for the results.....

Blindluck...I hope yours turn out better. 

[sirmissalot]

Have you checked the temp in the bucket with the skull in it? Usually if mine is slow it's because it's not quite warm enough. It needs to be at least 90 in there.

[blindluck]

I have had the temp at a constant 92 deg.

[Bean Counter]

Once the flesh rotting is all done, be sure to take the time to properly degrease it.  Michelle did an elk for me and I think she spent weeks/months getting it done right the first time.  years later only a tiny bit of grease has leached and that is only in the thickest bone in the back of the skull.

[sirmissalot]

Was it a clean, new 5 gallon bucket or was it used for something prior? After two weeks it should be rotten enough you can at least pull off most the big chunks of flesh. Assuming you didn't have something that could be killing the bacteria in the water in the bucket before you used it for macerating, you might try bumping up the temp a hair more. If it stinks, then it's working!

[blindluck]

I am using a new plastic tub bought at Home Depot and a hot water tank element to heat the water, Im suprised its not working because it really smells and the water looks horrible, I pulled the skull out today and its still has all the meat tight on the skull but is white in color. also when I add water I use rain water free of any clorine or chemicals. Im not sure what else to do but to leave it in there and wait.

[Pathfinder101]

Really, how long did yours take?

I can't remember exactly, but it was a long time.