Clam storing question

[duckmen1]

Went clam digging yesterday. Did well and got limits. As soon as they were dug put them on ice. For the remainder of day and night. As they were on ice,they started opening up. Is this normal. The meat feels firm and smells good but thoughts they were supposed to stay closed until after cooking opens them up. Thanks for any help

[CP]

That’s normal for iced clams, they are still good to eat and probably still alive.  I like to keep them in salt water for 12-24 hours so they can “spit” out any sand that might be in them.

[duckmen1]

Cool thanks. As far as storing them in saltwater I didn't bring any home with me for storing in so would making a saltwater solution work or putting in freshwater with cornbread.

[h20hunter]

Anyone ever put them in a bucket of clean saltwater with a healthy dose of cornmeal? I always heard that was a good way to cleam 'em out.

[superdown]

Anyone ever put them in a bucket of clean saltwater with a healthy dose of cornmeal? I always heard that was a good way to cleam 'em out.

That's what we have always done but use a bowl upside down in the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket and start with the largest ones in the bottom and end with the small ones up top. Leave them like that over night in a cool place and you end up with a real nice ring of sand in the bottom of the bucket we add corn meal a couple of times over the course of the night.

[pianoman9701]

clams and mussels "relax". When you gently agitate them, they should close again.

[CP]

I’ve found cornmeal just makes a mess, clean saltwater from where you found them is best but since you don’t have any just keep them cool until you cook them.

[duckmen1]

The other question is with these clams do I need to clean them similar like I would razors or can you steam them whole and eat the whole clam like at a restaurant. Some are small some are quite large.

And when doing the cornmeal trick to get sand out if I don't have saltwater what's the best way?

Also if you don't want to cook for a week or two until family get together or something can you freeze prior to cooking.

This is a big help in teaching me and others ways of clam prepping
Thanks

[duckmen1]

The other thing is the ice started to melt over night and the clams were a bit submerged in water. Like I said they smell good so think these are good to go. I just don't know weather to clean them first or steam whole

[pianoman9701]

Make seawater by adding 1.25 ounces of sea salt to 1 liter of distilled or spring water. Take a cup of the water out and heat it in the microwave to dissolve the salt in it fast. Make sure the rest is cold.

[duckmen1]

Sounds good. Does anybody steam them whole?

[pianoman9701]

Sounds good. Does anybody steam them whole?

I do.  I also eat them raw.

[duckmen1]

I'll give it a shot and see how it goes.

[DoubleJ]

Cornmeal is not needed, just clean salt water

Fresh water will kill them.  Do not put them in fresh water

steam and eat.  Throw out any that don't open with a steaming

[magnanimous_j]

Went clam digging yesterday. Did well and got limits. As soon as they were dug put them on ice. For the remainder of day and night. As they were on ice,they started opening up. Is this normal. The meat feels firm and smells good but thoughts they were supposed to stay closed until after cooking opens them up. Thanks for any help

It's normal. Give the open ones a couple of taps and they should close up within a minute or two. Throw them out if they don't.