CI Meat Press

[Mike Bohannon]

Seen this on ebay and wondering just how this meat press was used?   Mike

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260331130398&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016

[Jeff_Paden]

Heres a patent on another device that may shed some light...

[Mike Bohannon]

Jeff, I had checked some patents, don't remember seeing this one, and it is obvious that it is to press moisture from meat but I still don't understand why?  What was the reason for pressing the moisture from the meat?  This one in the auction would only hold a very small amount.  I still do not understand the the intent of a "meat press".  I'm kinda slow but just don't understand even after reading the patents. Mike

[Sam Roberts]

I don't know if this will help you or not, but some good reading.

http://www.groupsrv.com/hobby/about22657.html

[Ron_Wheeler]

Good info on the press in the link Sam.  I asked my mother-in-law (she's 88) about the meat press.  She said back in those days they would press the oil out of cracklins before they rendered the cracklins for soap, saved the oil (lard) for cooking.  Also they would parboil meats and press the juices and oils out before drying the meat or smoking it.  The oils in the meat would turn rancid so you had to get most of it out for storage.  Remember, a lot of folks back then didn't have electricity or refrigeration.  

That's her story and I believe it, after all she's my favorite mother-in-law.   ;D

[Jeff_Paden]

http://books.google.com/books?as_brr=1&q=meat+press&btnG=Search+Books