Steamed Crab

So some of the guys were telling me about how they like to steam their crab and since I don't have a pot with a steamer basket I began to try an improvise with something inside my larger pot. While digging around I came across an old vegetable/rice steamer and was stoked to give it a try. I am happy to report that steamed crab is now on the menu!

Looks tasty my friend. I should just invest on a steamer instead of boiling it every time.

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I have been steaming crabs for many years; I think it is the best way to cook crab. I do it in a big pot and have a little stainless steel grate for the bottom, found it at walmart. I use (cheap) beer and old bay seasoning, I will add lemon slices or even orange slices, when my tree is producing. Sure wish I was out right now!!!

Brilliant!!! 

Large pot. 1/4 cup of water. 15-20 mins depending on crab size.

Crabs naturally have some water retention so need for a lot of water. Steaming it in it's own juices brings out its flavor. Bon Apetit! 

I use a tamale pot, $30 for the big one (40qt) at my local grocer right now.  Built in steamer and it fits a 55k btu cooker from bass pro right in it for taking to the beach.  30 min steamed crabs

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5 gallon pot, 1 inch of water (salted and with a lemon cut in half and juiced), no steamer insert.  Bring to a boil first then place your limit of crab in the pot.  Set your timer to 18 minutes.  Remove and immediately immerse in an ice bath to cool.

-Allen

I use this pot and love it. It works best on a high BTU outdoor burner but it is big enough to steam 20 commercial size dungies. The best thing about it is that it is really easy to clean unlike stainless steel or aluminum. It doesnt have handles though. 

http://www.amazon.com/Granite-6323-1-33-Quart-Crawfish-Steamer/dp/B0001V04IQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1386252732&sr=1-3&keywords=crab+steamer

I set my steamer on the coleman camp stove out on the balcony.  Cuts down on the post crab stench (small apartment without a stove vent (yes the place is that old).

Hey Solsrf1, any pot will work...just like snapperhead said, just gotta find something to keep them off the bottom by about an inch or so.

I grew up on the Chesapeake in Maryland. Boiling crabs was unheard of. We used to run 1000' of trotline (non yak) and good days would produce 1-2 bushels of Blue Crabs. Water and apple cider vinegar in the bottom of the steamer. Beer optional. We'd use J.O. seasoning, similar to Old Bay, but with big rock salt in it. Guys who know swear by it.

Out here, I steam my dungies for 18 mins, dropping them in once you've got it steaming hard. Layer on the Old Bay (can't find J.O. out here!). Just my preference...

To keep off the bottom punch some holes in a old metal pie tin. turn upside down. This will keep crab off the bottom. Any pot the tin will fit inside works. 

I guess I am going to have to try this.

I was at the thrift store today and there were several pots worthy of steaming crabs.  Several were the blue-with-specks pots with lids that would hold up great I would think.  Maybe I'll be heading back to the thrift store tomorrow...

Great ideas everyone-thanks!

I use this pot and love it. It works best on a high BTU outdoor burner but it is big enough to steam 20 commercial size dungies. The best thing about it is that it is really easy to clean unlike stainless steel or aluminum. It doesnt have handles though. 

http://www.amazon.com/Granite-6323-1-33-Quart-Crawfish-Steamer/dp/B0001V04IQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1386252732&sr=1-3&keywords=crab+steamer

That is exactly the pot I saw at the Hospice Thrift Store for $7.  Went back today and picked it up!