Brining container alternatives

YoDadio

New member
While I love the concept of the Brine Jr, it just seems pricey for a unitasker. Some will say buy once cry once, but I felt compelled to seek out strange new worlds so I did some searching on the interwebs for alternatives where I found the following promising and affordable products:

Roasting Bag: https://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Oven-Cooking-Turkey-Count/dp/B0007M45XE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479828068&sr=8-2&keywords=roasting+bag

Turkey Brine Bag: https://www.amazon.com/Extra-Large-Brining-designed-Turkey/dp/B00FW6CA6E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479828147&sr=8-1&keywords=brine+bag

5 gal bucket liner: https://www.amazon.com/Gallon-Bucket-Liner-Marinading-Brining/dp/B00J29FPVO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479827981&sr=8-1&keywords=bucket+liner

55 gal drum liner: https://www.amazon.com/Gallon-Clear-Plastic-Liners-Grade/dp/B009O3RWE6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479827595&sr=8-1&keywords=drum+liner+food#customerReviews

They are all disposable, fairly cheap, and readily adaptable to one's needs while having no clean up. Heck seems to me you could even use less brine by placing them in another container/bag filled with water to squeeze the bag of brine for optimal contact, though this may play havoc with your brining ratios...

The first three seem appropriate for typical household use either in the fridge or ice chest. The last one is obviously more for large scale cookouts or Fred Flinstone sized ribs, but you would have to contend with a means for keeping things cold (winter weather, frozen milk jugs in/next to brine, walk in fridge, etc.).

I welcome your comments and insights.
 
I used a brine bag that was really just an overgrown, heavy-duty ziploc which I put in my cooler with ice packs all around it to keep it safe for the brining period.  Worked perfectly and I'll do it the same way next time.
 
I use the turkey roasting bags, inside a 5 gallon bucket, with ice surrounding the bag. They seem flimsy, but they are stronger than you think. I've never had one break. Readily available at any grocery store, and a lot cheaper than brining bags. They come 2 to a pack, so if you are concerned about breaking, you can double-bag. If it does break, my 5 gallon bucket is food-safe. I like the 5 gallon bucket liners though. I might order a pack of those. Any bag is going to need to go into some sort of vessel that will hold the entire volume of liquid, in case the bag leaks or breaks.
 
This is what I use:

https://www.amazon.com/Camwear-Polycarbonate-Square-Storage-container/dp/B001E0JMCC/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1479911892&sr=1-1&keywords=camwear%2Bfood%2Bstorage%2B18%2Bquart&th=1

I did find mine locally at a restaurant supply store for the same price, so didn't have to pay for the shipping. I like this better because it is square and  tends to work better for me.

It also serves as my Sous Vide vessel as well.
 
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