← Glossary
Meat Hook
A curved hook used to suspend meat for aging, cutting, or display purposes.
Meat Hook: Suspension and Support in Butchery
A meat hook is a curved, pointed implement used to suspend meat during various stages of butchery, from aging and storage to cutting and preparation. The hook allows gravity to assist in meat manipulation while freeing the butcher's hands for knife work.
Design Variations
Meat hooks vary in several aspects:
- Size: From small hooks for poultry to large hooks for sides of beef
- Material: Stainless steel for corrosion resistance and sanitation
- Point design: Sharp for easy penetration or blunted for safety
- Shank length: Varies based on intended hanging height and accessibility
Functional Applications
Meat hooks serve multiple purposes:
- Aging: Suspending meat for dry aging processes
- Cutting: Holding meat in optimal position for fabrication
- Storage: Organizing meat in coolers and display areas
- Transport: Moving cuts between work stations
Professional Use
In professional settings, meat hooks enable butchers to work with large cuts efficiently, using the weight of the meat to assist in separation along natural muscle planes. The suspension allows for three-dimensional manipulation of the product.