Instructions

1. Using the tongs, pick up a crab and place it in the bucket of ice water. Leave it in the water for five minutes. This will stun the crab and prevent nasty pinches during the cleaning process.

2. Pick up the crab (once it's been in the ice water for five minutes you can handle it without tongs) and place it on a cutting board with the rounded blue side of the shell facing up and the larger pincher claws facing away from you.

3. Place your thumb under the outer edge of the top shell that's closest to you. Pry the shell off, pulling away from your body. It should come off in one piece. This kills the crab instantly.

4. Flip the crab over. On the belly, you'll see a half circle shape (if the crab is female) or a upside-down "T" shape (if the crab is male) on the white undershell. This piece of shell is known as the "apron." Using your thumb, remove the apron with a prying motion, like you're opening a can of soda. Using the same motion, peel off the two pieces of shell on either side of the apron.

5. Place the crab belly-up in the sink and use the water to rinse out the yellow-green entrails.

6. Using your fingers, pluck off the crab's mouthparts. These are the rectangular bits of shell just beneath the crab's eyes.

7. With your fingers, peel off the gills. These are the cone-shaped brownish-gray bits of spongy material on the crab's back. Rinse the crab in the sink.