Made Some Sausage

[ddave]

Well, I did it. I finally broke in the birthday present.

I got one of these for my birthday.



Finally got a chance to break it in tonight. Went to Safeway looking for some country style ribs. They didn't have any which is odd, so I picked up a boneless pork shoulder.



All cut up and ready to grind.



Tried to do a fine grind at first but the old grinder couldn't take it so I switched to the coarse plate. Here's the coarse ground.



Added the seasonings (Gunny's bratwurst recipe

) and ice water and did a fine grind.



Now I don't know why but it took me an awful long time to get the casing on the tube.

They were rinsed and I ran water through them then put them in warm water with a bit of vineger while I was grinding and what not but it seemed like my fingers wanted to slide on the casing but the casing didn't want to slide on the tube. I finally got one loaded and got the cylinder loaded and ready to go.



Only had one blowout so I squeezed it off, tied it and resumed stuffing.



Had a couple of minor mishaps with the linking but nothing too serious.



I need to work on my uniform link length.

Ended up with several packages for the freezer and saved some out for breakfast tommorrow.



Got a question for the pros though. How long to you have to wait after twisting the links before you can cut them to individual links? I cut a couple and I know there was no twist left on the casing but I figure oh well, I'll just deal with it when I cook it.

That stuffer is SWEET! Much easier than stuffing with a grinder.

Dave

 

[pops6927]

I go through and twist out a couple lengths then go back and cut them; you want to twist one to the left a few times, the next one to the right a few times, then the left, etc. alternating so you're tightening each time, otherwise you loosen up what you've previously twisted.

 

[bassman]

Good looking sausage, Dave! If you have a problem with getting the casing on the stuffer tube, just lube it up with a little vegetable oil. Always seems to work for me. Glad you finally got to use the new toy.

 

[shooterrick]

I agree with both former posts but plenty of water o the tube seems to work for me also. Good lookin links!

 

[ddave]

Thanks for the tips guys. I did twist the opposite directions but I think I needed to let them sit for awhile before I cut them. I left most of them linked together in the packages so it shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure it won't affect the taste.

Dave

 

[pandemonium]

i always have a hard time getting the casing on too even with veg oil on the tube, and i even drop some oil inside the casing and it still fights me, i don't get it?

 

[ddave]

Someone (on another forum) suggested using a smaller tube. They said that you can still control how full the casing is by holding back on it a bit as you stuff. I may have to try that next time.

Dave

 

[pineywoods]

Looks great Dave glad you got to use your new stuffer. After I link mine I usually let it sit in the freezer for a bit before cutting the links apart not enough to freeze but to get stiff and I find that helps. Using the right size tube helps but its usually not all that easy to get the casings on. Veg oil, water, food grade spray whatever just take your time.

 

[ellymae]

Good looking sausage. I am toying with the idea of making some tomorrow... better get to the store if I want that to happen...

 

[rdknb]

Glad you got to play with your new toy, looks good to me

 

[ddave]

Well, I'm kind of glad to hear that.

I was starting to think it was just me.

I'll have to order some of the food grade spray stuff.

Thanks.

Dave

 

[rstr hunter]

We do the water too and is works great. Looks Good.

 

[scarbelly]

Everything looks great Dave - glad that new stuffer is working well - I really need to get a stuffer soon

 

[ubekewl454]

I've helped make sausage but was never stuffing or twisting. When you twist them into individual links how do you keep it from coming loose?

 

[pandemonium]

they just stay together as long as your gentle with them, i wondered that too before i ever made any, but it just works as long as you twist them

 

[que-ball]

Plastic stuffing tubes need to be well lubricated to get the casing to slide on. I use water, and a small diameter stuffing tube.

 

[grogger27]

I agree with a slightly smaller tube and also as your feeding the casing on the tube, make sure your water pocket in the casings, is close to the end of the tube. I agree with Pineywoods as well on the throwing the twisted sausages in a freezer or the fridge, just to dry or firm up the casings.

 

[mballi3011]

Now those are some mighty fine loooking sausage you have there Dave. I got a stuffer for christmas and it's a great play toy for sure. Now I have always used pam or another cooking soray to help the casings on the tube for me. Now you will get the hang of it soon enough and you to will be a good sausage maker.
Ps. You should try the sheep casings you want to talk hard to get onto the tubes.

 

[pantherfan83]

Before putting the casing on the tube, crank your sausage into the tube and let a little bit peek out past the end of the tube like a shy turtle peeking out of its shell. Having the sausage sticking out past the end of the tube maybe 3/8" helps the casing slide on and prevents it from hanging up on the end of the tube.