HELP with Collagen Casings

alamar

Smoke Blower

Original poster

May 4, 2008

129

26

St. Clair Shores, MI

• Mar 14, 2013

• #1

Did my first Collagen Casings last night with some 30mm Sweet Italians. I was having problems with them blowing out when twisting the casings. Only did 5 lbs but they were very frustrating. Should I make the mix a little wetter next time or should the stuffing be a little looser to allow for better slack when twisting the links. Any advice wold be helpful.

 

woodcutter

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Marathon Wisconsin

• Mar 14, 2013

• #2

Try stuffing a little looser.  Then gently pinch where you want to twist.

 

Last edited: Mar 15, 2013

mike johnson

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Lacey, WA.

• Mar 14, 2013

• #3

I have never soaked colagen casings. I do know they dont stay twisted very well so i usually tie off the links.

 

jarhead

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Nov 8, 2011

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Marionville, Missouri

• Mar 14, 2013

• #4

Woodcutter said:

Soaking the casings an hour or more helps also.

Click to expand...

If you soak collagen casing you will have a handful of mush. Do not get them wet.

They don't work well with twisting. Tie them off with butcher string

Sounds like you either need to go with hog or sheep casings, if you want to twist into links.
 

 

Last edited: Mar 14, 2013

woodcutter

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• Mar 14, 2013

• #5

Mike Johnson said:

I have never soaked colagen casings. I do know they dont stay twisted very well so i usually tie off the links.

Click to expand...

I'm sorry my mind must have been on natural casings. I was wrong.

 

alamar

Smoke Blower

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May 4, 2008

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St. Clair Shores, MI

• Mar 15, 2013

• #6

Thanks. I am going to stuff a little looser and then wait about 10 minutes before trying to link. If there si still a problem, then the twine will be employed.

 

smokinhusker

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Oct 20, 2010

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Mountains west of Colorado Springs, CO

• Mar 15, 2013

• #7

alamar said:

Thanks. I am going to stuff a little looser and then wait about 10 minutes before trying to link. If there si still a problem, then the twine will be employed.

Click to expand...

Don't soak Collagen Casings and I haven't had any luck with twisting Collagen Casings, I always tie them. 

Here's some good info on Casings - http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/a/sausage-casing-information

 

chef jimmyj

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• Mar 15, 2013

• #8

I just spent several hours stuffing 14lb of Kabanosy in 22mm Collagen. It was a hell of a learning experience. I found it easiest to Pinch and Twist the links asap but the Sausage needs to dry to stay twisted. Coil the Twisted links on cooling racks in a single layer and stick them in the refer uncovered, to dry and firm up...JJ

 

alamar

Smoke Blower

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May 4, 2008

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St. Clair Shores, MI

• Mar 18, 2013

• #9

Made up 10# of Maple Sage Breakfast Links. Let them stand for about an hour before twisting. Blew out the first link I twisted so I decided to tie them. That went much better.  Will tie them from now on....BTW the links came out great. 

 

BGKYSmoker

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• Mar 18, 2013

• #10

Put the collagen in a zip lock bag, leave open and put in fridge for a couple hours before stuffing.

And yes i have soaked collagen casings for a few mins before stuffing.