Are sheep casings hard to stuff?

atcnick

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Original poster

Jan 1, 2010

381

40

Longview, Texas

• Jan 17, 2010

• #1

Are sheep casings hard to stuff? Someone told me they're much more delicate than hog casings and burst easily.

 

nickelmore

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Feb 5, 2009

546

10

Lockport IL

• Jan 17, 2010

• #2

I tried them once but did not have the right setup, and it was a disaster. I will try them again once I find the right stuffing tube for my stuffer. I think its one of those things you need to practice a little.

 

meat hunter

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Feb 3, 2009

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• Jan 17, 2010

• #3

Sheep casings are fairly strong, at least in my experience with them. It may have been the person that told you they were weak may have had a bad batch. The processor has allot to do with it. I have had the same thing in using hog casings, some brands were just better than others.

 

atcnick

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Original poster

Thread starter

Jan 1, 2010

381

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Longview, Texas

• Jan 17, 2010

• #4

Ok. Thanks dudes!

 

fishawn

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Jan 8, 2008

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Olympia, WA

• Jan 17, 2010

• #5

Don't be scared to try them, just don't stuff as tight as hog casings. I add a little vinegar when soaking them for about 1/2 hour, which seems to help them become more pliable and slippery. Use the smallest stuffing tube you have. Go for it!

 

DanMcG

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Feb 3, 2009

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Central NY

• Jan 17, 2010

• #6

I find the toughest part is getting the little buggers on the tube. But after that they work fine. A little bit more delicate then hogs but still not to scary.

 

pantherfan83

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Jul 29, 2008

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11

Evansville, IN

• Jan 18, 2010

• #7

What he said. If you buy a hank, getting them untangled and on the tube is no fun. When stuffing, you have to be careful not to over-fill them. If they are stuffed loosely, you can tighten it up as you twist your links. You'll have to remove some air pockets too, but that's no big deal. As you stuff (hopefully you have a dedicated stuffer, I can't imagine doing sheep casings with a grinder), the casing should be flying off the tube pretty quickly. Also, keep sliding the casings that are still on the tube out toward the end of the tube. If the casing is coming off the tube from the back, it causes too much friction, stretches the casing and they will burst. You should do this on all casings, but it is especially important on more delicate ones like sheep casings.

 

iamaxxer

Fire Starter

Apr 29, 2009

55

11

Waverly, Iowa

• Jan 18, 2010

• #8

Had my first try with sheep's casings over the weekend... Went pretty well for my first try with them.
I did break a few but will use them again. Not sure why a couple of times it would "bind up " coming off the stuffer tube, and then break...It seemed like if the casing had a spot that would not slide on to the tube easy it would break coming off..

 

mballi3011

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Mar 12, 2009

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• Jan 18, 2010

• #9

Thanks for asking cause I have a new bag of them to use as soon as I do some grinding.

 

rstr hunter

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Dec 8, 2009

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18

Fort Pierre, SD

• Jan 20, 2010

• #10

Agree that you should have a dedicated stuffer for these as these aren't quite as strong as hog casings. When I bought mine the guy at the local meat market wished me luck as he had a tough time with them when he tried these. Also if you have too much friction for the casings to slide make sure that put some water to moisten the stuffer tube prior to putting on the casings, it helps.