Natural hog casings vs others

[jjpiv33]

So i have been experimenting with some recipes for a garlic kielbasa in natural casings. My stuffing process if quite easy.
Soak casings 30 mins warm water
rinse inside twice, soak in clean warm water 30 more min
rinse again
stuff
Now im getting quite good at stuffing, tie off my links, bloom, smoke, and then water bath to finish bringing internal temp up.
But from time to time after grilling you get a casing that is tough to break. Now im sure its because it was a thick casing, but what are your guys thoughts on going to collagen, or even cellulose?
Im trying to get a more consistent sausage.

-John

 

[JC in GB]

I like the natural casings for most applications. I have gotten a few thick ones. I hate taking a bite of a sausage and getting a piece of intestine chewing gum along with it. >_<

JC

 

[chopsaw]

How to handle natural casings

Thought I would post up what I do with natural casings. I use naturals 99.9% of the time when making sausages be it sheep or hog casings. I get compliments about how the casing are very delicate and have a perfect snap when you bite into the sausage. I believe the quality of the casings is part...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

This is how I store mine .
Couple things . Buy a quality hog casing . I get mine from sausage maker . These guys told me a long time ago not to use the home pack casings . Shorts , irregular size and alot of tags .
Once I started buying the better casing and storing them as shown it that thread my sausage improved a bunch .
I'm a big no on collagen .
I do use cellulose for hot dogs . I like those .
My opinion , an hour soak time on natural hog casings is not enough .
Cleaning , salting and storing them as shown in the linked thread is the way to go .
Quality casings . What you see on the stuffer is one length . I haven't had a blow out doing it like that either .

 

[SmokinAl]

Another trick is to put a tablespoon of vinegar in the water while you are soaking them, but I use Joe’s method & put a little vinegar in the storage container, so all I need to do is rinse them off & they are ready to go.
Al

 

[JC in GB]

Like chopsaw , I use casings from The Sausage Maker. They are fine quality.

JC

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Another trick is to put a tablespoon of vinegar in the water while you are soaking them, but I use Joe’s method & put a little vinegar in the storage container, so all I need to do is rinse them off & they are ready to go.
Al

I do the same.
Been using hog and sheep that are over a year old in my sealed container in fridge. 0 issues.

 

[jjpiv33]

 

[indaswamp]

Yep. Guys got you covered... I just finished up some beef middles that were stored in frig. in concentrated brine solution for over 2 years....no issues at all....