Sausage Newb Equipment ?'s

[unionguynw]

So I just recently finished my fridge conversion http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/103852/cool-smoke-fridge-build and would really like to get into sausage.  After reading and searching, and searching and reading, I think I would like to start with Summer Sausages and Snack/Pepperoni sticks. 

I went over budget on my fridge build and don't really want to spend on a stuffer and a grinder at the moment.  I don't hunt so all of my meat would be purchased.  So, my question is would I be ok just starting with a quality stuffer and using pre-ground meat from the grocer/butcher?

 

[confederateknowhow]

I don't think it would be a problem at all. A member on here that goes by Nepas has made sausage with store bought ground beef before if I'm not mistaken. 

 

[garyinmd]

Do a search for Summer Sausages and Snack/Pepperoni sticks and you will find multiple posts where just store bought was used.  I have not smoked any Summer Sausage yet but have made sticks multiple times this way.

Gary

 

[jarhead]

I use store bought all of the time. Make sure you get either 80/20 or 85/15.

The cheap stuff has too much fat in it. I think it's 73/27.

Good luck, take pics and don't forget the Cure #1.
 

 

[driedstick]

store bought is great for us hunters that dont always have a great yrLOL I use 80-20 beef all the time if you go to costco and get theres it is really lean may want to add some pork sausage (no seasoning) with it, like 9lb of lean beef 1lb of pork sausage. Hope this helps.

Fridge looks great, I am a fridge guy also. how hot did that heat strip get?? How much did the PID Cost ya, and you may want to put some dowels or something to hang your sausage from instead of laying them down IMHO.

Make sure you post pics and good luck.

 

[diggingdogfarm]

Depends on what you're making, I would only use it for sausage you're going to cook or freeze immediately.
I'm not a fan of store-bought ground meat because of the potentially heavy bad bacteria load.




~Martin

 

[pearlheartgtr]

I use store bought ground beef all of the time. Pork, on the other hand, I grind the butts because my local grocery stores only have enhanced ground pork. But, I picked up a 10# bag of Pork King ground pork from Restaurant Depot the other day that I'm going to give a try with some Brats in the next week. It would be nice not to have to pull the grinder out every time I want to make sausage.
 

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Sure use store bought Ground, saves time. Use some good 80/20 or 85/15 or 90/10. Try not to get the chubs from wally cuz you cant see the meat. The big 10lb chubs at sams are good
 

 

[daveomak]

If you have a freezer and can get beef on sale for $3/#... You have the finest ground beef available for less then the cheep GB in the store... Same with Turkey and pork.....  I use my grinder to make my own ground meat all the time..... Turkeys at $0.49 #.... I bought 4 last week.... Pork butt at $1.00 #.... great breakfast sausage that is inexpensive..... I figure my grinder has been paid for in about 1 year....

These prices are on sale and I stock up....   Dave