Snack Stick Help Please

[Jcotrel1]

Hi all. I have follow up questions on my snack sticks. Original post: https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/first-timer-snack-sticks.279512/

I took a snack stick out of the freezer today (was vacuum sealed) and let it defrost. The collagen casing pulled away from the meat. I know, based on original thread, I had the temp too high too fast. But, is an ice bath necessary? Could this be the issue? If not, what am I doing wrong? I want to make at least 10 pounds in a few weeks to put in the freezer for deer camp.

Stick details:
Beef 80/20
LEM seasoning
LEM collagen 19mm casing
Smoked to ~160 (accidently too high)
Ice bath immediately following the smoker
Put in brown paper bag overnight
Wiped down and vacuum sealed the next day before freezing.

Thanks!
Jim

 

[Saline_Smoker]

Did you smoke these right after stuffing? Or allow them to sit to cure up first? My shot in the dark here is they may not have had enough time to 'fuse' to the casings. I've only done one batch of snack sticks with collagen casings but used a traditional fermentation with F-LC, so they had ample time to 'fuse' (30 hours of sitting around before cold smoking then bringing them up to temp). Those casing stayed on nicely and they were indeed also ice bathed - so pretty sure the ice bath isn't it at least.

 

[Jcotrel1]

Did you smoke these right after stuffing? Or allow them to sit to cure up first? My shot in the dark here is they may not have had enough time to 'fuse' to the casings. I've only done one batch of snack sticks with collagen casings but used a traditional fermentation with F-LC, so they had ample time to 'fuse' (30 hours of sitting around before cold smoking then bringing them up to temp). Those casing stayed on nicely and they were indeed also ice bathed - so pretty sure the ice bath isn't it at least.

I stuffed them the day before. Put them in the fridge overnight.

 

[Braz]

That is a feature, not a bug. I don't care for the texture of collagen casings so I prefer to peel the casings off before munching. Looser is better in my case.

 

[Bearcarver]

I would consider myself Lucky & try to repeat as often as possible!

Bear

 

[Saline_Smoker]

I stuffed them the day before. Put them in the fridge overnight.

Welp, then I'm stuck. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Welp, then I'm stuck. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Get a clean dish towel, soak it real good and wring it out as best you can just until damp feeling. Place over stiffed sticks and put in fridge. Next day take out of fridge uncover let come to room temp some then put in smoker..

 

[Jcotrel1]

Get a clean dish towel, soak it real good and wring it out as best you can just until damp feeling. Place over stiffed sticks and put in fridge. Next day take out of fridge uncover let come to room temp some then put in smoker..

Thanks nepas. I'll give it a shot.