Snack stick question on blooming and paper bag

[johnnyb54]

While reading snack stick threads I am a little confused on what to do once the sticks come out of the smoker. I'm going to be using colleges casings and cure in my next batch. Do I let them rest/bloom for a couple of hours at room temp once I take them out of the smoker? When do I put them into a paper bag and what is the reason for putting them into the paper bag? Once they go in the bag do they still stay unrefrigerated or is there a time frame they stay in the bag before going in the fridge? Thanks in advance.

 

[crankybuzzard]

Hi there!

As for hanging to bloom at room temp will depend upon the temperature you pull them at.  If you pull at 152° and water bath, you can go straight into a paper sack.  If you pull at 150° and don't water bath, you can let them hang until cool at room temp and then put them in the sack.

The sack assists with moisture removal from the exterior of the links.  I always let them cool before sacking them and then I place them in the frig to completely cool before I slice and vacuum pack.