Summer Sausage opinion

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jkc64

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Dec 7, 2011
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Portland, TN.
I am looking at making fermented summer sausage. Most everything I can find states to ferment at 86* F and 90-85 humidity for 24hrs. I will be using F-LC which states it will work well from 80-115* F. My thought was to use a dehydrator set to 90* with a water pan for the humidity for fermenting. Is this a good idea or am I looking for failure? I don't have the space to built a proper chamber and am just looking for a way to make SS with what I have on hand. Thanks for any input.
 
That is a good idea, what watt bulb have you found works best?
 
How low will your smoker go? I put a watter pan in mine. After 24 hours I. Remove the water pan and bump the heat to 130 for an hour or so to dry the casing then start adding smoke.
 
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How low will your smoker go? I put a watter pan in mine. After 24 hours I. Remove the water pan and bump the heat to 130 for an hour or so to dry the casing then start adding smoke.

There is a fermenting process here that is well before smoking. This FL-c bloom brings the PH to a shelf stable product. and this is what this guy wants to know...
 
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How low will your smoker go? I put a watter pan in mine. After 24 hours I. Remove the water pan and bump the heat to 130 for an hour or so to dry the casing then start adding smoke.

I have an MES30 and the temp swings are terrible. I think it would work in the winter but in the summer when the temps are mid 90's I'm afraid how hot it would get.
 
There is a blooming process here that is well before smoking. This FL-c bloom brings the PH to a shelf stable product. and this is what this guy wants to know...
The blooming would come after they are cooked and then shocked in cold water. Rest at room temp to "bloom". what he is refering to is the fermentation stage at the beginning. This can be done in the smoker with a water pan IF the smoker can hold lower temps.
 
The blooming would come after they are cooked and then shocked in cold water. Rest at room temp to "bloom". what he is refering to is the fermentation stage at the beginning. This can be done in the smoker with a water pan IF the smoker can hold lower temps.

no not for the 24hrs +
 
I have an MES30 and the temp swings are terrible. I think it would work in the winter but in the summer when the temps are mid 90's I'm afraid how hot it would get.
I understand completely! If you have a good digital thermometer you could put a roaster with some water in it in the bottom of your oven. Thats how I did it when I started fermenting. Just turn it on the low setting and adjust until you get the temp you want. The flc is pretty forgiving. As long as your within the temps they have listed you'll be fine.
 
I understand completely! If you have a good digital thermometer you could put a roaster with some water in it in the bottom of your oven. Thats how I did it when I started fermenting. Just turn it on the low setting and adjust until you get the temp you want. The flc is pretty forgiving. As long as your within the temps they have listed you'll be fine.

I like these oven ideas, low investment with the desired outcome. I had read of using a bread proofer sold by williams & sonoma but it is 170.00. That's a lot to make some summer sausage a couple time a year. The proofer is what made me think the dehydrator might work.
 
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I have also seen when fermenting the FL-C a sous vide works too

I know of this cooking process but know nothing about it. I am liking the oven ideas. I really appreciate everyone's input.
 
I like these oven ideas, low investment with the desired outcome. I had read of using a bread proofer sold by williams & sonoma but it is 170.00. That's a lot to make some summer sausage a couple time a year. The proofer is what made me think the dehydrator might work.
I took a lead from SFlSmkr1 (Nepas) and use a rubbermaid trash can as a fermentation chamber. Cost $20 bucks at Wally world. A pan of water and a fan will work for room temp. fermentation. Add a cheap heating pad under the pan and you can raise the temp.
 
I read through this but I did not see anything about how long to ferment. Seems to me thats a very important step in Simi dried fermented sausages. Especially if your wanting shelf stable. How long are you fermenting and getting a low enough ph reading?
The fermentation temp. and time depends on the culture being used. They all have a different optimum range. Usually, the higher the fermentation temp., the faster the culture transforms the dextrose into Lactic acid.

The Flavor of Italy culture I have took 32 hours @77*F to drop the pH to 4.9 when I made my pepperoni 4 months ago, but the snack sticks reached pH4.8 in 20 hours @ 77-89*....and the smokehouse was at the upper range for most of the time...
 
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