Tip for anyone struggling with casings…

[DougE]

Not sure I would put casings directly in the sink like you are showing, but that may just be me. The sink is one of the germiest places in the kitchen

You know what bleach is, right? Sanitize the sink before flushing the casings and it will be the same, or better than your bowl. Do you just pull one out of the cabinet, or do you sanitize the bowl first?

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

I sanitize anything the meat or casings may come in contact with, even the sink. Just overly cautious on my part. Habit i got from beer brewing. Nothing wrong with bleach provided rinse well which can be hard to do on things like handles, countertops, etc. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[SmokinEdge]

This is how they look, very soft and supple.

 

[Fueling Around]

Good advice above.
I absolutely use the stretch rinse in warm water. Cheap casings will have whiskers and a good time to find and clip them.
The baking soda soak is a game changer.

If I have any leftover pieces that go back to the jar, I rinse and soak them again in plain water to flush off the baking soda.

For storage, I just dissolve salt in the water until it starts settling out, which will give me a 26% solution for storage.

I only use a 5-6% brine to store my casings in the fridge. No need to petrify them in a heavy brine when stored in the fridge.

Not sure I would put casings directly in the sink like you are showing, but that may just be me. The sink is one of the germiest places in the kitchen. I just use a bowl. Has anyone ran into issues doing that?

I do it in the sink. I don't use any thing special outside of good old soap and water to scrub the sink, strainer and basket.

 

[Fueling Around]

You know what bleach is, right? Sanitize the sink before flushing the casings and it will be the same, or better than your bowl. Do you just pull one out of the cabinet, or do you sanitize the bowl first?

Bleach or any disinfectant takes 20 minutes to sanitize completely when just spritzing. Mechanical action with a scrub brush does more to sanitize.
The wipe on your arm before a blood draw or injection is the major intervention.

 

[Timber II]

Ya that sink was scrubbed before I did that

 

[indaswamp]

I like to fill the casing with about 2 tsps. of water while I slide it on the horn...that bubble of water weight will both lubricate the casing as it slides on and it will untwist any twists in the casing.....

 

[indaswamp]

I only use a 5-6% brine to store my casings in the fridge.

It takes minimum 10% brine solution to inhibit bacterial growth.....

 

[DougE]

For casing storage long term, I go with as much salt as can be dissolved in water, which is about a 26% solution before the salt starts settling out of solution. I store my casings in said brine solution.

 

[DougE]

Bleach or any disinfectant takes 20 minutes to sanitize completely when just spritzing. Mechanical action with a scrub brush does more to sanitize.
The wipe on your arm before a blood draw or injection is the major intervention.

Comet is the bleach product I speak of for sanitizing the sink.

 

[radioguy]

I used to use a bit of vinegar and soak casings, but switched to baking soda after reading about PH. Vinegar is acidic and weakens casings, soda is a base.

I use this to sanitize. One sink gets a few gallons of lukewarm water for soaking items. Everything is cleaned prior to sausagefest. And then wiped down with the bleach water.

RG

 

[indaswamp]

I use star san for cleaning.....

 

[chopsaw]

Clean first sanitize second .
Looking for " food contact surface " on the label , and " No rinse " . The Purell I use also kills Covid . 30 , 60 , and 90 second WET contact from a spray bottle . No wipe , no rinse . That way you can use it while working if needed .
I buy it in the gallon and use an aftermarket quality spray bottle from Zep .
Just something else I started doing after seeing another member using it .

https://www.gojo.com/en/Industries/Foodservice/Surface-Sanitizer-for-Restaurants#numberOfResults=15

 

[indaswamp]

Yep. Star san is the same way....no rinse...