Snack stick casing help

Former Member

I have made venison snack sticks in the past but I have always been unsatisfied with the results of the fisnished products. The casing I used is the edible calagen casings. Everytime I make them the casing is rubbery. They don't stick well to the product either. Typically I have to peal the casing off because it just doesn't break up well when I eat them.

The recipe I am using is typical with vension and pork. The technique envolves smoking until they are finished off. I just don't know why I have bad results with the casings.

What gives?

4/14/0912:12 PM

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Original Post

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wheelzSmmmmoooookin'!

Dave -- Move this thread down to the Jerky Forum and you'll probably get more replies.

I always do solid muscle jerky & can't help with your issue, but it sounds to me like too much moisture.

What kind of smoker are you using?

4/14/091:11 PM

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Former Member

I'm using an indirect charcoal/wood burning type smoker.

I did use a vacu-packer to seal them.

4/14/091:15 PM

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wheelzSmmmmoooookin'!

I would think your smoker would be plenty dry then, "if" they are left on long enough. After removing them from the heat and allowed to sit did any of them have any crunch or snap to them?

Maybe they are bad casings. Have you contacted the manufacturer?

Hopefully someone with some experience will chime in.

4/14/092:39 PM

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Former Member

Thanks Wheelz.

The snap/crunch is what I'm missing. the casings I got are from LEM which would signify good qaulity.

As a side question, If I use soy concentrate to help in moisture retention, would there be an effect on the casing being "rubbery" and tough?

4/14/093:37 PM

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trucky1008Member

Dave,
I had a similar problem with my first few batches of snack sticks. It turned out I was sealing them up in bags before they had completely cooled and putting them in the fridge caused moisture build up in the bag. As a result the casings then loosened up and became rubbery. Make sure you let them cool at room temp for a few hours, that might help.
Don

4/14/095:13 PM

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wheelzSmmmmoooookin'!

Yes, if from LEM you are most likely getting quality products. I think Trucky is on the right path, I mentioned the same thing in my first post - moisture.

If you are using a cure, I'd try letting them sit out over night to see if tat solved the problem.

4/14/095:26 PM

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Former Member

I'll let you know what kind of reults I have.

4/15/098:28 AM

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Former Member

ALSO, after you cased them, did you let them "bloom" for awhile?(let them sit at room temp for awhile to dry out) Kutas book states to run in smoker for an hour @ 100 degrees to dry abit before closing dampner and applying smoke. Hmmmmmm. Alittle reading is in order me thinks.

4/19/0910:13 PM

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Former Member

The casings went wonderful this weekend. I let them "bloom" for a few hours before sealing. The texture was perfect. That perfect "snap"!

The biggest bummer is my smoker. I have inconsitencies in the heating. Some parts were overdone. I really need to get a Cookshack.

4/20/094:36 PM

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wheelzSmmmmoooookin'!

Good job Dave. Glad you figured it out with a little help from your friends!

You'll not be disappointed with a Cookshack!

4/20/094:50 PM

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shtrdaveMember

I have always had the same problem. I have been doing my sticks in my dehydrator, until I get my smokers set up again after a move.

Mine still come off and are rubbery, they are great right from the deyh. but then they get soft and don't stick.

5/2/097:28 PM

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