I’m wanting to make brats soon for the first time. My question is will the fresh collagen casings allow me to link and separate before packaging easily? If so can I separate the brats from each other as soon as they’re linked or should I stuff, link, firm up in freezer, and then separate and package? Thank you in advance for your information.

Snake River Smokers have you ever used the collagen, or are you giving your preference on tubed vs non-tuned in the naturals?

Jonathon thanks for the reply! I’ll run it all in one process, adding the ECA at the end of mixing and go straight into stuffing/smoking. Final thought, since the stuffed sticks won’t be held overnight in refrigerator, is the “drying cycle” still critical at the beginning of the smoking schedule?

Preparing to make a few batches of cured sausage this weekend. I’m curious to know what most folks do regarding either resting meat at room temp prior to smoking, or going straight from refrigerator temps into the smoker.

Jonathon thanks. The problem with us rookies is , well ,we’re rookies. I’m enjoying learning and appreciate your feedback.

I just received an order that shipped on 2/9. This shipment was delayed by the winter storm( no fault of Waltons).
This shipment contained tubed fresh hog casings. This is my first experience with them and I’m wondering if they’ll be ok. I opened the box when they arrived. There’s a little odor but not grossly overpowering. I know some odor is normal but I have no way of knowing what temp they’ve spent the last 13 days at in the UPS truck. What are your thoughts?

Jonathon thanks for the reply! I’ll run it all in one process, adding the ECA at the end of mixing and go straight into stuffing/smoking. Final thought, since the stuffed sticks won’t be held overnight in refrigerator, is the “drying cycle” still critical at the beginning of the smoking schedule?

I’m about to get geared up for a round of snack sticks. I’ve made a few batches with great results but wanted to switch it up and had a question. I’m considering using ECA for the first time on this batch. Not sure I’ll like the “twang” but figure there’s only one way to find out. My question is this: would there be any benefit flavor-wise to grind and season my meat and refrigerate it overnight as if it had the sure cure in it, then pull it out and add the sure cure and ECA just prior to stuffing and smoking? Or is that just splitting hairs?

Planning to make some jalapeño/cheddar brats soon. I plan on doing 25 lbs with blue ribbon brat seasoning, hi-temp cheddar, and jalapeño flakes. I’d like input on how much jalapeño to add. I don’t want them to be overpowered by jalapeño. Any suggestions on jalapeño quantity would be appreciated.

Snake River Smokers have you ever used the collagen, or are you giving your preference on tubed vs non-tuned in the naturals?

Jonathon so you’re suggesting I stuff, twist, freeze, then seperate to individual links before final packaging?

Tex_77 my main concern is with the ends opening up after I cut the links into individual sausages at the twist. I’ve never used the hog gut or fresh collagen casings. Being an admitted novice, the no hassle fresh collagen approach interest me, but I do not wanna have trouble maintaining links due to taking the easy route on the front end.

I’m wanting to make brats soon for the first time. My question is will the fresh collagen casings allow me to link and separate before packaging easily? If so can I separate the brats from each other as soon as they’re linked or should I stuff, link, firm up in freezer, and then separate and package? Thank you in advance for your information.