Air bubbles

[Arod2015]

just finished my first attempt at brats. Used the tubbed natural casings because of the ease of use. Had lots of air bubbles in the links. Can you use a small pin to release the air?

[twilliams]

Arod2015 yes, just did 2 days worth this weekend

[Arod2015]

twilliams thanks!

[Jonathon]

Arod2015 They sell a Sausage Pricker but yes, a pin works about the same, those prickers are more used by commercial processors as a pin wouldn’t be accepted by a USDA inspector.

[twilliams]

Jonathon i had a nervous break down, i couldnt find my pin. I thought for sure it got stuck to meat and was gonna have to throw it all away for safety measures. I found that it rolled under my stuffer…whew!! I can totally see the reason USDA would not allow it besides the sterile factor as well

[Jonathon]

twilliams Hahaha yeah, people like to complain about the USDA but they sometimes have good reasons for the rules they create!

[akdave]

Packing the stuffer tightly with meat and having an air eliminator on your stuffer plate will greatly reduce your air getting into the casings.

[TexLaw]

twilliams Losing a pin or needle and having to toss a batch is the very reason I went ahead and sprung for a pricker. I’d rather spend a few bucks on the front end to avoid tossing pounds and pounds of meat. I like cheap insurance.

[ClaytonD]

Arod2015 we use corn holders? They have little handles and two pins to shove into the corn. They p***k the natural casings just fine.

[Joe Hell]

ClaytonD Great suggestion!

[TexLaw]

ClaytonD Yeah, that’ll do just fine! That’s pretty much what the pricker I have it like, just larger.

[ClaytonD]

I was censored! ClaytonD said in Air bubbles:

Arod2015 we use corn holders? They have little handles and two pins to shove into the corn. They [censored] the natural casings just fine.