Summer sausage question

[steve4102]

ECA should be added just before stuffing AND smoking/cooking.

If you add it the day before you will have a soft, mushy texture.

It’s up to you however, if you like mushy then add it the day before.

[GWG8541]

Cooper1 if you need to let it set overnight and don’t need the tang of the ECA, then don’t add the ECA with the cure and smoke it the next day.

[kyle]

Cooper1 sorry if you feel I gave you bad info. I just did 25 pounds that way and it’s not mushy. I dont like the tang of ECA so I dont use it most of the time, but my bro does so I used it this time. It was my understanding that the meat temp has to be 130 before the ECA coating to melt. Good luck and sorry again

[Cooper1]

Hey Kyle no worries whatsoever. My guts told me it was probably not the best way, I was hoping it would work. Its on the smoker now.
Thank you for answering the questions.

[glen]

After stuffing I have stored overnight with ECA a few times, never a problem.
No cheese so I can’t address that

[twilliams]

kyle yes typically it does have to be heated to 130* for the capsules to dissolve but there is that chance that they could rupture before hand if left over night. It’s a risk that one has to decide on. If it does rupture it will denature the proteins holding it all together. It won’t be wasted just not as good of a final product

[glen]

I should add to my post that overnight is not my usual procedure and I wouldn’t overnight it before final mixing and stuffing
Also there are multiple brands of ECA and what I have is possibly less volatile than some others

[Cooper1]

Hey everyone thanks for the responses. I do have mine in the smoker now. In hindsight I wish I kept 2 sticks back, let them sit in the fridge overnight and smoke tomorrow just for a test.
Thanks again

[JohnG5]

Cooper1 Add the ECA in the last minute of mixing and don’t overmix to where the capsules will break and you should be fine.

[Cooper1]

Thanks John, I smoked them last night and they came out perfect as usual. So with that I’m not going to mess around with a good thing!

[Dr_Pain]

Cooper1 said in Summer sausage question:

Thanks John, I smoked them last night and they came out perfect as usual. So with that I’m not going to mess around with a good thing!

Wisdom incarnate. Congrats