HOW TO MAKE A SOUS VIDE TANK FOR SNACK STICKS
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sbtech If I am smoking sticks I put them in my electric Masterbuilt which is preheated at 100F, vent wide open, after about 30 minutes bump to 125F with heavy smoke for an hour then I lightly vac pack (optional) and go into the sous vide preheated at 135 F, for 15 minutes, then increase to 150 for an hour, then into an ice bath.
After that I open the pack and lay in the fridge to dry, upon occasion if they are too wet and soft I go to the dehydrator.
When I don’t smoke start in the sous vide at 100F for 15 minutes the proceed as above
Remember everyone grinds, mixes and add spices differently
so what works for me may not work for everyone
Start with a small batch, maybe pull some early from your regular smoking routine then you can compare, good luck
Note; I use curing salt in my sticks, if you make sticks without the cure do not use this methodglen Thanks I do use cure salt also. Have you checked the internal temp of the sticks after 150 degre3es for one hour and if so what was it. If I leave the sticks in the smoker until internal temp reaches 140 what do you think the sous vide temp should be and for how long. I will be experimenting like everyone else but was hoping not to start at the bottom and work my way up. I am hoping not to have to put the sticks in dehydrator at all.
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glen Thanks I do use cure salt also. Have you checked the internal temp of the sticks after 150 degre3es for one hour and if so what was it. If I leave the sticks in the smoker until internal temp reaches 140 what do you think the sous vide temp should be and for how long. I will be experimenting like everyone else but was hoping not to start at the bottom and work my way up. I am hoping not to have to put the sticks in dehydrator at all.
sbtech
Obviously there are several opinions on this. I use an i-grill probe when I sous vide my snack sticks. After internal temp of 140 is reached in the smoker, I transfer to my sous vide tank. I do not bag the snack stick. I set water temp for 170 on the sous vide controls. What I typically see is around 5 degrees separation between the water temp and the internal temp. The internal temp obviously 5 degrees lower. When it hits 165 internal. They are ready to be cooled. The sous vide finishing process takes 45-60 minutes. But this will vary depending on your containers insulation properties and the sous vide that you have.This is just what works for me, I am sure there are hundreds of ways to finish snack sticks.
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glen Thanks I do use cure salt also. Have you checked the internal temp of the sticks after 150 degre3es for one hour and if so what was it. If I leave the sticks in the smoker until internal temp reaches 140 what do you think the sous vide temp should be and for how long. I will be experimenting like everyone else but was hoping not to start at the bottom and work my way up. I am hoping not to have to put the sticks in dehydrator at all.
sbtech If you smoke to 140 go directly to 150 in the sous vide
I pack for the sous vide in a flat double row. With the speed of heat transfer in a water bath the stick will go from 140 to 149-150 internal within about 15 minutes and will be pasteurized
The reason I favor low sous vide cook temps is with thinner items I never need a thermometer and never overcook the product 1hr., or 2hr. at 150 no problem.
Depending on their mix some may get a texture they like at higher temps but the higher the temp the more you need to use a thermometer and pull right at your target temp -
sbtech
Obviously there are several opinions on this. I use an i-grill probe when I sous vide my snack sticks. After internal temp of 140 is reached in the smoker, I transfer to my sous vide tank. I do not bag the snack stick. I set water temp for 170 on the sous vide controls. What I typically see is around 5 degrees separation between the water temp and the internal temp. The internal temp obviously 5 degrees lower. When it hits 165 internal. They are ready to be cooled. The sous vide finishing process takes 45-60 minutes. But this will vary depending on your containers insulation properties and the sous vide that you have.This is just what works for me, I am sure there are hundreds of ways to finish snack sticks.
lkrfletcher said in HOW TO MAKE A SOUS VIDE TANK FOR SNACK STICKS:
sbtech
Obviously there are several opinions on this. I use an i-grill probe when I sous vide my snack sticks. After internal temp of 140 is reached in the smoker, I transfer to my sous vide tank. I do not bag the snack stick. I set water temp for 170 on the sous vide controls. What I typically see is around 5 degrees separation between the water temp and the internal temp. The internal temp obviously 5 degrees lower. When it hits 165 internal. They are ready to be cooled. The sous vide finishing process takes 45-60 minutes. But this will vary depending on your containers insulation properties and the sous vide that you have.This is just what works for me, I am sure there are hundreds of ways to finish snack sticks.
Without a doubt.
I am sometimes hesitant to explain my methods, due to different tastes or factors it may not turn out as expected
I always say to beginners or experimenters decide on a rough plan of action that makes sense to your way of thinking, then improvise and tweak -
sbtech
Obviously there are several opinions on this. I use an i-grill probe when I sous vide my snack sticks. After internal temp of 140 is reached in the smoker, I transfer to my sous vide tank. I do not bag the snack stick. I set water temp for 170 on the sous vide controls. What I typically see is around 5 degrees separation between the water temp and the internal temp. The internal temp obviously 5 degrees lower. When it hits 165 internal. They are ready to be cooled. The sous vide finishing process takes 45-60 minutes. But this will vary depending on your containers insulation properties and the sous vide that you have.This is just what works for me, I am sure there are hundreds of ways to finish snack sticks.
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sbtech If you smoke to 140 go directly to 150 in the sous vide
I pack for the sous vide in a flat double row. With the speed of heat transfer in a water bath the stick will go from 140 to 149-150 internal within about 15 minutes and will be pasteurized
The reason I favor low sous vide cook temps is with thinner items I never need a thermometer and never overcook the product 1hr., or 2hr. at 150 no problem.
Depending on their mix some may get a texture they like at higher temps but the higher the temp the more you need to use a thermometer and pull right at your target tempglen You have always given the correct road to begin my journey. I was so discouraged with the amount of time to make the snack sticks I did not want to do them anymore. Now if the sous vide works I will be making sticks a lot for the family. I will get my cvpc coupler on Monday and hopes to have my sous vide vessel made and ready for the first batch.
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glen You have always given the correct road to begin my journey. I was so discouraged with the amount of time to make the snack sticks I did not want to do them anymore. Now if the sous vide works I will be making sticks a lot for the family. I will get my cvpc coupler on Monday and hopes to have my sous vide vessel made and ready for the first batch.
sbtech Another nice thing about sous vide is if you sample after the 150F processing and are not happy you can just increase the temp and throw them back in
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sbtech - Let us know how it goes and send some pics.
lkrfletcher Well like you asked I am sending pictures of my finished product. It looks just like yours except for the gray. I am not promoting the gray team but trying to save money for more snack stick making equipment. Next thing is a grinder. Anyway it was $2.00 cheaper than the blue. I also used a food contact silicone instead of hot glue. I am always worried someone might get sick from my projects. It is food safe not food grade and please don’t get me started on the difference but it is rate food safe by the FDA. Anyway hope to get my first snack sticks done after Mothers Day. Here are the pictures and thanks to everyone that made this a success. Oh one more thing   my wife told me to go and get a taco holder for making tacos to put in the vessel to hold the steaks or what ever that fits.
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sbtech - Let us know how it goes and send some pics.
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lkrfletcher I am sorry the pictures did not upload so I am trying again.

sbtech Looks good, let us know how you like it
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lkrfletcher I am sorry the pictures did not upload so I am trying again.

sbtech Looks like it came out great. Your gonna love it!
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lkrfletcher I am sorry the pictures did not upload so I am trying again.

sbtech looks professional

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I have another question. I have read when stuffing the snack sticks it is easier to stuff if you add more water. I am going to be making 5lb batches and was wondering if anyone have any suggestion for the amount of water to use. I am thinking the more water I use I will have to cook it out some way and don’t believe the sous vide method is going to accomplish getting the sticks drier.
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I have another question. I have read when stuffing the snack sticks it is easier to stuff if you add more water. I am going to be making 5lb batches and was wondering if anyone have any suggestion for the amount of water to use. I am thinking the more water I use I will have to cook it out some way and don’t believe the sous vide method is going to accomplish getting the sticks drier.
sbtech
I guess this depends on the size casing / tube you are planning on using. I use 19-21 mm and have never added additional water, and I usually add hi-temp cheese and sometimes jalapeño pieces. Take it for what it is worth. Trial and error on these smaller batches. -
sbtech
Sticks in the smoker as we speak. Three different 5# batches. Used 7oz of water per batch. Added sure gel as well. Stuffed great. 19mm collagen. -
sbtech
Sticks in the smoker as we speak. Three different 5# batches. Used 7oz of water per batch. Added sure gel as well. Stuffed great. 19mm collagen.PapaSop Thank you will give it a try. I have only made snack sticks once before and was wondering do you cut to length as your stuffing or do you hang or coil up. I am afraid to cut to lengths before putting in smoker but it would make my life easier if it can be done.
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sbtech - No I wouldn’t say I use that much - I add water as I mix until I get the perfect protein extraction. 2 quarts seems like a bunch.
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sbtech - No I wouldn’t say I use that much - I add water as I mix until I get the perfect protein extraction. 2 quarts seems like a bunch.
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