Help with Snack Sticks - Should cranking the stuffer be so hard?
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So just finished my second batch of snack sticks. Both batches used were made with pre-ground 80/20 beef chubs (25lb first batch and 24lb second batch). Both made with Walton/Excalibur seasonings and hi-temp cheese. I have a Hakka 15lb stuffer and a 12mm stuffer tube. Meat was hand mixed. When stuffing I only use the low/slow gear vs the gear meant to pull plunger back up quickly.
First batch was Jalapeno w/ 2.5lb cheddar and sure gel, mixed with 1 quart water in 19mm mahogany collagen casings. Stuffer was ridiculously hard to crank. Had to have my wife help and she had issues turning it. If you let go, the handle would kick back strongly a full spin.
Second batch was Willie’s with 2.5lb hot pepper cheese with 2 quart water in 21mm mahogany collagen casings. I skipped any binders this time. Definitely took some muscle to crank, but I did it myself. If I let go it would kick back just a quarter turn or so.
To stabilize I have been using 3 trigger clamps and have honestly been concerned if I could crack my granite counter tops. The Hakka has a air-release screw and I’ve tried loosening that up to point I get some meat pushing up through. Also added some white oil to the o-ring and verified it is oriented correctly. Fresh sausages using large stuffer tube are super easy to push through.
Is this just the physics of a large 15lb cylinder and a small 12mm tube and is perfectly normal? Any advice? Are my counters at risk?
Stuffer setup:
Today’s batch:
Jamieson22 Great looking sticks. FDA states commercially processed meats can have up to 50% water in their batch. That being said, they use everything from soy to sawdust to keep it suspended in the meat, A little more water may make it easer for you, and a finer or 2nd grind as Glen said. Also mix and stuff immediately. Don’t let the batch setup. This may be stated in you mixer/stuffer how-to guide. Been there, done that, and got the torn tee-shirt for being last…
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I use the tube that just fits the casing…I even run the casing on by hand like we did with the old hog casings… it’s not set in stone you have to slide the whole slinky of collagon on the tube…your going to cut them any way I would think to store them…so it don’t have to be a 25 lb stick in one piece!
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Why not use the gear on the stuffer not for raising and lowering the plunger quickly. Also, the smaller the casing the harder it will be to fill.
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I use the tube that just fits the casing…I even run the casing on by hand like we did with the old hog casings… it’s not set in stone you have to slide the whole slinky of collagon on the tube…your going to cut them any way I would think to store them…so it don’t have to be a 25 lb stick in one piece!
bobbetty2 said in Help with Snack Sticks - Should cranking the stuffer be so hard?:
I use the tube that just fits the casing…I even run the casing on by hand like we did with the old hog casings…
Will see if they fit on any larger tubes I have next time. Though it sure is nice just dumping an entire coil on the tube
no_eyes_processor said in Help with Snack Sticks - Should cranking the stuffer be so hard?:
Why not use the gear on the stuffer not for raising and lowering the plunger quickly.
Sorry, probably wasn’t clear. I am using the gear meant for stuffing. The other one would be even harder to turn.
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So just finished smoking them. Took two batches and 2.5 hours at 180F to hit 154F internal. Came out great!
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I use the tube that just fits the casing…I even run the casing on by hand like we did with the old hog casings… it’s not set in stone you have to slide the whole slinky of collagon on the tube…your going to cut them any way I would think to store them…so it don’t have to be a 25 lb stick in one piece!
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Stuffers with smaller diameter plates are easier to stuff snack sticks with. That being said more water should help with the stuffing process but the cooking time would probably increase to dry them out.
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So just finished smoking them. Took two batches and 2.5 hours at 180F to hit 154F internal. Came out great!
Jamieson22 great job… Man they look good. That’s something to brag about.
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So just finished smoking them. Took two batches and 2.5 hours at 180F to hit 154F internal. Came out great!
Jamieson22 all that hard work paid dividends. Looks like you got it figured out.
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Good looking sticks
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So just finished smoking them. Took two batches and 2.5 hours at 180F to hit 154F internal. Came out great!
Jamieson22 nice looking sticks. Did you use sure gel in those sticks in picture? Thanks
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Jamieson22 nice looking sticks. Did you use sure gel in those sticks in picture? Thanks
Jesser said in Help with Snack Sticks - Should cranking the stuffer be so hard?:
Jamieson22 nice looking sticks. Did you use sure gel in those sticks in picture? Thanks
No binders at all. Just pre-ground 24lb 80/20 beef, Willie’s mix+cure, and 2.5lb of hot pepper cheese mixed by hand. Cook at 180F for about 2.5 hours then into a cold water bath.
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So just finished smoking them. Took two batches and 2.5 hours at 180F to hit 154F internal. Came out great!
Jamieson22 If you need a volunteer to make sure those taste OK, I’m in. They look tasty.
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Jesser said in Help with Snack Sticks - Should cranking the stuffer be so hard?:
Jamieson22 nice looking sticks. Did you use sure gel in those sticks in picture? Thanks
No binders at all. Just pre-ground 24lb 80/20 beef, Willie’s mix+cure, and 2.5lb of hot pepper cheese mixed by hand. Cook at 180F for about 2.5 hours then into a cold water bath.
Jamieson22 any issues with starting at 180*?
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Jamieson22 any issues with starting at 180*?
twilliams I am far from a pro in this so may be hard for me to tell, but they came out quite nice. I think my previous (and first) batch may have overcooked some or maybe it was the sure-gel but it had sort of a rubbery/squeaky texture. Reminded me of a fresh cheese curd in texture/feel. This batch I monitored a bit closer and rotated the few on outside with those in middle for more even cooking as my smoker has hot spot in front where heat comes up over drip-tray.
In the end I have maybe 35% of them with no case wrinkles, 50% with very minor wrinkling, and the rest being a tad over-done on part of the stick. This batch is nice a tender with a bit of a snap - exactly the way I like. When pulling them there was some grease on the outside of the casing but definitely plenty of fat inside.
That all being said - I ordered a PK 100 direct from Pro Smoker last week so I can do a proper ramp up. Will leave my Pitts & Spitts for brisket/butt duty.
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twilliams I am far from a pro in this so may be hard for me to tell, but they came out quite nice. I think my previous (and first) batch may have overcooked some or maybe it was the sure-gel but it had sort of a rubbery/squeaky texture. Reminded me of a fresh cheese curd in texture/feel. This batch I monitored a bit closer and rotated the few on outside with those in middle for more even cooking as my smoker has hot spot in front where heat comes up over drip-tray.
In the end I have maybe 35% of them with no case wrinkles, 50% with very minor wrinkling, and the rest being a tad over-done on part of the stick. This batch is nice a tender with a bit of a snap - exactly the way I like. When pulling them there was some grease on the outside of the casing but definitely plenty of fat inside.
That all being said - I ordered a PK 100 direct from Pro Smoker last week so I can do a proper ramp up. Will leave my Pitts & Spitts for brisket/butt duty.
Jamieson22 you will be very pleased with the pk100 once you use it a few times and get used to it. That pitts and spitts is a nice unit. Looks like you have a very beautiful home as well from the pics.
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Jamieson22 you will be very pleased with the pk100 once you use it a few times and get used to it. That pitts and spitts is a nice unit. Looks like you have a very beautiful home as well from the pics.
twilliams Thanks! Am quite excited to get it. Have had a ton of different cookers over time and have come to a point where I realize the extra money for quality is justified (for me).
And if anyone is ever looking for a pellet grill, I highly recommend Pitts & Spitts. The thing is an absolute tank.
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twilliams Thanks! Am quite excited to get it. Have had a ton of different cookers over time and have come to a point where I realize the extra money for quality is justified (for me).
And if anyone is ever looking for a pellet grill, I highly recommend Pitts & Spitts. The thing is an absolute tank.
Jamieson22 I tell the wife that all the time, you get what you pay for, you buy cheap you get cheap…she says I’m high maintenance, perhaps she’s telling the truth…lol
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So just finished smoking them. Took two batches and 2.5 hours at 180F to hit 154F internal. Came out great!
Jamieson22 looks like a great batch of sticks!
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And the end of the process. It was recently that I converted to pre-made vac bags vs using the rolls and I can’t believe it took me so long. Such a time saver. Quart bag fit 8 x 21mm 7" sticks perfectly and each bag hit right around 1 lb.
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