Jonathon, I am about ready to make my first batch of venison snack sticks. I have a lot of bacon that I have cured and smoked and thought I would use it as my fat source, and I have a few questions.

1. The bacon was cured when I prepared it for cold smoke so is it necessary to cure it again? Or do I cure the venison and then add the bacon?
2. I am not sure how to calculate the amount of bacon to add for fat so I will show my math and be happy with any comments I get for help.

I plan to make a 5# batch.

I read online that venison is about 90/10 and bacon 55/45 lean/fat.

3lb of venison @ 90% = 2.7lb lean
3lb of venison @ 10% = 0.3lb fat

2lb of bacon @ 55% = 1.1lb lean
2lb of bacon @ 45% = 0.9 lb fat

1.2 total fat/5.0lb total meat = 24% fat

Are there any issues with the way I am looking at this?

Would using pork butt and pork fat give me a better result?

I ready to make my first batch of venison snack sticks. I have a lot of bacon that I have cured and smoked and thought I would use it as my fat source, and I have a few questions.

1. The bacon was cured when I prepared it for cold smoke so is it necessary to cure it again? Or do I cure the venison and then add the bacon?
2. I am not sure how to calculate the amount of bacon to add for fat so I will show my math and be happy with any comments I get for help.

I plan to make a 5# batch.

I read online that venison is about 90/10 and bacon 55/45 lean/fat.

3lb of venison @ 90% = 2.7lb lean
3lb of venison @ 10% = 0.3lb fat

2lb of bacon @ 55% = 1.1lb lean
2lb of bacon @ 45% = 0.9 lb fat

1.2 total fat/5.0lb total meat = 24% fat

Are there any issues with my math or the way I am looking at this?

Jonathon I decided to call VacMaster and they acknowledged that their website was incorrect. 1500 watts and 30 liters is correct. Good job Waltons!!

Jonathon Thanks for the help

I am looking at Sous Vide equipment and I am interested in the VacMaster SV1 model. On this website it is listed as having 1,500 watts and capable of heating 30 liters of water. I happen to be on vacmasterfresh.com and it was listed at 1,200 watts and capable of heating 15 liters of water. Does anyone know which is correct?

Jonathon Thanks for your response. Looks like it’s time to experiment with a few small batches to see what works.

Jonathon I am thinking about doing something similar to macminn18.

Do I have to be concerned about humidity level when cold smoking and can you explain heat treating to me?

Checking in from Rochelle, IL

Have been smoking with a Yoder 640S for a little over a year.

I am just getting started making sausage and came here to learn as much as possible.