Sorry for the absence but makes me happy to know I was missed.
Deep into Processing season so I have been “elbow deep in meat” since mid October. I have been keeping tabs on the forum but 14 hrs a day 7 days a week makes for a tired old stuffer! LOL

You are limited only by your imagination.
ALWAYS use canned pineapple or you will repeat finn and I’s mistake. We offer a couple flavors that use canned pineapple. Our ratio is 1 #10 can (drained)/25# meat spice but cut back on the meat 2-3 pounds or you will end up with flat tasting brats due to not enough spice.

Also no harm will come from mixing spices together, just make sure you have an accurate scale and keep the spice/lb ratios correct. Keep in mind that just because a spice is labeled as sticks, brats, summer sausage etc. does NOT mean that it can only be used for that. For example Jalapeno stick spice work great in brats, summer sausage, jerky etc., the only difference would be eliminating the cure if not going into the smokehouse, OR stuffing your favorite brat spice into a stick casing and adding cure before smoking.

You will inevitably ruin some meat along the way but play with it and have fun!

For anyone that has run a double grind through an 1/8" plate knows what a pain it can be. Try your 1/8" plate first and THEN run it through a 1/4"-3/8" a couple times. You end up with the same consistency in way less time.

Also make sure to let the grinder do the work.
What I mean is don’t force meat in the chute and push it in with the stomper. If you drop in just enough so the auger can grab it and pull it through there is no need to push it in and is just as fast if not faster than forcing it in.

EDaniels
I have added kraut and let it drain like you did while getting set up. I substituted the drippings in place of water which really amped up the kraut flavor. Just a thought for next time…

Also, if you want a good color development dissolve your cure in a little bit of water, mix it into the meat and allow it to work for 24 hours or more.

Joe Hell
Thanks for the Kudos!
I have to admit that my wife thinks I am nuts!
When I try something new or have friends that give me something new that they have made and ask for my opinion I will take a piece, break it apart in my hands and look it over before eating it and evaluating the taste and mouth feel. I am looking at the grind, texture, moisture, overall appearance etc. I am always told to “stop playing with my food” by my wife. LOL

I am always honest whether it is good or bad and insist that anybody that tries something new I have come up with to do the same for me.

You will NOT be hurting my feelings if you don’t like it but rather giving me bad information that I am relying on to make a better product.

The day we stop learning is the day we stop improving!