Thanks JoeB. I never knew that “shrink wrapping” is a thing with with food, only boats and such.

I suppose I will have to either freeze, then vacuum seal or just eat them faster…hahahaha.

Learning a lot here.

Just WOW everyone!!!

I thank you all for the input. I have really been getting a ton of good info.

And thank you Dan Vessel…You have given us some good insight I think. Your detailed post was very insightful and makes a ton of sense to me.

I am seriously reconsidering the whole ice bath thing because I have a spare Fridge in the garage that I could use to cool my sticks down with instead of an ice bath.

A good point was brought up in my last thread regarding a moisture problem, and I think its worth asking.

How many people vacuum pack their snack sticks?

JoeB that is a good point. I wonder how many people do vacuum pack their snack sticks?

I will start a new thread and ask.

Thanks for all the replies and ideas. My plan for next time is to Ice bath for 10 minutes, dry at room temp overnight, vacuum pack, then refrigerate.

It will be a few weeks probably, but I will update this thread and let y’all know how they turned out.

Gotcha…

I’m gonna try it like Paul suggested next time.

Hey Paul, is that you in your avatar?

What would a “safe” time be, before I have to seal them.
Also, what is your opinion on how long so you think they can stay at room temp after vacuum sealing?

I realize I do not have the proper equipment to call them “shelf stable”, but what is a good rule of thumb.

Ok guys thanks. The next batch I will let them dry over night, then vacuum seal them. I was reluctant to let them dry “too long” to prevent any spoilage, but I did not know what “too long” was, hence my rush to vacuum seal them and refrigerate immediately.

Hello all, I have been lurking for some time, watching the videos and reading.

First, thanks to all. My 50/50 venison/beef snack sticks have come a long way from all that I have learned here.

I have been using the Gigawatt hot seasoning in a 19mm collagen casings. I am using Sure Gel binder, Sure Cure and encapsulated citric acid.
I am smoking them at the recommended temps and all is well up to this point.

After I remove them from the smoker, I soak them in an ice water bath for about 10 minutes Then let them cool for about an hour.

I then vacuum seal them and immediately refrigerate them.

They appear mostly dry when I vacuum seal them; however, when I open the packages the cases are all soggy and nasty looking/feeling.

Does anyone see something that I am doing wrong?
Has anyone ever had this happen?
Do I need to let them dry longer? like maybe overnight?