Would it be ok to stuff sticks, then freeze for a few days before smoking?
I think you need to store them in the fridge overnight first. You have to give the cure a chance to work.
If frozen for to long the cure won't be effective. I am sure this has been talk about on this forum before. I could not find the post thou.
I have read that cure stops working around the 34* range.
So you may want to fridge over nite before freezing them
and of course bring them to fridge temp after freezing.
Bigun;
Welcome to the forum.
I agree with RAF128; let them cure a day or two in the refrigerator, prior to freezing. If it is only going to be a few days, then I would not bother to freeze them.
Quote from: marauder11 on February 11, 2010, 06:53:28 PM
If frozen for to long the cure won't be effective. I am sure this has been talk about on this forum before. I could not find the post thou.
The lower the temperature the longer it takes the cure to work. The best temperatures for curing should take place between 36°F - 40°F. The cure will stop working at 28°F, at which point meat freezes (other factors can influence the freezing point) and osmosis can no longer take place. Once the meat thaws the curing action will again begin.
Yes you can mix add cure and freeze. Thaw and stuff. Been there done that and works fine. (http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/stlthy1/twocents.gif) I'm still here, sons, family, friends ;D
Thanks to all. As this will be my first go at any of this I'am sure there will be many questions to follow...