New Year's Resolution # 1 - Make Sausage. Need help.

[KevinG]

That's terrible. You'd think they'd give you at least 3 sizes. Every grinder/stuffer I've bought I got 3. At least it didn't go to waste.

[classicrockgriller]

Did you smoke the two links you made?

At least you got a nice Butt to smoke! ;D

[OU812]

Every thing was sounding like a good day of sausage making till the stuffing tube shortage, one to big one to small, bummer.

I find that I tend to use Italion sausage more in bulk than as sausage links. I like to brown it and add to lasagna and spaghetti in place of the GB.

I hope this little set back dont keep you from making some more killer sausage.

[Habanero Smoker]

What a hassle. I only used my KA stuffer once, but was using natural casings. But being innovative and having a second set of hands comes in handy. If you buy butt bone-in you need to purchase at least 7 pound to get a good 5 pounds.

One tip when you are using the grinder. Fit the KA bowl into a larger bowl, fill the area between the two bowls with ice, and position the bowls so when you grind the meat falls in the KA bowl.

[ArnieM]

Did you smoke the two links you made?

At least you got a nice Butt to smoke! ;D

I didn't smoke 'em, they're fresh - no cure.

Yeah, I have half of the 'sausage' butt plus another 6+ pounder I got when they were on sale

[ArnieM]

I find that I tend to use Italion sausage more in bulk than as sausage links. I like to brown it and add to lasagna and spaghetti in place of the GB.

Actually, had some GB in the fridge.  Added some of the sausage, browned it all up and added the tomatoes and spices.  Had it with Penne pasta last night.  It came out good and we still have enough sauce left for two more meals.

[ArnieM]

What a hassle. I only used my KA stuffer once, but was using natural casings. But being innovative and having a second set of hands comes in handy. If you buy butt bone-in you need to purchase at least 7 pound to get a good 5 pounds.

One tip when you are using the grinder. Fit the KA bowl into a larger bowl, fill the area between the two bowls with ice, and position the bowls so when you grind the meat falls in the KA bowl.

I agree that natural casings probably would have worked.  Next time.

Thanks for the tip on the ice.

[OU812]

Arnie

Whens round two?

I'm really lookin froward to seein some sweet lookin sausage from ya.

[ArnieM]

Arnie

Whens round two?

I'm really lookin froward to seein some sweet lookin sausage from ya.

Thanks for the encouragement OU.  I don't know when round 2 will be yet, but it sure won't be 5 pounds worth!  I'll also use natural casings.

[Caneyscud]

Arnie,

Try some Italian Sausage.  I made up some sweet italian sausage last month and boy was it good! Stuffed some and left some bulk to use to make some sausage pies - boy they were tasty.

Before long, Arnie will be writing a Charcuterie book!

[ArnieM]

Arnie,

Try some Italian Sausage.  

That's what it was.

Before long, Arnie will be writing a Charcuterie book!

It'll be the quickest read you ever had!

[ArnieM]

Well, today was round two.  I've gained an awful lot of respect for you sausage makers based on my experience so far.

Used natural casing this time and it fit the larger of the two KA stuffer tubes.  I used one pound of sweet Italian sausage mix to experiment with.  It took some time but I got six sorta lumpy links out of it.  I scraped, pushed and proded what was left in the machine out.  Wow, 1/4 pound  :(  So, I had a 1/4 pound patty for lunch  ;D

Cleanup took much longer than stuffing; sausage stuck in every nook, cranny and screw thread.  Certainly doing a larger batch would improve the ratio of stuffing to cleanup time.

I'm proud of my lumpy links.  At least you can tell they're home made  ;D

Round three, probably next week.

[FLBentRider]

You go Arnie...

I'm waiting in the wings... watching... learning....

[KyNola]

FLBR,
I'm on the bench right next to you brother.

KyNola

[Habanero Smoker]

To help clean the grinder run a couple of pieces of bread through it. Also an assortment of brushes really cuts down on the work of cleanup.