"SHRINKAGE"?

[Phantom Smoker]

Made some summer sausage the other day, I used mahogany perferated sausage casing. I smoked, cooked, Ice bathed and let sit, then it sat in the fridge overnight and the casing was loose. Did it shrink? Somthing with the casing? It tasted great and all. I was just wondering. Also what is the advantage in the perferated casing? Thanks

[watchdog56]

I wonder what your IT temp was on the summer sausage when pulled? I usually go to 152 then ice bath and let air dry for an hour or so. Also when stuffing did you put a little resistance on the casings so it packed the meat in better?

[Phantom Smoker]

I pulled at IT 155. I did put presure when stuffing. It stayed tight all the way through until I put it in the fridge.

[NePaSmoKer]

Perforated casing (small holes) are there for smoke penetration to the meat. If you have air in the meat you didnt stuff right and got cavitation, and if you get fat you have too high of meat to fat ratio and/or your temps are to high in your smoker.

Lack of certain binders can cause shrinkage also.