First Time: Meat Sticks with Pix

[Kevin A]

After all the sausage I've been making lately, my sons were wondering WHEN I was going to make some slim-jims or beef sticks?
So I ordered a few mixes from AC Legg. I had on-hand some 19mm colored collagen casings so onward.....

Simple set up & ingredients. Got an early start this cool morning, about 5:00 am....
I decided to make two small (5lb) batches on the snack stick mix; one regular flavor, the other BBQ:


Two 5lb bags of beef I cut up the night before, partially frozen:


First grind using the 4.5mm plate on the cabela:


Since these were small loads I mixed by hand ('old-school'):


All mixed & ready for one final grind:


Final grind through my new 3.0mm plate:


I used the cabela grinder 'speed stuffer' attachment (designed for diameters less than 20mm) for stuffing these sticks. I usually use the Kirby Cannon for bigger loads—10lbs+ but this method worked out pretty well for a first time.
I ran out of the 19mm collagen casing near the end so grabbed a couple of collagen rings to make two larger sausages:


By 7:30 am, they're loaded in the smoker. Plan was to do 2-3 hours of hickory with a progressive increase in the temps:


One hour in...


After nearly four hours,almost noon, the IT reaches 160° so out they come.


The larger 'rings' are still hovering around 145° so they still need some more time. They are picking up some nice color.


About an hour later, they hit the 160° mark and I pull them to bloom.


Sample time: My sons all tried the sticks & the feedback I'm getting is very good! Real nice texture to the sticks, just the right amount of saltiness. Casings have a good snap. The BBQ is probably my favorite of the two.
All these will sit in my fridge overnight and tomorrow I'll decide how I'll store these stix.


I'm very happy with the results! Considering my last two sausage-making fiascos, I'm glad to have a winner!

—Kevin

[Caribou]

Hi Kevin,
Those look fantastic!
Great pictures, too.
Carolyn

[ghost9mm]

Really nice Kevin, I just may have to make some up, between my 2 sons and granddaughters they eat things like this as fast as we can make it...lol

[Kevin A]

Cut some up & put 'em in a plastic container. poked a few holes in the top and will keep them in the fridge for now.

We'll see how long they last.  ;)

[classicrockgriller]

NICE! and great pics too!

Great Job.

[pikeman_95]

Kevin

They look great. Nice recovery ;D ;D I knew you would not hide out in the woods too long. Your meat sticks look great. I think you need a 3/8 tube for the cannon. If you make a batch of slim-jims you might consider Greg's spicy stick recipe. I tried some jerky made out of it form Rick and it was great.

Kirby

[Tenpoint5]

Looks great Kevin. I know the feeling of not being able to keep them around long. As Pikeman said you have to make atleast one batch of Gregs spicy snack sticks, they Rock!!

[SouthernSmoked]

Very, very nice...Great Job!!!

[OU812]

Now thats what Im talkin about!

Them sticks look grrrrrrrrrrreat!

[watchdog56]

Nice lookin sticks

[NePaSmoKer]

Nice sticks

Poke some holes in the top of your container or you will get some moisture in thar  ;D

[Kevin A]

Poke some holes in the top of your container or you will get some moisture in thar  ;D

I drilled about a dozen small holes in the top (looks like a large pepper shaker now).
Keeping the remainder of the ropes & rings in brown paper bags in the other fridge for the next 3-4 days so they continue to dry a bit before they get foodsaver'd or put in the container :)

[ghost9mm]

Hey Kevin...where did you order your new  # 3 grinder plate from.. you have the same grinder that I have...

[Kevin A]

Hey Kevin...where did you order your new  # 3 grinder plate from.. you have the same grinder that I have...

I asked around several places to see if the plates would fit the cabela. Both LEM & Meat Processing Products.com said their plate(s) would fit so I ordered from LEM (better price).

http://www.lemproducts.com/product/4038/grinder_plates

I snagged this one: 10/12 PREMIUM SALVINOX STAINLESS STEEL GRINDER PLATE 3MM (1/8") (347SS-SAL)    $20.80

[ghost9mm]

Thanks Kevin...I have one on the way...I want to try the meat sticks like you just did...