Sausage Information - Weston 73-0501-W Instructions

SAUSAGE INFORMATION

MEAT SELECTION FOR SAUSAGE MAKING
Sausage making has evolved over many years and generations, and as a result there are countless
types of sausage you can make using the basic ingredients of meat, fat and a few carefully blended
spices. Following are a few simple guidelines that will help you make the best tasting sausage
possible.
Any type of meat can be used for making sausage: pork, beef, bison, moose and caribou, even
antelope make great sausage. It is important when preparing venison or other red game meats to trim
all the fat from the meat, as red game tallow will turn rancid in as few as five days. Replace the fat with
either pork or beef fat, depending on the type of product you are making, at a ratio of 1 pound (0.5 kg)
of fat for every 4 pounds (1.8 kg) of game meat.
The fat content of your sausage will affect the taste, texture, cooking characteristics and shelf life of
your product. Most commercially made sausage has a fat content of about 20%. Using less than 12%
fat will result in a very dry tasting sausage, while using more than 20% may result in a sticky flavorless
sausage that will be difficult to cook.
CURING
It is important to properly cure meats to preserve meat and poultry, and to destroy undesirable
microorganisms on the meat surfaces that cause spoilage and foodbourne illnesses. There are many
steps that help in this process, including smoking, cooking, drying, chilling and the addition of cure
ingredients. The oldest means of accomplishing this is by introducing salt into the meat. The resistance
of bacteria to salt varies widely among different types of bacteria. The growth of some bacteria is
inhibited by salt concentrations as low as 3%, e.g., Salmonella, whereas other types are able to survive
in much higher salt concentrations, e.g., Staphylococcus. Fortunately, the growth of many undesirable
organisms normally found in cured meat and poultry products is inhibited at low concentrations of salt.
Modern curing is based on Nitrates and is very scientific. Purchase Weston Pink Curing Salt
(02-0000-W) and follow the included instructions to ensure that you are properly curing your
homemade sausage.
CASING
Weston offers a complete variety of casings. The right choice depends on personal preference as well
as the type of sausage you wish to make. For most sausages, your choices are natural or collagen.
Don't let the names fool you; collagen casings are not a synthetic. They are made from beef skin and
other tissues. Collagen casings are uniform in size and texture and require almost no preparation.
"Natural" casings are the intestines of lamb, sheep, hogs or beef. They are less uniform in size and
require preparation. There are also fibrous non-edible casings that are most commonly used for
summer sausage and ring bologna
TYPES OF SAUSAGE
Most sausages fall into one of four categories: Fresh, Smoked, Cooked or Dried. All sausages, except
dried, require refrigerated storage. There is also a sub-category of uncooked smoked sausages.
Among the fresh and uncooked smoked sausages, you will find such flavors as kielbasa or Polish
sausage, Italian sausage, breakfast sausage and many others. Both fresh and uncooked smoked
sausages require cooking before eating and also require refrigerated storage.
Smoked and cooked sausages include salami, bologna, the ever-popular hot dogs and many others.
Proper smoking requires a smokehouse or smoker. Weston offers Outdoor Propane Smokers in a
variety of sizes (41-0701-W, 41-0301-W, or 41-0401-W). Most smoked sausages are warmed before
serving. Many people think that a smoked sausage will last much longer without spoilage, but this is
not true. Smoked sausages should be treated the same as fresh sausage in terms of storage.
Dried sausages require the longest processing time, as they are air dried over a long period of time.
Dry cured sausages include salami, chorizo, pepperoni, among others. The conditions under which the
meat is dried are very exacting; temperature, time and humidity must all be carefully monitored for a
safe and delicious product.
STORAGE
For the best flavors, we recommend vacuum sealing your fresh sausages, then storing them in the
refrigerator (short term) or freezer (long term). Weston manufactures a variety of vacuum sealers. Ask
the retailer from which you purchased this unit for their selection. Store dry cured products in paper or
other breathable wrapping, unrefrigerated.
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