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Sausage Making Supplies
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  • Sausage Making Supplies

    Post #1 - November 29th, 2014, 7:20 am
    Post #1 - November 29th, 2014, 7:20 am Post #1 - November 29th, 2014, 7:20 am
    To quote Jim Anchower, it has been a while since I rapped at ya. However I find myself in need of your help.

    A month ago I received a meat grinder and a copy of The Fatted Calf's Charcuterie book. It appears I am going to get involved in making sausages.

    Where do you folks go for sausage making supplies?

    I picked up 25 feet of pork casing at Northwestern Cutlery. Are there other sources?

    Also pork fat. Where? I think pork skin is available at Peoria Packing. Leaf lard? Back fat? Caul fat? Help!
    I'm not Angry, I'm hungry.
  • Post #2 - November 29th, 2014, 8:04 am
    Post #2 - November 29th, 2014, 8:04 am Post #2 - November 29th, 2014, 8:04 am
    Mariano's sold me hog casings. They'd prefer to only sell them with the meat you're going to grind, but you can talk them into selling just the casings.

    You don't want lard, leaf or otherwise. You just want really fatty pieces of meat.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #3 - November 29th, 2014, 8:05 am
    Post #3 - November 29th, 2014, 8:05 am Post #3 - November 29th, 2014, 8:05 am
    Butcher and Packer Supply Company has most everything you will need. Try http://www.butcher-packer.com for info.
  • Post #4 - November 29th, 2014, 8:35 am
    Post #4 - November 29th, 2014, 8:35 am Post #4 - November 29th, 2014, 8:35 am
    JoelF wrote:You don't want lard, leaf or otherwise. You just want really fatty pieces of meat.

    True. Fatback, otoh, can be important. Any good butcher, especially those who make their own sausage, should have it. Many will also sell you casings. Zier's (in Wilmette), Butcher & Larder, and Publican Quality Meats immediately come to mind.

    Puckjam wrote:Butcher and Packer Supply Company has most everything you will need. Try http://www.butcher-packer.com for info.

    A good source. I also use Sausage Maker from time to time: http://www.sausagemaker.com/

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #5 - November 30th, 2014, 11:12 am
    Post #5 - November 30th, 2014, 11:12 am Post #5 - November 30th, 2014, 11:12 am
    I do quite a bit of sausage making and use the above mentioned www.sausagemaker.com for all my supplies.

    I have found that a crucial piece of equipment is a sausage stuffer. I use the grinder attachment on my kitchenaid, but the stuffer attachment just does not work well. Sausagemaker sells some reasonably priced 5Lb. stuffers.
  • Post #6 - November 30th, 2014, 11:19 am
    Post #6 - November 30th, 2014, 11:19 am Post #6 - November 30th, 2014, 11:19 am
    lougord99 wrote:I do quite a bit of sausage making and use the above mentioned http://www.sausagemaker.com for all my supplies.

    I have found that a crucial piece of equipment is a sausage stuffer. I use the grinder attachment on my kitchenaid, but the stuffer attachment just does not work well. Sausagemaker sells some reasonably priced 5Lb. stuffers.

    Agreed. The kitchenaid grinder is adequate (though, I've moved on to a dedicated unit) but the ka stuffer attachment is almost useless.

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #7 - December 15th, 2014, 3:22 pm
    Post #7 - December 15th, 2014, 3:22 pm Post #7 - December 15th, 2014, 3:22 pm
    Hello,

    Paulina Meat Market is a great place with knowledgeable staff and they will also have what you need. That is the only place I've been able to find pink curing salt in Chicago.

    3501 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

    Thanks
    Jeff
  • Post #8 - December 15th, 2014, 3:35 pm
    Post #8 - December 15th, 2014, 3:35 pm Post #8 - December 15th, 2014, 3:35 pm
    The Spice House also has pink salt.
  • Post #9 - December 15th, 2014, 5:26 pm
    Post #9 - December 15th, 2014, 5:26 pm Post #9 - December 15th, 2014, 5:26 pm
    You will need 2 feet of 35mm casing per LB. of meat plus another 1-2 feet total.

    Please read the recipe carefully on pink salt. Typically you are using 1 tsp. per 5 lbs of meat. Pink salt is critical in certain sausages to prevent botulism, but is toxic in larger quantities. Please measure it carefully.
  • Post #10 - October 24th, 2018, 1:12 am
    Post #10 - October 24th, 2018, 1:12 am Post #10 - October 24th, 2018, 1:12 am
    JoelF wrote:Mariano's sold me hog casings. They'd prefer to only sell them with the meat you're going to grind, but you can talk them into selling just the casings.

    Fresh Farms in Niles had hog casings on the shelf today, no talking into involved.

    FreshFarmsHogCasings1.jpg Hog Casings, Fresh Farms in Niles


    Fresh Farms
    5740 W Touhy Ave
    Niles, IL 60714
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #11 - October 24th, 2018, 7:46 pm
    Post #11 - October 24th, 2018, 7:46 pm Post #11 - October 24th, 2018, 7:46 pm
    I hope somewhere on the package they told you what size the casings were.
  • Post #12 - November 7th, 2018, 7:16 pm
    Post #12 - November 7th, 2018, 7:16 pm Post #12 - November 7th, 2018, 7:16 pm
    G Wiv wrote:
    JoelF wrote:Mariano's sold me hog casings. They'd prefer to only sell them with the meat you're going to grind, but you can talk them into selling just the casings.

    Fresh Farms in Niles had hog casings on the shelf today, no talking into involved.

    FreshFarmsHogCasings1.jpg


    Fresh Farms
    5740 W Touhy Ave
    Niles, IL 60714

    HarvesTime (2632 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago 60625) has the same product, packages are on top of the meat counter at the far right end, $7.49 for the 8-oz package shown above
  • Post #13 - December 25th, 2020, 12:18 pm
    Post #13 - December 25th, 2020, 12:18 pm Post #13 - December 25th, 2020, 12:18 pm
    Hi,

    There is a stainless steel meat grinder available for a KitchenAid. It is not cheap at $118 to $159, though it sure looks sturdy.

    I now see there are others out there, too, so do your own due diligence.

    My KA meat grinder has a crack, though it annoys me to throw it away. One of these days I will.

    Regards,
    Cathy2
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #14 - December 25th, 2020, 12:50 pm
    Post #14 - December 25th, 2020, 12:50 pm Post #14 - December 25th, 2020, 12:50 pm
    That is funny, as my plastic KA grinder has also cracked. I am not sure which one to buy as a replacement. I would love feedback if anyone has bought one.
  • Post #15 - November 24th, 2023, 6:26 pm
    Post #15 - November 24th, 2023, 6:26 pm Post #15 - November 24th, 2023, 6:26 pm
    Ok, lots of notes on hog casings, but has anyone seen sheep casings? Preferably north burbs or north side. And a cheap price on lamb shoulder would be nice to find too.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #16 - November 24th, 2023, 7:23 pm
    Post #16 - November 24th, 2023, 7:23 pm Post #16 - November 24th, 2023, 7:23 pm
    Hi,

    Shop and Save has several locations with distinctly different sales offerings. At their Bridgeview location, whole lamb shoulder is $4.99 a pound. If you go to their location on Nagle highlighting the price at Bridgeview, they will give it to you. Meanwhile, I see the Des Plaines location advertises lamb shoulder for $4.99 pp.

    I usually buy ground lamb at Jerry's Fruit around $4 per pound. You might want to call them to learn how much they offer whole lamb shoulder.

    JERRY'S FRUIT AND GARDEN
    7901 N Milwaukee Ave
    Niles, Illinois 60714
    Phone: 847-967-1440

    Shop and Save
    518 Metropolitan Way, Des Plaines
    https://www.shopandsavemarket.com/weekly-ads

    I have seen sheep casings at Cabela and other stores with outdoorsman customers.

    Regards,
    Cathy2
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #17 - November 24th, 2023, 9:51 pm
    Post #17 - November 24th, 2023, 9:51 pm Post #17 - November 24th, 2023, 9:51 pm
    Cathy2 wrote:I have seen sheep casings at Cabela and other stores with outdoorsman customers.

    ??? Do they even have refrigerators?
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #18 - November 24th, 2023, 9:58 pm
    Post #18 - November 24th, 2023, 9:58 pm Post #18 - November 24th, 2023, 9:58 pm
    JoelF wrote:
    Cathy2 wrote:I have seen sheep casings at Cabela and other stores with outdoorsman customers.

    ??? Do they even have refrigerators?

    Many casings are now salt-packed and cryovacked, and don't require refrigeration until they're opened.

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #19 - November 25th, 2023, 2:56 am
    Post #19 - November 25th, 2023, 2:56 am Post #19 - November 25th, 2023, 2:56 am
    JoelF wrote:??? Do they even have refrigerators?
    Sure, for worms and leeches. Seriously, though, sometimes the salt-packed non-refrigerated casings get kinda dried out and crumbly if they sit on the shelf way too long. Might be better to order them if you have time. For example, Amazon has Dewied 24mm ones with same day delivery: https://www.amazon.com/DeWied-Natural-S ... B001RQSOV8
  • Post #20 - November 25th, 2023, 7:45 am
    Post #20 - November 25th, 2023, 7:45 am Post #20 - November 25th, 2023, 7:45 am
    JoelF wrote:Ok, lots of notes on hog casings, but has anyone seen sheep casings? Preferably north burbs or north side. And a cheap price on lamb shoulder would be nice to find too.

    Any deli that makes the king of sausages that you want to make will probably sell you casings.

    Also, the web site that I mentioned above, www.sausagemaker.com has sheep casings.
  • Post #21 - November 25th, 2023, 9:14 am
    Post #21 - November 25th, 2023, 9:14 am Post #21 - November 25th, 2023, 9:14 am
    Sandy's carries two types of rostiljska kobasica. A long thin sausage in a lamb casing, which I believe are made in-house.

    Sandy's Bakery & Deli
    5857 W Lawrence Av
    Chicago
    773-794-1129
    https://www.sandysbakeryanddeli.com/

    Shop and Save also has some smoked sausages encased in lamb casings. I do not know if they make their sausages in-house or they come from elsewhere. If it is in-house, then which location are they being made. Of course, they have a lot of branded sausage, too.

    It is another place to inquire about lamb casings.

    Regards,
    Cathy2
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #22 - November 25th, 2023, 7:39 pm
    Post #22 - November 25th, 2023, 7:39 pm Post #22 - November 25th, 2023, 7:39 pm
    Cathy2,
    Thanks, Shop and Save in downtown Des Plaines was next on my list (I still miss the one by Golf Mill). They came through on shoulder roast, but no casings.

    I may have to take a trip out to one of the big outdoor shops like Cabela's.
    Last edited by JoelF on November 25th, 2023, 10:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #23 - November 25th, 2023, 7:56 pm
    Post #23 - November 25th, 2023, 7:56 pm Post #23 - November 25th, 2023, 7:56 pm
    JoelF wrote:Cathy2,
    Thanks, Shop and Save in downtown Fred Plains was next on my list (I still miss the one by Golf Mill). They came through on shoulder roast, but no casings.

    I may have to take a trip out to one of the big outdoor shops like Cabela's.


    What quantity are you looking for?
    "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad." Miles Kington
  • Post #24 - November 25th, 2023, 10:00 pm
    Post #24 - November 25th, 2023, 10:00 pm Post #24 - November 25th, 2023, 10:00 pm
    boudreaulicious wrote:
    JoelF wrote:Cathy2,
    Thanks, Shop and Save in downtown Des Plaines was next on my list (I still miss the one by Golf Mill). They came through on shoulder roast, but no casings.

    I may have to take a trip out to one of the big outdoor shops like Cabela's.


    What quantity are you looking for?

    Not much - only making 4lbs of sausage
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #25 - December 3rd, 2023, 4:49 pm
    Post #25 - December 3rd, 2023, 4:49 pm Post #25 - December 3rd, 2023, 4:49 pm
    Sausage has been made.
    And it is quite clear that the KitchenAid food grinder is quite fine for grinding the sausage, but woefully inadequate for the stuffing. It's a four-hands project with that tool, and nearly all of them will get covered in meat paste. The pusher doesn't push well, the pasta maker's "storage container" makes a better pusher but has a fragile lid (now cracked), it likes to push air into the sausage, and there's a fair amount of waste that gets caught in the worm works at the end (should I be doing something like putting a piece of white bread through to push the last bits out?).

    The good news is that the sheep casings didn't seem any harder to work with than the hog casings I'd used previously, except for opening the end which is quite fiddly.

    But as this is only the second batch of sausages I've ever made over ten years of having the attachment (although I'm being encouraged to do a third for an upcoming tapas party -- anyone have a butifarra recipe they like?), I can't see going out and spending a C-note or so on a sausage stuffer. I have a brother-in-law who hunts, who might have the tools, but he's just moved 9 hours away by car.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #26 - December 3rd, 2023, 10:57 pm
    Post #26 - December 3rd, 2023, 10:57 pm Post #26 - December 3rd, 2023, 10:57 pm
    Yeah, the KA is pretty horrible for stuffing altho I like it for grinding. I bought something like this for a very reasonable stuffing alternative: Lawei 2 LBS Sausage Stuffer - Horizontal Kitchen Stuffing Maker Stainless Steel Meat Sausage Machine for Household Commercial https://a.co/d/1VzuWrQ (not my exact one, it's no longer available, but this appears to be the same thing.)

    Another cheap alternative is a jerky gun, like an old fashioned caulking gun. Both options leave little unstuffed meat and are easy to clean.
  • Post #27 - December 4th, 2023, 10:46 am
    Post #27 - December 4th, 2023, 10:46 am Post #27 - December 4th, 2023, 10:46 am
    Well, if you were considering buying a dedicated stuffer (yes, KitchenAid's sucks and blows), now might be the time. Per an email from SausageMaker.com:

    Get 20% Off All Equipment

    Enter XMAS20 at checkout

    From 12/4 - 12/11

    =R=
    Same planet, different world

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