Who has experience with Cellulose casings

[smokendevo]

Last time I bought and used some it was a disaster. The package said not to soak them so I didn't. I found them to be very brittle, anybody else that has used them find them that way? Was it just a bad batch? Or do you soak them to make them more pliable? Like I said I have only used them once but would like to make some hot dogs and they are recommended for hot dogs. If there is a better casing other than natural let me know. Oh and I do want to be able to peel the casing off the hot dog after the smoking process if that helps.

[Sailor1]

I have used lots of cellulose casings to make skinless dogs.  Do not soak them!  A fresh casing will feel kinda oily and you will be able to stuff the sausage very tight without a blow out.  If the casings have not been sealed up they will dry out and you will blow them out and in my opinion they are only good to fill up the trash bag.  Normally I will vac seal the casings after I get them and use what I need and then vac seal what is left over.  When I first started using them I did not vac seal them and just put them in a plastic bag.  Over time they dried out and that is how I learned that they do degrade.  If you get some fresh ones you will love them!  They peel very easy and leave a nice rind for a skinless sausage.  I think they beat collagen casing hands down for making dogs and skinless kielbasa.

[smokendevo]

Thanks Jim

[Las Vegan Cajun]

I have used lots of cellulose casings to make skinless dogs.  Do not soak them!  A fresh casing will feel kinda oily and you will be able to stuff the sausage very tight without a blow out.  If the casings have not been sealed up they will dry out and you will blow them out and in my opinion they are only good to fill up the trash bag.  Normally I will vac seal the casings after I get them and use what I need and then vac seal what is left over.  When I first started using them I did not vac seal them and just put them in a plastic bag.  Over time they dried out and that is how I learned that they do degrade.  If you get some fresh ones you will love them!  They peel very easy and leave a nice rind for a skinless sausage.  I think they beat collagen casing hands down for making dogs and skinless kielbasa.

Great info, thanks for sharing. 

[TentHunteR]

Great info, thanks for sharing. 
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I agree.  Good thread and info!