And it started like this

[Scallywag]

Very cool buddy!

[pmillen]

No, I didn't laugh at your effort.  I think it's a great start on an ambitious project.  Heck, I have trouble peeling hard boiled eggs.

Ballpark-wise, what do you think you invested in equipment?

[fishingbouchman]

great setup!!!   So Jealous!!! 

So You should have my address already.  I will wait by the door for my package. 

Very nice job my friend. 

[SmokinKat]

How cool!   Thank you so much for documenting that for us-- I've been very curious about getting into making sausages (at some point in the distant future when I have both an excess of money AND time to invest) , and it was great to see the play-by-play of your first run!   

Nice work!

[sparky]

What a great start.
1) Yes I was giggling through most of it.
2) Take piece of super fine sandpaper and LIGHTLY go around the ends of your sausage horns. That way your not scoring the inside of the casings as your loading them on. Then as your stuffing watch and adjust the tension on the casing to do you best at keeping the casing centered. That should help you out and give you less blow outs. 
3)Time for the next batch!!

1) I thought you would be.  lol....
2) I will do that.  I called sailor and he asked me what size horn was I using?  I told him the big one.  he was laughing because I was using the wrong horn.  should have used the med horn.  lesson learned. 
3) that would be tomorrow.  time for some Sparky Dean Sausage.   

[sparky]

Nice first sausage post Sparky!  I guarantee you are now hooked.


Now, here's the best advice I can give about casings: Find a local butcher who is making sausage and buy full hanks of Hog & Sheep casings from him. The quality is so much better and and the size is much more uniform than those small home packs. You will also get a lot more casings for your money, making them much less expensive in the end.

A lot of guys avoid buying full hanks because you are basically buying in bulk, so you fork out a few more bucks up front, and some are worried about casings not getting used.  Trust me it's NOT a problem! As long as you keep them packed in salt and in your fridge, they stay good for up to 2 years.

And here's the thing, buy just two home packs and you have spent almost as much as buying a full hank of casings anyway!  Once you try what butchers are using, you won't want to use those home packs again!

the reason I am buying the little packages of casing is because I don't know what size I want to use yet.  still in the experimenting stage.  once I do lock on the size I want I will take your advice TH.  thanks for the tip.   

[sparky]

Real nice work there amigo.

However i need to say that you are now lost in sausage space. 

that means a lot coming from you partner.  thanks.   

[sparky]

Looking good!

At the BBQ shop, I wear Under Armor liner gloves underneath an XL pair of blue nitrile exam room gloves.   Helps keeps the digits from freezing.   

thanks for the tip squit.  I will get me some. 

[sparky]

Hey I want to come over and play!  Nice set up

come on over tommy.  you could teach me how to make some sausage.  we can throw back some grape Kool-Aid.  I love the grape flavor.   

[sparky]

No, I didn't laugh at your effort.  I think it's a great start on an ambitious project.  Heck, I have trouble peeling hard boiled eggs.

Ballpark-wise, what do you think you invested in equipment?

I bought everything over xmas while it was on sale.  had the trays already.  grinder, stuffer, books, casings, cabelas hat and coffee mug, FT and a small bottle of Crown.  ummmm..... about $550 or so.   

[sparky]

great setup!!!   So Jealous!!! 

So You should have my address already.  I will wait by the door for my package. 

Very nice job my friend.

I got your address.  what I don't have is moose meat.   

[CDN Smoker]

Wow Sparky that was a fantastic post. Loved all of it. The part about not being able to get your rubber on was priceless

[hikerman]

Congratulations Sparky! Very nice post and end product!  Each time will get easier like with any new undertaking. I have most of the eqipment, just a matter of getting my feet wet like you just did. Hope my first time turns out as good as yoursbuddy. After work today iI'll tip an FT in your direction! 

[Sandman]

Lots of good advice in this thread. Thanks guys!

[Sailor1]

You done good!  Nothing wrong with them links.  Each time you make a batch you will find it getting better and better.  Pretty soon you will be doing a 10 pound batch before you even get thru 1/4 of a bottle of FT