Some time after 2:00 I'll find out how my first attempt at making my own venison sticks turns out. They surely smell fantastic! I can't wait:D
what kind of smoker do you have??? i wanna try sooooo bad but think i'll totally mess it up!!!! i have everything else grinder and the whole nine but just been to chicken to make the leap and try.
Made my first batch of sausage with jalepeno peppers and cheese yesterday. I can't believe how good it came out. I was chicken to try and figured I'd lose about 20lbs. before I figured something out lol, but oh man did it come out good. Better than any I've ever had from a butcher actually. Next batch going in today!
I'm borrowing my dad's old Gourmet Electric Smoker. It works fine. But I'd really like to get a Cook Shack. I worked for Famous Dave's BBQ for 10 years before I came up here to Ely. Back in the day, all we used were Cook Shacks. Then we got the big ol' Southern Pride Smokers.... AWESOME!! But, I'm not going to drop $15-20k on a smoker like the ones we had at our stores! Go figure? Though, one of the Mobile Models would kick some serious butt!!!
I will be taking my first crack at some jerky this year. We have made some summer sausage in the past, with mixed results. Actually just sat down to a fresh plate of round steaks for lunch.:D
How long does it take to make the sticks? Can you do that with pretty much any smoker, or what should you be looking for when buying a smoker? I've always wanted to get into this kind of thing. I just have no one to teach me anything.
You can smoke with just about anything. A garbage can with a makeshift rack works. Cheap electrics work fine, but are inconsistent. When you spend more money, you get thermostats, timers, etc. making it much more fool proof. Also, the electric struggled to get hot today in the single digit temps here. But you can always finish cooking the meat in the oven once the smokey flavor has been added. Today I was able to cook the sticks through in the smoker, just took a bit longer. for the amount of sticks I had today it took about 2.5 hrs. It could take as little as 1.25hrs with a more efficient smoker and warmer temps. They are good, but I don't have a stuffer, so I had to use the attachment on the grinder. Causing the meat to be double-ground. Tastes great, but has the consistency of liverwurst. Still good though!
i use a built like a brick electric, and little chiefs they are great, the little chiefs are a cold smoker, so things come out very smoky and cured, delicious!
I just finished a batch of Jerky today and I must say it is great. I did it in the oven and used a commercial jerky/cure kit. It really turned out well. No more messing with 20 different things and the hassle for great jerky. If your wondering what kind pm me I will tell you.
