Twisting Links

[JustSmoke2]

This is the way I make my links. The first pic is my stuffer I have had for a long time. Only problem is its outta round so I will be replacing it with a vertical this time.

This shows where I mark off my lengths I prefer for sizing my links.

Here is my first twist with the starting edge at the left end of my board. I pinch the 2nd and last mark,

Then I lift and twist away from my body or you can twist towards you, just always twist the same way.

Then just repeat the first steps as shown in the next pic.

So for you beginning sausage makers I hope this will help. Oh yea this is Sweet Itailian sausage this time. The casings are sheep casings in the 20 to 22mm size.

[doctor phreak]

man i gotta get a sausage grinder and stuffer....they look really good and easy to make...thanks for the tips

[curious aardvark]

have to admit i've always twisted as i stuff.
so do you reckon it's easier/quicker to stuff then twist ?

like the measuring board - good, simple idea

[lcruzen]

Then I lift and twist away from my body or you can twist towards you, just always twist the same way.


I thought you were supposed to alternate the direction after each link or are just twisting every other link?

[Big Guy]

Yes twist every next link the opposite direction, one towards you and the next away from you. This keeps the links form untwisting when you let them rest.

[JustSmoke2]

CA- I twist them when I am done stuffing. I think its much easier and faster as I am making 2 links at a time, and thanks for the points.

Big Guy if you look you will see I am making 2 links per twist hence not needing to alternate twisting. Now you can alternate but with this method its not needed. If you do no big deal.

In my younger days we as kids got to watch are butchers in action. From putting down the pigs and cows to final meat show case. this is how I remember doing them but I could never get to the speed they did it. Seems like they would do a 50lb batch and twist them in matter of minutes.

[Jimr]

I agree with JS2, it is a lot easier to twist after the casing is stuffed. Just make sure you don't overstuff the casing which will cause problems when you start to link it. Also agree with his statement that by twisting every other one in the same direction you are cutting your linking time in half. Also if you understuffed a casing you can add a few more twists to the link to "plump up" the link.