Casing soak observation

[Fishawn]

While making Kolbasz/Modified last night, I really noticed something that caught my attention. I had rinsed & soaked a bunch of sheep casings in warm water with a good shot of vinegar for about 45 minutes, which I always do.

If you have not worked with sheep casings & have big fumbling fingers like I do, they can be challenging at times (small opening).....

Anyhow, I ran out of the casings that were soaked in water/vinegar & had to grab one out of the fridge, rinsed it in warm water & soaked for about 5 minutes in warm water only. I was in a hurry, so that was all the time I had. This sheep casing was WAY harder to put on the tube, was stiff & actually burst in a couple spots.

The sheep casings that were soaked in the vinegar/water for about 45 minutes were so easy to put on the stuffing tube & were slippery & supple & loaded effortlessly.

Just an observation. Remember the vinegar.

[Richtee]

Interesting. Never used vinegar. I do the inside out thing, and drop them (in order) in a bowl with a little warm water and let them go maybe 15-20 min. NEver had a problem with "tubing" them or busting..unless I overstuff.

But I have not used sheep casings..I use small hog for that.

[minnbill]

I've never soaked in anything but water what is the purposefor vineger?also I dont want to steal your thread but hears a ? once you open your casings and have soaked them how do you deal with the extras.I waste way to many .can you freeze them or bag them and resalt with regular salt? thanks Bill.

[Richtee]

Bill... you can Kosher them down and wrap in paper towel to absorb the water back out of them...and a bit more salt and back in the fridge.

[Fishawn]

I've never soaked in anything but water what is the purposefor vineger?also I dont want to steal your thread but hears a ? once you open your casings and have soaked them how do you deal with the extras.I waste way to many .can you freeze them or bag them and resalt with regular salt? thanks Bill.

Honestly, if I tried to answer "what is the purpose of the vinegar" I would not know what I was talking about, technically... I read it somewhere along the line that it helps the casings become supple or something to that affect & have been doing it since then.

As far as dealing with the extra casings after rinsing them, I put mine back in the package they came in and add in a bunch more Kosher salt to the package & back into the fridge. Rytek says "DO NOT USE IODIZED SALT".

[Fishawn]

As Rich mentioned, paper towel to soak up some of the moisture first

[curious aardvark]

The acid in the vinegar slowly breaks down the proteins in the skin (hydrolyses them).
45 minutes seems a little long to me. I tend to soak for about 10 mins.
never needed to saok any longer.

But if you soak for much more than an hour it will break down the casing to the point where you'll start to get bursts and it'ss just be too weak to use.

Best way is to rinse your skins, stick them in to soak and set up the stuffer, by the time your ready to stuff, skins will be ready. No need to plan ahead.

The vinegar also sterilises the skins so if they're a bit fresh and smelly it'll kill the smell. Old casings tend not to smell as much anyway.

[Kingudaroad]

More slippery is more better. Thanks for the tip.

[Whisky Fish]

Thanks guys, Im a sponge, just soakin up the intel. Good info. Make sense too, that the vinegar would kill the smell and be much more hygenic. How much vinegar to water?
JT

[SmokinLee]

Never did the vinny thing either and I usually toss what is left over, till this last time. I just pulled them between two fingers and squeezed the water out, re-salted and packed back up. Interesting, have to give it a try

[Fishawn]

How much vinegar to water? JT

I Would guess about 1 & 1/2 cup of water & about 1-2 tablespoons white
vinegar, or something close to that.

[Gunslinger]

More slippery is more better. Thanks for the tip.

10-4 on that. Vinegar will soften your skin, your clothes, etc., so I would guess it would have the same effect on the casings. I'm gonna try it.

[SmokinLee]

When I wash the house windows, it is always with vinegar mixed with some water. Use a soft cloth to apply and then crumpled news paper to dry. They are streak free.

[Slanted88]

Man....appreciate the Vinegar tip...I take a hit of vinegar for me ol achin bones! It werks!

[Fishawn]

Man....appreciate the Vinegar tip...I take a hit of vinegar for me ol achin bones! It werks!

Sheesh..... I have heard a lot of different uses for Vinegar, but never for achin bones..... I gotta look into that one, thanks....

Lee, great tip on the windows. I have always done that method in my truck, just never thought about using it on my house windows.... DUH!

In my previous house, I had lots of hardwood flooring & used Vinegar mixed with water to clean them.... Worked Great!