unraveling casings?

[shriv]

I have a heck of a time with my casings. They seem to end up in knot and I end having to cut them. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
shriv

 

[meat hunter]

Yeah sometimes they get like that. I just did a batch of Italian Sausage and they were notted up. Just pull them out of the bag and in a big tupperware container or tray and take your time. If you are gonna be using all the casing at once, then take them as they are in a big clump and soak them in warm water for about 20-30 minutes. They will pull free pretty easily when done.

 

[bassman]

The hanks I get are usually tied in the middle. As I'm rinsing them off, I gently untangle with my fingers. The key word I think is "gently". If you start to tug and pull, it will tie those things up in a knot that's almost impossible to get out.

 

[jerrykr]

untangle them in a bowl of water, feed the untangled part onto a plate or another bowl.

the other advice so far is good.

They do get knotted up.

 

[trapper]

The ones I get have a plastic ring they are tied to towards one end. If you have the room to strech the whole thing out before you untie it helps a lot. A big dining room table or long kitchen counter helps. After they are stretched out I un-tie them and untangle one at a time. I put the casing in a big bowl of water with a couple inches of one end hanging over the lip of the bowl. Continue one at a time and put then in the bowl with the end hanging over the lip right next to the previous. Work around it like the numbers on a clock. When you get ready to use them start with the last one you put in and work backwards, they won't tangle on you that way.
The first couple you do are pretty tedious but after that they seem to untangle pretty nicely most of the time. Good luck and be patient.

 

[jamesb]

The same advice I was going to post... Much easier under water. After they are untangled, I lay them in a second bowl of water and leave a couple of inches hanging over the edge. I work in a single direction around the bowl as I stuff the casings. First one in, last one out kinda thing... no more stopping to untangle guts in the middle of a stuff... Hope that made sense.

 

[pops6927]

When I get a hank I do the same as above, separate them all out then wind up each one on my fingers and wrap about 2' around the center (like you're winding up a rope) so each one is individually wound up. Then, you can re-salt them with table salt - just pour a half cup or so in a ziplock, toss 'em all in and shake 'em up, coating them with salt, then into the fridge and they're good for about a year. Just take them out one or two at a time as need be. If you take out too much, just re-salt and toss back in. Sometimes I'll use half a rope and wrap up what's left to use next time. Just don't freeze them!