Economics of casings

[slavikborisov]

Curious if anyone has ever done an “analysis” on what the most cost effective casing is… anywhere from 32mm-100mm edible or nonedible ….. these would include fibrous, collagen, cellulose, plastic, natural etc… $/lb a casing can hold what is the cheapest vs. most expensive….. obviously the end goal of the end product will vary weather you want a snappy bite, smoke permeation, poaching vs smoker finishing.

Curious to hear people thoughts. I’ve currently used all above mentioned casings in the above mentioned diameter range and would like other experienced guys input…. What’s the best bang for you buck vs what the most expensive and why ?

 

[radioguy]

I've gone to using natural casings. When making sausage I want the best product for my efforts. Take a read on my prior experience. I have a load of collegen casings..guess I should throw them out.

https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/you-get-what-you-pay-for.300120/

RG

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Nothing wrong with collagen.
If you have good protein extraction you have good sticks and SS.

 

[jimmyinsd]

i prefer natural casings for anything that has the casing left on for eating, except snack sticks-collagen, other wise ring bologna and summer sausage get whatever I pick up on amazon or the local butcher shop uses. I know the snap I get from good natural sheep and hog isnt worth the cost savings IMO from collagen. especially on breakfast links and brats, just has to have the thin snap or its not worth the effort.

 

[chopsaw]

Curious if anyone has ever done an “analysis” on what the most cost effective casing is…

I remembered this from awhile ago . Not sure what's in there . Didn't read through it all .

Casing prices, standardized for comparison

I made a big order of casings yesterday. While shopping, it became evident some prices were over 2x other shops. Different places had better deals on natural vs. Collagen. I have been buying LEM because I can get it in 1 day from Amazon. Anyway, here are some prices of 6 different places. I...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

I pretty much go for what gives me a good end product , and something that works with ease . Price is 2nd on the list for me .
I was using Sausage makers for natural casings . The last 2 orders from them I feel the quality was gone . Thick , tough and a lot of tags . Stored wet for 8 months and I still throw some out when I use them .
Switched to Syracuse casings . I'm not a fan of pre tubed , but they look like quality casings . Price was cheaper than sausage maker . Not knocking TSM . I buy my share from them . Just something changed with the hog casings .

I tend to keep different types on hand . I buy usually when I'm getting something else .
I have some high barrier water proof that come in handy for doing SV start to finish .
Cellulose makes a good skinless hotdog .

I'm hooked on the cloth bags for SS and Bologna . I get those from a place in Nashville .
Good price , but I'm not sure what any of them cost .

 

[indaswamp]

Generally speaking, the larger diameter the casing, the more economical it is to use. You will get more pounds stuffed per foot the larger the Diameter....

 

[indaswamp]

Rich- give Quality Casing Company a try. They are in Kentucky. Great casings for a great price. I buy them local from a butcher supply house...

https://www.qualitycasing.com/

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Bout hour and half from me.

 

[chopsaw]

give Quality Casing Company a try.

In the market for some sheep casings . I'm on the website and can't find a shop or buy option .

 

[indaswamp]

In the market for some sheep casings . I'm on the website and can't find a shop or buy option .

Well thanks for letting me know about that. I assumed they sold to the public but that may not be the case (no pun intended).

 

[Schwarzwald Metzger]

Curious if anyone has ever done an “analysis” on what the most cost effective casing is… anywhere from 32mm-100mm edible or nonedible ….. these would include fibrous, collagen, cellulose, plastic, natural etc… $/lb a casing can hold what is the cheapest vs. most expensive….. obviously the end goal of the end product will vary weather you want a snappy bite, smoke permeation, poaching vs smoker finishing.

Curious to hear people thoughts. I’ve currently used all above mentioned casings in the above mentioned diameter range and would like other experienced guys input…. What’s the best bang for you buck vs what the most expensive and why ?

I'd be interested in this also.

 

[Schwarzwald Metzger]

Rich- give Quality Casing Company a try. They are in Kentucky. Great casings for a great price. I buy them local from a butcher supply house...

https://www.qualitycasing.com/

That is awesome. I'll check them out also

 

[Schwarzwald Metzger]

Rich- give Quality Casing Company a try. They are in Kentucky. Great casings for a great price. I buy them local from a butcher supply house...

https://www.qualitycasing.com/

That is awesome. I'll check them out als

Well thanks for letting me know about that. I assumed they sold to the public but that may not be the case (no pun intended).

In the Franklin BBQ book, it talks about his reticence of venturing into sausage at his restaurants, because at the time of writing the book there weren't a lot of US companies making sausage casings, and he couldn't guarantee "organic", "gmo free", and " no antibiotics". I'm curious if this company is the solution?

 

[chopsaw]

I assumed they sold to the public

I'm not sure . Just didn't see a place to buy anything on the website .
Have you bought from them ?

 

[DougE]

I'm not sure . Just didn't see a place to buy anything on the website .
Have you bought from them ?

Same as what I saw, Rich. I may call them when I need more to ask if I can get them directly. They aren't that far from me.

 

[DougE]

As far as the economics of casings, use the best quality and type for what you are making, price be damned. The whole point is to make better sausages than you can buy.

 

[KillerNoms]

Curious if anyone has ever done an “analysis” on what the most cost effective casing is…

I go with the "first you eat with your eyes" theory and go for the most attractive casings rather than the most economical.

 

[indaswamp]

I'm not sure . Just didn't see a place to buy anything on the website .
Have you bought from them ?

Yes, I have bought them, but not directly from the company. I have a Butcher supply store 15 miles away that I buy my hog casings from. I buy local and the prices are very reasonable.

 

[DougE]

Yes, I have bought them, but not directly from the company. I have a Butcher supply store 15 miles away that I buy my hog casings from. I buy local and the prices are very reasonable.

They appear to be a wholesaler only, and don't do retail sales.

 

[indaswamp]

They appear to be a wholesaler only, and don't do retail sales.

Well that is unfortunate. Really good casings though if you can find them...