Shrinkage

[Nate McVey]

I need some advice as to why my elk brats shrunk after cooking. They went from 6-7 inches down to 3-4. The casing never split and they didn't get dried out, but they shrunk like a frightened turtle. I have been making my own brats for 5 years or so and have never had this happen. Is it the casings? Not stuffed correctly? Any ideas?

Thanks everyone.

[hockeybc69]

Casings cant possibly shrink that much and not break if the content inside didnt reduce a LOT.

Possibly you didnt stuff the casings nearly with enough meat?

What did you use for a meat mix? 50/50 Elk and pork for example?

I have never had brats shrink anything more than maybe 10% after cooking.

[Gissert]

Did you double grind? I had some shrinkage issues once when my mix was fairly coarse.

[solbes]

Elaine: They Shrink?

Jerry: Like a Frightened Turtle!

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Carry on

[DonBo]

Elaine: They Shrink?

Jerry: Like a Frightened Turtle!

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Carry on

Significant shrinkage?

[KEN W]

I've never had that happen either.Shrinking down by half???Usually mine get larger when cooked,from the liquid in them expanding,not smaller.

[Leaky]

Elaine: They Shrink?

Jerry: Like a Frightened Turtle!

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Carry on

Ya, I thought maybe George was paying us a little visit when I saw the subject.

[huntnfish]

Were they in the pool?

Like Ken, I've seen them grow when I use some very fatty pork but I've also seen them shrink, but not by much.

[Nate McVey]

I was hoping some of you would get the Seinfeld reference

In all honesty, they shrunk by 50% if not more and the casings did not split and were not loose. Strangest thing I've come across in my sausage making history.

The mix was 50/50 elk/pork. Ground 3 times (separate, together and then when they went into the casing) and I broke some casings as I was stuffing them so I think I had them pretty full. I've cooked them 2 different ways, once on the smoker and then once on the grill (after being boiled). I should've taken pictures, but I will take some this weekend when we cook some more.

[KEN W]

Did you add water to the mix before stuffing?All my recipes call for 1 pint of ice water for every 10 pounds of meat.

[Nate McVey]

Did you add water to the mix before stuffing?All my recipes call for 1 pint of ice water for every 10 pounds of meat.

I did not.....I usually do add beer/water and did not this time. Hmmmm........

[KEN W]

I would guess that could be the problem.