Processing Myself. Where to start?

[Vap]

Biggest you can afford x6
Lots of knives
Vap

[Fishnhero]

If a grinder is sufficient for stuffing (foot control, hp, etc) is there a up side to having a stuffer too?

[Uncle Saggy]

If a grinder is sufficient for stuffing (foot control, hp, etc) is there a up side to having a stuffer too?

To me the upside is having more control of the stuffing process.


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[goldtip5575]

I've only been processing my own game for 30 years and just learned something. lol For the life of me, I don't know why I've never thought of that. Probably would have saved me a couple cases of paper towels by now.

I do something similar to what Dale suggests, but I have a big roll of freezer paper and just roll out a couple sheets of that to put my cutting board on. It catches all the mess and I just wad it up and throw it away. Just another thought.

[TexOddball]

Just remember, the only “wrong” cut you can make, is on yourself.

Big cutting boards make the whole process easier.

[hooligan]

It’s not that hard, just time consuming. I will say investing in the best grinder you can afford was the smartest thing I ever did. After processing 3 deer with the attachment for my wife’s kitchenaid I bought a Cabela’s grinder and it was a game changer. The foot control is nice too. Have help and make a day or weekend of it

I figured after the grinder and a couple or things I bought I had made my money back the first year I processed my own by doing 4 deer at home vs sending it out

I just need to learn to roll and separate the links better

Oh and natural hog casing taste way better than collagen casings!

[Possum Fat]

Aside from the grinder, my best investment towards home processing was an electric hoist. I dont even have to stand to skin and cut up a deer anymore!

[S-3 Ranch]

Start with good equipment, knives, sharpening tools, board
Then check out the recipe board for sausage recipe
Watch some YouTube videos
Enjoy the fruits of your labor

[Paycheck]

Flywise, did you soak the long enough casing before stuffing?

[HeyMikey]

I have a HUGE cutting board from Ultramatic Feeders, and it's really nice for processing game. Also, get a big towel and lay under your cutting board so that it hangs out all the way around, this saves a lot of mess.

I've only been processing my own game for 30 years and just learned something. lol For the life of me, I don't know why I've never thought of that. Probably would have saved me a couple cases of paper towels by now.

You've got company, David.........I was thinking the exact same thing when I read your comment

[captteddy]

FYI - noticed a grinder for sale in classifieds.

[RattlesnakeDan]

Process

My wife helps me. I set up a table in the garage with my cutting board and bring them in on trays as I get them filled and she wraps them. We did an Axis doe and a Whitetail buck on Monday and it went pretty quick.
I do want to do some sausage but haven't ever made my own.

[TacticalCowboy]

I know there are a lot of knives out there, but this is about the only thing I use on deer and hogs. I use it for everything—gutting, skinning, quartering and boning.

I’ve processed around 300 animals I would guess, from sheep to goats to pigs to cattle to deer to elk to big exotics, so I’d say I have a little bit of experience

https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Boning-Curved-Semi-Stiff-Fibrox/dp/B000MD7M2O/ref=pd_bap_m_rp_13?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000MD7M2O&pd_rd_r=5997a569-7a88-4295-838d-4da8c71dcf08&pd_rd_w=DbmRx&pd_rd_wg=tcS0Y&pf_rd_p=4f81e72e-1e82-4264-a155-b07e0525ee9e&pf_rd_r=NYCWGCW8R97336N2Q8BD&psc=1&refRID=DW8V0Q093NV85GC5B3DD

[S-3 Ranch]

I know there are a lot of knives out there, but this is about the only thing I use on deer and hogs. I use it for everything—gutting, skinning, quartering and boning.

I’ve processed around 300 animals I would guess, from sheep to goats to pigs to cattle to deer to elk to big exotics, so I’d say I have a little bit of experience

https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Bo...093NV85GC5B3DD

Those are awesome knives I have a couple of those and some similar, have done, hundreds of deer, nilgai, antelope, elk
Even filet thousands of lbs of snapper
I use a diamond steel to maintain ultimate sharp knives
Dale moser is correct in a towel and a large cutting board
All the dollar stores have cheap large bowls to keep trimmed meat organized

And don’t forget a good cheap adjustable box fan to keep your airflow correct
When doing sausages and jerky

[HogCommander]

I've been happy with both LEM and Hi Mountain seasoning kits for jerky and summer sausage. If you like jalapeno & cheese summer sausage, I recommend the jalapeno seasoning kit. Order some high temperature cheese from Amazon (already cubed) a week or two before you're ready to make your first batch so you have it on hand when you get started.

Other recommendations:
Must have: biggest/best grinder you can afford and a coarse grinding plate if it doesn't come with one.

Nice to haves:
Kitchen scale to weigh meat/spices.
Burger press and pre-cut wax paper squares.
Meat mixer. You can mix by hand but it's MUCH easier with a mixer.
Hog ring pliers and hog rings make sealing the end of summer sausage casings easy.
Book on sausage making...very informative and they have lots of recipes to try. Will also help you form a list of all the spices you'll need that you might have to buy online.

For venison summer sausage, consider a 15 lb batch with 10 lbs venison, 2 lbs pork, 2 lbs beef (all ground with coarse plate) and 1 lb of high temp cheese. Have had really good results with this mix. I smoke low and slow to an internal temp of 152 degrees, then put in a bath of ice water. This will fill five casings at about 3 lbs each.

For burgers, consider grinding 2 lbs venison to 1 lb bacon. Cube the venison and bacon first, then grind together and mix the ground meat. Grind again and mix one more time, then form into 5 oz patties. Freezing the patties on cookie sheets and wax paper before vacuum sealing will ensure they don't get squished in the process.

Keep the meat very cold for grinding so it cuts rather than gets turned to mush by the grinder blade.

Enjoy and post your results!