I dont use any fat in my summer sausage. I use 12 pounds deer meat and 3 pounds of pork shoulder. Put a water pan in your smoker and smoke it according the directions on your seasoning kit. Put it in the fridge till cooled through, cut it up, vacuum seal and freeze. My summer sausage gets great reviews, and is never dry. I think the pan of water in the smoker, then a few hours in the fridge with the condensation sticking to it keeps it from drying out. Word to the wise, don't use the kitchen fridge for this, use your beer fridge in the garage, cause everything in it is gonna smell like smoked meat, and your wife isnt gonna like it!