Pepperoni Sticks

[MacAttack]

So I had my local butcher make me some pepperoni sticks with left over duck I had from last year. It was only about 6lbs so he wouldn't smoke it. I was fine with that since I have a smoker. So I smoked it last night but I have a question. I started it at 115 degrees for about 40 min, then went up to 130 for a about an hour then up to 175 for another hour then added smoke. I kept it in until internal temp was 155. My question is, the casing didn't shrink, did I need to let them smoke for a bit longer? Are they ok to eat?

[NRA4LIFE]

If they are to 155 you're good.  Just depends on how dry or moist you want them.  Sounds like they didn't dry much if the casings didn't shrink.

[MacAttack]

Could I put them back in the smoker to dry out more?

[The Weazle]

Did you quench them after you smoked them?  You need to take them out of the smoker, and put them in an ice water bath.  It will stop the cooking process, and shrink the casings.  I bet they are plenty dry if you didn't do that, because even in the fridge, the centers were still cooking for a while...I would try one before I did anymore cooking.

[sirmissalot]

I can't get my casings to shrink no matter what I do... they taste fine but just don't look right. 

[Thefisherman83]

I can't get my casings to shrink no matter what I do... they taste fine but just don't look right. 

Too much fat maybe?  I do not add any fat to my deer pepperoni and I have never had casings sag. 

[sirmissalot]

Maybe so but I don't think I add all that much, I do about 40% pork butt to 60% deer or elk. I've actually been told not adding enough pork is often the cause so now I'm really confused

[Thefisherman83]

I am a long ways from being an expert, I have only done a couple of batches so don't put too much credit into what I said lol.  I also do not do the ice bath and never had an issue.   

[lokidog]

We did 1lb pork to 4-5 lb venison, let rest for the given time and into the smoker.  No problems with the casings shrinking up.  Maybe you have some wierd casings?  No ice bath here either.

Any reason to not put smoke on right away?

[sirmissalot]

I have thought of trying different casings. Guess its worth a shot.

I've heard both good and bad about the ice bath. 

I did have my last batch come out a little too smokey. I like it to have touch a touch of smoke flavor, not over powering. I also get pretty bad acid reflux and smokey things really make it flare up.

[MacAttack]

Well I put them back in the smoker, still didn't shrink. And I did do the ice bath afterwards. I had smoke on a little longer and they turned out fantastic.