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Case Hardening?? What to do.
Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2019 11:55
by adrian078
Hi, I've just cut open my salami after about 5 weeks drying. They've hit 35% weight loss but still feel a bit squishy. After cutting one open, the middle looks a little moist and raw still (see attached pics). It smells good though.
Just wondering what to do?
Should I continue drying the rest of the batch? Should I make any adjustments to the humidity or is it too late to save them?
I have a humidity and temp controller and had the humidity set on 90% for the first week then dropped to 85% and then 80% @ 13 degrees C. And as you can see I have a good covering of mould which covered most of the salami after a week or so so I really don't know why this has happened. Any ideas?
Re: Case Hardening?? What to do.
Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2019 12:34
by reddal
Hi,
They don't look too bad - the middle could do with a bit more drying - but it will probably be fine with a bit more time.
You could try setting humidity to 75% after the first couple weeks which might help speed it up. Also I normally aim for 40% weight loss - at 35% loss there is a chance that some parts haven't lowered the water activity enough to be safe - particularly if drying is uneven.
If your centers are still a bit wet compared to the rim, you can always peel and vac pack them for a couple more weeks, which helps even out the moisture.
- reddal
Re: Case Hardening?? What to do.
Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2019 22:50
by adrian078
Thanks for that. I'm relieved. The first two attempts had to be chucked out - one stunk bad in the center.
Have made a few changes (higher humidity, took out the fan from the cabinet and use a mould culture) this time and it seems much better.
I'll lower humidity a bit and wait it out then.
What would you do with the one that was cut? Can I just keep drying it?
Re: Case Hardening?? What to do.
Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2019 16:06
by reddal
adrian078 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2019 22:50
Have made a few changes (higher humidity, took out the fan from the cabinet and use a mould culture) this time and it seems much better.
The fan may have been the issue causing case hardening - if too much airflow there can be too much drying too quickly. I wouldn't increase the humidity too much.
adrian078 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2019 22:50
What would you do with the one that was cut? Can I just keep drying it?
Sure - just cut off the exposed portion and the rest should be fine I would think.
- reddal