Hi guys, This is a great web site. I have been looking around for a while and decided to join. I have a couple of questions. I grew up on the northwest side of Chicago in a predominantly Polish neighborhood. I am 100% polish but never learned the language. When my family bought polish sausage we bought fresh and smoked. Incidentally, I saw some posts about the shop we used to buy our sausage from, Gene's. The Gene's in the video is a newer store. I was a little kid when he opened his first store. Anyway my question. I have made two batches of sausage so far with decent results but I am looking for a recipe that would be close to the fresh and smoked sausage I grew up with. I see a lot of recipe's with polish names but I don't know what I am looking for since I don't speak the language. Can someone point me in the right direction? Lastly, any thoughts on buying my first smoker? Don't want to spend a lot but I don't want the cheapest thing either. Going to be doing small batches to start so small would be fine. Any help would be appreciated
Gary W.
Polish Sausage
Hi Gary-
First off welcome to the Forum!
There is a pretty good string here about reasonably priced smokers: http://www.wedlinydomowe.pl/en/viewtopic.php?t=7383
You will also want to get some type of smoke generator like an A-mazin https://www.amazenproducts.com/ tray or tube.
There are several other members who are quite knowledgeable on Polish sausage and I am sure they will help you out
First off welcome to the Forum!
There is a pretty good string here about reasonably priced smokers: http://www.wedlinydomowe.pl/en/viewtopic.php?t=7383
You will also want to get some type of smoke generator like an A-mazin https://www.amazenproducts.com/ tray or tube.
There are several other members who are quite knowledgeable on Polish sausage and I am sure they will help you out
Welcome Gary W.
I purchased a Masterbuilt 40 inch electric on sale for $199.00. I wasn't looking for an electric version but I'm so happy I tried one. No hassle about running out of fuel and the temperatures are easy to adjust. It does take some getting use to but like everything with a little practice you will be impressed with what it can do.
Check out this site by Len Polis http://lpoli.50webs.com/Sausage%20recipes.htm#COOKED. Lots of sausage recipes. Tom
I purchased a Masterbuilt 40 inch electric on sale for $199.00. I wasn't looking for an electric version but I'm so happy I tried one. No hassle about running out of fuel and the temperatures are easy to adjust. It does take some getting use to but like everything with a little practice you will be impressed with what it can do.
Check out this site by Len Polis http://lpoli.50webs.com/Sausage%20recipes.htm#COOKED. Lots of sausage recipes. Tom
Gary if you are interested in making Polish sausage you found the right place. Our forum is associated with Stan Marianski and the Polish WD forum which has 35,000 members and is the largest sausage forum in the world. So if you have questions about any authentic Polish products, we will help you find the answers.
A good place to start is looking at is our sister website http://www.meatsandsausages.com/
There you will find info on most sauasage making topics and a whole load of recipes. And it would not hurt to pick up these two books:
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Production-Q ... 4CVSKUSLLD
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098242 ... BR33U2N3X3
The Rytek Kutas book, is also a good resource on sausage making and lots of recipes for americanized versions of Polish sausages.
http://www.amazon.com/Rytek-Kutas/e/B000API9BC
As to the smoker that is a tough question, since it depends on how much and how often you will be smoking. A Bradley or Masterbuilt can be good starter units, but if you really are going to get serious, then you will find them inadequate. Then you will want to purchase a larger smoker or better yet, build one. I started with the Bradley, which I still have, but also purchase the Cabellas Pro100, with an added venturi style smoke generator. Take a look at our section on smokers, tons of good stuff and research material there http://wedlinydomowe.pl/en/viewforum.php?f=24
A good place to start is looking at is our sister website http://www.meatsandsausages.com/
There you will find info on most sauasage making topics and a whole load of recipes. And it would not hurt to pick up these two books:
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Production-Q ... 4CVSKUSLLD
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098242 ... BR33U2N3X3
The Rytek Kutas book, is also a good resource on sausage making and lots of recipes for americanized versions of Polish sausages.
http://www.amazon.com/Rytek-Kutas/e/B000API9BC
As to the smoker that is a tough question, since it depends on how much and how often you will be smoking. A Bradley or Masterbuilt can be good starter units, but if you really are going to get serious, then you will find them inadequate. Then you will want to purchase a larger smoker or better yet, build one. I started with the Bradley, which I still have, but also purchase the Cabellas Pro100, with an added venturi style smoke generator. Take a look at our section on smokers, tons of good stuff and research material there http://wedlinydomowe.pl/en/viewforum.php?f=24
Gary, your story is almost the mirror image of mine - just swap out Chicago and insert Toronto - can't recall the name of the store though.
As far as smokers go for home use, the most popular one appears to be the MES, Masterbuilt Electric Smoker. They are "plug in and go" types - easy to operate within limits. The biggest problem with just about all commercially made smokers is that the manufacturers haven't paid much attention to those of use who use them - that is until lately. Most have put the burner on the same side of the smoker as the top vent which leads to uneven heat distribution inside the box. MES has finally changed that, but so far only with their top of the line Blue Tooth model. They have put the top vent on the opposite side of the smoker from the burner, and the owners are in 7th heaven, saying that the inside heat is more even and their results are so much better as to be perfect. I have an older digital model MES which I like - so far, so good.
As far as smokers go for home use, the most popular one appears to be the MES, Masterbuilt Electric Smoker. They are "plug in and go" types - easy to operate within limits. The biggest problem with just about all commercially made smokers is that the manufacturers haven't paid much attention to those of use who use them - that is until lately. Most have put the burner on the same side of the smoker as the top vent which leads to uneven heat distribution inside the box. MES has finally changed that, but so far only with their top of the line Blue Tooth model. They have put the top vent on the opposite side of the smoker from the burner, and the owners are in 7th heaven, saying that the inside heat is more even and their results are so much better as to be perfect. I have an older digital model MES which I like - so far, so good.
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