zxcvbob wrote:

> Do you smoke the casings before stuffing them, to give them some color?
> I want to make some large casings out of white cotton cloth. The
> salami may or may not be smoked.
>
> Does it matter how you sew them up?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob

Bob,

I'm not quite clear on your question. Are you asking if
you should pre-smoke the casings, stuff them, then smoke?
I'd say no.

I've used cloth bags for both salami and turkey (the cured,
long smoked kind). I've found if there's at least of
moderate amount of smoke, a few hours or more, the bags
don't interfere with smoke penetration much at all.

For turkey I use the off the shelf "stockings". For
salami, I make the bags myself. Take a rectangular
piece of cotton cloth, fold it over and stitch up three
sides, leaving one of the short ends open. Turn it
inside out and it's ready to use.

--
Reg