Frequently Asked Questions:

Banger Questions

Q: What's in your bangers?

A: Our bangers are a delicious blend of pork, rusk (wheat), and spices in a natural casing. The base spice blend has been in our family for decades. The blend includes salt, pepper, ginger, mace, and a few other spices - we can't give away all our secrets!

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Q: What's NOT in them?

A: What is not in our bangers is equally as important to us as what is in our bangers. We are commited to making our products as all-natural as possible, and in the upcoming year will be taking steps to certify our bangers as "All Natural". We use natural casings for all our products, do not add any nitrites, nitrates, or MSG, and we use 72% lean pork that meets USDA guidelines of being free of any growth hormones (pigs don't need much help in this area!).

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Q: What is rusk?

A: Traditional British bangers contain rusk, which is a wheat product that resembles ground breadcrumbs. All of our bangers contain 10% rusk, which adds to the unique flavor and texture of our sausages, acting as a bonding agent between the meat, spices, and casing.

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Q: Are your bangers fully cooked?

A: Our bangers are steamed before being vacuum sealed, and this has several advantages. First, food safety is extremely important to us, and this ensures the highest level of food safety. Second, this increases the shelf life of the product. Third, convenience - you never have to second guess whether or not the bangers are cooked thoroughly - simply brown the bangers and they are ready! Fourth, this makes for a great, quick meal if you are in a hurry or have unexpected dinner guests.

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Q: How do I cook the bangers and for how long?

A: We suggest grilling or pan-frying in a little oil. As the bangers are fully cooked, you simply need to brown them 5-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like the casings. If frozen and you forget to thaw, you can thaw the package quickly in hot tap water. Do not microwave to thaw or cook. Please see the recipes section for more ideas.

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Q: Where are your bangers produced?

A: We make our bangers at a USDA certified facility in the Midwest U.S. The 72% lean pork that we use in our bangers is sourced in the Midwest as well.

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Bacon Questions

 

 

 

Q: How is your bacon cut and cured?

A: Our bacon is Traditional back bacon, also known as English, Irish, Danish, Scottish, or Welsh bacon. We source our loins from the highest quality hogs fed on a mixture of barley and corn. As opposed to the streaky American "belly bacon", our bacon is a very lean cut. We follow a cure method that has been in the Balson family for several generations. We then hand trim the rhind completely off and leave just a small "tail" on the loin "eye".

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Q: Is your bacon smoked or unsmoked?

A: Slightly smoked ... After we cure our bacon, we briefly place the loins over a real applewood log fire. This subtle smoke application creates the unique flavor to our bacon that we consider to be desireable, as opposed to "smoke flavorings", heavily smoked bacon, or completely unsmoked bacon. Our bacon is well received by fans of smoked and unsmoked bacon alike.

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Q: How is your bacon packaged?

A: Our bacon is professionally packaged in 8 oz. packaging, 9-10 slices per package. While our slice thickness does not vary, pork loins come in various sizes, which accounts for the variation in slice count.

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Q: How do I cook the bacon?

A: We suggest pan-frying our bacon at medium-low temperature, dry or with just a little oil. The cook time is short, as traditional back bacon is not meant to be cooked until "crispy" like American bacon. The hotter and longer the bacon is cooked, the saltier it will taste, as more of the cure is released at hotter temperatures.

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Shipping/Handling & Storing Questions

Q: Where can your products be shipped?

A: We can ship our bangers and bacon to any physical address in the U.S (but no APO's or PO Boxes). See pricing questions for shipping and handling rates. These rates apply to the 48 continental U.S. states. For orders to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico, please fill out the Contact form and we will generate a price quote for you.

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Q: When will my products be shipped?

A: Our bangers and bacon are shipped out every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, depending on the amount of transit days to your location.  We schedule coolers to arrive by Friday.  Any orders that would arrive after the Friday will bump to the following shipping week so as not to be delayed or stalled out over the weekend.  Transit times are 1-3 days, depending on your location. Feel free to ring (803)979-2000 if you have delivery time questions or to arrange for expedited shipping (additional charges apply).

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Q: How will my products be shipped?

A: Your bangers and bacon will be shipped in a specially form-sealed cooler that is then shrink-wrapped. We use a combination of freezer packs and dry ice, which allows us to safely ship products without the expense of "overnight" shipping. The careful detail we put into our handling procedures allows us to pass the shipping savings onto our customers.

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Q: Is there a minimum/maximum order limit?

A: To take advantage of our "FREE SHIPPING OFFER" the minimum order is 6 lbs. This enables us to recoup shipping costs. We are capable of fulfilling any size order, from a few pounds to thousands of pounds. For any order exceeding 36 lbs or for wholesale information, please send details through Contact Us or call our Customer Service department at (803)979-2000.

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Q: Once they arrive, how should I store them?

A: Your products will be delivered to your door at standard refrigerated temperature (38F) or colder.  At that point, our products may be safely stored in a freezer for up to 6 months after you receive them.  Alternatively, they may be safely stored in a refrigerator for up to 45 days.  As our products are not technically “raw” products and all are professionally sealed with “Cryovac” packaging, they can safely transition between refrigerated and frozen temperatures.  Once a package is opened, unused product may be safely refrigerated for up to 7 days.  

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Pricing/Ordering Questions

Q: How can you offer FREE SHIPPING?*

A: We at Balson’s Butchers are committed to making our products available at an affordable price.  To this end, we cover the shipping expense to most states, typically resulting in a $30-$50 savings per order.   To make this possible, we do have a small handling fee based on your cooler size for each order.  This covers our cost of the reusable insulated cooler, dry ice, and packaging materials.    

*Due to the numerous delays and damages that we are experiencing related to Covid-19, we are now using 2-Day Air, Expedited shipping to the western-most states of CA, OR, WA, ID, NV, UT, and AZ.  To help us defray these expenses, an expedited shipping surcharge applies in the amount of: Small Cooler $30 (6-12 lbs), Medium Cooler $40 (13-19 lbs), Large Cooler: $50 (20-36 lbs).

The Handling fee per cooler is as follows:

Small Cooler: $19 (6-12 lbs), Medium Cooler: $24 (13-19 lbs), Large Cooler: $29 (20-36 lbs)

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Q: How do I place an order?

A: We accept Visa/Mastercard/AMEX and the easiest way to place an order is through our website's online store. You can also place an order over the telephone. For further inquiries or to place an order by phone, call our customer service department at (803)979-2000.

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Q: How much do your bangers and bacon cost?

A: As the Shipping charges are covered by RJ Balson and Son, there are only two factors that go into the final cost of our products: the price per lb. and the handling fee(depending on cooler size). We also offer an online discount of $30 off if you fill our large cooler (36 lbs).

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Q: Do you offer wholesale pricing?

A: Yes. If you are a shop, pub, or restaurant and are interested in carrying our products, please email us through our Contact Us link or call our Customer Service department at (803)979-2000 to discuss further.

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Q: What is your return policy?

A: The Balson Guarantee: Your complete and total satisfaction is our first priority. Any purchase from RJ Balson & Son comes with a 100% unconditional guarantee.

If you have any problem with your order (product condition, defective packaging, non-delivery, etc.), contact our Customer Service Department within 48 hours of the scheduled delivery. Check your order confirmation for scheduled delivery date. Call our Customer Service department at (803)979-2000, email contact@balsonbutchers.com or Contact Us.

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Q: What is your privacy policy?

A: Our Commitment To Privacy: RJ Balson & Son, Inc. respects the privacy of every customer. We consider the information you choose to share with us personal and confidential. We do not share any of your information (name, email address, physical address, phone number, etc.) with other companies, agencies, etc. Any information that you voluntarily provide is used for the sole purpose of communicating with you, which includes but is not limited to: responding to a comment or question, fulfilling an order, or verifying details or an order.

Our Commitment to Security: Your information protection is extremely important to us. When you place an order, it is placed through a secure server which meets current industry standards. This server encrypts all information you input before it is sent. Once we receive your information, we protect it against unauthorized use. If you prefer, you may place your order by phone at (803)979-2000.