sausage stuffers

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Welcome to the Forum  JNO51

How much stuffing do you want to do.   What equipment do you already have?
 
Just getting started. I have not purchased any equipment yet. Have been looking at the LEM and Weston products 5 to 15 lbrs. Just hate to but one without some input.
 
I will figure this all out shortly also. Probably a couple hundred pounds a year. Between my son and I we usually bring home 4 to 5 deer a season.
 
So I imagine you already have a decent grinder?

Most of us would recommend seperate grinder and stuffer.   If planning on processing an entire deer at one time  maybe 60 to 100 lbs sausage at a crack you will want a 15 lb verticle stuffer.  There are many good brands, you should even look at the Harbor Freight Tools stuffers,  they are at a good price point for the occassional user.  I have their 5lb verticle and am very happy with it.
 
First off, welcome to SMF....... The 5 lb vertical stuffer from northern tool is about the lowest cost stuffer to get started. I was fairly impressed with the 15 lb weston stuffer I used last week at a gathering..........The cabelas vertical stuffers are good units. i have the 30 lb stuffer with motor.... The northern tool grinder is pretty popular here at SMF and gets good reviews  from members if you want to go electric..... I recommend you dont stuff sausage with a grinder.....If money is no issue I recommend the cabelas 1hp commercial grinder and one of their stuffer with a motor attachment....... They are sweet...............

Good luck with the sausage making and dont forget to post some pictures of your progress and also to fill out your profile...

Happy smoking

Joe
 
Look closely at the Northern Tool stuffers.  They are a great value and you will see that some name brands are the same stuffer.  Also buy a stuffer that has or can have metal replacement gears.  Nylon gears are fine for occasional use but if you get into it big time you may find they eventually break.  I have a 20 lb stuffer from Gander Mountain.  The northern tool stuffer is the same animal.  Also remember that vertical is the way to go.  Horizontal stuffers are a pain for one man to run and stuff. 

consider that the capacity is actually about 1lb less than advertised.  This is because the pressing plate will take up about that much room in the tank.  In other words if you buy a 10 lb stuffer and want to make 10 lbs of sausage you are going to load the tank twice.  While you are at it pick up a can of food grade silicone spray for lubing the stuffer and your grinder.  Veg. oil may work but oil can go rancid during long storage.  The silicone spray is cheap and a can will last you a long time. 

Look up Butcher and Packer online.  Great service has been my experience and the have many supplies at good prices.

Hope this helps

Rick
 
Thanks for the info. At this point I have a guy processing for me. He does all the grinding as well. They charge an arm and a legg for sausage and snack sticks. The itch gets worse to start this process each time I write em a check. Look forward to getting started. Again thanks for the info and I am sure I will be twisting alot of arms here for help soon.
 
I have the 1 hp Cabela's grinder and the 15lb Northern tool stuffer and they are both good, heavy duty units; I was a meatcutter/mgr/dist meat supervisor for 30+ years and am familiar with good quality equipment and these work very well;

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Shooter has you right on.  Lots of these units are identical and sold under different brand names.

For us hobby folks the 5 LB stuffer is great.  If you plan on doing lots of whole animals, you might want to think larger.

Good luck and good smoking.
 
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First off welcome to SMF. You'll like this place for there are alot of folks here that would just love to help you with just about anything to do with smoking meat. You will find alot of good recipes and techniques here also. so with all that said:

Welcome to your new Addiction

I would recommend the northen tools stuffer it is made well and much better then the one I have from Gander Mountian.
 
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First off welcome to SMF. You'll like this place for there are alot of folks here that would just love to help you with just about anything to do with smoking meat. You will find alot of good recipes and techniques here also. so with all that said:

Welcome to your new Addiction

I would recommend the northen tools stuffer it is made well and much better then the one I have from Gander Mountian.
Mark I have a 20 lbs stuffer from Gander and it has metal gears and is identical to the NT stuffer that size.  Of course I have had mine for some time and they may be selling a different manufacturers product now. 

I would not argue with the comment that a particular stuffer is best but consider this:  A stuffer is a realitively simple machine.  If it is built well your main concerns are volume and frequency of use.  Purchase something that will satisfy your needs and upsize a bit on volume.  It has been my experience that once one starts making good sausage you tend to start packaging and freezing larger batches.  LOL
 
can anyone comment on the weston 7 #er it has metal gear. Shooter I would be the one to start this and go a little crazy. Most of the ones here being recommended have nylon gears is that something to be concerned about.
 
can anyone comment on the weston 7 #er it has metal gear. Shooter I would be the one to start this and go a little crazy. Most of the ones here being recommended have nylon gears is that something to be concerned about.
In a smaller 5lbs stuffer I dont think so.  Just remember that most of the broke gears comes from bottoming out the stuffing plate and trying to continue to go.  Most nylon gear stuffers,  metal replacement gears can be found.  Larger stuffers say 15-20 lbs models I would go with the metal gears.  The NT stuffers are a good value.  All stainless and chrome.  Don't worry about metal stuffing tubes.  YOu can always replace the plastic ones if ya wear em out.  The 20 lbs stuffer I have came with metal gears.  I have never been sorry for buying bigger in this instance.  I usually make a min. of 30 lbs of sausage at a time.  I started making 5lbs test batches and once my recipes were what I wanted start making larger batches and freezing. 

I started out stuffing with a grinder and it is a real pain.  Not only is it a pain but some sausages consistancy like Andouille simply cannot be done well.  It will flat wear you out.  I do recommend a simple foot control for your grinder .  About 15.00$ online.  It  is nice to have 2 hands free all the time when grinding.  Get the control that foot on grinder on.  Foot off grinder off.  Safety thing you know. 

Get some butcher twine from wally world or wear ever.  You will blow a few casings out to start from time to time I still do.  Just use the twine to tie off and go again.  Keep your meat very cold near freezing.  It will grind cleaner and is safer.  OK I have said a lot but you may want to look up one of the tutorials I have done for new sausage folks.  Good luck and enjoy.
 
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