Stuffing tubes for 5lb vs 15lb vertical

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colorado007

Newbie
Original poster
Nov 4, 2010
4
10
Colorado Springs, CO
I'm new to this forum and really love all of the advice.  My employer may not like that I found it but who's going to tell?!

I have a 1 hp LEM grinder, a manual meat mixer, Bradley smoker but no dedicated sausage stuffer.  So, after doing lots of research online(including this site), I am leaning towards a Grizzly 5lb stuffer.  If I am making sausage after hunting season, it might be 30, 40 or more pounds of brats, italian and snack sticks needing to be cased.  I have read where some don't like to reload their stuffers so opt for the 15 lb version instead which is an option but I like the smaller size.

The ONLY reason I am not going with a 15lb stuffer is the size of the tubes.  I believe the smallest is 3/4" but really need 3/8" for snack sticks.  Do any of the larger stuffers offer tubes that small?  I contacted LEM and they do not.  Is the reason being the hole is too small for that size of stuffer and hence it won't flow well into the casing?

I do appreciate this forum and the time everyone spends posting their pics and answer questions even for us newbies!

Thanks again.
 
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First off Welcome to SMF. Well I would buy the 5lb stuffer if you are just going to use it now and then. I have one and I do 20-25 lbs of sausage at a time and it's not really that dificult to re-load the stuffer. Sfter all it's just un-screwing the pluger and putting in more meat. Now as far as the tube you can find them all over the place in places like gander Mtn, and Acadmy sports, and even online there are a load of sights where you can get tabes of all sizes. You'll like it here for there are alot of really good folks here that would just love to help you with just about anything to do with smoking. Now there are alot of proven recipes for some amazing things here too. So if you need sign up for the E-Course it's free and it will give you the basics of smoking and some good methods to use also. So the next big thing for you to do is go out and get you something to smoke and if you happen to have any questions just post it here and we will be happy to answer them for you.

Welcome To Your New Addiction        
 
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I'm new to this forum and really love all of the advice.  My employer may not like that I found it but who's going to tell?!

I have a 1 hp LEM grinder, a manual meat mixer, Bradley smoker but no dedicated sausage stuffer.  So, after doing lots of research online(including this site), I am leaning towards a Grizzly 5lb stuffer.  If I am making sausage after hunting season, it might be 30, 40 or more pounds of brats, italian and snack sticks needing to be cased.  I have read where some don't like to reload their stuffers so opt for the 15 lb version instead which is an option but I like the smaller size.

The ONLY reason I am not going with a 15lb stuffer is the size of the tubes.  I believe the smallest is 3/4" but really need 3/8" for snack sticks.  Do any of the larger stuffers offer tubes that small?  I contacted LEM and they do not.  Is the reason being the hole is too small for that size of stuffer and hence it won't flow well into the casing?

I do appreciate this forum and the time everyone spends posting their pics and answer questions even for us newbies!

Thanks again.
One time somebody put one of those 3/8" tubes on a 15 pound stuffer, and cranked away. The stuffing tube built up pressure, and flew off and went through the kitchen window and killed the neighbor's cat! Too much pressure for the 3/8" tube!!! Better get the 5 pounder.

Just kidding!

I got the 5 pound stuffer, but I got the LEM. I think the Grizzly has plastic gears. The LEM has metal gears. I have been told the plastic ones break easy. Some disagree. I have also been told that you can get metal gears to replace the plastic ones in the cheaper stuffers. But then some people say you can't. I didn't take any chances. I got the LEM.

If you get the 15 pounder, please aim it away from the window.
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Probably didn't help much, but I tried,

Bear
 
Welcome!

I own a 20# vertical and have the 3/8' stuffing tube.  You need to mix additional water into the meat to get it to push thru the small tube.  The tubes are available, but you may have to look at Midwest or Butcher-Packer.

The Small 3/8' tubes can be hard to find.  Measure the outside of the end, where it mounts to the stuffer.

Todd
 
The Grizzly unit is a very durable stuffer, I have that stuffer.  I also bought a set of the LEM metal gears just in case but doubt they will ever be needed... 

The LEM and The Grizzly are the same stuffer, the only difference is that the Grizzly has Nylon Gears and the LEM has Metal... 

The LEM Gears will fit the Grizzly but I have never seen anyone who had to replace them.

Should you ever need to replace them, you can get the gears here.  http://www.lemproducts.com/product/4015/Vertical_Stuffer_Parts
 
I have the Gander Mountain 5#stuffer and I believe it is the same as the grizzly and northern tool 5# stuffer. I bought the LEM stainless steel snack stuffer tube and it fits just fine. The small plastic one that comes with the stuffer is still too wide for the snack stick cassings to fit on easily.
 
You can buy a smaller aftermarket stainless stuffer tube for the 5 lb unit.  lem, gander, northern tool.  The unit is made by the same manufacture for all those venders, and the manufacture does not make a smaller tube than what you get with the kit.  It's been forever since I bought mine for doing snack sticks, but with some searching they are available. 
 
If it where me I would go with the 15lb stuffer and convert a jerky shooter into a stuffer for snack sticks. I converted my shooter and use compressed air for snack sticks, it works pretty good
 
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