Im fixing to jump down another rabbit hole

[SmokyMose]

since these spice mixes came with the stuffer, I will use them

By all means!
Doing my own mixes comes in handy since my wife had to start a low sodium diet and I can dial down the salt to a minimum.

 

[uncle eddie]

Amazon.com: Pork Sausage Freezer Bags - 1 Lb. Size - Package of 100
Pork Sausage Meat Bags - Walton's (waltonsinc.com)

What I want to know is how your first stuffing/linking experience was, cause I'm fixing to find out tomorrow. I'm fixing to run my pork through a coarse plate for bratwurst as soon as the meat chills in the freezer for a little bit, and I will be mixing and stuffing tomorrow.

It would be easier with a second set of hands, but I managed fine by myself.

• My LEM Big Bite #12 is awesome (no foot pedal). You can feed that beast as fast as it can take it and it is as quiet as a canopener. A second grind is a cinch with that one as well.
• My Haka stuffer is a 2 speed hand crank. I have never ever had it out of the "low range" and can't imagine I ever will. Sticks are a pain but the larger diameter, the easier it gets.

The biggest pain, in my opinion, is the clean-up. Get a good set of brushes to cut down on clean-up time dramatically.

Meat Grinder Cleaning Kit - No Silicone Spray | LEM Products

Now with 10 brushes! This kit includes 1 large (2 1/2 diameter) brush for cleaning the head of your grinder and 9 small brushes for cleaning the grinding plates and stuffing tubes. Silicone spray is not included.

www.lemproducts.com

Post some pics of the bratwurst! I haven't done them before.

 

[DougE]

Post some pics of the bratwurst! I haven't done them before.

Depends on how huge a mess I make of them, lol

 

[chopsaw]

What I want to know is how your first stuffing/linking experience was, cause I'm fixing to find out tomorrow.

If I remember right you said you have collagen ? I don't try to twist those . Some do . These are cellulose . I just run out the whole length then tie with butchers twine .

 

[DougE]

If I remember right you said you have collagen ?

Correct. Clear collagen that came with the stuffer.

EDIT. They are 32mm fresh collagen.

 

[Brokenhandle]

If I remember right you said you have collagen ? I don't try to twist those . Some do . These are cellulose . I just run out the whole length then tie with butchers twine .
View attachment 525105

Your heat register isn't parallel with your wall!
Bet you love your counter when stuffing sausage.

Ryan

 

[JckDanls 07]

I think I'm going to go from propane to a PID and a 220 oven element I think it will be much easier to maintain temps and sure be nice to just program the temps and times and let it run itself

Jerry.. If my memory serves me correct (usually doesn't but) your smoke house is 4 x 4 x 6-8' ??
I used both the elements (bottom and top) out of the same oven for my 3 x 3 x 6 house... This would get me up as hot as I wanted in case I wanted to do a hot smoke like Pops used to do ...

That would require running a 220 line to the smokehouse, no? I have the know how and a panel in my barn to make that happen, but propane seems the easier route.

This would be MUCH SAFER than propane.... and so much easier to run (program the steps)... set and forget ...

 

[DougE]

Your heat register isn't parallel with your wall

I know this isn't the first time someone has pointed that out. And yea, that counter would be awesome for sausage. quite roomy.

 

[chopsaw]

quite roomy.

It works out good . Sink in the middle , and set it up as a clean side dirty side.

 

[DougE]

It works out good . Sink in the middle , and set it up as a clean side dirty side.

View attachment 525137

Yea, that's a real sweet setup.

 

[DougE]

Probably be tomorrow before I mix and stuff. I got tied up with some other things and it's getting a little late to start on a project with an unknown time frame. I did get my grind done yesterday, and got my stuffing area set up, stuffer ready to go, meat weighed out for the batch. All I have to do now, is mix, stuff, link.

 

[chopsaw]

Thanks . I can clamp the stuffer right to the counter . It's messy in that pic . I clean it all off for sausage .

 

[chopsaw]

Put the plastic wrap down tight on the meat if you didn't . Lookin good bud .

 

[DougE]

Put the plastic wrap down tight on the meat if you didn't . Lookin good bud .

It's in a gallon bag

 

[tallbm]

The biggest pain, in my opinion, is the clean-up. Get a good set of brushes to cut down on clean-up time dramatically.

Meat Grinder Cleaning Kit - No Silicone Spray | LEM Products

Now with 10 brushes! This kit includes 1 large (2 1/2 diameter) brush for cleaning the head of your grinder and 9 small brushes for cleaning the grinding plates and stuffing tubes. Silicone spray is not included.

www.lemproducts.com

Post some pics of the bratwurst! I haven't done them before.

I agree!

Having a setup where the grinder and stuffer parts CAN go into the dishwasher is nice.
If not then I go out to the drive way with a water hose and clean up a meat tote/lug/tub then move on to the other parts in the meat tote/tub. Then I give the tub a final cleaning and done!

Works better when not in cold times of the year.
My dish washer can remove the top rack so I can put big items in it which really helps when I have 1-2 tubs or my BIG stuffer to clean once I knock off the big stuff :)

Same goes for my slicer. Chef's Choice 615, all parts but the main unit are dishwasher safe :)

 

[DougE]

Unfortunately, all my grinder parts are hand wash only, aside from the plates, but I've done a few grinds, and haven't really had an issue with getting everything cleaned up afterward.

 

[tallbm]

Unfortunately, all my grinder parts are hand wash only, aside from the plates, but I've done a few grinds, and haven't really had an issue with getting everything cleaned up afterward.

I learned the hard way that all my metal grinder parts besides the plates, augers, and blade are hand wash only.... They went from shiny to dull looking that had to have the grey film hand washed off. THey are good to go now though. Lesson learned hahaha.

Should I buy again I would look for all stainless steel metal parts i could throw in the dish washer but my grinder is going strong :)

 

[DougE]

I believe even my auger is cast aluminum, so aside from the plate and knife, dish washer is a no go. Since I have to hand wash the rest, I don't see much point in putting the plate and knife in the dishwasher. I just chuck it all down in a sink of soapy water, let it sit there for a few, and everything cleans up pretty easily.

 

[DougE]

The grinder I have is a Weston #8 home model, not commercial. It actually does better than I was expecting it would.

 

[Brokenhandle]

Rinsing everything off with hot water when done using it makes a huge difference in final cleanup...rather than meat getting dried on

Ryan