It's Tax Time And A LEM Is On The Horizon

[sincronicity]

Like any good American, we all look forward to doing our taxes just to get that fabulous refund we hope and pray for.  This year I'm looking to pick up a LEM 5# Stuffer. 

I enjoy making summer sausage and would like to take a whack at Slim Jim sized snack sticks.

Will the LEM pump something tacky through a 19mm or 21mm stuffing tube or do I add more water for moistening?  I'm thinking not. 

When you pro's do it, how much water do I add and what consistency do I want? 

The tackyness issue is the only reason I haven't purchased the LEM so far and I don't want to end up with bent plunger threading or stripped gears.

Would ceartainly appreciate any guidance.

 

[gearjammer]

For the small size sticks I use a LEM jerky cannon.

But I'm sure that others will be along shortly that can tell

you about how to use the stuffer for them as well.

Keep on smokin'                         Ed 

 

[sincronicity]

Thanks Ed.  

I do have a Cabelas Jerky Gun.  I have a feeling that would take a lot of time to fill snack sticks since the stuffing tube is only about 3 inches long.  I don't know if they have a tube that would be longer or if I can modify with a piece of aluminum tubing.  

 

[SmokinAl]

The smallest tube I have is 1/2" for my LEM 5# stuffer. I use it for hot dogs with sheep casing. I have to add a little extra water to the mix to get it to run through smoothly. The LEM has steel gears so they are pretty durable.

Al

 

[highlife4me]

I use a 3/8 tube to stuff 17mm snack sticks.  I use a little extra water and I have no trouble with it, however I had a guy try to "help"me, stuffer crank in one hand - cell phone in the other even after I told him to take it easy on it.  He ended up bending the frame of my stuffer.  I was able to fix it and I will not let him help me with the stuffer again.

 

[driedstick]

Yep really like my 5lber from LEM you can get the 3/8" S/S tube from them also,, it does not come with the stuffer, you will need to purchase it separately - I do alot fo 19mm to 22mm snack sticks - Remember get some food grade grease for the gears and the O ring,, keep it lubed while stuffing goes alot easier

A full smoker is a happy smoker

DS 

 

[sincronicity]

So to what consistency would I want the meat at before damaging the LEM and start kicking myself?  Maybe it's better to ask how thick is too thick for the LEM?  I tried the 3/8" on my Turboforce grinder and it got to the consistency of slop before anything would extrude.  By then I had slop leaking wherever slop could leak.  Perhaps I should have tried to make a rubber gasket for the base of the stuffing tube.or just been happy using the jerky gun.