New Stuffer Conundrum

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

I am looking to upgrade my stuffer. I currently have a LEM 5# Mighty Bite. I dont make sausage a whole lot but am hoping to do it more often. I primarily do 20# of snack stix a couple times a year (multiple flavors broke into 5# batches), breakfast sausage into bulk bags and brats/sausages in 10# batches. Is it worth the extra $ to go with a motorized stuffer and would they work ok with snack stix. I see the LEM dual gear big bite says not to do snack stix for the 25# model but no mention of that for the 10#. I am thinking to go with the 10#. Is there another brand that would be a better choice than LEM? Will the stuffer tubes I currently have fit on any of the larger LEM stuffers?

 

[SmokinEdge]

I upgraded from the 5# to the 10# motorized and really like it. As far as I know LEM recommends using the 10# for snack sticks. Mine came with a 3/8” tube for sticks. No problem so far.

No, the 5# tubes will not work on the larger motorized units, but mine came with 4 stainless tubes.

 

[SmokinEdge]

I just looked the 10# motorized up on LEM and it specifically mentions making snack sticks in the product description.

 

[johnnyb54]

I am looking to upgrade my stuffer. I currently have a LEM 5# Mighty Bite. I dont make sausage a whole lot but am hoping to do it more often. I primarily do 20# of snack stix a couple times a year (multiple flavors broke into 5# batches), breakfast sausage into bulk bags and brats/sausages in 10# batches. Is it worth the extra $ to go with a motorized stuffer and would they work ok with snack stix. I see the LEM dual gear big bite says not to do snack stix for the 25# model but no mention of that for the 10#. I am thinking to go with the 10#. Is there another brand that would be a better choice than LEM? Will the stuffer tubes I currently have fit on any of the larger LEM stuffers?

I also have the LEM 5lb. Stuffers and it works great except when doing a large batch of snack stick or summer sausage. To help with that I bought the Waltons 11lb. dual gear Stuffer. I’m very pleased with the stuffer and they have all the parts for it if you ever need to replace anything like a gasket. The Waltons stuffer comes with all the stuffing tubes you’ll need including a 12mm tube for snack sticks. While I would love a motorized one I can’t justify the cost for the amount of sausage I make.

https://waltons.com/11-lb-sausage-stuffer/

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

Can you fit an actual 10 lbs into the waltons? I wish LEM made a 12# that would fit 10# into it. That is the main thing I dislike about the 5# is you can only fit about 4 into it and I make 5 # batches.

 

[Coreymacc]

I have a small 7 lb motorized and even though you need to keep loading it, the fact that your not having to crank the handle, even larger batches (20 lbs) go pretty quick. IMO a motorized 5 lb unit would be head and shoulder better than a crank. Guess it depends what your budget is, the extra expense of the 10lb motorized isn't really needed if its only being used once in a while.

My opinion
Corey

 

[driedstick]

I upgraded from the lem 5lb to the sausage makers 20lb electric,,, what a difference,,, holy smokes,, I love that thing it is a beast,,, makes me want to do more all the time,, big time saver for sure.

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

Problem solved.
LEM sent me a 30% off code for halloween. I decided on the 10 lb motorized stuffer which should fit my needs perfectly. The convenience of having both hands free with the foot pedal working the motor during stuffing was worth the extra $ in my mind. It arrived this morning.

 

[SmokinEdge]

Problem solved.
LEM sent me a 30% off code for halloween. I decided on the 10 lb motorized stuffer which should fit my needs perfectly. The convenience of having both hands free with the foot pedal working the motor during stuffing was worth the extra $ in my mind. It arrived this morning.

You will enjoy that, I really like mine.

 

[JckDanls 07]

Hey ifitsdeadsmokeit ... Now you got me looking at them...

I upgraded from the 5# to the 10# motorized

Does it hold the whole 10 lbs ?

 

[SmokinEdge]

Does it hold the whole 10 lbs ?

No it won’t, 10# is level full, although I’m not aware of any brand that will actually hold the poundage they are listed as.

I’ve learned that if you make batches in Kg rather than pounds, which is easier to figure the percentage of ingredients, the batches fit better. So for my 5# stuffer I do 2Kg batches which is 4.4# and fits, in the 10# stuffer I do 4Kg batches which is 8.8# and fits.

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

I need to start using the metric so i can do the math in my head.

 

[SmokinEdge]

I need to start using the metric so i can do the math in my head.

Exactly, makes life and the process of cured meats so much easier and simplified.

 

[DougE]

Can you fit an actual 10 lbs into the waltons? I wish LEM made a 12# that would fit 10# into it. That is the main thing I dislike about the 5# is you can only fit about 4 into it and I make 5 # batches.

I have all my sausage recipes converted (what ones weren't already) to metric and run 2kg batches. As you said, the LEM 5lb stuffer will not hold a full 5lb batch, but 2kg mostly fills the can.

 

[nlife]

Problem solved.
LEM sent me a 30% off code for halloween. I decided on the 10 lb motorized stuffer which should fit my needs perfectly. The convenience of having both hands free with the foot pedal working the motor during stuffing was worth the extra $ in my mind. It arrived this morning.

Sounds great. My auto stuffer has been complaining a bit lately. I guess you expect that from a 12 year old stuffer...

 

[Brokenhandle]

Sounds great. My auto stuffer has been complaining a bit lately. I guess you expect that from a 12 year old stuffer...

View attachment 707065

Maybe she just wants an electric one that she can inherite lol!

Ryan

 

[Fueling Around]

Nice purchase! Hope it serves you well.
If I considered a LEM purchase I would hold out for a discount.


The other nice thing about the decimal (metric) system is that you can go in halves, too.
My old cast iron 8# unit will take 3.5 kg for a full load, but it is old and will take a full 8# load

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

Sounds great. My auto stuffer has been complaining a bit lately. I guess you expect that from a 12 year old stuffer...

View attachment 707065

I think your auto stuffer costs a lot more than mine did in the long run, but the benefits of doing this with friends and family is priceless.