plastic or metal ?

[cal1956]

yesterday my stuffer gears failed and so i am looking for a new stuffer
the old one had plastic stuffing tubes , but many i look at come with metal tubes
does it make any difference when stuffing or is it just a mfg preference ?

 

[daveomak]

What stuffer ??? there are gears available for replacement....

 

[kit s]

yesterday my stuffer gears failed and so i am looking for a new stuffer
the old one had plastic stuffing tubes , but many i look at come with metal tubes
does it make any difference when stuffing or is it just a mfg preference ?

Well if you can fix it that is way to go. If not well I prefer metal tubes as they don't scratch when cleaning etc. Also found you can put more casing on a metal. Sometimes times you can buy metal tubes as replacement for plastic.

 

[cal1956]

the one i had was a VIVO ....not even going to try to fix it . its going in Tuesdays garbage pick up
i think i have found a new one that i like and will be buying it very soon ,
i had planned on up sizing my meat grinder this month but thats going to have to wait

 

[SmokinAl]

I like the metal tubes better, cause it seems like the casing slides on it better.
Al

 

[cal1956]

thanks Al
i think that was the answer i was hoping for

 

[daveomak]

Stuffers like this design leave a considerable amount of meat in the stuffer....


Stuffers like this LEM design leave very little meat in the stuffer...

 

[jimmyinsd]

Stuffers like this design leave a considerable amount of meat in the stuffer....


Stuffers like this LEM design leave very little meat in the stuffer...

what is considerable? I usually have about a half pound in the throat (not counting the stuffer tube) of mine which is the first kind, I would assume the lem would have less but I also would guess there would be some other draw backs to that design or else why would anybody make the bottom throat/horn style?

 

[daveomak]

why would anybody make the bottom throat/horn style?

IMO, it's a gimmick to increase sales...

I have the LEM style stuffer... In the stuffer there is less than 1/2 oz. of meat... In the tube, all tubes hold the same amount of meat...

 

[cal1956]

i saw one sold at sausage maker that didn't have the horn , it just kinda looked like they placed the hole and tube on the side at the bottom , but it was pricey

 

[daveomak]

I'm NOT saying the other stuffer is bad, I'm just pointing out one drawback members on the forum have noted...
I have the Grizzly made stuffer... Been using it for about 6-7 years... $99 ....
There is a small channel that "guides" meat to the stuffing horn... Works pretty darn good...

 

[jimmyinsd]

why would anybody make the bottom throat/horn style?

IMO, it's a gimmick to increase sales...

I have the LEM style stuffer... In the stuffer there is less than 1/2 oz. of meat... In the tube, all tubes hold the same amount of meat...

what would the gimmick be on the ones with the bottom horn?

I think the one with the flat bottom would be the better situation but I wondered if it would require more torque/pressure to make it work or some other thing that might make it less desirable, it obviously will have less unusable meat as it has no horn between the tube and the meat hopper.

I bought the one with the bottom horn because of the price, it was quite a bit less and with all metal gears compared to the LEM models and some of them had plastic gears which IMO is rarely a good idea. as far as the left over meat... breakfast sausage for the next morning... very little of what we stuff into tubes isnt pretty good just fried up.

 

[jimmyinsd]

I'm NOT saying the other stuffer is bad, I'm just pointing out one drawback members on the forum have noted...
I have the Grizzly made stuffer... Been using it for about 6-7 years... $99 ....
There is a small channel that "guides" meat to the stuffing horn... Works pretty darn good...

have you had any issues when making small diameter snack sticks? I have only made one batch and my stuffer groaned quite a bit, i was thinking at the time..1- glad I went with metal gears....2-next time I am going to add a bit more liquid and stuff right after mixing so it doesnt get as stiff.

 

[cal1956]

we only stuff 28-30 MM casings so i don't know about the smaller tubes , and at the end of our stuffing we have about 4 normal size patties left in the horn and tube , the stuffer we have been using was a VIVO and had metal gears and last Saturday the gears completely stripped right in the middle of a 50 lb batch so i am looking for a new stuffer even as i type this !!!

 

[daveomak]

I have had no problems stuffing sticks... I stuff in 21MM collagen...

..My homemade stick stuffing tube....

 

[BGKYSmoker]

The LEM 5lb with metal enclosed gears. 0 Issues.

 

[browneyesvictim]

I have only ever worked with plastic tubes and they worked just fine for me. I guess you could say I don't know any better if metal ones make a difference. But I will say that now that I know how to prep the casings properly, they sure do go on a whole lot easier being softer and stretch effortlessly on the horn and slide easily.

It seems the 5# LEM, Kitchener, Gander Mtn., Cabela's, Grizzly (and others) are identical with a different sticker on them. Although you do see them with either plastic or metal gears. I have the Cabela's (metal gears) and have zero complaints so far. I do also lubricate the piston o-ring before every use. It's been a breeze stuffing snack sticks.

One last thing, is getting a good mounting of the stuffer housing to your work table. I use quick grip clamps and only use on 3 corners of the stuffer to the corner on the kitchen counter. Rock solid!

 

[crazymoon]

C1956, I would save the piston , canister,,handle, tubes and the tube nut JUST in case parts are interchangeable. If they aren't then you can chuck them .

 

[hoity toit]

I have both, but prefer metal.

 

[cal1956]

i don't even try to hold it while cranking ...i bolted the dang thing to the counter ,
Crazymoon : i had the same thought's regarding interchangeable parts
i'll never buy a stuffer made in China ever again !!!
i found one that i like from Waltons