Sausage / Burger Help

[kevin pitzer]

Hello all - I have had a WSM 18" for quite sometime and I want to try to put it to use in a new level. I want to start smoking my own sausage's and making my own burger, although this is all very new to me.

Looking for some help on how to go forward, mostly with a first grinder purchase that will not break the bank too hard. The three I was looking at so far highest in price to lowest was 1) LEM #8 2) STX Megaforce Classic 3000 3) Altra Electric Food Meat Grinder

I do want a grinder that will allow my meat to go through (second pass) smoothly to stuff the sausage after seasoning with a stuffing tool.

I know this is all very new to me and I will have a lot of questions, however I know there are a lot of great people here that will get me to where I need to go.

Any suggestions, recommendations and guidance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[tx smoker]

I have had two of the STX Mega Force grinders and both have performed flawlessly. The second one was just an upgrade, not done out of necessity. Gifted the first one to a forum friend and he says it's still working like a champ.

As far as stuffing goes, I'd highly recommend getting a dedicated stuffer. It can be done with a grinder but it tends to turn the farce into pate' as the auger is turning and pushing it through the stuffing tube. That's the experience I've had and getting the stuffer as a separate unit that is designed specifically for this purpose was about the best investment I've made as far as sausage making goes.

Robert

 

[kevin pitzer]

I have had two of the STX Mega Force grinders and both have performed flawlessly. The second one was just an upgrade, not done out of necessity. Gifted the first one to a forum friend and he says it's still working like a champ.

As far as stuffing goes, I'd highly recommend getting a dedicated stuffer. It can be done with a grinder but it tends to turn the farce into pate' as the auger is turning and pushing it through the stuffing tube. That's the experience I've had and getting the stuffer as a separate unit that is designed specifically for this purpose was about the best investment I've made as far as sausage making goes.

Robert

Thank you Robert for your help, really appreciate it. The STX looks really nice for the money.

Is there a particular stuffer you would recommend?

 

[jbo_c]

I’d say mostly depends on how much you’re planning to make as to what “makes sense” to get.

A brief interlude: “Makes sense” doesn’t really apply to a hobby. So it really depends on how convenient you want it to be and at what level you want to play. Some people in some hobbies want to apply a dollar value to their time. If you did this in most hobbies, you’d never do anything but work. So don’t think about it that way. Just decide how much you’re willing and/or able to spend on a hobby. That may be more or less for each individual person andwhatever you decide is right for you. You aren’t likely in to to make, or even save money. It’s a hobby. You do you.

I have a #32 hand crank grinder that is perfectly serviceable (with its quirks) for what I do. However, after making 20 pounds of sausage this weekend, I’m seriously considering buying a Lem #8 Big Bite. Just because it would have been more convenient. Maybe I would make more sausage if I had one, but likely not.

So does it ‘make sense’ for me to buy one? No, not by anybody’s standard of value other than it’s a hobby and I can afford it and want to.

The general (and good) advice is to get the best you can where what you can afford and what you want coincide.

I really want the Lem #8, but I also have been saving to build another boat(another, larger money suck of a hobby). So I have the same decision to make.

There. Absolutely no help and lots of words - easily worth quadruple what you paid for it.
Jbo

 

[jbo_c]

Good advice about the stuffer. If it’s a choice, I’d definitely prefer a hand crank grinder and a dedicated stuffed to an electric grinder/stuffer combo.

Advice on which? I have a LEM 5# and it only takes about as long to stuff long casings as it takes to load. I stuffed 20pounds today and it took me about 5 minutes or less to stuff on fill. That would be a pain if you did a lot of 20 pound batches, but since most of mine are 5, I think it’s great.

Jbo

 

[SmokinAl]

Do yourself a favor & buy a dedicated grinder & a dedicated stuffer. I found cabela’s grinders to be good & LEM stuffers as well. You don’t need to break the bank, but a grinder/stuffer combo is a PIA.
Just my humble opinion!
Al

 

[kevin pitzer]

Do yourself a favor & buy a dedicated grinder & a dedicated stuffer. I found cabela’s grinders to be good & LEM stuffers as well. You don’t need to break the bank, but a grinder/stuffer combo is a PIA.
Just my humble opinion!
Al

Thank you Al for the information.

If you do mind me asking,what particular models do you have?

 

[olaf]

What to get the good thing now is you can find so much available online. I have very little invested in my setup but I bought it twenty some years ago when you didn't have many options. A Chinese #32 grinder from a farm supply store, someone gave me a 1 hp motor, mated that to a gear reduction thingy from an auction, actually looks pretty good and will grind 1 lb chunks of meat. For a stuffer I still have my dakota water stuffer which stuffs like crazy but will eventually blow apart.