Sausage Stuffer

[Nefarious]

I stuffed my first sausage yesterday with my Lem stuffer.

While stuffing I had a major problem. It takes 3 hands because of my kitchen situation. I can't hold the stuffer, turn the crank, and hold the casing on the spout all at the same time. All of my counter tops are granite and they have a very small 1 1/2" lip. You can see the lip in the above image.

The issue is there are areas within the sausage casing where I was not able to keep constant pressure and then air pockets formed part of the way around the sausage. There is no way that I will ever get permission to clamp the stuffer to the counter top, even if they had a lip. Maybe I could if I had plastic wood clamps, and maybe I can clamp the stuffer to an open drawer, and the clap ends would have to be up and get in the way of working.

First thing I have to do is bolt a wood meet cutting board to the bottom of the stuffer something like:

and the overhang of the cutting board will give me something to clamp to, this is easy.

I would be interested to see or hear how people clamp under similar situations.

 

[old sarge]

Most hardware stores sell peel and stick silicone pads/buttons. They should help to keep you board from moving around. Adding a lip to the board that butts up against the counter top would also help stabilize you system.

 

[smokinsquid]

These are plastic and have soft jaws, they would be more than adequate to hold the press in place once it is screwed to a board with silicone feet.


IRWIN QUICK-GRIP Bar Clamp, One-Handed, Micro, 4-1/4-Inch, 2-Pack (1964747) Blue

 

[BGKYSmoker]

I use that rubberized drawer liner stuff under my stuffer. Clamps get in the way, you need something flat.

 

[Steve H]

I'm not clamping anything to my countertop. So, I made a turntable so that when the sausage is leaving the stuffer. It goes around the turntable. And it does double duty when I'm done.

 

[chopsaw]

tropics put suction cups on his .
I'm able to clamp mine . Had 2 " added on to the counter tops all the way around .
The drawer liners work , or a router mat from a woodworking supply store .

 

[Nefarious]

I'm not clamping anything to my countertop. So, I made a turntable so that when the sausage is leaving the stuffer. It goes around the turntable. And it does double duty when I'm done.
View attachment 628040

Is your stuffer motorized? For my hand crank version, yes I'm cheap, on the up half of the cranking motion the stuffer wants to lift off the counter.

 

[Steve H]

Is your stuffer motorized? For my hand crank version, yes I'm cheap, on the up half of the cranking motion the stuffer wants to lift off the counter.

Nope, hand crank. Cheapo here too! If I'm stuffing something. And resistance gets too much. Then I remove the handle. And place it so I'm just using down pressure. If the mix is too firm. I add a little water to make it flow better.

 

[Nefarious]

Nope, hand crank. Cheapo here too! If I'm stuffing something. And resistance gets too much. Then I remove the handle. And place it so I'm just using down pressure. If the mix is too firm. I add a little water to make it flow better.

Now why didn't I think of that? I just have to loosed the screw that holds the handle on.

I did make the meat too firm, should have added more wine.

 

[sandyut]

I picked up these on Amazon. worked like a charm!

 

[sandyut]

Is that LEM hand crank stiffer?

 

[Steve H]

Now why didn't I think of that? I just have to loosed the screw that holds the handle on.

I did make the meat too firm, should have added more wine.

Lol! I'm not always right. But then again. Even a broken clock is right twice a day! Happy smoking my friend.

 

[Nefarious]

Is that LEM hand crank stiffer?

yes, 5lb Mighty Bite

 

[Winterrider]

I made a swivel unit as Steve H , and suction cups like sandyut

 

[tallbm]

This is an alterative suggestion based on how I work my sausage :)
I simply don't use the counters. I work off different tables where I can clamp to them.

Lows and Costco will sell 6 foot bi folding plastic resin tables for about $55.
You can get a good set of clamps that will allow you to clamp to the table.
You can drill holes and bolt to the table when you want to use it.
You can do a wood base that you bolt the stuffer too and clamp to that table.
Etc, etc, etc.

You can also move to your dining room table or some other less important table and clamp to it if possible. My kitchen nook table does this for me. I use the plastic resin fold up table as needed as well and definitely use them after my big yearly hunting trips whre I have to process, debone, grind, stuff, and vac seal like 7-12 animals over a 5-6 day period. No way I'm making that kind of mess inside the house :)

I'm sure you can also find plenty of uses for such a table.
If you get into any serious amounts of sausage making or meat working it's nice to be able to work in the garage and then easily clean everything off and put it away. This keeps from turning the kitchen into a disaster and keeps away from everyone in the house.

Just some food for thought :)

 

[tx smoker]

I would be interested to see or hear how people clamp under similar situations.

You've already gotten some good ideas but here is what I did, and I have the same stuffer. Not being real keen on clamping something to the granite, I went to the local hardware store and got rubber grommets that slip into the holes on the bottom mounting plate. This keeps the thing from sliding around. Simple and works great.

I'm sure you'll figure something out.

Robert

 

[Nefarious]

I now think my biggest problem was the meat was too dry. On the upswing the stuffer wanted to come off of the counter top. There is no way most of these answers could solve that problem. But a little more wine could.

Thanks for all of the suggestions, All good, I just have to pick one. And learn from the too dry meat.

 

[indaswamp]

Steve H : I like your turn table for coiling sausages! I use a huge sheet pan with a little water in it so the sausages will slide, I spin them into a coil on the sheet pan...

 

[SmokyMose]

I have the same stuffer and had the same issue. I found some universal suction cup feet that work great.
I'm afraid I don't have pics anymore but a couple of my old sausage posts probably show them.
www.westonproducts.com

 

[chopsaw]

stuffer wanted to come off of the counter top.

I have the Older Lem 5lb. Just went thru it for the second time . No way I could use it not clamped for the reason stated above . That being said I wouldn't clamp to granite or nice counters tops either .