Which LEM Collagen Casings should I use?

[gruversm]

I own a 606SS Lem stuffer.  The smallest tube is 1/2" and would like to make snack sticks.  Which size LEM collagen casing would you suggest?

 

[highlife4me]

I like to use 19 mm but they do not fit on the 1/2" tube  without unraveling the casing.  I purchased a 3/8" tube and am happy with it but you need to add a little more water to the meat.  Not sure if the 21 mm fit the 1/2" tube much better.

i

 

[boykjo]

You will need this for the lem 5 lb stuffer

LEM 606A Stainless Steel Sausage Stuffing Tube for Stuffers - 3/8 Inch ID with 1 9/16 Inch Base

lem tube.jpg

• boykjo
• Jan 18, 2016

lem tube2.jpg

• boykjo
• Jan 18, 2016

Joe

 

[tjmitche]

I have the same stuffer.  I used my LEM 606A Stainless Steel Sausage Stuffing Tube to stuff LEM 17mm casings last weekend.

We had some blowouts. Casings fit on the tube was fine.  

I am going with sheep casing next time around just to experiment. Those 17mm casings required a lot of focus to prevent blowouts. I'm not sure if the 19mm casing would have helped eliminate that.  

The final product turned out great. Can't complain as it was our first attempt at stuffing and smoking sticks.  Prior to this we can been using the Jerky Cannon and Q-Mats

 

[gruversm]

BoykJo:  I believe the smallest tube that came with my  606SS is a 1/2"OD (3/8"ID).

Should I be fine?

 

[driedstick]

You will need to by the 3/8 separately 

Try this http://www.lemproducts.com/product/stainless-steel-stuffing-tubes-606/sausage-stuffers

DS

 

[gruversm]

 
You will need to by the 3/8 separately 

Try this http://www.lemproducts.com/product/stainless-steel-stuffing-tubes-606/sausage-stuffers

DS

Isn't this the same what I'm describing?  My unit came with three tubes.  The smallest is 606A (1/2'OD...3/8" ID).  Is this the correct one to use to make snack sticks?

• 
   

 

[highlife4me]

That is what is pictured, but there is a 3/8" O.D. available also. It works real good for the smaller casings but you need to be careful with the stuffer.

 

[boykjo]

1/2 inch OD will work fine for 19 mm and up

 

[gruversm]

Thanks everyone!

 

[tjmitche]

Here's where I got mine.

 

[ol smoky]

He has that one already. It came with his stuffer. I have the same setup. Lem doesn't make a 3/8 OD tube. I got one off eBay but I ended up bending my stuffer threaded rod with it.

 

[tjmitche]

Roger that. My bad

 

[ol smoky]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/3-8-quot-9mm-...age-stuffer-/151850223218?txnId=1349141254005 this is 3/8 OUTSIDE DIAMETER. It is SMALL!

 

[ol smoky]

A pencil barely fits inside of it. Like I said, I bent the threaded piston rod using it so be careful. I started a thread on it. http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/240909/recommend-me-a-stuffer#post_1512624

 

[highlife4me]

Thats the one I have and wouldn't make sticks without it. No more unraveling casings just to get them on the tube. I do add about 25% more water or beer to the mix to allow the meat to flow through the tube easier.

 

[ol smoky]

Thats the one I have and wouldn't make sticks without it. No more unraveling casings just to get them on the tube. I do add about 25% more water or beer to the mix to allow the meat to flow through the tube easier. 

how much water do you put it per 5lbs?

 

[highlife4me]

how much water do you put it per 5lbs?

I usually make sticks in 25 lb. batches, then I use a half gallon of liquid which would equal about 1 1/2 cups for 5 lbs.

 

[boykjo]

 

how much water do you put it per 5lbs?

I usually make sticks in 25 lb. batches, then I use a half gallon of liquid which would equal about 1 1/2 cups for 5 lbs.

The amount of water should be based on weather you are using a binder. Using a binder will require more water. Is the 1 1/2 cup used with a binder like NFDM in the mix. 1 1/2 cups of water is a little much to straight meat and could make the meat grainy

 

[highlife4me]

I always mix in 1 cup NFDM per 5 lbs of meat. Kinda an unwritten law isn't it?