What kind of stuffer to buy?

[nickelmore]

Currently I am using my Hobart grinder for stuffing fresh sausage, but am looking to buy a vertical stuffer to use instead.

The grinder mushes the product too much.

I see some cheaper 5lb units but they have nylon gears and as I recall the 5 lb LEM that I have used in the past had steel gears.

Just looking to see what others would reccommend for a 5lb unit.

Thanks

 

[got14u]

Here is a link to the one I would get. I'm pretty sure these have metal gears. This is the industrial stuffer.
http://www.amazon.com/Northern-Indus...pr_product_top

 

[beer-b-q]

This is the same one LEM sells only cheaper, all parts are interchangeable:
http://grizzly.com/products/5-lb-Ver...uffer-SS/H6252

 

[smokeguy]

Wow! Nice Price. I noticed that it doesn't come with a 3/8" tube though.

 

[hounds51]

I agree with Beer-B-Q here is a review that I did on my Grizzly. There are times that I wished I had a 15lb or plus, I must realize that this is just a hobby. I do agree with you that the meat grinder is not the best way to go, but rember it's only a hobby for most of us. http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ad.php?t=83983

 

[fishawn]

I have the Northern Tool 5# & it has nylon gears. I really like it & so far no problems, but the Grizzly looks the same unit to me as the Northern Tool for about $30 less. I have heard pretty good words about the Grizzly as well.

 

[hounds51]

By the way I have used my Griz about 5 times, with the metal Lem gears (about 100lbs) and she has yet to even breathe hard. I think you could probally start out with the Grizzly, then later upgrade to either a larger one, or get the Lem gears. When you replace the gears, you must take off the bottom (2 nuts) and run out the gears that way to replace the gears. also you might want to check out Northern Tools now on sale 15lb metal gear stuffer. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...3527_200333527

 

[mballi3011]

I have seen both of the stuffers you (I'm looking for one too) andthey both have plastic gears and if you think of it when you are stuffing sausage you aren't going to be granking on this machine veryhard at all. But I don't own one yet but I will very soon.

 

[walle]

Well I was already to pitch in on this one, Googled it, and then fell out of my chair!
http://www.sausagesource.com/catalog/cr-no25.html

This is what we use... gonna have to tell the o'l man to be more careful with it (I think ours come over on the ship!).
Good luck in your search.
Tracey

 

[smoking snow]

I use cabelas 30lb with motor it has about 5000lbs on her works great. i also have a 8lb horizontal it works good to but takes a little longer.

 

[formerlyfatguy]

UPS just delivered my Gander 15 lb. stuffer Monday.
All metal gears, delivered for $169.
Really good price for a sturdy stuffer. I was using one of those water Dakotah stuffers before. It did a good job, but only held 5 lbs of product, was a pain to clean and load with meat.
The Gander unit, like most big vertical stuffers, has to be clamped down so you can crank it.

 

[rio_grande]

I have the gander unit,, Most all of the verticle 15lb's I have seen are exactly the same. I would never run one with nylon gears, but I know folks who do. I stuff my sausage frigid cold.
If I were buying a 5 lb I would go LEM, 15 lb I say the cheapest with metal gears.

 

[nickelmore]

I usually only make 5 lb batches.

I looked at both the 5 and 15lb at Bass Pro yesterday. Missed the sale last week on the 15, so I will probably ask Mrs clause for the 5 lber.

 

[danj]

will a jerky shooter work for a sausage stuffer w/out the meat stick attachments to make summer sausage?

 

[pops6927]

Definitely go with the 15lb'r. If you make 5 lb. batches you'd have to reload the 5lb'r twice - it only holds 4 lbs. then the piston has to fit into it. The 15 lb'r will handle 5lb batches easily, and as you make more, your requests will increase to making 10lb., 12 lbs, etc. I have the Northern Tool 15 lb'r; it's not the cheapest (see above) but it's been a great stuffer. You can order an F.Dyck 3/8" tube for sheep casing from Butcher/Packer that will fit it.

 

[rbranstner]

Don't skip out just buy a good quality stuffer and you won't be sorry! We used a grinder with a stuffer plate the first year and then a piston style stuffer the second year and they both sucked if you are going any volume of stuffing. We got a 15lb stuffer for the third year and never looked back. You won't regret investing in the good stuff!!!

 

[rbranstner]

Oh by the way Gander Mountain seems to always put their 15lb stuffer on sale around this time of year. That is what we got and it works awesome!

 

[critterhunter]

I have a 15lb model from northern and a buddy has a 15lber from gander mt.They look identical.I used to use a grinder life is good now