How To Choose The Best Sausage Stuffer For Household Use (2019 Edition)

Originally, there were only two types of sausage stuffer based on orientation, but since technology keeps evolving, we can consider another type. Here they are:∙

Horizontal Sausage Stuffer : This is a simple yet highly efficient design. You need to insert your ground meat mixture into the tube and then the pressurized air or water mechanism will push it into the casing extended out the attachment.

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Vertical Sausage Stuffer : This design, however, is a bit more on the strategic side because it does not take much space like the previous one. The only main difference is that the tube on this machine is positioned vertically instead of horizontally.

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Horn Sausage Stuffer : This one, like I said, is more of a hybrid. It has an elbow-like body structure and a longer tip. You can load the ground meat mixture on top and push it down the curved part then it will slide out of the tip of the attachment into the casing. A great example of this is a LEM Products SKU 824. (See sample photo below)

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Based on operation, there are two types of sausage stuffer:∙

Manual Sausage Stuffer : This type needs a bit more muscle work and labor of love. Although, it’s not that difficult to manually push the ground meat mixture into the stuffing. The only downside to this is that you can only stuff a small amount/quantity at a time.∙

Motorized or Electric Sausage Stuffer : This, on the other hand, is way easier and can be used for larger volume of mixtures. Although, since it requires power and electricity, using this can be a bit more costly.

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1. Crank : This is where the handle is. This is the part you will hold and move to push the piston down.

2. Container/cylinder :  Whatever your stuffing mixture is, you will put it in the cylinder below the piston. Sausage stuffers vary in capacity – household can go from 3 lb to 10 lb while commercial ones can go higher.

3. Piston : As you move the crank, the piston pushes the mixture out into the sausage casing.

4. Base : This part holds everything together and some brands can be mounted to your counter top.

5. Stuffing tubes : This is where you can secure your sausage casings. It usually comes in three different sizes, but some brands have more available ones depending on your needs.

1. Know Your Meat:

Buying processed sausages in the grocery store can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to ingredients. Let’s say you’re looking for a chicken sausage. How sure are you that the pack of 6 that you bought are really made of chicken meat?

What if only a small percentage of it is chicken meat and the rest are just extenders? What’s worse is when companies add chemical preservatives that are harmful to our health, just to extend the shelf life of their product. It would be a huge advantage for you if you’re just going to make your own sausages because then you will know what’s in it.

2. Freshness:

Aside from the fact that you can be sure of the ingredients, making your own sausages at home also assures you the freshness of the product – especially the meat used. Yes, your sausage may not last for months, but who wants to eat meat stored months or years ago, right?

3. Ingredient Flexibility:

Don’t want a meaty sausage? Try a veggie one! The sky is the limit when it comes to your sausage mixture when you have your own sausage stuffer at home.

4. Flavor:

Whether you prefer spicy, savory, or sweet sausages, you have total control of the flavor if you make sausages yourself. What I like most is that I can control how much sodium I use in my sausages.

5. Convenience:

You can have sausage whenever you crave for it – as long as you have the ingredients, of course.

Here are the things you need to know and be equipped with before you go to the appliance store or place your order online:

1. Type Of Sausage Stuffer:

Earlier, I explained to you the different types of sausage stuffer based on orientation and operation. Now, you have to decide which one you prefer more. I suggest that if you have a limited space in your kitchen, go for something sleek and compact – like the vertical type. It can easily be stored or mounted.

2. Compare Prices:

If money is not an issue then, by all means, skip this part and read the rest of this article, but if it is, then you have to keep in mind which ones are suited for your budget. Choose something of quality but affordable. You may also want to wait for sales or discount coupons.

3. Material And Construction:

Honestly speaking, I prefer ones that are made of stainless steel because they don’t rust easily – if they ever do. You wouldn’t want to add rust into your sausage mixture, would you? So, pick the one with a better and sturdier material. Something that won’t rust or get dull too after several use.

4. Customer Reviews:

Before buying anything, especially online, make it a habit to read the customers review because these people already bought and used the product and they know how it performed. Good reviews means more points.

5. Warranty:

This, for me, is the most important thing to consider before clicking that order button. We all know that kitchen tools and machines are delicate and need proper care because they can easily break or get damaged. So, it would be best if the sausage stuffer that you will buy has at least a year warranty – better if parts and services are both covered. Somehow, this will make sure you that the item is of really good quality.

6. Capacity And Volume:

Since we are talking about sausage stuffers that are suitable for household use, I would recommend a capacity of 5 to 7 lbs. Although, if you have a big family or you usually make loads of sausage at a time, choose 10 to 15 lbs sized cylinders.

7. SafetySafety First, Agree?

Before buying a sausage stuffer, try to look for an IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components sticker, label, or certification. This ensures that the product underwent and passed official testing. If you have kids at home, make sure that you keep it out of their rich. Plus, it would be best if there’s any kind of child lock safety on the crank and piston.

8. Ease Of Use:

Pick something that’s straightforward and easy to use – especially if you haven’t used one before.

9. Cleaning, Maintaining, And Storing:

If it is easy to use, it should also be easy to clean, maintain, and store. Remember that there’s meat involved and you don’t want any residue mixing into your new batch of sausages. There are some brands that are made of stainless steel yet easy to clean.

10. Attachments:

Like I said earlier, there should be at least 3 basic stuffing tubes included in the deal. Although, the more free attachments the better, right?

11. Speed:

It’s no-brainer to say that a 2-speed sausage stuffer is better than a regular one, but usually, the latter is way cheaper. So, it is really about preference here. Always weigh your options before buying.

12. Air Release Valve:

There should always…ALWAYS be an air release valve or else it’s either your mixture won’t slide down the casing or your casing will pop due to air and pressure.

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If you are looking for a heavy-duty sausage stuffer, I suggest that you check out LEM vertical sausage stuffer. It is popular worldwide as a robust and efficient kitchen machine.

LEM is known for its removable slender stainless steel cylinder that, for me, is awesome because it is sturdy yet easy to clean.

Its base has 2 clamps, so you will not have a problem securing it on your table- or countertop. Also, it comes with three standard size stuffing tubes: ½”, ¾”, and 1”. Here are some of it pros and cons:

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Of all the sausage stuffers that I have tried, Hakka has the best horizontal one. For one, it is because it has 2 speeds. Amazing, right?

Also, what I like most about it is that it can produce a huge amount in such a short period of time. Check out some more of its pros and cons:

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This vertical Hakka reminds me of the good old sausage stuffer we had long time ago. If you look at it, it is the most common designs before.

What I love about this is that it is made of stainless metals with SGS food hygiene standard. This means that it is safe for food making and easy to clean.

Here are some more of its pros and cons.

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If I am being completely honest, the very first reason I bought this VIVO sausage stuffer is because of its color. Also, it has dual gear, which makes it a lot easy to run.

Its base is slip-free and you can just clamp it on your tabletop.

Check out its advantages and disadvantages.

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If you are the type of person who wants his/her kitchen tools and machine to look simple yet classy, then this one is for you.It reminds me a lot of the LEM sausage stuffer but this one comes with 4 stuffing tubes.

Check out its pros and cons: