LEM BigBite#5 Stuffing Issue

[Aprwvu]

I got a brand new LEM BB#5 for Christmas and decided to make 10 pounds of snack sticks from ground beef and some pork belly. It took me 1.5 hour to push through 10 pounds of the grind into the casings. And I mean I really had to push it through. I would have to push the meat down into the auger hard to have it push through the provided horn for a 21mm casing. On another note, will snacks sticks hit a stall at around 140 degree F internal temp? Started smoking at 130 degrees and increased 10 degrees per hour. It took nearly 12 hours. Seems like something was off.

[Jerod Broussard]

How much water did you mix in?

Also, the smaller sticks are harder to press.

[Aprwvu]

How much water did you mix in?

Also, the smaller sticks are harder to press.

Hello Jarod - I used 1oz. of water per pound of meat as instructed on the LEM snack stick seasoning package.

[Jerod Broussard]

OK, you were fine on that. But those little sticks are a pain to do in a stuffer and even worse in a grinder.

[lonnie mac]

LEM makes some seriously fantastic grinders. I gotta #12. But grinders in general are not good stuffers. They are grinders. For stuffing you would need a good stuffer. I have this one and it works dang good.

https://www.lemproducts.com/product/mighty-bite-5lb-stainless-steel-vertical-sausage-stuffer-with-stainless-steel-tubes-1606ss/

[Donw]

+1. I have the same one and it makes stuffing so much easier.

[Troutman]

Dang I've been wanting one of those. You got all the good stuff Lon, how about helping me convince the misses I need one ???

[jerrybell]

I've only ever stuffed sausage using a stuffer and have never done the small snack sticks. It takes some finesse to just do a second grind on hamburger. I can't imagine trying to feed a sticky sausage mix through the grinder. If you live near a Cabela's, keep your eye on the bargain basement. I picked up a 5lb stuffer there for $79.

[Beefchop]

Another vote for a dedicated stuffer. I used my grinder for the larger casings, and that works ok, but a stuffer is much handier for smaller casings (and does a better job of stuffing the larger ones as well).

[Powersmoke_80]

I agree with above, You need a dedicated stuffer. I built this hydro stuffer that holds 25 lb batches.

[JDM]

Would you share the plans and how to for your hydro stuffer?

[Dr ROK]

What JDM said! That is a sweet set up!

[klflowers]

My god, man!

[Powersmoke_80]

Dr ROK , JDM Here was a couple posts when I built it, A lot was done in the shop where I worked.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/accessorize-your-pit/162935-big-mutha-stuffer-build

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/the-pit-mastery-program/hot-dogs-and-sausages/363358-for-the-love-of-sausage

[Bighorn Dave]

Let me start off by saying congratulations on the LEM Grinder. LEM makes a very fine unit. That being said as pointed out it is designed for grinding. The size you have is nice but really isn't powerful enough for some tasks. One thing that may help is to make sure the grinder tube is ice cold. I have a 3/4 HP grinder and the cooling makes a difference. I haven't tried stuffing with it yet but suspect I will have similar issues as you have had at least to some degree.

[EdF]

As you say, the freezer is your friend, even if it slows the process down a bit!