A separate stuffer is the biggest upgrade a sausage maker can buy. Grinder stuffing tubes push meat back through the auger, which warms it and smears the fat. A piston stuffer just pushes. Vertical models take the least counter space, and two-speed gearing makes reloading quick.
- Best overallHakka 7 lb Vertical Sausage Stuffer (3 L)About $133
- Best from a big brandLEM Mighty Bite 5 lb Vertical Sausage Stuffer (1606)$189.99
- SimplestWeston 5 lb Vertical Sausage Stuffer (86-0501-W)About $165
- Best motorizedLEM BigBite 20 lb Motorized Sausage Stuffer (1219)$1,099.99
Side by side
| Model | Price | Capacity | Drive | Tubes | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hakka 7 lb Vertical Sausage Stuffer (3 L) | About $133 | 7 lb (3 L) | Manual, two speeds | 10, 20, 30, 40 mm (plastic) | 1 year |
| LEM Mighty Bite 5 lb Vertical Sausage Stuffer (1606) | $189.99 | 5 lb | Manual, carbon-steel gears | ½, ¾, 1 in (plastic) | 2 years |
| Weston 5 lb Vertical Sausage Stuffer (86-0501-W) | About $165 | 5 lb | Manual, single gear | Three funnels | 1 year (commercial use only) |
| LEM BigBite 20 lb Motorized Sausage Stuffer (1219) | $1,099.99 | 20 lb | Electric, variable speed, foot switch | ½, ⅝, 1, 1¼ in (stainless) | See LEM |
Hakka 7 lb Vertical Sausage Stuffer (3 L)
- Price
- About $133
- Capacity
- 7 lb (3 L)
- Drive
- Manual, two speeds
- Tubes
- 10, 20, 30, 40 mm (plastic)
- Warranty
- 1 year
A 7 lb stainless canister, two speeds, an air-release valve and four nozzles for about $133. Smoked BBQ Source named it the best budget stuffer.
Pros
- Stainless canister
- Two speeds
- Air valve
Cons
- Plastic nozzles
- Casings can bunch at first
LEM Mighty Bite 5 lb Vertical Sausage Stuffer (1606)
- Price
- $189.99
- Capacity
- 5 lb
- Drive
- Manual, carbon-steel gears
- Tubes
- ½, ¾, 1 in (plastic)
- Warranty
- 2 years
Smooth carbon-steel gears and a removable 5 lb cylinder. The piston and tubes are plastic and the clamps only fit thin counters.
Pros
- Smooth gears
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- $189.99
- Plastic piston and tubes
Weston 5 lb Vertical Sausage Stuffer (86-0501-W)
- Price
- About $165
- Capacity
- 5 lb
- Drive
- Manual, single gear
- Tubes
- Three funnels
- Warranty
- 1 year (commercial use only)
A single-gear 5 lb stuffer with C-clamps. Its warranty excludes home use.
Pros
- Simple
- C-clamps
Cons
- One speed
- Warranty excludes home use
LEM BigBite 20 lb Motorized Sausage Stuffer (1219)
- Price
- $1,099.99
- Capacity
- 20 lb
- Drive
- Electric, variable speed, foot switch
- Tubes
- ½, ⅝, 1, 1¼ in (stainless)
- Warranty
- See LEM
A 20 lb motorized stuffer with a foot switch, so one person can run a big batch. $1,099.99.
Pros
- Foot switch
- Stainless tubes
- Auto shutoff
Cons
- $1,099.99
- 37.5 lb
Hands-on notes come from Smoked BBQ Source's stuffer roundup; specs and prices from retailers and makers. We haven't tested these stuffers ourselves.
How to choose
- Capacity: a 5 to 7 lb stuffer suits 10 lb batches in two loads. Buy 15 lb or more if you make 25 lb at a time.
- Two speeds mean a quick piston return between loads.
- An air-release valve means fewer air pockets in the links.
- Stainless tubes last longer than plastic ones.
