Chances are, you have landed here because you have either already begun making homemade sausage, and you need a better technique for stuffing it, or you are considering toying with the idea of making sausage at home. (Or a third option would be that you’ve just landed here by mistake, and if that’s the case, stick around because we’re about to teach you how to make and stuff sausage at home!)
Like making yogurt at home with a yogurt maker, you can also make your own sausage at home. Even though it may seem more convenient or practical to buy it at your local supermarket, homemade is always better. You know the exact ingredients used to go into the product you are making, and the flavor is always better.
But stuffing sausage is not always easy. In fact, it may be considered the hardest part of the process if you don’t have the proper equipment.
Buying a meat grinder with attachments may seem like the way to go because it allows you to get more than one use out of your equipment. Unfortunately, the attachments for stuffing sausage don’t always do the trick. That’s because the major role of the meat grinder is for grinding meat. After all, it’s in the name.
This is why the major role of a sausage stuffer is for stuffing sausage. So why not buy the exact equipment that was made for the job?
That’s why we’re here. We’re here to help you understand more about the sausage stuffer, as well as give you a list of the 8 best sausage stuffers to choose from.
Best Overall Sausage Stuffer
1. Hakka Brothers Vertical Sausage Stuffer
Our pick for the best overall sausage stuffer is this option by the Hakka Brothers. It is our choice for best overall because of its professional-grade quality with an affordable price tag.
The sausage stuffer's design allows it to stand vertically, so it doesn’t take up much room on a countertop. It comes with four different nozzles to give you four different diameters of sausage casing to fill. There is a 16mm, 22mm, 32mm, and 38mm nozzle to choose from.
You will attach the nozzle to the bottom of the stainless steel cylinder and then attach your casing to the nozzle. Next, you will fill the cylinder with your sausage mixture. Finally, you will turn the handle on the side of the sausage stuffer in a clockwise rotation. This will cause the stuffer to push the mixture down through the cylinder and out of the nozzle into the casing.
All the pieces of the sausage stuffer are food-grade stainless steel. The cylinder of the sausage stuffer is loaded from the back and tilts the nozzle upwards for easy refilling. The nozzle can then be detached from the cylinder for easy cleaning. The cylinder itself can also be completely detached from the sausage stuffer for easy cleaning as well.
Because it is stainless steel, all of the components are dishwasher safe. This makes cleanup quick and easy when you’re done.
Best Budget Sausage Stuffer
2. Master Feng Horizontal Sausage Stuffer
The best sausage stuffer for those on a budget is this basic horizontal sausage stuffer by Master Feng.
It is approximately 10 inches long, so it won’t take up too much room on a counter or table. It has four different size filling nozzles to give you four different diameters of sausage casings to fill. Sizes include 14mm, 18mm, 21mm, and 25mm.
The sausage stuffer is aluminum and should be washed by hand to ensure that it doesn’t rust or corrode in a dishwasher. There is a suction cup base attached to the bottom of the sausage stuffer that will keep the sausage stuffer securely in place as it is used.
To use the sausage stuffer, you will attach the nozzle to the cylinder body of the sausage stuffer and attach your casing to the nozzle. Then you will fill the cylindrical body of the sausage stuffer with your sausage mixture. To stuff the sausage casing, you will turn the handle of the sausage stuffer. This will push the mixture through the cylinder and out of the nozzle into the casing.
The sausage stuffer holds 2 pounds of sausage mixture at a time. To refill the cylinder, simply screw off the handle of the cylinder and remove it. Then refill with the sausage mixture and repeat the process.
Best Premium Sausage Stuffer
3. Commercial Grade Electric Sausage Filler
Sometimes processing your own meat at home can become a bigger production than you anticipate, especially when word-of-mouth spreads about the sausage you make.
That’s why we have included this premium commercial grade electric sausage filler on our list. This is the ideal sausage stuffer to use when you need to crank out some sausage and don’t want to kill your arm in the process.
It holds a large 33-pound capacity in the body of the sausage stuffer. It has four different nozzles, each with their own respective diameter so that you can choose the exact size sausage you want to make. The nozzles are 19mm, 25mm, 38mm, and 42mm.
To use the electric sausage stuffer, you will fill the body with your stuffing mixture and attach the nozzle you wish to use. You will also need to attach your casing to the nozzle so that it will fill when the mixture is pushed through.
To push the mixture through, you will turn on the sausage stuffer and select the speed you want the sausage stuffer to fill. You can choose a slow speed or fast speed.
All components of the sausage stuffer are food-grade stainless steel. You can safely wash them in a dishwasher or by hand if you choose.
Using an electric sausage stuffer will eliminate the fatigue from cranking a handle on a manual sausage stuffer. It will also cut down on the total time it takes to stuff the sausage, making it a more efficient option for stuffing sausage.
4. VIVO Vertical Sausage Stuffer
The VIVO sausage stuffer is another vertical option that we have included on our list and for many good reasons.
First, it holds a large amount of sausage stuffing in the cylindrical body of the sausage stuffer. The total capacity is 15 pounds.
Second, all of the components of the sausage stuffer are stainless steel and dishwasher safe. Not only is this durable, but it is also dishwasher safe.
Third, it comes with four different plastic nozzles, each with their own respective diameter. There is a 10mm, 20mm, 30mm, and 40mm nozzle you can choose to fill your sausage casing.
Finally, there are two different speeds at which you can stuff the sausage. You will crank the handle of the sausage stuffer in a clockwise motion that will push the sausage mixture through the nozzle. The fast speed will push the mechanism down quickly to push the sausage mixture out through the nozzle. The slow speed will push the mechanism down slowly to push the sausage mixture through the nozzle at a slower rate of speed.
It comes with a one-year manufacturer warranty, so you don’t have to worry about being left without a sausage stuffer if the sausage stuffer mechanisms break for any reason.
5. LEM Products Vertical Stainless Steel Sausage Stuffer
If you have a home meat grinder, there is a good chance it is made by LEM. LEM is the leader in home meat processing, which is why we have included this verticle sausage stuffer on our list.
It holds a total capacity of 5 pounds of sausage mixture. The sausage mixture will be pushed through the nozzle and into the sausage casing while turning the rotating handle of the sausage stuffer. The cylinder is stainless steel and can be removed and placed into a dishwasher for easy cleaning.
The sausage stuffer comes with three different nozzles: a ½ inch, ¾ inch, and a 1” nozzle. There is a 2-year warranty on the nozzles and parts of the sausage stuffer.
The sausage stuffer attaches to the countertop with included two clamps that will attach to the base of the stuffer. These clamps will keep the sausage stuffer in place.
6. Weston Vertical Sausage Stuffer
The Weston sausage stuffer is another vertical option on our list. It has a 7-pound capacity with a stainless steel cylinder and nozzle attachments that can all be easily detached and cleaned in a dishwasher.
You will attach the stainless steel nozzle to the cylinder and then attach the casing to the nozzle you choose. Each nozzle has a different size, so you can choose the exact diameter of the sausage you want to stuff. There is a 13mm, 20mm, 30mm, and 40mm nozzle for you to make a variety of different sized sausage.
The canister is also dual-speed, so you have the choice of pushing the sausage mixture out of the nozzles fast or slow. When you need to fill or refill the canister, simply tilt it to expose the canister's opening and fill with your sausage mixture.
The base of the sausage stuffer has rubber feet so that it will stay in place as you manually turn the handle to push the sausage mixture through.
7. KWS Professional Commercial Sausage Stuffer
The cylinder of this vertical sausage stuffer by the KitchenWare Station holds a total of 11 pounds of sausage mixture. The cylinder, base, and components of the sausage stuffer are all food-grade stainless steel. Not only is this safe, but it is also durable and makes cleaning easy. You can place the components and cylinder of the sausage stuffer in the dishwasher when you are ready to clean the sausage stuffer.
Two speeds can be used to push the sausage mixture through the nozzle: a fast speed and a slow speed. This will determine how quickly the sausage mixture will be pushed through the sausage stuffer's nozzle when the handle is cranked. The low setting will slowly push the mixture through the nozzle, and the high setting will push the mixture through quickly.
The cylinder of the sausage stuffer tilts backward for easy filling and refilling. When you are ready to clean the cylinder, simply detach it completely from the sausage stuffer. There are also heavy-duty rubber gaskets that will prevent the sausage stuffer from leaking.
Four plastic nozzles are included with the sausage stuffer that you will attach to the cylinder, and each nozzle is a different size. The nozzles are 15mm, 22mm, 30mm, and 38mm.
When sausage is pushed down the cylinder and through the nozzle, air pockets can develop and cause the sausage to lose its smooth consistency as it fills the casing. The stainless steel piston within the sausage stuffer has an air pressure release valve that will release the air that is built up in the cylinder. This creates a smooth and consistently stuffed sausage casing every time.
8. Happybuy Horizontal Sausage Stuffer
The last sausage stuffer on our list is simple, effective, and high-quality. It is this horizontal stainless steel heavy-duty sausage stuffer.
It is a horizontal sausage stuffer with a manual handle that you will crank to push the sausage mixture through the sausage stuffer's cylinder and out the nozzle. The cylinder holds 15 pounds of sausage mixture.
To fill the cylinder, you will lift the cylinder and load the sausage mixture into the top of the cylinder. Then, you will lower the cylinder back into place and secure it into place.
Next, you will attach the nozzle size of your choice to the cylinder, along with the sausage casing that you will be filling. The nozzle sizes include 10mm, 22mm, 32mm, and 38mm diameters. This gives you the option to make skinny snacks or thicker meats.
All of the stainless steel attachments and components, as well as the stainless steel cylinder, can be washed in the dishwasher.
Why You Need a Sausage Stuffer
There are obvious reasons why you would need a sausage stuffer. They’re easy to use, have overall more control than a sausage stuffer attachment, and give you the opportunity to stuff large quantities of sausage at a faster rate of speed.
But what are the less than obvious reasons you might need a sausage stuffer?
One of the best and most overlooked and underrated features of the sausage stuffer is the air release valve. The air release valve releases the air from the sausage mixture as it is pushed from the cylinder to the nozzle. When the air is released and removed from the sausage stuffer, it will push a smooth and consistent sausage mixture into the casing that is attached to the nozzle.
Using a sausage stuffer attachment that attaches to a meat grinder or standing mixer will not have this simple mechanism. Something so simple can create such a smooth and consistent sausage. Without this, your sausage can have pockets of air that will cause the sausage to be lumpy and inconsistent.
Additionally, it will also cause the sausage to lack uniformity. This means that each sausage casing can have a different weight. So if you’re making sausage for a living, you will need to ensure that you create the same weight of sausage every time, which is one of the many reasons that having a sausage maker with an air release valve is so important.
How to Choose the Best Sausage Stuffer: The Ultimate Sausage Stuffer Buying Guide
Clearly, there are many models of sausage stuffers you can choose from. There are manual or electric versions, horizontal or vertical versions, and stainless steel or aluminum versions.
So, which one do you choose?
Well, you’ll have to ask yourself a few questions to make the right decision. These questions include knowing the right size, the right material, the right design, and the right size nozzles you need the sausage maker to have.
Size
The size of the sausage maker depends on how much sausage you will be making at one time. No, the size doesn’t mean how big the sausage maker physically is, but it does have to do with how big the cylinder of the sausage maker is.
A sausage maker with a large cylinder will allow you to make larger batches of sausage at one time. The size cylinder you will need the sausage maker to have will be at least 15 pounds. These are ideal if you stuff sausage as a way of life or for money.
Otherwise, if making sausage is something you do as a hobby while making small batches, you won’t need a sausage stuffer that has a large cylinder. You will be able to get by with a cylinder that has 15 pounds or less.
Material
The material of the sausage stuffer can determine how durable and easy the sausage stuffer will be to maintain, clean, and overall last.
A sausage stuffer made from aluminum will have to be hand-washed only, as aluminum is not recommended to be washed in a dishwasher. Additionally, aluminum is less durable than stainless steel, so it has an increased likelihood that it can break or deteriorate quicker than stainless steel.
Stainless steel is dishwasher-safe, so it makes cleanup quick and easy. Simply take off the components of the sausage stuffer and detach the cylinder from the base of the sausage stuffer. Then place it into a dishwasher for quick and easy cleanup.
Stuffing Mechanism
The sausage mixture will be pushed through the cylinder and then subsequently pushed through the nozzle of the sausage stuffer to fill the casing of the sausage. This can be done manually or automatically.
When the sausage mixture is pushed through the sausage stuffer manually, you will have to manually crank the handle of the sausage stuffer to push the mixture through the nozzle to stuff the casing. This can cause fatigue if you will be stuffing large quantities of sausage at one time. For this reason, you would want to consider purchasing an electric or automatic sausage stuffer.
An automatic sausage stuffer will fill the sausage casing in the same manner, except the stuffing mechanism will be powered electrically, rather than by hand. This can cut down on time as well as fatigue.
Design
The design of the sausage stuffer will either be vertical or horizontal. To decide which one to choose, you should consider how much space you will need the sausage stuffer to take up.
If you don’t have much room on a countertop or surface area in your kitchen, you should choose the vertical option. A vertical sausage stuffer will take up less room on a countertop as it will stand straight up and down when stuffing the sausage.
If room is not a concern, then you can choose a horizontal option for stuffing sausage. Keep in mind that the electric version of sausage stuffers are typically vertical models, so if you want an electric sausage stuffer, you will likely have to choose a vertical option.
Nozzles
The last consideration you need to keep in mind is the size of the nozzles you will be receiving with the sausage stuffer you choose.
Most sausage stuffers include around four nozzles. These nozzles may be plastic or stainless steel. Stainless steel nozzles are the best because they are durable and dishwasher safe. This makes cleanup easy. Other sausage stuffers will include plastic nozzles. While these work just as well as stainless s steel nozzles, they are not recommended to be washed in the dishwasher, and they also can break while the sausage stuffer is in use.
If you can choose a sausage stuffer with stainless steel nozzles, we recommend you go with that choice. Stainless steel is durable, and cleanup will be easy.
Another factor you will need to consider when looking at the nozzles included with the sausage stuffer is the diameter of each nozzle. There should be at least one small diameter nozzle, around 10mm or less, to create thin snack=-sized sausage. If you want the sausage to be used for lunch meat, you should choose a sausage stuffer with a 40mm nozzle.
The good news is that if the sausage stuffer you are interred in doesn’t come with the right size nozzles you need; you can typically buy additional nozzles to use on your sausage stuffer. So if you think you don’t want to buy a sausage stuffer that meets all of the other criteria, keep in mind that you can purchase additional nozzles in different diameters if this is the only factor holding you back.
Hobby vs. Profession
The last consideration you need to make when choosing the best sausage stuffer is the application in which you will be using the sausage stuffer.
Is this just a hobby that you will be taking up, or is this a way of life?
If this is a hobby, then you can afford to cut some corners. You may be able to opt for the aluminum version with plastic nozzle tips. This will help you create a small batch of sausage without worrying about cranking out large batches in a short period of time.
However, if this will be a way of life that will help you provide for your family, you will need to invest a little more money than if this were just a hobby. You should look into a sausage stuffer with a large cylinder capacity or a fast speed to push the sausage mixture through the cylinder and out the nozzle very quickly.
You will also want to look at a sausage stuffer that has an air release valve so that any pockets of air can be released before the sausage mixture is pushed through the cylinder and out of the nozzle into the casing.
Conclusion
A sausage stuffer will undoubtedly help you create perfect sausage every time. They are easy to use and are designed to be used with little thought. Just fill the cylinder with your favorite homemade sausage mixture, attach the nozzle to the cylinder with a casing attached to the nozzle, and begin pushing the sausage mixture through the cylinder and out the nozzle to stuff the casing.
The best part about making your own homemade sausage is that you know exactly what has gone into the food you are eating. This, along with the taste, are without a doubt the best reasons you should make your own food at home.
