Steel stuffer tubes

[Laripu]

I just received a LEM catalog. I have their 5 lb stuffer, which came with plastic tubes. They're selling steel tubes for it. I was wondering off anyone has experience with both, and I'd you can tell me whether the steel tubes are significantly better, anf in particular, whether they're easier to put the casings on.

Thanks in advance.

[Big Guy]

the ss tubes are much better, easier to get the skins on as they are slipperier and not tapered. Get them you won't ever regret it.

[wheels]

+1

Phil

[SimonSez]

Got my 5lb stuffer with ss tubes, a huge improvement over the plastic tubes I was using!!

Again, you won't regret it.

[Laripu]

Many thanks! That justifies my impending purchase.

[Laripu]

I ordered the stainless steel stuffing tubes today.

Plus more hog casings, plus lamb casings for when I make merguez again....that is, when I can source lamb that doesn't cost a fortune.

[Laripu]

The tubes arrived yesterday, along with some casings. They fit the LEM stuffer perfectly. The narrowest of the steel tubes is considerably narrower than the narrowest of the plastic ones, so that should make it perfect for lamb casings. Last time I used lamb casings, I had a problem with them breaking. This should be better.

Soon it will be time for goat-and-chicken merguez.

[wheels]

Soon it will be time for goat-and-chicken merguez.

Now that does sound interesting.

Phil

[Laripu]

Soon it will be time for goat-and-chicken merguez.

Now that does sound interesting.

OK then, Phil/Wheels ... have a look here, and let me know what you think.

[Laripu]

A couple of weeks ago I made sausage with the new steel tubes. I was hoping the new tubes would make it easier to put the casings on, but it wasn't any easier. I do use some vegetable oil to make it slip more, but it only helps for a few seconds. Am I doing something wrong? How long does it take for you to skip on 4 feet of casing?

I'm using the 1 inch tube for 32-35 mm casings. Should I use a narrower tube?

[yotmon]

Hi Laripou, what type of casings do you use. I use dry salted hog skins and after soaking them suffiently in tepid water they feel quite slippery and soft. They should thread onto the tube with ease as long as they are wider in circumference that is. 35mm is nearly 1.5 inch so using the 1" tube shouldn't pose any problems. Did you try the trick that Wheels mentioned re' adding a pinch of bi-carb of soda to the water, last time I used a plastic tube it worked a lot better.

HTH. Yotmon.

[Laripu]

Hi Laripou, what type of casings do you use. I use dry salted hog skins and after soaking them suffiently in tepid water they feel quite slippery and soft. They should thread onto the tube with ease as long as they are wider in circumference that is. 35mm is nearly 1.5 inch so using the 1" tube shouldn't pose any problems. Did you try the trick that Wheels mentioned re' adding a pinch of bi-carb of soda to the water, last time I used a plastic tube it worked a lot better.

HTH. Yotmon.

I also use dry salted hog casings. The night before, I rinse them well, inside and out, then I leave them in a little bowl of water overnight in the fridge. Just before stuffing I give them a quick rinse. Mine are also slippery and soft. I also put oil on the tubes.

I didn't try bicarbonate of soda, because I didn't know about it, but I do now, thanks. I'll try that next time. Maybe that will help.

Mine didn't thread onto the tube with ease. They went on slowly and with effort. Do you put them on when the tube is vertical, or when the tube is already on the stuffer, horizontally? (I did the latter.)

[Thewitt]

We never use oil or anything special. Just soak for 30 minutes, rinse and immediately feed onto the tube.

No issues.

[DanMcG]

I'd use a 3/4 inch tube.

[Big Guy]

it should only take a minute or less to slip on 4 feet. Try soaking longer I soak mine overnight in the fridge, no oil just wet the tube first, horizontal and go for a smaller tube.