Buying a dedicated sausage stuffer is usually the final step on your journey to becoming a sausage-obsessed maniac.

By this point, you’ve probably become frustrated with using the attachment that came with your meat grinder.

For a budget-friendly stuffer for making small batches, we recommend the MEAT! Your Maker 5lb Sausage Stuffer. It’s a manual stuffer but has plenty of features that make it easy to use. If you want to make a lot of sausage, you’ll want to go for a motorized option like the LEM 20 Pound Motorized Sausage Stuffer.

Keep reading, and we’ll take you through all of the best sausage stuffers for making your own sausage.

The 5 Best sausage stuffers I’ve tested

1. Best Overall – MEAT! Your Maker 5lb Sausage Stuffer

Meat! Your Maker vertical sausage stuffers are great competitors in the market space.

You can choose from either 5 lb and 15 lb varieties, depending on your sausage-making requirements.

I’ve tested both models. The 5lb is good value for money compared to other stuffers on the market. If you want to make a lot of sausage and don’t want to reload, then it would be worth upgrading to the 15 lb model.

All the removable parts are made of stainless steel and feel high quality. Assembly and cleaning were a breeze.

There are three different-sized stuffing tubes included, for making a variety of different types of sausage.

I found the air release valve super handy to clear the cylinder of air so it doesn’t get trapped in the casings.

While the unit moved around a little while I used it, it has mounting holes so you can secure it to a surface.

Or just get someone to hold it while you are cranking.

Meat! (or Meat! Your Maker) is a new brand, making a big impact in the home meat processing space with a range of meat grinders, food slicers, and dehydrators.

What I like:

• Removable Cylinder – The 5lb capacity cylinder slides easily in and out of place, making it easy to load with meat as well as clean at the sink. You don’t have to maneuver awkwardly around the rest of the machine to load up the stuffer.

• Air Release Valve – The air release valve allows air trapped in the hopper to easily escape, giving you a vacuum-type seal in the cylinder. This assures no air gets into the sausages as you stuff the casings.

• Smooth crank – The gears fit extremely well together and allow for smooth and easy cranking of the handle. Other stuffers have play in the handle or have some catch in the crank mechanism, but the Meat! stuffer is fluid when it comes to cranking the handle.

What we don’t like:

• Wiggle room – The stuffer has great construction and durability, but has a tendency to slide around when cranking the meat. I highly recommend mounting this unit if you’re able or having another set of hands to hold it steady while you’re stuffing the casings. 

The Meat! 5lb vertical stuffer is a quality and effective manual stuffer that’s ideal for casual-to-frequent stuffing needs.

2. Best Electric Sausage Stuffer – LEM 20 Pound Motorized Sausage Stuffer

Stepping up to a 20-pound, motorized sausage stuffer puts you into the enthusiast territory.

If you need to process a lot of sausage, you’ll appreciate the one-person operation, power, and precision of the LEM motorized stuffer. You can select eight different speeds depending on how fast you want to go.

There’s a foot switch included to free up your hands. Once you’ve tried making sausage with a foot pedal you’ll never want to go back to manual.

Also included are four stuffing tubes, measuring 1/2″, 5/8″, 1″ and 1-1/4″.

What I like:

• Solo opperation – You’ll be able to finish making sausages in a fraction of the time with the foot switch compared to a manual stuffer.
• Automatic shutoff – No need to manually switch off when you bottom out
• Easy clean up – Removable stainless steel cyclindar makes clean up quick and efficient

What we don’t like:

• Heavy to move – Unit wweighs 37.5 pounds which helps it stay fixed but also makes it heavy to move around the kitchen.

This stuffer comes in a range of configurations and only two of them are motorized (20 and 30lb models) so be sure you select the right when to go to purchase.

3. Runner Up – [TAG41]

Stepping up a little in both size and price we have the Hakka Brothers vertical sausage stuffer.

We looked at the vertical option, but Hakka have a large range of options. You can choose from vertical and horizontal options and capacities ranging from 7lb – 30lb for vertical and 7lb – 15lb for horizontal.

Build quality and features don’t change, so consider how much meat you want to process. The larger the volume the more sausages you can make in a single batch without having to refill.

One thing to note, in real-world use you won’t be able to fit the exact size of meat in. On the 11lb stuffer, you might find around 9lbs.

The base, plate, cylinder, stuffing tubes, and canister are all stainless steel and all parts that contact food directly reach SGS food hygiene standard.

The handle is well-sized, and you can switch between two different speeds depending on the position of the handle.

The base is also solid and stable. This unit won’t move around on the bench while you are stuffing.

What We Like:

• Stainless steel & chrome construction – Each of the parts of the Hakka Stuffer, from the smallest gears to the stainless steel frame, are built to last.
• Ergonomic Handle – The chrome-plated polypropylene handle has been ergonomically designed to make it easier to grip and turn. This is great if you make a lot of sausage at once. It can be fitted tightly to each of the two-speed gears and is stable regardless of which one you choose.
• Convenient Cylinder – The cylinder of the Hakka Stuffer tilts back to make it easier to fill. This is particularly nice considering how tall the stuffer is when placed on a counter.
• Air Release Valve – The metal piston air release valve helps air escape out of the top of the cylinder. This lessens the likelihood of your sausage links acquiring big air bubbles you have to pop as you work.

What We Don’t Like:

• Meat Catches at Elbow – There’s an unfortunate tendency for the casing to bunch up at the elbow of the tube. This can create kinks in your links or ruin the consistency of the chain. It’s a good idea to go slowly at first until you get a better idea of how fast you can go for consistent results.

The Hakka Sausage Stuffer is a reliable and efficient manual stuffer that’s ideal for daily or weekly sausage-stuffing needs.

4. For KitchenAid – [TAG45]

Lots of serious sausage makers start out with the KitchenAid meat grinder attachment + sausage kit before graduating to a dedicated grinder like the Hakka or LEM.

I wouldn’t recommend going down the KitchenAid path if you plan on making hundreds of pounds of sausage a year.

On the other hand, if you just want to dabble in making your own sausage and already have a KitchenAid stand mixer, the grinder + stuffer kit is a great option.

If you buy the metal food grinder attachment, that already includes two sausage stuffing tubes, if you opt for the cheaper plastic version, you’ll need to buy these tubes separately.

We have a more detailed KitchenAid Meat Grinder review you can check out.

In this video, you can see the entire sausage making process with the KitchenAid attachments.

This kit consists of two different stuffing tubes that measure in at 3/8 of an inch and 5/8 of an inch, respectively.

The tubes are accompanied by a plastic attachment ring to secure the tubes to the KitchenAid grinder firmly.

Each of the tubes is made of a durable plastic that is dishwasher safe to allow for easier cleaning.

The purchase also is covered with a one-year limited warranty.

What We Like

• Low Cost – If you already own a KitchenAid this is a low-cost way to start stuffing your own sausage.
• Easy Switching – Switching between the tubes is really easy thanks to the attachment ring. Unscrewing it takes only a few seconds and yet it maintains a tight seal to prevent sausage or air from leaking where they aren’t supposed to.

What We Don’t Like:

• Low Capacity – These tubes rely on the already-low capacity of a KitchenAid unit.
• Can Block Easily – Depending on the exact type of meat you’re using, these stuffer tubes are vulnerable to getting blocked.

Considering the low price, this is a great option if you are only going to make sausage occasionally or in small batches and already have a KitchenAid grinder.

Get the latest price on Amazon.

5. [TAG50]

This is the more budget, manual version of the electric stuffer we’ve already reviewed.

It comes in several sizes and is available in both vertical and horizontal varieties.

The LEM Vertical Manual Stuffer has a cylinder that is easily removable for both filling and cleaning. You won’t have to awkwardly maneuver the stuffer around when beginning your work.

It’s got two clamps to secure the unit to your countertop and three different plastic stuffing tubes for different sizes of links.

A 2-year warranty is included that covers parts and labor. All of these aspects combine to make this stuffer well worth its asking price.

What We Like:

• Cylinder – Being able to remove the cylinder makes it a lot easier to load your casing inside than with other vertical stuffers. Rather than having to lift a casing or meat above the cylinder (which can be tricky if you’re a little short), you can simply lift the cylinder out and load stuff in at a more convenient height or location.
• Carbon steel gears – The gears are made of carbon steel, ensuring their durability and reliability. When turning the handle, you can feel how solid and smooth the filling process is. The gears don’t cause jams or slips often.
• Air release valve – Like our top overall pick, the LEM Stuffer has a piston with a built-in release valve to let air escape out of the top of the unit. This makes your sausage that much more even and you won’t have to poke as many holes in the casing to eliminate air bubbles. However, this piston is made of hard plastic instead of steel, so it’s a little less durable than the one on the Hakka.

What We Don’t Like:

• Clamps are small – The included clamps are a nice touch, but they are so thin that they will only be usable with thinner countertops. This automatically excludes a lot of typical home kitchen counters.
• The handle is loose – The gears are well constructed for consistent turning without slipping. But the attachment for the handle is too loose. It’s easy to make the handle unscrew or slip off even if you’re going slow and taking your time.

Get the latest price on Amazon.

Get the [TAG54] on Amazon.

Do you need a sausage stuffer?

If you already own meat grinder, it could already include some sausage stuffing capability.

So why spend the money on a dedicated sausage stuffer?

Meat grinders are primarily designed to grind meat (duh!) and are not shaped and specialized for loading ground meat into a sausage casing the way a stuffer is.

A dedicated sausage stuffer has advantages like:

• It’s easier to control a sausage casing with a stuffer
• You can stuff more sausage, and faster, with a stuffer
• Stuffers are ideal for larger batches of sausage

If you plan on eating sausage frequently, you’ll get a lot more mileage out of a sausage stuffer than you would a meat grinder.

On the other hand, if you’ll only enjoy sausage once in a while it may not be economically worthwhile to purchase the extra machine.

It all depends on your needs.

What to consider when buying a sausage stuffer

These are the most important factors to keep in mind when choosing your ideal sausage stuffer.

Type of sausage stuffer

There are three types of sausage stuffer you might find.

• Horn sausage stuffers – These are always manual and are typically made of cast iron and are sometimes plated with tin or chrome to prevent them from corroding over time. Horn stuffers can usually carry between 3 to 5 pounds of sausage in a batch.
• Horizontal sausage stuffers come in both manual and motorized variants. They usually have a much larger cylinder that can carry between 5 to 20 pounds of meat in a batch. As the cylinder is oriented sideways, sausage emerges from one side of the cylinder and is put through the other.
• Vertical sausage stuffers are the most common and popular type available. They can be purchased in motorized or manual varieties. The stuffing cylinder is oriented top-down, with sausage emerging from the bottom of the tub out of a horizontal shoot.

Size

Most of the sausage stuffers in this guide come in multiple sizes.

You want one that is big enough so you’re not constantly reloading, but it also needs to fit in your kitchen, and you should be comfortable moving it around. Not many peole want to leave the sauage stuffer out on the kitchen all the time.

Most home use sausage stuffers start at around 3 pounds and will go all the way up to 30, or even larger.

We find that somewhere between 5-10 is perfect for most people, while hunters or people who process a serious amount of meat will want to step up to a 20lb+ stuffer.

You’ll also pay extra for larger sizes.

Motorized vs. Manual

You can find sausage stuffers in either motorized or manual variants.

Motorized or electric sausage stuffers are more expensive than manual sausage stuffers.

But they have an advantage in that they are usually quicker at stuffing sausage tubes. They are also much easier to use than manual stuffers, as no muscle power is required on your part.

The best-motorized stuffers come with a foot pedal which frees up your hands.

Manual sausage stuffers come in a wide variety of sizes and builds. You can use these types of stuffers anywhere you like since the presence of an electrical outlet is not necessary.

Manual stuffers tend to be smaller and more compact than electric stuffers. Those are often attached to a larger meat grinder unit.

They also tend to be cheaper than their electric counterparts. The biggest downside is that you won’t have both hands free to focus on making the sausages.

Sausage stuffing is typically a two-person job. One person either turns the hand crank or controls the electric switch. The other moves the sausage casing along and presses out air pockets.

But a foot switch eliminates the need for a second person. A foot switch allows you to turn an electric stuffer on or off so you can use your hands to control the casing of your sausage. Electric stuffers that have foot switches are usually a little more expensive than models that do not. But this can be a handy feature if you don’t always have a helper around when making your own sausage.

Price

Finally, don’t forget the price.

For a well made, dedicated stuffer, you are looking at spending over $100.

That will get you a very high quality unit, that should last you for many years.

We recommend spending a little extra money if possible and getting the best sausage stuffer you can. You’ll be more likely to get a high-quality stuffer if you spend a bit more. You may also save money in the long run since higher-priced stuffers aren’t as likely to break down, requiring you to buy a new model entirely.

How to Use a Sausage Stuffer

The best way to learn how to use a sausage stuffer is to see it in action. You can see the general process in this demonstration (the audio quality isn’t great though).

We’ve also broken the steps down for you below. You can also see some good tips here.

1. Wipe down your sausage stuffer tube with a paper towel, preferably soaked with vegetable oil. This will lubricate the interior of the tube and make maneuvering the sausage casing easier.
2. Place your casing into the stuffer tube. Leave enough room on both ends so you can grab it. Tie off the end of your casing so your ground meat doesn’t spill out of the end as it’s filled. Use butcher twine or a hog ring.
3. Poke some air holes at the end of the casing so that air trapped inside the casing can escape without creating bubbles.
4. You will need either a partner or a foot switch for the next step. After ensuring that your casing is secure inside the stuffer tube, start putting ground meat inside. Use either the hand crank or the on and off switch to manipulate the speed of the stuffing. The other person, or your own hands, need to manipulate the sausage casing and keep it even as it fills with ground meat.
5. When your casing is filled to the length that you desire, turn the stuffer off and pinch the casing at the endpoint near the beginning of the link. You can twist the casing a few times to link it properly.
6. Continue adding more sausage links by filling the casing and twisting as you go to segment the entire chain. With each added link, be sure to twist the casing in the opposite direction as the link proceeding it. This stops all of the links in the chain from unraveling.
7. Don’t forget to clean your sausage stuffer thoroughly and store your meat safely.

You can read our guide on how to make your own sausage.

Start making your own sausage

Any of these choices will be excellent for stuffing sausage, but the MEAT! Your Maker 5lb Sausage Stuffer is the best for most people. It has durable and sanitary parts, and a well-designed cylinder.

Operating and cleaning this sausage stuffer is much easier than relying on a grinder or filling your casings by hand.

Good luck and enjoy your homemade sausage! Check out our guide to smoked sausage and smoked Irish bangers recipe for some sausage making inspiration.