Sausage making equipment advise

[smoker pete]

Like GusRobin I also want to join the ranks of sausage makers.  After reading countless posts on the art to sausage making I have come to the conclusion that one should be cautious and not skimp on the equipment (within reason).  Here is the basic equipment that I am thinking of starting with:

•   "Great Sausage Recipes and Meat Curing" by Rytek Kutas - 4th Edition ($29.99)
•   Gander Mountain™ #12 Professional Electric Meat Grinder (Reg $179.99 Sale $129.99)
•   LEM 5lb Stainless Steel Vertical Sausage Stuffer ($139.99)

Recipes, seasoning kits, casings, etc to follow once I have digested some info from Kutas and Forum members.

*note*  The LEM Vertical sausage stuffer gets mounted on a table or counter top.  I would not want to clamp it to my granite counter top or my glass top kitchen table.  What other ways could I mount the stuffer?  Does it really need to be clamped to something?

[Quarlow]

Sounds like good choices so far pete. You can get one of the white plastic cutting boards and attach the stuffer to it with flathead bolts coming up from the bottom. With countersunk holes you won't scratch your counter. You can then set it on a damp tea towel so it doesn't slide around or get a piece of that noslip mat. The stuff works great, I use it under my work pieces when I am routering woodwork. I have also got a chunk for the kitchen to. It keeps my bowls from slipping all over.

[smoker pete]

Thanks on the advice on the white cutting board and damp tea towel Quarlow.

[Caribou]

Hi Pete,
Cabelas has the Rytek book for 19.99 right now but I'm not certain on which edition.
I have a 5# LEM stuffer and just love it. :)
I do not attach my stuffer to my granite counter tops either.
I have a large Boos-type butcher block that I attach it to with C-clamps from my hubby's tools.
The butcher block is heavy enough to counter weight the stuffer (and 5# of meat) while the stuffer sits off the edge of the counter.
Hope that makes sense. :)
Carolyn

[NePaSmoKer]

I have my 5 pounder mounted on an ash board with cleats under it. No moving at all and dont have to clamp.

[smoker pete]

Thanks Carolyn and NePaSmoker.  You've helped answer my question on the mounting of the stuffer.  I believe I can easily adapt one of your suggestions.

[goblism]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product2_36989_36989

Its cheaper at northern tool to get the grinder, if you have a local one, otherwise order online and shipping is only $14.

I am pretty sure that is the same model as the gander mountain, the northern tool is just the newer version (see northern tool's comment of "This model now comes with round buttons.")

[NePaSmoKer]

The LEM 5 pounder has metal crank gear and rod gear.

[Habanero Smoker]

Here is a link to sausage ingredients. It is not public on the recipe site, due to the links within the page do not work, but you can get to it by clicking on the below link:

NOTE: Once you get to the page, you will need to scroll up and down to read the list. If you click on one of the links on that page it will bring you to the home page.
Sausage Ingredients

One item that is not on the that list is Penzey's Bratwurst sausage seasoning. It's great I use it every time I make brats. If you want to use this seasoning for smoked sausage you will need to add cure #1.

[classicrockgriller]

I have bought from these people on several occasions and they are super.

http://www.meatprocessingproducts.com/index.html

If you decide to use them .... used code MPP2010 and get $10 off order over $70.

http://www.meatprocessingproducts.com/cupr.html

[smoker pete]

•   "Great Sausage Recipes and Meat Curing" by Rytek Kutas - 4th Edition ($29.99)
•   Gander Mountain™ #12 Professional Electric Meat Grinder (Reg $179.99 Sale $129.99)
•   LEM 5lb Stainless Steel Vertical Sausage Stuffer ($139.99)

After 38 years of marriage DW never ceases to amaze me!! ;D  Gave her the above wish list ... Maybe Olde Saint Nick would find it in his bag and deliver me some new toys tools.  This morning DW gives me the list back and said that Olde Nick himself has decided to get an early start and everything will be delivered within the next 5 to 8 working days  :o :o

DW even did one better.  Found a code for Gander Mountain for $20 and bought the $180 grinder (on sale for $130) for $109.  That included the shipping.  Then she visited meatprocessingproducts.com and found the LEM stuffer $10 less than the LEM price on their web site.  Using the code CRG told me about she purchased the stuffer for a grand total of $131 which also includes the shipping.  The Rytek Kutas book she bought at amazon.

Life is good.  I must be living right.  As I type I have some chicken drumsticks smoking in the OBS and some pinto beans simmering on the stove.