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7 Best Sausage Stuffers Of 2024

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There are a few reasons why you may be interested in purchasing one of the best sausage makers for your home.

You may enjoy embarking on new culinary adventures and mastering new skills, or you may be more interested in controlling the ingredients in your sausage. 

What are the best sausage stuffers? The best sausage stuffers are typically vertical or horizontal with either a manual crank or an electric motor. They are easy to clean, set up, and use. The best sausage stuffers also come with a variety of accessories to make the sausage-making process easier and faster.  

Have you worn out the sausage stuffer attachment on your kitchen mixer? Or maybe you’ve learned what goes into some sausages and want to control your own sausage destiny?

Whatever the reason for your interest in purchasing a sausage stuffer, there is a lot to consider.

Read on to learn about the qualities of the best sausage stuffers, some other considerations to review before your purchase, and lastly, to get a glimpse of some of the best sausage stuffers on the market.

Different Types of Sausage Makers

There are three different types of sausage makers: manual sausage stuffers (also known as horn stuffers), vertical sausage stuffers, and horizontal sausage stuffers.

All manual sausage stuffers are obviously operated by hand, but most vertical sausage stuffers are also hand operated. 

Some vertical sausage stuffers are available with an electric motor, while most horizontal sausage stuffers are electric.

There are some horizontal sausage stuffers that are manual, but they are uncommon and usually require a lot of effort to operate. 

If you’re at the point where you’re considering purchasing a sausage stuffer, it is likely you have already determined that a manual, or horn, sausage stuffer does not suit your needs. 

Unless you only plan to make a small amount of sausage once or twice a year, then it is not recommended to purchase a manual sausage stuffer.

Regardless, we’ve still added some information about them and included one of the better options in that category on our list.

1. Manual Sausage Stuffers

Manual sausage stuffers, which are often referred to as horn sausage stuffers due to their unique shape, are the lowest cost and easiest to maintain type of sausage stuffer. 

Unlike vertical sausage stuffers, which also tend to be manually operated, horn stuffers typically use a plunger to force the ground meat and spices into the casing. 

Although that ease of maintenance can be negated if you purchase a manual sausage stuffer that is difficult to clean. If you are only going to make sausage a couple times a year, then you will want to be sure to properly clean your sausage stuffer.

While the cheapest and often easiest to maintain option, manual sausage stuffers require the most effort to operate and also take the most time. They are really only recommended if you do not plan to make sausage often and only make small amounts.

Horn sausage stuffers are usually made from plastic, stainless steel, or cast iron that has been coated with a corrosion-proof metal like tin or chrome. They can usually produce between 3-5 pounds of sausage at a time. 

2. Vertical Sausage Stuffers 

Vertical sausage stuffers, while also usually manually operated, utilize a hand crank instead of a plunger to force the ground meat into the casing.

The crank is much more efficient to use and requires less energy than the plunger but still tends to be slower than an electric sausage stuffer. 

Vertical sausage stuffers are often the preferred option when there is a need to produce large batches of sausage frequently. The hand crank makes pushing the meat into the casing easier and most vertical sausage stuffers have larger canisters. 

There will be more details on this later, but the larger the canister, the larger the capacity for holding ground meat to be stuffed. 

Vertical sausage stuffers are very common and the most popular option. They are sometimes made with an electric motor. They are considered vertical because of how the stuffing canister, or cylinder, is oriented. 

A vertical sausage stuffer’s canister has been oriented top-down. Ground meat and spices are inserted from the top and the sausage emerges into the casing from the bottom of the tube, exiting from a horizontal nozzle, or shoot. 

3. Horizontal Sausage Stuffers

The majority of the horizontal sausage stuffers on the market are electric. They also tend to be the most common units that also have the ability to grind meat as well.

Most sausage stuffers, vertical or horizontal, will be purely devoted to sausage stuffing. Some will also have a grinder. 

There are some manually operated horizontal sausage stuffers, but as we mentioned, these tend to be difficult to operate.

Not in that they are not user-friendly, but that they take a lot of effort and the process can be time-consuming and exhausting. 

Horizontal sausage stuffers have a canister, or cylinder, that is oriented sideways. Ground meat is introduced on one end and emerges from the other end. 

The Characteristics of the Best Sausage Stuffers 

We will discuss more about deciding between manual/horn sausage stuffers, horizontal sausage stuffers, and vertical sausage stuffers as well as deciding between electric or hand crank operated units in a moment. 

First, we want to discuss some of the general characteristics thst separate the best sausage stuffers from the rest of the pack. 

1. Durable and Easy to Use 

Regardless of the type of sausage stuffer you purchase, or how it is powered, you will want to make sure that it is durable and simple to operate. 

Durability can be viewed from two different perspectives. If you plan on using your sausage stuffer only a few times a year, then you want to make sure it is designed to be stored easily without rusting or corroding

On the other hand, if you plan to make sausage frequently and in large quantities, you will want to make sure you purchase a sausage stuffer made out of a material that can handle the frequent abuse. Stainless steel will usually be the best option.

No matter the frequency you plan to use your sausage stuffer, you don’t want to spend a lot of time setting it up and securing it into place. The components should be easy to assemble and dissemble.

The ability to easily put together and break down your sausage stuffer is also important with regards to cleaning and maintaining it. 

2. Easy to Clean and Maintain 

This should go without saying, but raw ground meat is one of the worst offenders when it comes to the potential for foodborne illness. Just a few pieces of leftover meat can spoil and wreak havoc on your stomach. 

The days where people more commonly died from the symptoms of food poisoning are long gone, but the symptoms are no less uncomfortable.

Not only is this a concern, but parasites, botulism, and salmonella are also chief concerns when handling raw meat. The easier it is to clean and maintain your sausage stuffer, the better. 

This usually implies easy-to-remove components, the absence of hard-to-reach places, non-porous materials, and when possible, the ability to use the dishwasher to clean some or all of the components.

This is even more important if your sausage stuffer has a grinder function. 

Depending on the material your sausage stuffer is made out of, and assuming it has components that are not dishwasher-friendly, it is advised to leave the pieces that come into contact with raw meat in sanitizer or disinfectant solutions.

The extra effort to avoid illness is always worth it, even if you’re just cooking for yourself or your friends and family. 

3. Additional Features and Accessories

Depending on the type of sausage stuffer you purchased, nearly all of them will have a canister/cylinder, a dispensing tube/shoot, and either a crank or plunger.

But some of the best sausage stuffers have additional components or features that are worth looking for. 

These additional features and accessories include: an air release valve, a meat grinder, clamps, a variety of nozzle sizes, and various speed settings. 

Air release valves are especially important when it comes to manual stuffers (either the horn variety or other). Air tends to build up in the canister as meat is pushed through.

This air can make the process harder but can also impact the quality of your product. An air release valve solves this issue. 

A grinder component is also ideal because if you’re making your own sausage, it is only reasonable you may want to grind your own meat.

Many sausage stuffers are designed to be clamped or mounted to the table/counter.

The quality of the clamp increases the security of the sausage stuffer when you are working. This makes the task easier and reduces the chances of an accident. 

The last two notable features worth having in your sausage stuffer have to do with options. Having different nozzles allows you to create different thicknesses.

The ability to change speed can be valuable when you are still learning the process or working with delicate casings. 

Other Things to Consider

These considerations have less to do with the qualities of the best sausage stuffers and more to do with personal preference.

The option you elect among these considerations will relate to the amount of sausage you plan to make, the frequency you will produce, and you budget. 

These are the decisions that will likely determine whether you will want a manual horn sausage stuffer, and vertical sausage stuffer, or a horizontal sausage stuffer.

This decision will also dictate whether you go manual or electric. Most homes do not need to own an electric unit. 

1. Size and Capacity 

Sausage stuffers come in a variety of sizes or capacities. The different sizes are distinguished by the amount of ground meat a sausage stuffer can hold in its canister. From residential size sausage stuffers, the range is from 1-20 lbs. 

If you are planning on making bulk amounts of sausage, and of the same variety, then you may want to lean towards the higher end.

If you want to make a lot of sausage but anticipate wanting to create different varieties, we recommend sticking in the 5-10 lbs range. 

Larger sausage stuffers will cost more, but the increased cost can translate to value in time saved not having to stop to reload the canister. Horizontal sausage stuffers and Vertical sausage stuffers tend to have the largest capacity. 

2. Speed and Frequency of Production

The amount of sausage you want to produce as well as the frequency you wish to produce sausage will also impact which sausage stuffer is best for you.

Anything past the occasional small batch of sausage will warrant going horizontal or vertical. 

You will probably only want to go horizontal if you want to spend the extra money for an electric model, which will be faster and could come with a grinder.

Although, there is a manual horizontal model that made our list and has received praise for its quality and ease of use.

The 7 Best Sausage Stuffers of 2021

Now that we have detailed the different types of sausage stuffers as well as highlighted the ideal features and characteristics of the best sausage stuffers, we have gone a step further and compiled a list of the some of the best sausage stuffers on the market.  

RankProductKey Features
1.Hakka Brothers Large Sausage Stuffer11 lbs capacity, hand crank, 4 nozzles
2.Hakka Brothers Small Sausage MakerCompact model, hand crank, 4 nozzles
3.Master Feng Vertical Sausage MakerSmall clamp model, 4 nozzles, 2.5 lbs capacity
4.Master Feng Horizontal Sausage StufferSuction cup mount, 4 nozzles
5.AIEVE Manual Sausage StufferHandheld model, 2 nozzles, compact
6.Happybuy Manual Sausage Stuffer5 nozzles, 7 lbs capacity
7.XtremepowerUS Vertical Sausage Stuffer20 lbs capacity, 4 nozzles

1. Hakka Brothers Vertical Sausage Stuffer – Large

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There are two Hakka Brothers sausage stuffers that made this list.

This option is larger, with a capacity of 11 lbs, and is made from stainless steel. It is a vertical model operated by a hand crank. 

This model also features 4 nozzles with different diameters, can be used at 2 speeds, and all of its components are rated as food-grade.

Another notable pro of Hakka Brothers sausage stuffers is the use of stainless steel in the crank. 

Many other models use plastic that can break or other metals that can rust. All of the components of this model that come into contact with the raw meat are made from stainless steel. 

2. Hakka Brothers Vertical Sausage Maker – Small

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This Hakka Brothers sausage stuffer features the same accessories and quality components as its larger sibling listed above.

The only difference is this model is slightly smaller.

This size model is most likely the best option for you if you plan on making sausage frequently but do not plan on making large batches. 

3. Master Feng Vertical Sausage Maker

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Unlike the two previously discussed vertical sausage makers, the Master Feng model is slightly smaller and is mounted via a clamp.

The last two options just sit on the table. The benefit of the clamp is its mobility and that it can be stored when not in use. 

The Master Feng model is also made from stainless steel, comes with 4 size nozzles, and has an air release valve made from silicon.

Easy to dissemble and clean, this model has a capacity of 2.5 pounds, ideal for small batches of homemade sausage. 

4. Master Feng Horizontal Sausage Stuffer

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Featuring most of the attributes of the first Master Feng model mentioned on this list, this model has a slightly smaller capacity.

It is also a horizontal sausage stuffer that has a suction cup mount. This is ideal for infrequent use but can become a nuisance on certain surfaces. 

Also differentiating this model from the Master Feng vertical model is that this model is made from aluminum and its four nozzles are made from plastic.

This makes the model and its components lighter but does reduce their durability. If you plan on making sausage a few times a year but still want the hand crank, this is the model for you.

Assembling this model is slightly more involved than other models, so it is ideal for less frequent use. All of its components are food-grade and designed to be easy to clean. 

5. AIEVE Manual Sausage Stuffer

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This manual sausage stuffer is technically not a horn stuffer, as its shape more resembles a handheld syringe.

This model is great for the once-a-year sausage maker. 

All of the parts of this sausage stuffer that come into contact with food are food-grade and easy to clean.

It only comes with two different size nozzles and has a very limited capacity. 

Using it is more work than any of the other options, but this sausage stuffer is a great way to add to your kitchen’s gadget collection without taking up so much space in your kitchen

6. Happybuy Manual Sausage Stuffer

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The Happybuy vertical sausage stuffer is made entirely from stainless steel, has 2 different speeds, and comes with 5 different nozzle options.

It sits on the countertop and has a wide base, making it very steady. 

It can handle up to 7 lbs of ground meat and features an ergonomic handle designed to reduce strain when being used.

The downside is that dismantling it and cleaning it is more involved when compared to the Hakka Brothers option of equivalent capacity. 

7. XtremepowerUS Vertical Sausage Stuffer

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 The XtremepowerUS sausage stuffer has the largest capacity of the options on this list. Its cylinder can hold up to 20 pounds of product.

It is a vertical model with a hand crank and stainless-steel and rust-proof iron components. It comes with 4 nozzles.

This model is heavy and takes up some space.

We would only recommend choosing it if you intend on making large amounts of sausage with enough frequency to warrant giving it permanent space in your kitchen. 

How to Make Homemade Sausage

Now that you know all there is to know about choosing a sausage maker, it’s time to talk a little bit about the sausage itself!

If you’re just getting started making sausage, here is an informative video from chef Eric Finley and Food Farmer Earth explaining how to make sausage at home.

How to Make Homemade Sausage

We hope this article has helped you get one step closer to achieving your dreams of making the perfect sausage links. Let us know how they turned out!

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