Snack stick question

[tswohl6]

looking at some of the questions about stuffing snack sticks got me to thinking. For years I have used my grinder to grind the meat for the process and then mix and stuff right away. The stuffer was hard to turn but not impossible, I purchased a 20 electric LEM stuffer a few years back and it just doesn’t have enough power for the snack sticks. I do have a buffalo chopper and was wondering if I used that instead of just grinding it and adding a bit of water to the mix if it would be easier to stuff. has anyone done this?

[AdamCA]

I would continue to use the grinder and just add a little more water to the mixture and make sure you lube the gasket and you should be good to go. Although you could definitely use the Buffalo chopper and just add ice instead of straight water and that should help.

[Austin]

tswohl6
You shouldn’t have a noticeable difference in stuffing based upon the difference of using a grinder or a bowl chopper.
Your biggest help in making stuffing easier will be using plenty of water. At least 1 quart per 25 lb meat block, but up to 2 quarts is even better. And, your lean to fat ratio will make a difference. Leaner meat will be harder to stuff while a higher fat content will make things easier. Keep the meat as cold as possible too and that will help make things a little easier to stuff as well.

[BevH]

Why not just get stuffing tubes or your grinder - that’s how I do snack sticks. I use the grinder t fill them.

[Austin]

BevH
It is possible to stuff off a grinder, but it isn’t optimal. You get a more consistently stuffed product with a sausage stuffer, it is usually easier, and you get less air pockets, an even fill, and overall better results. Nothing wrong with doing it off a grinder though if that is all you have or just your preference.