Ever find yourself staring at a pack of sausage casings and a set of shiny metal or plastic tubes, feeling a bit like you’re about to perform surgery? You’re not alone. Figuring out What Are Different Size Stuffing Tubes and which one to use can feel like a secret handshake among seasoned butchers. But here’s the good news: it’s way simpler than it looks. Getting it right is the difference between perfectly plump bratwursts and, well, a kitchen counter catastrophe. The right tube ensures a smooth, even fill without bursting your casings or creating dreaded air pockets.
Why the Size of Your Stuffing Tube is a Game-Changer
So, you’ve ground your meat, perfected your spice blend, and you’re ready to create some homemade sausage magic. This is where your stuffing tubes, also known as stuffing horns or funnels, step into the spotlight. Think of them as the nozzle on a piping bag. A tiny nozzle for delicate icing, a large one for mashed potatoes. Same principle applies here. Using a tube that’s too large for your casing will, at best, be impossible to fit, and at worst, tear it instantly. A tube that’s too small will make the casing bunch up and can lead to an uneven, lumpy sausage that’s full of air pockets. Not exactly the goal, right?
The size of the stuffing tube directly dictates what kind of sausage you can make. It’s the crucial link between your meat grinder or stuffer and the final product.
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Our Picks for the Best Meat Grinder in 2025
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| Num | Product | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MEAT! 1.5 HP Meat Grinder with 3 Stuffing Tubes, 2 Stainless Steel Grinding Plates, and a Stainless Steel Stuffing Plate for Making Ground Meat |
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| 2 | Commercial Meat Grinder #12,0.9HP Electric Meat Mincer,Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Industrial Meat Mincer w/2 Blades & Meat Pusher,Food Grinders Machine for Home Kitchen Regular Use |
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| 3 | Electric Meat Grinder, Sausage Stuffer with 3 Sausage Tubes, 2 Blades, 3 Plates, 3200W Max, Meat Grinder Heavy Duty for Home Kitchen Use, Stainless Steel (Black) |
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| 4 | Weston Pro Series Electric Meat Grinder 7 Sausage Stuffer, Commercial Grade, 1500 Watts, 2 HP, 21lbs. Per Minute, Heavy Duty Stainless Steel (10-3201-W) |
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| 5 | VEVOR Commercial Meat Grinder, 550LB/h 1100W Electric Meat Mincer, ETL Approved Heavy Duty Industrial Meat Mincer Machine |
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| 6 | LEM Products BigBite #8 Meat Grinder, 0.50 HP Stainless Steel Electric Meat Grinder Machine, Ideal for Regular Use |
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| 7 | LEM Products BigBite #22 Meat Grinder, 1.0 HP Stainless Steel Electric Meat Grinder Machine, Ideal for Heavy Use |
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| 8 | STX International Turboforce II 4000 Electric Meat Grinder | Grinds Soft Bones | Foot Pedal | 6 Grinding Plates | Stainless Steel Blades | Sausage Tubes | Kubbe Maker | Meat Claws | Patty Press & More |
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| 9 | AAOBOSI Meat Grinder Electric 3000W Max with Touch Color Screen, Auto-Reverse & Built-in Storage - 3 Speed Settings,Grinding, Sausage & Kibbe Making for Home Use, Stainless Steel |
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| 10 | MEAT! 1.5 HP Meat Grinder with 3 Stuffing Tubes, 2 Stainless Steel Grinding Plates, and a Stainless Steel Stuffing Plate for Making Ground Meat |
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Cracking the Code: A Breakdown of Common Stuffing Tube Sizes
Let’s get down to brass tacks. Stuffing tubes are typically measured by the diameter of the exit opening, usually in millimeters (mm) or inches (“). While sizes can vary slightly by brand, they generally fall into a few standard categories. I remember my first attempt at making snack sticks—I used a standard bratwurst tube and ended up with casings that looked comically loose and sad. Lesson learned.
To save you from my early mistakes, here’s a handy guide to the most common sizes and their ideal uses.
Small Stuffing Tubes (10mm – 13mm / approx. 3/8″ – 1/2″)
These are the specialists for your most delicate work. If you’re dreaming of crafting your own cured meat sticks or slender breakfast links, this is your go-to size.
- Best For: Snack sticks, pepperoni, slim breakfast sausages, merguez.
- Casing Fit: Works best with small, delicate casings, like narrow collagen or sheep casings (typically 19-22mm).
- Pro Tip: Go slow when stuffing with these smaller tubes. The increased pressure can easily cause a blowout if you’re too aggressive.
Medium Stuffing Tubes (19mm – 22mm / approx. 3/4″ – 7/8″)
This is the workhorse of the sausage-making world. If you buy a meat grinder, it will almost certainly come with a tube in this size range. It’s versatile, reliable, and perfect for the most popular types of homemade sausages.
- Best For: Bratwurst, Italian sausage, knockwurst, bockwurst.
- Casing Fit: Perfectly suited for standard hog casings (typically 32-35mm). This is the classic combination for a backyard BBQ.
- My Experience: This is the tube I use 90% of the time. It’s forgiving for beginners and consistent for pros. It’s the perfect middle ground for a firm, satisfying sausage link.
Large Stuffing Tubes (30mm – 38mm / approx. 1.25″ – 1.5″)
When you’re ready to go big, you need a large tube. These are for hefty, thick sausages that are often sliced and served, rather than eaten as a single link.
- Best For: Summer sausage, salami, bologna, kielbasa, mortadella.
- Casing Fit: Designed for wide beef casings or fibrous, non-edible casings (often over 40mm).
- Heads Up: Stuffing these large-diameter sausages requires a steady hand to avoid air pockets, which can ruin cured products.
Here’s a quick comparison table to make it even clearer:
| Tube Size (Diameter) | Common Sausage Types | Recommended Casing Type |
|---|---|---|
| Small (10-13mm) | Snack Sticks, Pepperoni | Sheep, Slim Collagen |
| Medium (19-22mm) | Bratwurst, Italian Sausage | Standard Hog Casings |
| Large (30-38mm+) | Summer Sausage, Salami | Beef Rounds, Fibrous Casings |
How to Choose the Right Stuffing Tube for Your Project
Choosing the right tube isn’t just about the sausage, it’s about the casing. The golden rule is simple: the stuffing tube must fit comfortably inside your chosen casing. It should be large enough to let the casing slide on smoothly but small enough that there’s not a huge gap.
Here’s a simple checklist to run through:
- Identify Your Sausage: What are you making? A delicate breakfast link or a robust kielbasa? This determines your casing.
- Select Your Casing: Are you using natural hog casings or narrow collagen casings? The casing’s diameter is your primary guide.
- Match the Tube to the Casing: Pick a stuffing tube that is significantly smaller than the casing’s diameter. For example, for a 32mm hog casing, a 19mm tube is a perfect fit.
- Check Your Grinder Compatibility: Ensure the tube you choose is compatible with your meat grinder’s size (e.g., #8, #12, #22, #32). The base of the tube needs to fit securely onto your machine. Most tubes are designed to be universal for a specific grinder size plate.
As our friend, charcuterie expert Chef David Wilson, always says, “Don’t fight the casing. If you have to force it onto the tube, it’s the wrong size. Sausage making should be a smooth, satisfying process, not a wrestling match.”
Does the Material of the Stuffing Tube Matter?
You bet it does. You’ll typically find stuffing tubes made from two materials: food-grade plastic or stainless steel.
- Plastic Tubes: These are often included with budget-friendly meat grinders. They get the job done, but they can be more prone to breaking over time and can sometimes absorb flavors and odors. They are, however, lightweight and inexpensive.
- Stainless Steel Tubes: This is the professional standard. They are incredibly durable, won’t chip or crack, and are much easier to clean and sanitize. They don’t hold onto flavors, so your breakfast sausage won’t taste faintly of last month’s spicy Italian. If you plan on making sausage more than once a year, investing in a set of stainless steel tubes is one of the best upgrades you can make.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We get a lot of questions about the finer points of sausage stuffing. Here are some of the most common ones.
What is the best all-around sausage stuffing tube size to start with?
The best all-around size for a beginner is a medium tube, typically around 19mm or 3/4″. This size is perfect for making classic bratwurst and Italian sausage using standard hog casings, which are the most common and forgiving projects for newcomers.
Why is my sausage casing bursting when I stuff it?
This is usually caused by one of three things: overstuffing, air pockets, or using a stuffing tube that’s too large for the casing. To fix this, maintain a consistent, firm pressure (but don’t overfill!), and use your free hand to gently guide the sausage off the tube to control its fullness.
Can I use a stuffing tube from a different brand on my meat grinder?
Maybe. Compatibility depends on the grinder’s hub or plate size (e.g., #8, #12). Most attachments are standardized to fit a certain size, so a #12 tube should fit any #12 grinder. However, it’s always best to check the manufacturer’s specifications to be sure.
How do I clean my sausage stuffing tubes properly?
Clean them immediately after use. Use hot, soapy water and a long, thin bottle brush to scrub the inside thoroughly. For stainless steel tubes, you can often run them through the dishwasher for easy sanitizing. Always ensure they are completely dry before storing to prevent rust or mildew.
What’s the difference between a stuffing tube and a stuffing horn?
There is no difference! The terms “stuffing tube,” “stuffing horn,” and “stuffing funnel” are used interchangeably to describe the same attachment that guides ground meat into the sausage casing.
Your Sausage Journey Starts with the Right Tube
Mastering what are different size stuffing tubes are used for is a fundamental step toward becoming a true home charcuterie pro. It’s a small piece of equipment that has a massive impact on the quality and appearance of your final product. By matching the right tube to the right casing, you set yourself up for a smooth, enjoyable process and delicious, professional-looking results. So go ahead, choose your tube with confidence and start your next sausage-making adventure. What will you be stuffing first?