"I'm a meatcutter at a local food co-op. We're a full service meat counter, and among the things we do, we make our own assorted varieties of sausage. The unit we use at the co-op has a 25 lb capacity, and a tank I can stick my head in.
So when I opened the box and pulled this 5 lb model out, well, that's what I squealed. Because after working with something that large, this thing is almost like the Barbie Dream Kitchen model, it's so petite.
But don't mistake it for a toy. It really does work.
Positives:
* Only needs one c-clamp to fasten it to the work table (the one at work needs two large cabinetry clamps.)
* Has pre-drilled holes in the base for that dream kitchen of mine, where the butcher block will have four holes with threaded inserts for rapid mounting.
* Mostly disassembles very easily for cleaning.
* Works exactly like the large pro model I use at work.
Negatives:
* The threads on the output hole were not deburred. I caught this before I sliced myself cleaning it. Watch for this.
* The air release valve, while is insanely simple and WAY less fussy or breakable than the one on the pro model, is a crown nut screwed way too tightly onto the screw threads to be loosened while wet and greasy. When you get this, before you use it unscrew the nut, then rescrew it finger-tight only. You will need to remove this to clean inside there - it's just a threaded bolt with a flat disk for a head on the inner side of the plunger. Meat and grease will get in there.
As others note, the gears are nylon. I'm happier with this, food-grade and easy to clean without rust worries - and I'm not the sort of person who regularly strips out the gasket on my oil filter when hand-tightening it. My housemate the blacksmith is, and he is NOT allowed to operate this. :) Simply as you get to the bottom of the tank, turn the handle gently and stop as soon as you feel resistance. Simple as that.
If you have never stuffed sausage before, expect a learning curve. You'll probably over/understuff your first 2 to 5 lbs before you get it right. And do NOT neglect clamping this to your work surface before you start.
All in all, I love this unit. I pumped 8 lb of thick, sticky lamb breakfast sausage into sheep casings in less time than it took me to clean up my work area afterwards. Thank you Northern for a good unit with a great value!"
What is your level of technical expertise? Professional