Automatic/Pump Syringe - These types of injectors have a draw tube that will go into a bowl or other container that has the solution already mixed in it. The action of the injector will draw the solution up into a chamber or canister on the injector and then out through the needle and into the meat. These types of injectors can have either artery needles or, more commonly, spray needles that have 4 or more holes where the solution will come out.
Marinade Injector - On these types of injectors, the needle acts as both the draw and injector. When you want to fill the injector’s chamber, you need to pull back on the trigger and draw it into the chamber. To inject, press down on the trigger. The drawback of these styles is that all the holes on the injector needle need to be covered, or you will draw air into the chamber.
First, we are going to go over simply breaking it down and how to put it back together, as you should be breaking it all the way down before your first use to clean off the oils. The first thing you will want to do is to remove the needle to get it out of the way. Run hot water through this to clean it.
Now unscrew the locking ring that connects the manifold to the canister. Once this is done, set the manifold aside and remove the canister from the base. If you cannot just pull it out, press the trigger and stick your finger behind the canister to slide it out. Now remove the O-ring from the front of the canister and set both of these aside.
Next, take the draw nozzle, which is the piece that connects to the manifold that draws the solution up into the canister, and twist it until it comes off, be careful not to lose the spring in there. This spring is the same side on both sides; this is important to note for reassembly. Now remove the plunger from the draw nozzle; note that the plunger faces down. The plunger and spring allow the solution to come up the tube but block it when you want to inject your solution. Also, remove the o-ring that sits below the threads of the draw nozzle.
Thoroughly clean the spring, plunger, and assembly in warm soapy water. If you don’t properly clean this, the plunger will get clogged, and you won’t be able to suck up the solution into your injector.
Next, remove the needle holder base by twisting it. Note that this spring is wider on one end; this is the end that you want to position closest to the base, so the narrow end is facing towards your needle. There is another plunger in there that goes into the hole on the manifold side. This allows the solution to travel towards the needle but blocks it when you are refilling the canister, so no air or solution can make it back from the needle. Also, remove the o-ring around the manifold and remove the needle base protector.
I like to soak all these parts in warm soapy water for 10 minutes and then spray them with water and remove any noticeable build-up to form the solution. Pay special attention to the plungers during this process, as if these are not cleaned well, the injector will not work. Make sure everything is clean and dry before reassembling it.
Now that everything is cleaned, you can put it back together. First, insert the canister back into the base; the easiest way to do this is to press the trigger and then push it in. Next, put the o-ring back into position and set this aside.
Now put your locking ring over the manifold and screw that onto the base of the unit. Replace the O-ring that you removed earlier over the threads of the nozzle. Now place your plunger back into the draw nozzle with it pointed downwards and put the spring that is the same size on both ends over the plunger, and screw this back into the manifold.
Now place the o-ring back around the manifold opening and replace the plunger so that it is pointing back towards the canister. Next, take the spring that is thicker at one end and place it over the plunger, and screw the needle base back into the manifold. Now reattach the needle base protector and screw on your needle.
These are far simpler to clean. Simply remove the plunger from the chamber and clean the inside of the chamber and the O-ring around the plunger. Then run hot water through the needle and the chamber and let everything soak in hot water. Once everything is dried, simply reassemble it.
If you do a lot of whole muscle smoking or curing, then one of these styles is essential. The ability to get the seasoning, cure, and other additives deep into the meat quickly is a large advantage over having to rely on osmosis.
It will depend on the style you want and how often it will be used. If you will rarely use it and just want a simple injector, then Walton’s 4 oz Marinade Injector would be the one I would go with. If you are going to be using it often and want something more convenient to use and don’t mind the increased complexity, then Walton’s Automatic Syringe Injector would be my recommendation.
There are also Brine Pumps that are more useful in commercial applications and Multi-needle Injectors that would be used in larger plants.
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