There is a Guide Series 1.35 HP grinder on sale at Gander Mtn for 79 is it worth the money or should I just save and and get a good one next year...btw it's for my husband.
That sounds like a really good buy to me. I use a cheap electric kitchen grinder, with good results. Many on this forum say you should buy a bigger, more expensive kind, but I disagree. It is important to know how to use the grinder properly, and to understandits limitations. With mine, I have to cut the meat into relatively thin strips, about an inch square, but no limitation on length. Occasionally when I'm grinding, the thing will get "constipated", and I have to disassemble and clean things out. This happens if I run too much sinew and fat through it.
Yesterday I ground over 20 lbs, ran through twice, took me about 2 hours. Good luck.
Too small for any serious sausage making. It will work for small batches if you don't mind wasting time.I doubt that its 1.35 hp, for that money its probably .5 to .75 hp. I did 30#of meat (semi frozen) in15 minutes this morning, most of the time was spent cutting it into big chunks to feed into the grinder. You can't go too big.I would prefer a #32 size grinder for myself but I do make a lot of sausage. Most can do quitenicely with a #22. I believe the grinder advertized at GM would be a #8 The bigger the # the bigger the blade,plate and throat and therefore it can grind meat a lot quicker than a smaller one. You can also put bigger chunks of meat through it . The cheap grinders have plastic gears and they won't hold up in the long run. My grandfather purchased my grinder( an old Toledo)second hand in the 60's its all steel and built like a tank Still running great.
sjb, do you already have a Kitchenaid stand mixer? I use the meat grinder attachment that goes on the mixer. (attachment is about 50.00)
I can easily grind at least a pound of meat per minute with it.
If you don't have one and like cooking/baking.... it's a good excuse to get one.
The one for sale at Gander mountain does look like a very good deal.
Too small for any serious sausage making. It will work for small batches if you don't mind wasting time.I doubt that its 1.35 hp, for that money its probably .5 to .75 hp. I did 30#of meat (semi frozen) in15 minutes this morning, most of the time was spent cutting it into big chunks to feed into the grinder. You can't go too big.I would prefer a #32 size grinder for myself but I do make a lot of sausage. Most can do quitenicely with a #22. I believe the grinder advertized at GM would be a #8 The bigger the # the bigger the blade,plate and throat and therefore it can grind meat a lot quicker than a smaller one. You can also put bigger chunks of meat through it . The cheap grinders have plastic gears and they won't hold up in the long run. My grandfather purchased my grinder( an old Toledo)second hand in the 60's its all steel and built like a tank Still running great.
Yes It says 1.35 Hp in the add, I just find that hard to believe. I would think the add is wrong and its a misprint. There is only one way to find out buy it and see what is in the manufacturersspec sheet.
To me its sort of like buying a VW beetle with a 500 hp. engine. Not likely but possible.
The add says it can grind meat @ 2.6 lbs/min Which is in the range of a 400 watt grinder at Cabela's($70) 2 lb/min a similar looking grinder.
Cabelas rate their 3/4 hp @ 4-6 lb/min, 1 hp @ 10-12 lb/min, and their 1.5 hp @ 15-18 lbs/min
I agree with big guy, something doesn't add up in the HP to output stated. I have a 1.5hp steel gears grinder (commericial grade) it pumps out around 15lbs/min (real world time not specs). It is a great tool but certainly not requiredfor a single/home user who does limited amount of grinding each year. I'd suggest something in the 3/4hp range with steel gears if your wanting to not make it a long process and mayactuallyenjoy using the grinder.
Meat Grinder Question
