By all means get an electric grinder, at least 1/2 hp. I started off with a grinding attatchment for my kitchen-aid and then graduated to a grinder. Had I known it was so much fun I'd have bought the grinder from the start. Now not only do I butcher and grind my own burgers ,but learned to make sausage, hot dogs etc. It's not about the $ saved, but about the feeling you get doing it yourself. Check out Cabella's or thesausagemaker.com for prices.

Big Guy said it all.