meat grinders
 

Anyone have some advice on what to look for and not look for in a good meat grinder. I'm looking to buy an electric meat grinder. The one I'm looking at in the Bass Pro catalog isa LEM product and there's 3 different horsepowers you can get (.35, .75, 1.5). I'm going to be using it for venison (and pork butt) 90% of the time. Probably won't get a ton of use aside from deer season. What model would be sufficient? Are there better (cheaper) options out there?

RE: meat grinders
 

I have a Braun meat grinder and it’s OK but could be better. The problem with this machine is that it has plastic or nylon gears. Over the years the gears ar starting to crack so I would suggest to look for something with steel or aluminum gears for durability. I’m not sure what power I have on mine but I would go with something in the mid range since you mentioned you wouldn’t be using all that much. One thing when grinding meat, make sure that it’s partially frozen. This makes for an easier job. Good luck...:eek:

RE: meat grinders
 

You can't have too good of a grinder.I would not consider anything less than 1 hp. For me the 1.75 would be the way to go. I do about 5 deer and a couple of hogs a year into sausage, salami, summer sausage ,jerky. Don't skimp on your grinder and you won't have to upgrade every few years or replace a worn out POS. just my 2 cents worth.

RE: meat grinders
 

Don't get a Kitchen Aide "Professional!" Thats for sure! My wife bought me one, and it did't do three deer, before the gear housing fell apart!

RE: meat grinders
 

I got one at Cabelas which was 100.00 four years ago. I have ground up several pigs and aqbout twenty deer so far. Still works like new. They have about the same mosel listed now for about 75.00. Its a darn good one. And pretty cheap.

RE: meat grinders
 

I've got the Kitchen -aid heavy duty and it's still going strong after 8 years. I now have a cabella's grinder but still use the kitchen-aid for small jobs since it's set up on the counter already.:)

RE: meat grinders
 

i just got done grinding three deer an hour ago. i wouldnt go with any thing less than 1 horse either..and def not a hand crank unless uve got a few buddies takin turns..make sure that you clean it out every time u use it.

RE: meat grinders
 

Jersey, I'm serious, LESS than three deer, and my Kitchen Aide was shot!
Without the grinder working, the sausage stuffer doesn't work either!
The mixer works fine, its just the grinder port! I figured that the gears were plastic, but they are metal, the gear housing is plastic thought, and thats what fell apart!