Manual Meat Grinders

[peberly400]

So this is the first year that I am taking the plunge and doing meat processing by myself. I want a manual grinder for cost efficiency and I wont be processing more than 1-3 deer a year. So I have narrowed it to a couple of grinders. I know I want all metal and not a plastic auger. Let me know if any of you have any experience or reviews on these


Amazon.com: Kitchener #10 Meat Grinder with Sausage Stuffer: Kitchen & Dining

Amazon.com: LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Sportsman Manual Meat Grinder with Pulley: Kitchen & Dining

Amazon.com: Norpro Heavy-Duty Meat Grinder: Kitchen & Dining

Everyone told me LEM was really good, but reviews also said their parts rusted as well. So with that in mind, why pay extra if the parts are of same quality metal? Thanks in advance

 

[Mark-DuCo]

We have been using one very similar to your third choice for around 20 years (well my dad has, me only about 10) we have ours hooked up to and old electric motor out of a furnace using a reduction block and two pulleys. It works great for us.

 

[peberly400]

Thats actually the one I was leaning towards. Just for the fact that later down the road I could hook it up If I wanted to. Have you ever tried stuff sausage with a hand crank model before?

 

[peberly400]

If no one else has any input, I will probably end up grabbing the sportsman tonight.

 

[indyjohn]

We are not as far along as you in processing. I wish I had something more to add but I'm just here to acknowledge and give rep for your efforts.

 

[x10]

not trying to be a negative nancy but one thing you will find out about all the manual meat grinders is that they are a bunch of work, Sinew is not your friend and after a few deer the Cabellas grinder will look much better, but the $400 will still be ugly, I don't know your age but buying one while your young is a great idea, in 10 years you won't remember what it costs

 

[mayor al]

I am with X10 in this issue. We have used a hand-crank grinder for making Ground Meat, and bulk sausage (not stuffed) for several years. Now that we are in the 'Over 70' group, the hand grinder is just too much work. We got a LEM #12 two years ago and love it. It grinds as fast as we can prep the deer or pork we feed it. It will do several types of grinding...fine to chili-coarse and is as easy to use for stuffing sausage as anything we have seen in use. Cost was $275 with free shipping. and worth it so far.

 

[Mgderf]

I have a collection of hand-grinders. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 of them.

Don't ask.

You'll quickly find they are entirely too much work for a deer-sized animal. Sinew, as stated before, will hamper your progress at every turn.
Go electric and don't look back.

 

[Mark-DuCo]

We stuff with ours, but we have the motor hooked up with a foot pedal control for stuffing to turn it on and off while you hold the casing with your hands.

 

[peberly400]

Are the cheaper electrics any good? I just hate to spend 300+ on something thats not a for sure thing every year. Something along these lines

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200451267_200451267

 

[mayor al]

We looked at the smaller grinders (less expensive), but held out for the 1.25 hp version. Definitely stronger and much faster with bigger volume per hour. The real test for us will be this winter. We will bring home a Bison., Butchered and cut/wrapped...but we will have the scraps and 'other meat' all cut into large stew cubes, and then grind it as needed during the year. If we can do a bunch of Burger once a month, the machine will earn it's Varsity Letter in my House.

 

[peberly400]

I am wanting to buy tonight. I now am seeing off amazing alot of electrics 100$ or less? Does anyone know anything about these or am I going to take the plunge? The links are in chronological order from what I think will be the best one.

Amazon.com: Sportsman MEG300 350-Watt Electric Meat Grinder: Kitchen & Dining

Amazon.com: Back to Basics Electric Meat Grinder: Kitchen & Dining

Amazon.com: Sunmile 1HP 5# UL Electric Meat Grinder W/250W Rated Power 800W Max Power SM-G31, W/Full Set Of Accessories,Stainless Steel Cutting Blade,Stainless Steel Cutting Plates and Sausage Stuffing, UL Certificated and 1-Year Manufacturer Warrant

 

[indyjohn]

not trying to be a negative nancy but one thing you will find out about all the manual meat grinders is that they are a bunch of work, Sinew is not your friend and after a few deer the Cabellas grinder will look much better, but the $400 will still be ugly, I don't know your age but buying one while your young is a great idea, in 10 years you won't remember what it costs

I am with X10 in this issue. We have used a hand-crank grinder for making Ground Meat, and bulk sausage (not stuffed) for several years. Now that we are in the 'Over 70' group, the hand grinder is just too much work. We got a LEM #12 two years ago and love it. It grinds as fast as we can prep the deer or pork we feed it. It will do several types of grinding...fine to chili-coarse and is as easy to use for stuffing sausage as anything we have seen in use. Cost was $275 with free shipping. and worth it so far.

And what are you going to do when the lights go out?

 

[jmiller676]

Kitchener #12 Electric Meat Grinder ? 1/2 HP | Electric Meat Grinders| Northern Tool + Equipment
This is what I would buy. It has steel gears unlike many on the market.

 

[peberly400]

I had also looked at that unit. Do you have any experience with it, or just based off the fact of the steel gears. I would much rather have metal than plastic

 

[jmiller676]

I had also looked at that unit. Do you have any experience with it, or just based off the fact of the steel gears. I would much rather have metal than plastic

Based on steel gears and word of mouth from some hunting forums I am on. Haven't spent the money on one yet but when I do I plan on buying this one. Sorry I can't help anymore than that.

 

[bwframe]

I inherited a couple of grinders that are likely 50+ years old. Should I dig these out to examine or just plan on buying a new manual grinder?
For now, I fall in with the crowd who chooses to do this without depending on power.

 

[x10]

For those who are thinking of firing up the grinder several times a year, you might think on this, there is about 3/4 lb of scrap meat when you fire up the larger grinders. It can be used but its better if you plan for 1 big grind, Plus there's more cleanup sometimes than 10 minutes of grinding,

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And for the guy who is worried about the lights going out. Really!, stop watching bunker shows on discovery channel and live a little

 

[indyjohn]

And for the guy who is worried about the lights going out. Really!, stop watching bunker shows on discovery channel and live a little

My grandparents did it without electricity, seems like an accomplishment to do it that way too. Convenience doesn't alway equate living. That's how we roll.

 

[peberly400]

Well I do not care if its manual or electric. I am usually a big follower of buy once buy right. However, I can not spend over 200$ right now on a grinder. If a cheaper electric is as good as a hand grinder, I would rather go that way.