Thinking of throwing a barbeque party?
Want to taste and make real gourmet sausages and burgers free from the processed stuff?
Look no further we have looked and compared the best meat grinders out there in the market today. Making and grinding your own meat is not only a healthy alternative as you can get rid of all the extra fat lurking around the red meats that butchers love to add.
In addition to being a healthier alternative, you’ll also be saving on money and getting to taste good quality meat grinded from your own hands. Getting one of these becomes even more worthy when you have regular parties and celebrations.
There are a lot of meat grinders in the market however like everything there are the good and not so good ones. You need to get hands on a durable one that gets the job done and has a solid grinding capacity to last as a meat grinder is not something you want to have to keep purchasing over the years .
By investing our time and resources in searching for the best of 2020, we came up with 5 amazing grinders all of which have been tested and reviewed by experts.
Here’s what you need to know if you are thinking of getting your hands on one.
Quick list – Best Meat Grinders In 2021
STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series Electric Meat Grinder – Best Meat Grinders for Home Use
Gourmia GMG525 Meat Grinder with Kits & Recipe Book – Best Electric Meat Grinder
Gideon Hand Crank Manual Meat Grinder – Best Manual Meat Grinder
LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder – Best Hand Meat Grinder
Chard HG-10 Meat Hand Grinder – Best Budget Meat Grinder
Top 5 best-rated meat grinders in 2021
Below are the reviews of the best meat grinder machines you could invest in.
1. STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series Electric Meat Grinder
For the power, it packs a powerful 3000w motor. You will, however, only be able to use between 800W and 1200W under load as you grind. Something else that makes this one of the best meat grinders for home use is that it grinds between 180 and 240 lb. of meat per hour at optimal conditions.
With the STX Turboforce, you’ll be getting 3 stainless steel cutting blades and grinding plates, a sausage stuffing plate, 3 different sizes of sausage stuffing tubes, and a kibbe making attachment.
Moreover, the grinder is safe to use as it comes with a meat stuffer. For the design, it comes with a #12 grinding head with grinding plates that are 2-5/8” in diameter. At the end of the day, you get more work done in a short time.
Pros
- It has a 3000W motor.
- Features a #12 aluminum grinding head.
- Grinds between 180 and 240 lbs. of meat per hour.
Cons
- It’s doesn’t work with tendons, vegetables or plants.
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2. Gourmia GMG525 Electric Meat Grinder
It also happens to be one of the best grinder machines when it comes to safety as it has a dual safety switch. It is also really easy to use since there is a single switch that handles the on, off, and reverse functions.
Another advantage you get with this is the efficiency. It is designed to grind even the tough textured meat, thanks to the 800W motor in its gearbox. At the same time, cleaning is really easy as you can quickly assemble and disassemble it.
Last but not least, it boasts a strong material design and stainless-steel blades for consistent and accurate cuts.
Pros
- Includes a 3-way on/off and reverse switch.
- Powered by an 800w motor.
- Delivers fast and efficient operation.
Cons
- Ensure you wash off the black coating before use.
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3. Gideon Hand Crank Manual Meat Grinder
With blades as good as these, you can’t go wrong. They are stainless steel in nature and so are the screens. As such, durability is ensured. There is also coarse and fine mincing plate.
You will also have the advantage of being able to use it on vegetables without risking to damage the mechanism of this bad boy. As well as vegetables it can also grinds fruits and garlic. It’s also worth mentioning that the blades are fully enclosed and it has a meat pusher which eliminates any chance of injury.
Last but not least, the compact design is quite commendable, it is dishwasher safe so maintenance won’t be a problem whatsoever.
Pros
- Includes high-quality stainless-steel blades.
- Features a compact and lightweight design.
- Built with a powerful suction base for stability.
Cons
- It struggles with fat and connecting tissue.
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4. LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder
Despite its simple and compact design, it is quite durable and functional. Check out what it packs under the hood.
For stability and security, it has got a wide opening on the clamp which allows for it to be mounted on almost any table or countertop which makes this the best hand meat grinder.
It is also made of heavy-duty and all stainless-steel construction which is also rust-resistant and amazingly easy to clean.
With versatility being an important factor in meat grinders, this one comes with a pair of stainless-steel plates. There’s the coarse 3/8” and the fine 3/16”. There is also a set of three stuffing tubes; the ½”, 3/4” and 7/8” variants.
Pros
- Features a wide opening clamp.
- Has got a set of 3 different stuffing tubes.
- Features coarse and fine stainless-steel plates.
Cons
- Ensure you clean it thoroughly before first-time use.
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5. Chard HG-10 Meat Hand Grinder
Firstly, it comes with an oversized thumbscrew which means it is quite easy to attach or remove the poly handle. This also means it is easy to clean and it won’t splinter or split.
It also features a 2 3/4” diameter for the grinding head whereas the grinding plate is 1/4” in size. There is also a single sausage nozzle adapter and three sausage stuffing tubes measuring 3/4”, 5/8”, ½.
The grinder also features a clamp that will attach to any countertop that measures up to 1 1/2″ thick and to enjoy long years of use, you couldn’t go wrong with the cast iron design.
Pros
- It comes with 3 sausage stuffing tubes.
- Easy to disassemble and clean.
- Made of heavy-duty cast iron.
Cons
- You have to moisturize meat before use.
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How does a meat grinder work?
There are two different kinds of meat grinders although the working mechanism is the same. For an electric meat grinder for home use, all you need to do is press a button and the grinder gets going whereas for a manual one, you have to rotate an arm for the grinding to start.
In either case, here’s how the grinding process occurs:
Step 1: The meat is first added to the feeding tube in chunks. These should be in small portions to prevent clogging.
Step 2: Next, when the button is pressed, the grinding blades spin, and the meat is pushed forwards through the attached plates. Depending on the kind of grinds you want, you can switch the attached plates.
Step 3:It’s also possible to add attachments for filling up sausages while using your grinder.
Must have Meat grinder attachments
As good as they are on their own, meat grinders work even better when they got attachments added onto them.
One of the most common ones is a sausage attachment. With sausage stuffer tubes, it will be really easy to make sausages.
Other than sausages, there are also the kibbe attachments that create hollow tubes of mincemeat with wheat flour added to them. After this, the meat can then be cooked.
In either of the above cases, there are lots of different recipes you could use.
Meat grinder parts names
To be able to handle a meat grinder better, you should know what the different parts are and why each of them is relevant.
The housing and gearbox
This is the main component of a meat grinder since it’s where all the heavy lifting is done. Inside the gear box is a mechanism composed of different sized gears and these are mostly metal.
For an electric grinder, this is the engine and is triggered when the grinder is powered on. In a mechanical one, on the other hand, you’ll have to physically turn the handle before the gears can start working.
The screw
This is the working shaft that is twisted in a spiral and the main task of this component is directing the meat to the exit. The screw functions to pick up the meat pieces, compressing them, dividing them into portions that are then pushed towards the knife.
For the best results, it’s recommended that you go for longer shafts that come with a large number of turns
Reception chamber
Just as the name suggests, the reception chamber allows for the smooth passage of meat and it assists to push the meat to where the knives are.
All of these are inserted into the receiving chamber and the meat is loaded in through the neck.
The tray
Situated on top of the neck, the tray functions to speed up the loading of products. Before you start grinding, it’s a good idea to have the sliced pieces in the tray then transfer them to the mouth with a pusher.
To have the easiest time possible, a wide and metal cone-shaped tray would be convenient as it is resistant to mechanical damage.
Knives
Before passing the meat through the grate, they first go through the knives which cut up and grind the meat. There are many types of blades that can be used but the best would be self-sharpening stainless-steel blades that require minimal maintenance.
Lattices
Based on the hole sizes in the disc, the gratings can be divided into 3 different categories which are the small, medium, and large. Besides these, you can also get longer elongated slots of up to 3 cm.
The cap nut
This part of the meat grinders functions to hold the auger, grill, and knife all in one position. Since this comes into contact with the meat, it should also be made of stainless steel to prevent oxidation and/or rusting.
On the outer side of this is are ribs which make unscrewing easy.
Meat grinder recipes
For you to be able to prepare amazing recipes with your meat grinder, you should adhere to meat grinder recipes exclusively.
The internet nowadays gives you countless recipes should one need this, just YouTube or Google recipes.
How to grind meat without a grinder
Using a meat grinder is the best way to grind your meat. If, however, for some reason, you cannot do this using one, here’s how to go about the grinding process using a food processor.
First, you should leave chill the meat for 30 minutes in the freezer. It is good to work with cold meat since it cuts more evenly.
Next, chop the meat into pieces small enough to be handled by the processor. I’d recommend you cut the meat into one-inch cubes.
You should then transfer the meat to the processor where you should pulse it over and over again till it meets the level of consistency you want.
Features to consider before buying meat grinder machines
To compliment our meat grinder reviews, here are some important features to consider before buying meat grinders.
Motor power
In electric meat grinders, the power of a meat grinder is indeed a big deal. When choosing one, it’s a good idea to go for meat grinders that suit your needs. If you will only be using it rarely or are a small family and need to be grinding a small volume of meat, a 500W grinder should work fine.
On the other hand, for large volumes, grinders rated at 1500W – 2000W should be ideal.
The capacity
One size fit all doesn’t apply in meat grinders whatsoever. As such, similar to the power rating, meat grinders also come in different capacities. Since the capacity is measured in pounds per hour, the higher the better if you have a large family and vice versa.
Overheating/Circuit protection
Like most electrical equipment, heat has to be generated in the meat grinders as well. As such, you should prioritize buying a meat grinder that has overheating protection. At the same time, it’s a good idea to have a circuit breaker for protection against a power surge.
Robustness
Though some are made of plastic, the best of these are made of metal that is stainless steel. These are not only resistant to mechanical damage but are corrosion resistant as well.
If it does have some plastic components, ensure its ABS plastic as this is non-toxic and hypoallergenic.
The weight and size of the grinder
Something else you should consider besides durability is how heavy the grinder is based on how you will be using it.
If you want one for a small business, then you’d be better off with a heavy-duty industrial-grade meat grinder. If otherwise, a lighter model would suffice.
Ergonomics
How easy is it to use the meat grinder? At the end of the day, you shouldn’t have to go back to the manual each time you need to use the meat grinder. At the same time, assembly and disassembly should be straightforward.
I’d also advise that you get electric grinders with an automated shut-down system since not only are they safer but they’re more energy saving.
Should be easy to clean up after
Once you are done using the grinder, cleaning things up shouldn’t be a problem. More often than not, grinders that are not well cleaned up are more prone to failure as compared to the cleaner ones.
Also, taking the grinder apart should be straightforward. I’d also recommend that you go for the stainless-steel models as these are easier to maintain.
Silent is always better
As much as all grinders do make noise, the best grinders normally have a tolerable noise level regardless of the workload.
The flexibility of use
It’s also important that your grinder be able to do more than just grinding meat. You’d be better off at events with a grinder that allows for the attachment of different accessories and can also cut vegetables.
Nonetheless, at the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference.
Safety features
Since these are really powerful equipment, safety should come as a priority. One of the best ways this could be achieved is by choosing a grinder that’s got recessed buttons. These are designed to sit in small indentations in the machine which makes it unlikely for you to accidentally turn the grinder on.
Additional attachments and plates
The best meat grinder machines will normally come with lots of cutting plates.
This way, you can go for the coarse or fine grinds easily. You should also choose grinders with additional cutting blades. Sausage and kibbe attachments could also come in handy.
Warranty
If a product is good enough, then the manufacturer should give you the utmost peace of mind on this with the warranty.
The longer this is, the better.
Why it’s important to grind your meat
There are plenty of reasons you’d want to grind your meat but here are some of the most important ones.
Flavor improvement
No one wants bad tasting food, right? As such, grinding your meat means better taste since as compared to buying, you can cook the meat as soon as it is ground since as compared to the alternative, it doesn’t stay out in the open on a meat counter.
The texture
Whereas meat that’s already been ground always has the same texture, you can change this when you have your grinder. Additionally, you can grind any kind of meat you want.
Health
When cutting up, meat is exposed to air which makes it more vulnerable to bacteria. This, however, does not apply to freshly ground meat, right? As such, you increase the safety of all your meals.
DIY grinding is cool
Last but not least, it’s accurate to say that grinding your meat is hands down one of the coolest kitchen practices you can observe.
The best way to use a meat grinder
Here’s a step by step guide on using a meat grinder.
First, prepare your meat. Simply cut it into small pieces measuring 1-2 cm long. This makes it easy to put them down into the grinder.
Next, place them on a baking sheet and cover them up with a plastic wrap.
It’s also good to cool the meat in a freezer for a max of 40 minutes since this poses a lower risk of the grinder clogging which mostly occurs if the meat has a lot of fat in it. To make things smoother, place the cutting parts and grinding plate in the freezer as well.
Next, assemble the grinder and place the meat in the hopper (together with any other desired ingredients).
Place a bowl at the grinder’s spout then switch on the grinder. After this, feed the meat and ingredients (if any) into the grinder.
Pro tips for better meat grinds
Avoid meat smearing or simply put, separate the fat from the meat when you want to prepare sausages. To know when this is happening, the meat will come out in a pinkish color since the fat will be mixing with the meat. The downside to this is that the mixture won’t emulsify properly as the fat melts when cooked hence the sausage becomes dry.
It’s also important to grind from large chunks to smaller ones since this will greatly prevent clogging of the grinder.
How to take care of your meat grinder
Maintaining your meat grinder is of utmost importance if you want it to last long. Surprisingly, achieving this is easy. Just ensure it’s cleaned up after each use.
To do this, start by removing the grates, funnels, and knives then go ahead to wash each one of them separately.
I’d also advise that you dry them with a cloth quick and store them in a dry place till next use. You could also grease them up for better storage.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Which meat grinder is best for use at home?
This is entirely a matter of personal preference. It’s however important to consider the capacity of meat you’ll need, the grinder’s durability, safety, and ease of use. I’d recommend the STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series Electric Meat.
What size meat grinder for deer?
Peoples mostly use the Size #10 to #12 for dear meat grinding .
Should I buy a meat grinder?
They’re consistent, safer and built exclusively for grinding meat.
How to use a manual meat grinder?
Manual grinders work with the turn of a handle. The difference from electric ones is that you have to put in the effort yourself for the grinding to happen.
Where can I get a meat grinder?
You can get the best meat grinder machines from a trusted vendor or a reliable online store such as Amazon. Check out either of the 5 we’ve reviewed.
Final verdict
In conclusion, the importance of getting the best meat grinder cannot be overlooked whatsoever. To be at an advantage, we’ve provided the Best meat grinders reviews to you and more so, covered the usage and guide on how to get the best grinders in the market.
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