Meat grinder question - Page 2

---k--- · 03-27-2013, 10:11 AM

Thanks everyone. A lot of good information.

I don't think I'm man enough for a manual grinder. I can't imagine how they used those in the past.

I will keep my eyes open for a sale. I' guessing that since we're so far from deer season, there won't be any. Who knows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onexchef

^^Lots of good info above^^

As mentioned plate hole size may be limited on #5 head.

This looks like a good place to do some comparison.

#5 may be too small? Any idea how big the KitchenAid is? Is it smaller.

I believe in buy quality once. But I also don't beleive in over buying just because.

ButtBurner · 03-27-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ---k---

Thanks everyone. A lot of good information.

I don't think I'm man enough for a manual grinder. I can't imagine how they used those in the past.

I will keep my eyes open for a sale. I' guessing that since we're so far from deer season, there won't be any. Who knows.

#5 may be too small? Any idea how big the KitchenAid is? Is it smaller.

I believe in buy quality once. But I also don't beleive in over buying just because.

#5 is not too small. I have never had an issue finding any size plate I need for mine

willbird · 03-27-2013, 11:05 AM

We have a Cabelas 400 watt model, we have ground a couple deer up with it, brother in law has same one and it has done several dozen deer and still works great. It came with some sausage stuffing parts that I have never gotten around to using.

Cherrywood · 03-27-2013, 02:42 PM

I have a LEM #5 and can echo what others have said. I process 2-3 deer on average per year as well as making my own sausage. It has more than enough power and replacement knives & plates are easy to find.

The throat is a bit on the small side, but if you take the time to cut your meat to a reasonable size, it's really not a big problem. It can be a little more of a hassle if you're doing multiple grinds or using the machine to stuff casings. Feeding meat that's already ground back through is kind of a pain.

Mark · 03-27-2013, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captndan

If you want indestructible and cheap only one way to go. Get one of the old fashioned hand crank grinders and put a motor on it. DIY or there are kits for this. New parts are available for these old clunkers and they last forever. Besides it's all made in America.

Captndan is right. You really should check out this DYI guide:
http://www.sausagemania.com/grinder.html

samfsu · 03-27-2013, 04:09 PM

You can also get this one from amazon that attaches to the KA..

Amazon.com: Cuisinart SM-MG Meat-Grinder Attachment for Cuisinart Stand Mixer, White: Kitchen & Dining

Gnaws on Pigs · 03-27-2013, 04:43 PM

I have one of the $99 Northern Tool grinders, and it is all you need for most uses. It grinds a lot more meat a whole lot faster than the KA attachment. I've used mine hard for over five years now. I grind a lot of deer and wild hog meat every year as well as store-bought meat. I can grind the neck, shoulders, and all the trimmings from a deer in less than ten minutes. I've never had any problems with mine in over five years. I know quite a few other people who have them and love them. If I was planning on grinding hundreds of pounds of meat on a weekly basis, I would probably spring for a commercial grinder, but otherwise, I don't see why you need one.

Puget BBQ · 03-27-2013, 04:48 PM

I just ordered a chef's choice grinder for my Kitchenaid. It is about $140 but uses my 525 Watt Kitchenaid motor and is made of stainless and aluminum. Overall it has solid reviews, I'll chime back in when I give it a run. this way I dont have to stor yet another motor unit.

Big George's BBQ · 03-27-2013, 04:49 PM

LMAJ got one from cabellas and likes it

kyleness · 03-27-2013, 04:56 PM

I've got an LEM #8 and have had it for about 5 years now. I grind about 300 pounds of meat on it a year and have never had a problem. I grind pretty heavy in fall because I make summer sausage and sticks for people when they get their deer, antelope, elk, bear, etc. Best advice is stick with a name brand and get the best one you can for the money. Grind speeds vary by brand and suck you in because one is faster than the other, but a lot of times their are grinding chicken or something easy to cut through. LEM's ratings are accurate for those tough game meats and beef. The Cabela's grinders I believe are made by LEM but you aren't saving anything bying the Cabela's name.

chicagokp · 03-27-2013, 05:00 PM

Whatever you choose, give us a review after your purchase. I'm sure a lot of guys (like me) will grind as often as you. I also find my kitchenaid grinder attachment somewhat lacking...not with a failed bearing yet, but I'm sure that's coming.

---k--- · 03-27-2013, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

Captndan is right. You really should check out this DYI guide:
http://www.sausagemania.com/grinder.html

That is pretty cool. And, I love to build things. ...

IamMadMan · 03-27-2013, 06:12 PM

Also keep in mind that if you do not need a grinder right now, both LEM and Weston have open box / return models for an extreme discounts with full warranty as fall approaches.

I saved $200.00 on my #12 Commercial Series and I also got free shipping..

Robert Yuras · 03-27-2013, 08:54 PM

#8 LEM model here. I wouldn't recommend anything smaller. I do 3-5 deer annually and breakfast sausage and axis burger in between. It chomps frozen cubed meat very well, replacement parts are easy to find, and you'll never need to buy another one.

Make the investment and you'll use it more often.

jeffjenkins1 · 03-28-2013, 11:03 AM

Going to be ordering a grinder myself... best price I found so far is here:

www.academy.com

Jeff

03-27-2013, 04:09 PM	#21
samfsu is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-18-10 Location: New Market, MD	You can also get this one from amazon that attaches to the KA.. Amazon.com: Cuisinart SM-MG Meat-Grinder Attachment for Cuisinart Stand Mixer, White: Kitchen & Dining Amazon.com: Cuisinart SM-MG Meat-Grinder Attachment for Cuisinart Stand Mixer, White: Kitchen & Dining __________________ Humphrey's Battle Box, Weber Genesis Silver B, Weber Performer

03-27-2013, 04:43 PM	#22
Gnaws on Pigs is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-22-10 Location: Smoky Mountains, NC	I have one of the $99 Northern Tool grinders, and it is all you need for most uses. It grinds a lot more meat a whole lot faster than the KA attachment. I've used mine hard for over five years now. I grind a lot of deer and wild hog meat every year as well as store-bought meat. I can grind the neck, shoulders, and all the trimmings from a deer in less than ten minutes. I've never had any problems with mine in over five years. I know quite a few other people who have them and love them. If I was planning on grinding hundreds of pounds of meat on a weekly basis, I would probably spring for a commercial grinder, but otherwise, I don't see why you need one. __________________ ...Half a yard full of crap to cook on like everybody else... Slow-to-average-speed [COLOR=dimgray]GRAY[/COLOR] Wal-Mart thermometer Just a hungry hillbilly lookin for a dead critter to cook Four [URL="http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/group.php?groupid=39"]Zeros[/URL] in one [URL="http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=86"][COLOR=red]throwdown[/COLOR][/URL][COLOR=red],[/COLOR] baby! :bow:

03-27-2013, 04:49 PM	#24
Big George's BBQ somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 02-07-08 Location: Framingham, MA Name/Nickname : George	LMAJ got one from cabellas and likes it __________________ Large BIG Green EGG- Hatched 8/17/09 Backwoods Extented Party- sold Weber Genesis Gasser Mid Atlantic BBQ Association KCBS Back Porch BBQ Competition BBQ Team Proud Member of the Zero Club When all else fails ask yourself WWGALD

03-27-2013, 05:00 PM	#26
chicagokp Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-17-11 Location: Chicago north 'burbs IL	Whatever you choose, give us a review after your purchase. I'm sure a lot of guys (like me) will grind as often as you. I also find my kitchenaid grinder attachment somewhat lacking...not with a failed bearing yet, but I'm sure that's coming. __________________ Shirley Fabrication 24x60 staightback cabinet + warmer Battle Box Midi UDS Weber Performer 22.5 Weber OTG WGA Charcoal Weber Genesis

03-28-2013, 11:03 AM	#30
jeffjenkins1 Babbling Farker Join Date: 03-01-08 Location: Akron, OH	Going to be ordering a grinder myself... best price I found so far is here: www.academy.com Jeff __________________ You do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do! Ole Hickory Ultra Que 2 18" WSM 18" Weber OTS Primo Oval XL NB American Gourmet offset smoker UDS Big Chief Smoker Turkey Fryer

03-27-2013, 11:05 AM	#18
willbird Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-30-12 Location: MOntpelier,OH	We have a Cabelas 400 watt model, we have ground a couple deer up with it, brother in law has same one and it has done several dozen deer and still works great. It came with some sausage stuffing parts that I have never gotten around to using.

03-27-2013, 02:42 PM	#19
Cherrywood On the road to being a farker Join Date: 02-25-13 Location: Central, IL	I have a LEM #5 and can echo what others have said. I process 2-3 deer on average per year as well as making my own sausage. It has more than enough power and replacement knives & plates are easy to find. The throat is a bit on the small side, but if you take the time to cut your meat to a reasonable size, it's really not a big problem. It can be a little more of a hassle if you're doing multiple grinds or using the machine to stuff casings. Feeding meat that's already ground back through is kind of a pain.

03-27-2013, 04:48 PM	#23
Puget BBQ Found some matches. Join Date: 12-27-12 Location: Snoqualmie, WA	I just ordered a chef's choice grinder for my Kitchenaid. It is about $140 but uses my 525 Watt Kitchenaid motor and is made of stainless and aluminum. Overall it has solid reviews, I'll chime back in when I give it a run. this way I dont have to stor yet another motor unit.

03-27-2013, 04:56 PM	#25
kyleness Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 12-06-12 Location: Watertown, SD	I've got an LEM #8 and have had it for about 5 years now. I grind about 300 pounds of meat on it a year and have never had a problem. I grind pretty heavy in fall because I make summer sausage and sticks for people when they get their deer, antelope, elk, bear, etc. Best advice is stick with a name brand and get the best one you can for the money. Grind speeds vary by brand and suck you in because one is faster than the other, but a lot of times their are grinding chicken or something easy to cut through. LEM's ratings are accurate for those tough game meats and beef. The Cabela's grinders I believe are made by LEM but you aren't saving anything bying the Cabela's name.

03-27-2013, 06:12 PM	#28
IamMadMan somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-30-11 Location: Pemberton, New Jersey	Also keep in mind that if you do not need a grinder right now, both LEM and Weston have open box / return models for an extreme discounts with full warranty as fall approaches. I saved $200.00 on my #12 Commercial Series and I also got free shipping..

03-27-2013, 08:54 PM	#29
Robert Yuras Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 12-10-12 Location: San Antonio,TX	#8 LEM model here. I wouldn't recommend anything smaller. I do 3-5 deer annually and breakfast sausage and axis burger in between. It chomps frozen cubed meat very well, replacement parts are easy to find, and you'll never need to buy another one. Make the investment and you'll use it more often.