meat grinder or food processor

[jpw23]

Should I buy a dedicated meat grinder or can I do the same job with a food processor?

 

[Kevin]

Grinder baby!

 

[RichardF]

The consistancy of the end product is very diffrent between a meat grinder and a food processor. I would recommend you have both.

 

[jpw23]

Any reccomendations on either?

 

[RichardF]

Any reccomendations on either?

I've always liked the diffrent Cuisinart processors I've had, and I have an old-school hand-cranked meat grinder that was my grandmothers, which depending on how I put the blade/blades in gives me some versatility in the coarsness of the grind. That being said, If I was doing a lot of grinding, I think I'd look for an electric version. I've been toying with getting the attachement for my stand blender, but I'm too cheap.

 

[smokinbadger]

I've got the meat grinder attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer, and it works great for my needs. (I've got the 525 Watt mixer.) You can use it for stuffing sausage too. I don't think you will get the same consistency if you chop the meat in a food processor, since some meat will get hit by the blade many times and some may only get hit once.

 

[bbqbull]

jpw, go to search at the top of the page. Was a lot of info on grinders a couple of months ago.

Mike

 

[Bentley]

I've always liked the diffrent Cuisinart processors I've had, and I have an old-school hand-cranked meat grinder that was my grandmothers, which depending on how I put the blade/blades in gives me some versatility in the coarsness of the grind. That being said, If I was doing a lot of grinding, I think I'd look for an electric version. I've been toying with getting the attachement for my stand blender, but I'm too cheap.

I have one too! If you do a lot of grinding and sausage stuffing, it will be well worth the money! Treat yourself. :wink:

 

[boatnut]

Any reccomendations on either?

jay,
i have a cuisanart food processor. you can't go wrong with one of those. check ebay if you do that thing...good deals there. Same with grinder. I got a decent one for 70 bucks plus shipping. works great so far.

 

[creepyrat]

I've got the meat grinder attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer, and it works great for my needs. (I've got the 525 Watt mixer.) You can use it for stuffing sausage too. I don't think you will get the same consistency if you chop the meat in a food processor, since some meat will get hit by the blade many times and some may only get hit once.

i have an old one i don't know the watt rating but it ate its way though allot of venison and pork this season with no hick ups, first time i have really put it to use for meat grinding its sure is a handy appliance

 

[parrothead]

Skip the processor. If you don't have one, pony up for a kitchen aid mixer with the attachments. You will appreciate it.

 

[Bill-Chicago]

One of them cheap Rival dedicated grinders is pretty good for small loads.

My MIL prefers my cheapo Rival when grinding up meat for Kreplach than on our Kitchen Aide.

The KA is a sweet unit, and very versatile, but when grinding large amounts of meat, the leverage issue becomes a factor. You can only apply so much downforce pressure on a KA attachment, as it is hanging off the front (don't get me wrong, it is still a very heavy and stable unit).

With a dedicated counter grinder, the machine is under you, and it is much easier to push down on the feeder tube, rather than something at shoulder level (she is not a very tall woman).

Just a couple more cents to consider

 

[jpw23]

Thanks for all the input guys and after much searching, I have found that there are tons of products to choose from...now I just got to figure out what best suits my needs...btw, I bought a cheapo grinder at one of those cheapo tool shops yesterday, 70% off list price...got it for 12.00....put it all together, cubed up some meat, dropped it down the chute and it broke, did not even have time to use the pusher, thought maybe I let a bone get in there....no bone....just a junk tool. I had to laugh...a 12.00 dollar lesson is pretty cheap!

 

[Bill-Chicago]

My "cheapo" model is about 15 years old.

Looks like they took the quality out of "quality crap"

 

[jgh1204]

One thing I have learned, on the cheapo grinders, cube the meat 1/2 to 3/4 inches square. Anything larger than that and the fat/connective tissue, etc, clogs the holes.

Also, keep the meat COLD!

 

[Kevin]

One thing I have learned, on the cheapo grinders, cube the meat 1/2 to 3/4 inches square. Anything larger than that and the fat/connective tissue, etc, clogs the holes.

Also, keep the meat COLD!

Exactly. I work with small batches and keep the rest in the freezer. Not frozen solid, just firm.

 

[qman]

One of them cheap Rival dedicated grinders is pretty good for small loads.

My MIL prefers my cheapo Rival when grinding up meat for Kreplach than on our Kitchen Aide.

The KA is a sweet unit, and very versatile, but when grinding large amounts of meat, the leverage issue becomes a factor. You can only apply so much downforce pressure on a KA attachment, as it is hanging off the front (don't get me wrong, it is still a very heavy and stable unit).

With a dedicated counter grinder, the machine is under you, and it is much easier to push down on the feeder tube, rather than something at shoulder level (she is not a very tall woman).

Just a couple more cents to consider

Bill, I posted this the last time we were talking about meat grinders.
What I do with the KitchenAid when grinding meat or stuffing sausage, is put the unit on a table instead of the counter. That brings the work hight down where is is comfortable.

 

[Bill-Chicago]

[/color]


Bill, I posted this the last time we were talking about meat grinders.
What I do with the KitchenAid when grinding meat or stuffing sausage, is put the unit on a table instead of the counter. That brings the work hight down where is is comfortable.

There you go!

Common sense answer to a overlooked problem

Taking Qman's advice and Greg's, get the Kitchen Aide.

So many many uses, with grinding as an after thought.

I forgot that point qman!!!

 

[parrothead]

One of them cheap Rival dedicated grinders is pretty good for small loads.

My MIL prefers my cheapo Rival when grinding up meat for Kreplach than on our Kitchen Aide.

The KA is a sweet unit, and very versatile, but when grinding large amounts of meat, the leverage issue becomes a factor. You can only apply so much downforce pressure on a KA attachment, as it is hanging off the front (don't get me wrong, it is still a very heavy and stable unit).

With a dedicated counter grinder, the machine is under you, and it is much easier to push down on the feeder tube, rather than something at shoulder level (she is not a very tall woman).

Just a couple more cents to consider

If you have to put enough pressure on it to question possible damage, then you either need to sharpen the blades or cut your meat different. Probably cut the meat different. I rarely have to use the tool to put pressure on it.

 

[Rookie'48]

My deer hunting group used an old Rival grinder for about 5 years, then we went to a larger one from Northern. Two main points: A) keep the blades sharp; B) cut the meat smaller than what the booklet calls for. Most of the manufacturer's specs are slightly inflated - if they say you can use 1" square chunks, then figure 3/4". We went with the 3/4 hp grinder with a neck opening of about 2 1/2", we can hardly feed it fast enough.
Dave