No meat grinder

[mixxedbagg]

I don't grind meat enough to justify the purchase of a meat grinder, but I'm wondering if using the "chop" setting on my blender would be a reasonable substitute. I guess I could just try it, but I'm wondering if anyone else has tried this.

[reinhard1]

i personaly am not a fan of using a blender on any setting for meat unless you are satisfied for the purpose you are using it. a blender tears instead of grinds. for small amounts, for example for stews, use your knife. for burgers its better to buy the burger. it's all about texture in y our question. as a retired meat cutter i would suggest for you to go to fleet farm and purchase a small hand operated grinder for small amounts. you can use it to make small amounts of sausage as well. i have an old time hand grinder that will only grind one pound at a time. it works for on the spot needs. good luck.

[motley man]

Check with relatives, someone might have a hand grinder or electric they don't use anymore. I bought a electric at F.F. for around $50.00 and it's worked good for 1/2 dozen years.

[Redlantern]

Do you have a mixer, like what you use for making cake mixes? If so, some of them have a pto, for lack of a better word, that will take different accesories. A grinder is one of them. I haven't used one but have thought about buying a mixer (my daughter loves to bake) and getting the grinder attachment.

[delcecchi]

Food processor? They can grind meat in small batches.

[reinhard1]

del, yes you can tear up the meat in some form, but the blades in the food processor or blender does not grind. it becomes all about texture and your satisfaction of the results. good luck

[mixxedbagg]

I just want to occasionally make jerky from scraps without the jerky costing more than it would to just throw out the scraps and buy jerky at the store. That's why I'm averse to shelling out $50-$100 for a grinder.

[BobT]

i personaly am not a fan of using a blender on any setting for meat unless you are satisfied for the purpose you are using it. a blender tears instead of grinds. for small amounts, for example for stews, use your knife. for burgers its better to buy the burger. it's all about texture in y our question. as a retired meat cutter i would suggest for you to go to fleet farm and purchase a small hand operated grinder for small amounts. you can use it to make small amounts of sausage as well. i have an old time hand grinder that will only grind one pound at a time. it works for on the spot needs. good luck.

I use a hand grinder and it works just fine. The important thing is preparation. I trim most of the silver skin from the meat because it is too tough grind but wraps around the blades. I also age my venison and this too makes it easier to grind. Some people have found that grinding while partially frozen makes it easier to do as well. If I fail to properly prepare the meat, it will become work but when properly prepared it is easy.

[mixxedbagg]

Sounds like I should at least invest in a hand grinder. (There HAS to be a better term...)

Another quick related question....if I make jerky using scrap meat from game birds like grouse and waterfowl, can I just mix in the cure and dehydrate or does the meat actually have to be cooked to 160 to be safe? It seems like what I've found by searching online is inconsistant at best. Thanks.

[Jim Almquist]

Sounds like I should at least invest in a hand grinder. (There HAS to be a better term...)

Another quick related question....if I make jerky using scrap meat from game birds like grouse and waterfowl, can I just mix in the cure and dehydrate or does the meat actually have to be cooked to 160 to be safe? It seems like what I've found by searching online is inconsistant at best. Thanks.

If you use something like High Mountain it will come with a cure as part of the seasoning mix and this is how you can get away with a dehydrator. I have always liked using my smoker to dry out and add flavor to my jerky and it cooks it as well but I try to keep my temps at 160 or below because I want to dry it out and not cook it as much.

[jeffreyd]

do you have a kitchen aid mixer? the stand type? my mother in law has the grinder attachment and it works great.

[flyfisher03]

A hand grinder would probably be what you are in the market for. Check out places like goodwill or savers. Also household auctions or garage sales would be a good places to look also.

[spivak]

We have a local butcher who grinds all my trimmings for me--very inexpensive. 5.00-7.00 for the average amount of meat I want ground from any deer. I wrap it myself but some will do it for you for an added expense.

[Ebiz]

Grinder attachment for the Kitchedaid works great! I do 2-3 deer a year through mine and have never had a problem. Probably not as fast as a standalone grinder but it's not slow. Also have the stuffer attachment and love it for the volume that I do.

[LightningBG]

Grinder attachment for the Kitchedaid works great! I do 2-3 deer a year through mine and have never had a problem. Probably not as fast as a standalone grinder but it's not slow. Also have the stuffer attachment and love it for the volume that I do.

Dont you mean you grind 2-3 of my deer per year?

I use a kitchenaid attachment too. works pretty good.

My grandma gave me a manual grinder too, but I've never used it.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Chalk another for the kitchenaid.. Its worked for me the last few years.

[Ebiz]

Quote:

Originally Posted By: Ebiz

Grinder attachment for the Kitchedaid works great! I do 2-3 deer a year through mine and have never had a problem. Probably not as fast as a standalone grinder but it's not slow. Also have the stuffer attachment and love it for the volume that I do.

Dont you mean you grind 2-3 of my deer per year?

Zing - you got me there I figure I'm due to shoot one this year

[LightningBG]

A manual grinder can be had at Target for $40

[Gissert]

I used the Kitchenaid grinder for several years. Worked rather well for grinding. Stuffing was acceptable, but it helps to have a partner to get the best results. For stuffing and grinding, the colder the meat, the better it works.

I bought a LEM stand alone grinder on sale a couple years ago and have been very happy with it.

I still used the Kitchenaid for stuffing, but I bought a used 15 pound vertical stuffer that will hopefully be put to use soon.