Meat grinders

[harvey lee]

I have always had someone else grind my venison burger.

I typically grind about 75 pounds of burger and was wondering if I purchase a 1/2hp grinder if that would be large enough in power to grind the burger.

Thanks for any help on this.

[Scott K]

If you are only grinding 75# and arent in any hurry, that will be more then enough.

[pikestabber]

I have a .35 hp LEM grinder that claims it can grind 240 pounds an hour. While I have never had a need to grind up that much at once, I know I can grind 100 pounds at a crack with no trouble at all. 1/2 hp should be more than ample for any grinding needs, and it will be much quicker than you might think. I can barely feed this one fast enough to keep up with the output. 5 star unit, IMO.

[otterman91105]

Is there a big diffence from one brand to the next?

[reinhard1]

that would be enough for your needs Harvey. just make sure the chunks of meat are the size that the input hole can take so it doesn't jam up. good luck.

[reinhard1]

LEM and TORREY are two brands i would recommend. good luck

[pikestabber]

Is there a big diffence from one brand to the next?

More of a difference in components than brand, IMO. LEM and Torrey are commercial grade grinders with all metal gears. They will last longer and take more punishment without breaking down. I am sure there are other good brands, too, but I wouldn't recommend any of them that cannot offer all metal parts. If you want a good base model commercial grade grinder, go LEM. If you want a REALLY good grinder and can afford it, go with a Torrey.

[Walleyehooker]

I bought a 1 HP grinder at Cabelas a few years ago and it works very well. I know guys that grind a lot of meat even with the cheap ones but you have to feed it small pieces of meat and they have plastic gears that will break if worked to hard.I figured I would spend more money and get a good one that would last a lifetime and then some.Cabelas has all of their grinders on sale on Black friday.

[pikestabber]

I have looked at the Cabela's models too, and by all accounts they use the right parts (all metal) and seem to be solid units.

[harvey lee]

While researching many grinders, I noticed that some have plastic gears and the better ones have better bearings and metal gears.

I will not ever be grinding too much meat but I do not want to purchase 2 of them if one breaks. Then I may as well buy a better one at the get go.

[reinhard1]

Harvey, dont mess with the plastic gears, metal all the way. i use my grinder all year from time to time for sausage for myself and family and friends. mine is a Torrey with all metal gears, but a LEM is a good brand also and i think less expensive. good luck.

[harvey lee]

I am leaning towards a LEM or one of the better cabela's.

Wasn't planning on spendy quite what I am going to now but as I stated, I don't want a cheaper one that will break if I push it. I also want to grind meat when it's time and not have cleaning issues or have to slow down due to a smaller grinder.

[reinhard1]

i think you will do fine with LEM or one of Cabela's better ones. good luck.

[bloc004]

I have the Kitchener #12 from northern tool and that works great. I spend a lot of time on another meat smoking forum and I know a lot of them recommended that one, or similar ones. They have metal gears and I got mine for around $100. I have probably only run 200 lbs through it in 6 months, but have absolutely no complaints! Another option.

[KEN W]

I have a Sam Beare....works great.Can even grind up chicken,bones and all for cat food.

[bak2MN]

I have the LEM and very happy with it.

[efgh]

I think the 1/2 h.p. at cabelas, gears are metal, stainless steel tray and grinding parts is the one I would buy. Let us know what you buy.

[Walleyehooker]

You could also get one of the hand crankers cheap.lol A buddy of mine had a wise idea of attaching a motor to one of those and it worked pretty good till he stuck his fingers into the shallow throat and lost a couple fingers.Spend the money on a good one and you can hand it down to someone that will remember ya every time they use it. Thats my plan.

[hoytshooter]

i am with bloc. we have a kitchener with a 1/3 horse mounted on board not as pretty as a LEM or Cabelas but it gets the job done but its a son of gun to clean, but i am guessing that all grinders are a pain to clean.

[eyeguy 54]

I bought an Oster 1/3 hp about 25 years ago and it worked as well this year as it did when new. Freinds have used it also. Can't put big chunks in it but it works great and easy to clean.

[harvey lee]

I think the 1/2 h.p. at cabelas, gears are metal, stainless steel tray and grinding parts is the one I would buy. Let us know what you buy.

Probably more than I will ever need but it looks to be well built, with power, and no plastic gears.

#12 LEM STAINLESS STEEL

BIG BITE GRINDER- .75 HP

Item#: 780

A tremendous buy!

The #12, 3/4 HP stainless steel grinder is priced like grinders with less horse power, but offers a strong step up from the .35 HP grinder unit. Grinds approximately 360 pounds an hour and weighs 47 pounds.

LEM made improvements to our grinders.

Standard grinder features and accessories:

All stainless steel motor housing, all metal gears with roller bearings, heavy duty handle for easy moving, 110 volt, permanently lubricated motor, built in circuit breaker, stainless steel knife, head, auger and meat pan 11-1/2" x 8-1/2" x 2-1/4" deep, stainless steel coarse (3/8"), fine (3/16") and, stuffing plates, 3 stuffing tubes (3/8", 3/4", 1-1/4"), and meat stomper. 2 year factory warranty. LEM 30 day money back guarantee.

[reinhard1]

Harvey looks like your good to go with this one. good luck.

[harvey lee]

Like I stated above, more than likely I did not need this much of a grinder for what I will be doing.

But, I did not want to purchas eone that after 20#'s I would say, I wish I would have spent as bit more and purchased a better one. Then what do you do with the 1st one purchased???

[bak2MN]

Harvey that is the one I just bought and am very happy with it for what I am doing as well. Now like you said what do I do with my old one? Its a little small but worked well. But now I am going to do more of my own stuff rather than take it in someplace to be done that is why I bought a little bigger one.

[Jarrod32]

When I started reading this thread, I was going to suggest the LEM #8; but the #12 is a fine choice as well. Might be a bit more than you need, but probably better to have a bit more than not enough.

On a side note, when grinding, it often works better if the meat is frozen, or at least partially frozen.