Meat Grinder Recommendations

[nofishfisherman]

I am looking for a decent meat grinder that can process maybe 1-2 deer per year. Problem is I'm on a budget on this one. I've done some looking at electric grinders and they seem to range from $65-$400+ on Amazon. Thats a pretty big price range and honestly I need to stay on the lower end of this range.

I've seen a couple 1hp grinders on amazon made by Sunmile for under $100 and also some various other grinders rated in watts instead of hp, these were ranging from 200-1000 watts. No real idea what sort of power to look for in order to do a decent job.

I'm not as worried about speed of grinding as I am with finding something that won't break or burn up the motor. I'll usually be doing 1-2 deer per year with very little use outside of that.

Any suggestions of a grinder that will get the job done without breaking the bank?

[DonBo]

I have a Cabela's Heavy-Duty Meat Grinder and it works just fine. 400 watts, on sale now for $79.99.

[otterman91105]

I bought a LEM from fleet farm and love it. It was $239 i think and i do 2 deer each year more then big enough. I think you could get a smaller one just depends on how fast you want to grind your meat.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I had the Cabela's Pro Grinder last year and made it through about 1/3 of a deer before it burnt out. In talking with a few other people with more meat grinder experience, it sounds like the cheap grinders just aren't up to the task, except for very occasional usage.

I caught a sale on the grinders right at the time I returned this, so I got one of the Cabela's Commercial grinders. Unfortunately no deer for me this year, so I didn't get a chance to test it out. But, I can tell from looking at it that it is MUCH higher quality.

[smurfy]

how would those work for lets say making horseradish............in your opinions??????????

[jigginjim]

several do come with different knife grindig kits for fine grinding. If it needs to be super smooth may be best for it food processor. I have a small $100 unti wish I have went bigger for the speed. Double or triple the time it says on the book. my

[hockeybc69]

I also had a Cabelas grinder that a gear tooth broke internally.

I did everything I could to get just the simple gear, and no luck.

It was out of warranty about 6 months. The Rogers store manager told me to bring it back and he had a new one at the service desk for me. That was pretty dang nice of him.

[nofishfisherman]

I've looked at alot of different options online and gears breaking seems to be a common issue. Seems like reviews on most are hit and miss. Either they work great or they are garbage just depends on if a gear breaks.

I can't really afford one with metal gears right now so I might have to take a chance on one with plastic gears. I think I'll for sure get one from a store with a good return policy.

[Scott M]

I have a Cabela's Heavy-Duty Meat Grinder and it works just fine. 400 watts, on sale now for $79.99.

Glad to hear that, I just saw that today and since its reversible and can stuff sausage too, I figured for 80 bucks why not? I do a deer annually, might do up to 2, and then some waterfowl for snack sticks. I'm gonna give it a shot.

[Walleyehooker]

Those cheaper ones will do the job but most have plastic or cheap parts inside that tend to break. Cabelas gets lots of them back and will have a bunch of reconditioned ones for sale at times. You get what you pay for in grinders.

[dirtking]

I had a cheaper one and it did the job for about 2 to 3 years - maybe 5 deer and then the gears went. Bought a 3/4 HP at the big C (on sale) and have run a few deer through it so far and its awesome - I have no doubt it will last 4 times as long as a cheap one. So the cheaper ones work fine - they just are not going to last forever grinding up venison

[otterman91105]

Mine is the big bite LEM and i love it. It's more expensive but works great and it's fast.

[bloc004]

Kitchener #12 grinder. All metal gears and the price is right! I have had this for 2 years now and love it. Not the fastest, but for the price, cant complain!

[pikestabber]

Mine is the big bite LEM and i love it. It's more expensive but works great and it's fast.

+2. Well worth every penny. I can't feed the hopper fast enough to keep up with it and I've processed many deer with no issues at all. Great unit, IMO.

[jigginjerk]

I have had the cabelas pro for about five years and it has ground about 12-15 deer and ground all the pork and beef that was needed and still works great.Just can't get to rammy when you grind. Maybe I'm just lucky.

[eyeguy 54]

Going on 30 years with my old Oster. :>)

[BoxMN]

Got a 575watt LEM for my grandson, but he won't unwrap it to see what it will do for a few weeks yet Price was right during online Black Friday sale at $59, usually about $120... we shall see in time! We have two deer waiting

[Walleye Guy]

Just read the reviews on the Kitchener #12. People rave about this grinder. The only complaints are related to noise. All metal parts too. Its on sale for $100 at a couple reputable stores. I think I will be taking a closer look at this one.

[bloc004]

Yes if you go on some of the larger meat smoking/ sausage making forums, this is what a lot of people have. Anytime someone asks "which grinder to get" this is the one they point to.

[smurfy]

several do come with different knife grindig kits for fine grinding. If it needs to be super smooth may be best for it food processor. I have a small $100 unti wish I have went bigger for the speed. Double or triple the time it says on the book. my

i dont like real fine horseradish. i currently use to old, cast???? type grinder with the courser screen.

sounds as though some of these newer grinders out wont cut the mustard for grinding horseradish with plastic gears.

[B-man715]

Nofishfisherman,

I have a little electric ginder (800 watt) that is just what you are looking for (I upgraded to a 3/4 hp).

If you're ever up this way it's yours under one condition....... you gotta pay it forward

[nofishfisherman]

Thats a very generous offer. I'll let you know if I'm up that way in the near future. I have a buddy who drives through your area on the way to the inlaws. I may be able to convince him to pick it up for me next time he's through there since his deer would likely be ground with it as well.

[lispeej]

Do most of you guys use your grinder to stuff your sausages/brats as well? Or do you guys have a separate stuffer for that purpose?

Thanks.

[bloc004]

Your grinder will work as a stuffer. I would suggest (if possible) getting a seperate stuffer. I used my grinder for a few years and I got by, but it was slow, and almost impossible to do alone. I got the 5 lb LEM stuffer and it makes brats and sticks so much easier to stuff!

[nofishfisherman]

Well I found a good deal on a Sunmile 1hp grinder on Amazon. It was under $60 so it hit my price range.

Spent the afternoon grinding up 20-25 pounds of venison and it worked great. Never bogged down, never got clogged, never overheated. Also used it to make 5 pounds of ground venison jerky.