Meat grinder suggestions

[highmuley]

Hello,

Just as the title states, I am needing to purchase a meat grinder. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. Maybe sub $200. Any suggestions on brand, capacity, etc.? I'm not looking for a hand crank either. How about the kitchen aid attachment? Does anyone have experience with it? Thanks

[luvmystang67]

I have this and love it.  Its powerful, fast, and cheap.  I've put probably a dozen or so animals though it without issue (maybe more).  Never had a hiccup with it.  Only thing is that you have to cut meat down into about 2" cubes or smaller so it feeds fast, but if you do that you can process a whole animal lickety-split.

http://www.onestopjerkyshop.com/tasin-ts-108-tasin-ts-108-electric-meat-grinder/

[kselkhunter]

I have the kitchen aid attachment, not enough horsepower was a pain in the rear.  So I bought the Cabelas grinder and it works great.  I use it a lot.  I also have the Cabelas wide vacuum sealer, and it also has been wonderful. 

I process all the game for myself and my friends.  And I can put quite a few animals through it all quite efficiently.  I still use the handcrank sausage stuffer though; I just prefer it. 

[Angry Perch]

How many pounds of meat a year do you think you'll grind? As an occasional use, small batch grinder, you'll find the KitchenAid is very handy. If you're doing medium-large scale production, you'll grow tired of it real fast.

[C-Money]

I have this one, and have made a lot of good burger with it with out any trouble. Great investment.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabela-s-deluxe-grinder/1843506.uts?WT.ac=RI-1843506&WT.z_pg_ref=prd2277622

[quadrafire]

I've use this model for several years and still do occasionally when I don't feel like hauling the big one out.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/home-cabin/food-processing/food-grinders%7C/pc/104798880/c/104723280/sc/104364180/cabelas-deluxe-meat-grinder/1843506.uts

[quadrafire]

C-money, I must have been posting and not seen yours. Same one

[Dhoey07]

I've had this one, http://www.cabelas.com/product/hunting/food-processing/food-grinders%7C/pc/104791680/c/104723280/sc/104364180/cabelas-heavy-duty-grinder/1387520.uts , for going on 9 years now.  Its ground up many deer, elk, chickens, bear, you name it.  You don't need a big grinder with horsepower ratings to get the job done 

Plus, if anything does happen to break, you got a lifetime warrenty 

[kselkhunter]

Tip:  One tip I learned if using a lower power grinder is to put the meat in the freezer first and get it's temperature down, not frozen, but it grinds much more easily in a low horsepower grinder it's temperature is close to freezing.  Even with my higher horsepower grinder it helps speed things up.

[highmuley]

Thanks folks! All good info. As far as number of animals, we're looking at 2-6 deer, possibly elk and a bear or two, aren't out of the question. I asked about the kitchen aid attachment because the woman keeps asking if we should just get that instead of a stand up grinder.

[quadrafire]

You should get the kitchen aid mixer for her and a stand alone grinder for you

[highmuley]

You should get the kitchen aid mixer for her and a stand alone grinder for you

Ha! I'd still end up doing all the grinding...she does want the pasta attachment though....hmmmm....I love bribery

[kselkhunter]

Grinder attachment for KitchenAid at $50 and slow processing, compared to a Cabelas grinder for $90-$180 that can process many times faster. 

Having done both, I'd skip the KitchenAid and just get a dedicated grinder.   

[KFhunter]

I still use my kitchenaid grinder, on a tough roast I'll grind the cooked left over and make sammys,  or I'll mix in a bit of bacon to something and grind it.  I like to do a coarse grind and freeze meat then thaw it add seasoning or bacon then grind through the kitchenaid.


I have the 2hp Cabela's carnivore and love that.

[huntingfool7]

Thanks folks! All good info. As far as number of animals, we're looking at 2-6 deer, possibly elk and a bear or two, aren't out of the question. I asked about the kitchen aid attachment because the woman keeps asking if we should just get that instead of a stand up grinder.

Go bigger and you'll be happier.  A half dozen deer or an elk latter and you'll be glad you did.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/home/cabelas-carnivore-grinders%7C/pc/105625080/c/923155380/cabelas-carnivore-hp-grinder/2111979.uts