A new grinder too

[Mossy]

I used my gift cards to pick this up today.  My 10lbs of snack stick meat took about an hour to grind and 2 1/2 hours to stuff with two people and a hand grinder.  I know this should be an upgrade but would like some opinions on the unit before I open the box.  Should be a 1 person operation now anyhow.

 http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=939465&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FparentCategoryId%3D104798880%26categoryId%3D104723280%26subCategoryId%3D104364180%26productId%3D714623%26type%3Dproduct

[NRA4LIFE]

That 10 lbs should go in about 5 minutes.  Let 'er rip!

[turkey buster]

I have an L.E.M. 575 watt grinder that is able to grind 2 lbs a minuet what you got is way better you will love it, for now any way

[billythekidrock]

I used my gift cards to pick this up today.  My 10lbs of snack stick meat took about an hour to grind and 2 1/2 hours to stuff with two people and a hand grinder.  I know this should be an upgrade but would like some opinions on the unit before I open the box.  Should be a 1 person operation now anyhow.

 http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=939465&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FparentCategoryId%3D104798880%26categoryId%3D104723280%26subCategoryId%3D104364180%26productId%3D714623%26type%3Dproduct

It will be ok if you only do a few lbs a year. Not to bum you out, but can you take it back and save up for a better one?

Imagine the upgrade you think this is, then times it by ten for the lowest in the commercial grade series.

FWIW, I have one similar to yours and I only use it once every couple years when I want to do about 5 lbs of brats.

[dogtuk]

Got to agree with the kid here on this one get the biggest and best you can afford may have to save up for a while but will be worth it in the end and they do have great sales at times I would get the commercial unit

[Mossy]

I thought about getting something bigger, maybe the smallest of commercial size.  I'm thinking a larger unit would be a pain for cleanup with small projects though.  A hundred extra dollars isn't bad I guess.

Should I stick with a cabelas unit or is there something else I should be looking at?

[Bean Counter]

Keep your eye out at their bargain cave. I went to teh Lacey store with plans to buy the commercial 3/4 hp for $349. I found it in the bargain cave for $280 bc the box was damaged.  Glad I checked!

If my house burned down tomorrow and I got insurance money for the total value of its contents, I'd go out and buy another 3/4hp grinder. I wouldn't even go down to the 1/2. Try grinding an elk and let me know how that slow grinder works for ya 

[billythekidrock]

You may notice that most here will agree the 1 horse and up is the way to go, but in this case I would think the 1/2 Commercial series would be fine. Definately way better than the Pro series. Plus it comes with more stuffing attachments and the high speed auger.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Home-Cabin/Food-Processing/Food-Grinders%7C/pc/104798880/c/104723280/sc/104364180/Cabelas-Commercial-Grade-Electric-Grinders/744936.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FN%3D1101293%26WTz_l%3DSBC%3BBRprd939465&WTz_l=SBC;BRprd939465;cat104364180

[Mossy]

Looks like downside with the 1/2 hp model is no reverse and 1 speed?  Oh well, I just want something that will last

[Yak-NDN]

I have a 10hp commercial grinder I well sell you. Anyone need more power.

[billythekidrock]

Looks like downside with the 1/2 hp model is no reverse and 1 speed?  Oh well, I just want something that will last

Yes, that is why most reccommend the 1hp, but it is also more expensive.

[Mossy]

I returned the pro series today and picked up the 1/2 hp commercial grinder.

[billythekidrock]

I returned the pro series today and picked up the 1/2 hp commercial grinder.

Now let the sausage fest begin....   oops.. uh. Get to stuffin'.

[PolarBear]

I returned the pro series today and picked up the 1/2 hp commercial grinder.

Now let the sausage fest begin....   oops.. uh. Get to stuffin'.

Have you been hanging around down town Oly or Evergreen too much lately.

[billythekidrock]

 

[dbllung]

gotta agree with the Kid,  i have had a couple of different grinders.  For about 150.00 more you can have the 3/4 hp commercial Cabelas grinder and it will chew up anything for home use i need, we have a large family that has about 7 hunters and the smaller one just wasnt enough. 

That being said if your just looking for something to grind a few pounds with yours should be plenty good.

[Mossy]

I'm sure it will be plenty for our big household of 2 people. The way I've been hunting it will be just used for small projects of sausage.  Thanks for the push in the right direction.

[Mossy]

I returned the pro series today and picked up the 1/2 hp commercial grinder.

Now let the sausage fest begin....   oops.. uh. Get to stuffin'.

I thought about for this for quite a while and ........there's really no good way to respond to that.

[turkey buster]

remember to practice safe stuffing, always use a casing

[carpsniperg2]

  Be carefull with those lamb ones Not as good of casing

[huntlakewood]

remember to practice safe stuffing, always use a casing

 

[Mossy]

Well I tried out the new grinder tonight, no returning now.  True review is: ground 11lbs of beef/pork/venison in about 2 minutes.  Never had to use the stomper.  2nd grind I went to the small grind plate and it went slow.  This is after I mixed seasoning,cure and water to where it was sticky.  I experimented without cured meat on the 2nd grind and it was way faster.
Stuffing was actually pretty good.  One man operation for 11lbs of snack stick size took about an hour.  The grinder informs you that you need to stuff more through the housing with a friendly grinding noise so you can't mess it up.
I used the high speed stuffer attachment and was able to do it by myself.  Last time I used a hand grinder and with 2 people it took around 5 hours for the whole process. 

[Mossy]

Yeah I like it alot!  I can see where someone would want the large model if you use it as a stuffer alot because of the larger neck.  But grinding straight meat was really fast for me.  I won't be buying hamburger anymore, that's for sure.

[huntlakewood]

Be careful its like crack. Making your Owen stuff is addicting