Alexandra Ramirez
1. STX
Best Overall Meat Grinder
5/5 Product Rating
The STX International STX 3000 TF contains a 2 ½ inch diameter output for the meat and a 2 inch feeder for tubed meats like sausage. The grinding plates are made of a top quality steel and can ground meat either course, medium or fine, depending on your needs. This unit is powerful yet compact and only 19 inches wide and 14 inches high and 8 inches across.
There are three cutting blades which match up with a specific grinding plate to ensure top quality grind and increases the life of the blades and the cutting plate. This also provides faster work and more consistency in the finished product. The STX grinder parts should not be cleaned in the dishwasher, but should be washed by hand with a mild soap. The cutting blades, however, are dishwasher safe since they are made from stainless steel material. Also included in the set are three different sized sausage tubes. One is ¾, 5/8 and ½ inch tubes allowing you to create different size sausages. The unit comes with a 3 year warranty and boasts a 99.8% customer satisfaction rating with a 90 day money back guarantee.
– Sarah Lytle
2. Sunmile
Best Overall Meat Grinder – Runner Up
4.7/5 Product Rating
The no load on the unit is 600 watts with a maximum of 1000 watts. The unit is wrapped in steel and easy to operate. It features a locked circuit breaker which will prevent the motor from burning out. There is a safety switch and good ventilation to extend the life of the motor. The Sunmile SM G73 is able to grind up to 185 pounds of meat in an hour. The unit is compact and weighs less than 13 pounds and is 19.7 X 10.7 X 8.6 inches.
– Sarah Lytle
3. Cuisinart
Best Budget Meat Grinder
4.5/5 Product Rating
The housing is an attractive brushed stainless steel that will look great in your kitchen and is easy to clean. The unit is easy to use and has an on/off switch as well as a reverse function. Also included are two sausage attachments for making two different size sausages, and three different cutting plates for fine medium and course grinding. There are two different horn sizes included. One has a ½ inch opening and the other is a 3/8 inch. This unit only weighs 8.5 pounds and includes a die cast hopper for east cleaning. It is compact in size and only measures 9.2 X 16.4 X 8.5 inches. The Cuisinart MG100 comes with a 5 year warranty on the motor.
– Sarah Lytle
Meat Grinder Buying Guide
What is a Meat Grinder?
If you are looking for a way to improve your fresh meat options a meat grinder can help solve the problem. It can complete a number of tasks and result in heathier foods you are serving your family. Choosing which grinder will meet your needs will be determined by a number of factors.
Do you want a manual or electric unit? Manual meat grinders are great for grinding small quantities. They are less expensive because they do not have a motor and are hand cranked. These units will clamp to a table or countertop and must be secure and stable in order to work effectively. You are able to grind 2 to 3 pounds per minute manually. Multiple cutting plates will add to the versatility of the unit. Turkey, chicken, pork, beef, and vegetables can be fed through the funnel. Small cutting plates are 3/16 of an inch, where a large plate is ½ inch and will determine how fine or course the finished product is.
Electric grinders are faster and more efficient because they have a powerful motor attached. They operate similarly to a hand grinder and include cutting plates which determine how fine the meat is after it has been ground. 3/16, ¼, and ½ inch grinding plates are the most common sizes, and enable you to reach your preferred coarseness by changing the plates. Electric grinders are able to increase the amount of meat that can be ground without increasing the effort.
Do you want a sausage extension? Sausage extensions are common features that add the ability to use a meat grinder. You are able to make different size sausages and create your own recipes. These are generally only found on electric models.
What types of meat will you grind? Grinders can handle all types of meat including beef, pork, chicken, duck, deer, and other wild game. The coarseness you want to accomplish and the cut of meat can impact the grinder you choose.
How often will you use the grinder? The more often you want to use the unit, the more powerful of a motor you will need. Consider how often the unit will be used. Price is largely dictated by the power of the motor and if you will only use it occasionally then an investment in a more powerful motor may not be necessary.
How much meat will you grind at a time? Volume will also be a factor in the size and power of motor you need. If you hunt you may want a stronger motor allowing you to grind more at one time, even if you only use the unit occasionally.
Features to Consider
What size motor do you need? This consideration is the biggest factor in the cost. The more powerful the motor, the more expensive the unit will be. Units with plastic parts in the motor will not be able to handle the volume of all metal units. Total wattage output and the design of the motor will determine which unit will best meet your needs.
Do you want a reverse function? Electric machines with a reverse function will allow the motor to help clear a jam when it occurs.
How many blades do you need? Single or multiple blades can be found on numerous electric units. When blades get dull they do not cut meat effectively and must be changed. Matching a blade with the grinding plate will make the blades last longer, prevent jams and reduce problems with the quality of your finished product.
How many grinding plates are included? Many electric units offer three grinding plates, course, medium and fine. When working with meats always start with the largest plate and work your way down to a fine cut. This makes multiple plates a valuable feature to have with your unit.
What attachments are included. Sausage attachments are one of the most common attachments included with a grinder. This enables you to make homemade sausage from top quality meats. Another useful accessory is a Kubbe attachment which allows you to make middle eastern dishes that look professionally made. In addition to attachments consider the size options. Do you need one size tube for sausages or three? What size will be most practical?
How many speeds are on the machine? Various speeds can help you work with different thicknesses of meat. Some units are only one speed, where others have high and low speed along with a reverse function.
What size grinding head fits the tool? The grinding head will determine the size the meat must be cut before running it through the machine. Larger heads reduce preparation time, while smaller heads require more prep time because the meat must be cut into smaller pieces.
Conclusion
In our search for healthier living, working with products that are less processed, is sought after. Electric meat grinders allow you to provide healthier, tastier meat, for your family. You can buy meat locally and process it yourself for a more natural meal. The electric grinder makes the job easy and fast, giving you a convenient way to improve the health of the meals served to your loved ones.
