Electric Meat Grinders

There are many considerations as to which Electric Meat Grinders are best and what the differences are.

If you are thinking about buying your own electric meat grinder, the choices may seem a little confusing. An electric meat grinder takes the hard work out of processing meat for hamburgers and meatballs, and can be used to make your own sausages, fish cakes, sandwich spreads, relishes, soups, sauces and more. Processing your own meat gives you complete control over what you are eating, so you can limit the amount of fat, salt and additives in your food. You can even make homemade pet food for your dogs or cats.

An electric meat grinder consists of a hopper, which is the tube down which the sliced or cubed meat will be pushed, a worm screw or auger, that pushes the meat through the cutting blades and then through the grinding plates and out the other end of the grinding head. The meat tray will fit over the hopper so you can put all the meat into it, then guide it or push it down the hopper with the ‘stomper’ or pusher.

The size of the grinding head is referred to by number. A #5 size head is the smallest and can be found in various sizes all the way up to #46. A smaller head size means that less meat can be pushed through the machine. They can process less than the bigger machines, and take longer to do it.

This is why the smaller machines with head sizes #5 and #8, are recommended for domestic use. If you’re only processing a few pounds of meat to make a dozen hamburgers, they  will do the job fine, but if you’re making 500 hamburger patties to sell you’ll want a machine that can push more quantity through a bigger head. Also, the bigger head usually is supported by a bigger motor, better able to handle the larger capacity.

The grinding plates are available in different sizes, fine (3/16 “), medium (1/4”) and coarse (1/2”). The plates have an array of holes through which the meat is pushed, and these sizes refer to the size of the ‘tubes’ of meat that will emerge. Different sizes work better for different types of processed food, for example the fine plate would be used most often for sausages.

Small Electric Meat Grinders – #5- #8 head

These are more convenient for home use, but are powerful enough to handle a surprising amount of meat. Most meat grinders in this category have a size #5 head.

Waring make a couple of smaller electric meat grinders suitable for home use. The Waring Pro MG-800 Professional is popular because its strong motor (450W) makes it suitable for hunters and farmers who process larger quantities than a city home would. A rugged, durable machine that is easy to use and clean, this grinder gets good reviews. One particular benefit seems to be the precise action of the grinding screw, which pulls the meat in so efficiently, many felt the ‘pusher’ wasn’t necessary. As with most electric meat grinders, the blades and plates are carbon steel, and require extra care when cleaning and storing to prevent rust.

Weston’s 82-1010-W is a popular choice for home kitchens. Although it only has a 200W motor, it differs from most home grinders with a size #8 head, allowing for a larger capacity and more grinding texture. This model has a convenient storage compartment at the back of the machine to keep the attachments handy, and it comes with 3 cutting plates and a sausage stuffing attachment. The Weston 82-0102-W has a tomato strainer kit – great for pasta sauces – and the 82-0103-W is supplied with a shredder and slicer kit, so vegetable preparation is a breeze as well.

The Villaware V5266 Elite Pro Grinder is a good choice if you are grinding meat only for home use. This machine cannot handle poultry or gamebird bones like the Waring Pro, but it is great for hamburgers, minced meat and sausages. Unfortunately the plastic coupling casts doubts on the durability of this machine, although it works well and users are happy with its performance.

Another good electric meat grinder for home use is the Rival 2275-WN. Easy to assemble and clean, the Rival grinder also has a smaller 200W motor. That said, some owners of this machine use it regularly for deer with no capacity, clogging or cleaning problems. This model also comes with 3 cutting plates and a sausage attachment.

 Medium Electric Meat Grinders – #12 head 

These machines have a much larger capacity. Ideal for semi-commercial purposes and the avid cook, the bigger capacity suits farmers and hunters who process a lot of meat, as well as restaurants, delis and smaller hotels. This size of grinder is generally much quicker too, handling between 3 and 6 pounds of meat per minute. Many of the medium sized meat grinders are equipped with handles to make moving them easier, and many of the models have attachments such as tenderizers and vegetable shredders.  They are a lot more versatile than the smaller grinders, but this must be weighed against the additional cost and the heaviness of these machines.

The Northern Tool Electronic Meat Grinder – surprisingly priced in a similar range to the small meat grinders, has a 1000 Watt motor that can grind 176 pounds of meat per hour! With a pulsing ‘ON’ switch – perfect for filling sausage casings, this grinder comes with 3 cutting plates and of course the sausage stuffing attachment. This model also has a reverse switch for easy clearing if necessary. A great option for semi-commercial use, the affordability of this machine makes it ideal for heavy-duty home use as well. Another handy feature is a storage unit for the attachments, as well as a cord storage area.

Weston’s 08-2201-W SS, with a 1HP / 750 Watt motor is a powerful machine that easily grinds 12 pounds of meat per minute, with an extra large oval hopper to make the larger capacity easy to handle. A sturdy handle and non-slip rubber feet improve both the stability and mobility of this machine. Easy to clean, this model comes with the usual 3 cutting plates, sausage attachment and a heavy duty stomper.

Another 1HP electric meat grinder that can be used for semi-commercial meat grinding is the Eastman Outdoors Meat Grinder. This machine handles 540 to 600 pounds per hour and is easy to assemble and clean. Stainless steel construction adds to the durability of this grinder, but weighing in at more than 60 pounds, you’re not going to want to move it around much.

Anvil’s No. 12 Meat Grinder has a 3/4 HP motor that grinds up to 220 pounds of meat per hour. Stainless steel construction and a compact body make this a great counter-top meat grinder. Also available with a #22 size head for even bigger capacity, this grinder does not come with a sausage stuffing attachment.

Large Electric Meat Grinders – #22 to #46 head 

The large category is more suited to commercial purposes, where large quantities are required, and speed becomes a bigger factor. They come with a variety of attachments, various sizes of meat pans and accessories that suit commercial processed meat production. They usually incorporate a circuit breaker for safety, and most have two cutting plates for better consistency. The hopper and mincing unit on these machines is usually detachable for cleaning purposes.

Hobarts’ Meat Grinder meets the high volume demand and the consistency and quality standards of commercial customers. The 4146 model features a

5 HP motor, magnetic starter and a high back to handle the large capacity that its whopping #46 size head welcomes. All machine parts that make contact with the product are easily removed for cleaning, or can be easily reached for cleaning in place. This meat grinder has a capacity of 60 to 65 pounds per minute on the first cutting, through a coarse plate, and 45 to 50 pounds per minute on the second cutting with a fine plate.

Omcan-FMA make industrial electric meat grinders as well. The A32 model, with a size #32 head, is an attractive fan-cooled counter-top model. A 2.7 HP motor offers consistency over large quantities, ideal for butchers and delis.

Proper cleaning of your meat grinder is important for health and hygiene reasons, as well as to prevent rust. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, but a helpful hint is to run a few slices of bread or a couple of crackers through the grinder when you are done. This removes scraps of meat and soaks up grease. It is generally recommended that you hand wash and dry the parts immediately, whether they are dishwasher-friendly or not. This makes sure that no meat is left in any of the nooks and crannies, and also prevents rust. Carbon steel plates need to be coated in vegetable oil before being stored. Stainless steel or steel plates can be stored in zip top bags with a handful of rice to absorb any moisture.

Whichever model suits your needs, you will find home-made processed meat tastier, fresher and leaner than store bought.