Meat Grinders

[Bait O' Eggs]

I would like to buy a good quality meat grinder. The $100 plastic ones wont do it for me I am afraid. I have shopped around and see what appears to be some quality units at Cabelas in the $300 to $500 range. The local butcher supply shop wants about $700 for a very nice all stainless, metal gear (as opposed to plastic gears) unit that looks really really nice.

Does anybody have any opinions on a good meat grinder that will last a life time. Suggestions? Do the cheap ones last more than a couple deer?

I would love to find a commercial one where the shop is going out of business and wanted to make me a deal. :smile:

[Artwo]

BOE,
I have a old cast iron hand crank type that my mom gave me years ago. It can crank out tons on ground meat in no time at all with very little effort. It also has an assortment of different size nozzles (if thats's the correct wording) that came with it. I have seen these same units in antique stores for very little money. Goodwill and garage sales are another good spot to look for them as well. Unless you plan on processing meat regularly, one of these hand units might be the way to go......I love mine and it's bulletproof.

JK

[winterkill]

We have a meat grinder that is electronic and all steel. I would recommend gettting the best one you can afford. We have had this grinder since the 50's and it is still going strong. This year we just got a new feeder piece, (I am not sure what it is called but its the part that the meat comes through). I have never used a plastic one but if you want to get a lifetime out of a grinder, get stainless steel or cast iron.

[bigshark]

BOE, glad to see you back on the board. Thought one of those brothers of yours was keeping you busy or something . I agree with Artwo for what its worth. I have two hand crankers that were aquired by my folks sometime prior to WWII. A deer is a snap....An elk gets a lower percentage of gridding in my house but it doesn't seem long to me to get the job done. Ours are two differnt sizes. I see them at junk(antique) shops that my wife likes to drag me to. Last I saw $10 will get you one with three or more different blades that change the size of the grinding. Happy Holidays Roy.

[OneLastCast]

Bait:

I bought a stainless steel "commercial" one with all metal parts at the sportsman show about 5 years ago. I think the cost ran around $450 to $500. It was at a booth that was selling commercial vacuum packers. It looks similar to the stainless one that is in Cabellas. (not the top of the line one they show that looks like a turbine from a dam)
I have been really happy with it and have never had a problem with the motor dogging. Just have had problems with the sinew and fiber from the elk binding and clogging up the outlet plate. I am still searching for a solution to that.

OneLastCast

[ 12-21-2001: Message edited by: OneLastCast ]</p>

[Mr. Fisherman]

Roy,

I have had one of the hand crank units for many years. It was my grand parents and has seen a lot of use. It isn't bad cranking the thing and it works like a champ.

I also have the meat grinder attachment for my Bosch. It is all metal and has never let me down. But when I have a lot to do I use the old hand crank model. It reminds me of my grandparents and the times we worked to make Italian Sausage for the hollidays.

By the way, don't you have a son that needs to be taught the finer points of meat grinding and sausage making? I got to crank and add spices when I was a boy. Think I'll pass on the tradition to my son .

The extra money could mean a few more fishing/hunting trips. Alaska air has some real deals to Alaska if you buy before the 28th and you don't have to use them till sometime in June.

Hope you find what you are looking for. If you want to try my grinder let me know,

Ray

[Cutter]

Hey BOE I have been looking around for a grinder as well. I found a guy in Clatskanie that actually sell all kinds of grinders. His web site is http://www.GrinderGuy.com he also sells stuff on Ebay, that's how I found him. Check out this one. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...tem=1052838136 it can be hand or electric.

Good luck.

[ 12-22-2001: Message edited by: Cutter ]

[ 12-22-2001: Message edited by: Cutter ]</p>

[Joe]

I bought the 1/3 hp commercial grade grinder from Cabelas. I think it was about $270. It works great so far. I can grind 30# of meat in a matter of minutes. Comes with sausage stuffing tubes as well.