Not so long ago a friend invited us to have BBQ in their house and there we were in for an exciting surprise. Burgers tasted like those we remembered from childhood and youth. “But where did you find these? We thought nobody makes them like that anymore!” “You thought well,” he said, “ I made them by myself. And I bought this brand new meat grinder because the pre-ground meat was always somehow too fatty”.
The taste of these burgers stayed with us for a long time. So did the idea of home ground meat vs. pre-ground option bought in the supermarket. Each time we ate burgers or sausages, we compared the taste with those we ate at our friend’s. And, indeed, it was incomparably better.
It was a big shock, but we finally understood the point our friends we trying to make while complaining about all the changes we are experiencing. Hence we decided to buy one of the best meat grinders too. But the problem was, of course, how to figure out which one. Hence we investigated online, talked with some experts, and read similar texts. Finally, we managed to find our best meat grinder. And now we wish to share with you all that we know, so you could find some good model too!
Top 5 Best Meat Grinders: Comparison Table
| Product | Type | Power | Speed | Dimensions | Weight |
| STX Turboforce 3000 Heavy-Duty Electric Meat Grinder | Electric | 1.6 HP | 180-240 lbs per hour | 20 x 12 x 11 inches | 12 pounds |
| LEM Products Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder | Electric | 0.5 HP | ~7 lbs per minute | 20.24 x 9.13 x 15.98 inches | 28.66 pounds |
| KitchenAid KSMMGA Metal Food Grinder Attachment | Stand mixer attachment | n/a | n/a | 8.8 x 5.5 x 8.4 inches | 2.5 pounds |
| Gourmia GMG525 Meat Grinder | Electric | 0.7 HP | n/a | 5.5 x 13.5 x 11.75 inches | 6.8 pounds |
| LEM Products #10 Clamp-on Hand Grinder | Manual | n/a | n/a | 11.5 x 8.3 x 5.3 inches | 6.35 pounds |
Let’s take a look at the five top-rated meat grinder models, and what pros/cons they have.
STX Turboforce 3000 Heavy-Duty Electric Meat Grinder
This is a heavy-duty meat grinder, with a strong motor. It also comes with thick rubber feet so you can be sure that it won’t jump around during operation. Plus, it has a pretty great design.
STX is a fantastic electric meat grinder that makes the meat processing game appears like a piece of cake. It grinds large quantities of meat at once. On top of that, you can also grind other foods but avoid hard foods like chickpeas, for example.
|
What We Like |
What We Don’t Like |
|
|
LEM Products Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder
Whether you are a hunter or like the game, we have a feeling that you will love this machine. First of all, it is indeed incredible how quiet this electric meat grinder is. You won’t even notice it working. Apart from that, it is super fast and efficient. Regardless of whether you want meat from burgers, Italian sausages, or some other delicacy you will see this is the best meat grinder for the money.
|
What We Like |
What We Don’t Like |
|
|
KitchenAid KSMMGA Metal Food Grinder Attachment
According to the manual meat grinder reviews from many buyers, this is a truly wonderful machine. All the burger lovers will appreciate it because you can effortlessly grind a lot of meat at once. Chances are that once you try the burger with a meat ground in this grinder, you will never want to eat them anywhere else. Even though it is a manual meat grinder, the process is still pretty straightforward.
|
What We Like |
What We Don’t Like |
|
|
Gourmia GMG525 Meat Grinder
It is a heavy-duty machine that comes with three durable stainless steel blades, so you can use different types of cuts. It also has a three-way on/off reverse switch and dual safety switch. All parts are removable, so you can clean them effortlessly. It is also one of the cheapest meat grinders, so you can buy it even if you are on a tight budget.
|
What We Like |
What We Don’t Like |
|
|
LEM Products #10 Clamp-on Hand Grinder
If you are looking for an affordable deer meat grinder, here’s might be a perfect option for you! This is a powerful, heavy-duty machine, made of stainless steel, which means that it is rust-resistant. It comes with three stuffing tubes, which are a great feature for those who enjoy making sausages.
|
What We Like |
What We Don’t Like |
|
|
Why You Need a Meat Grinder
There are plenty of reasons why people choose to buy one of the best meat grinder brands. For example, according to many meat grinder reviews from users, many folks told us that they prefer to grind meat themselves because, that way, they know what goes in their burgers and sausages. Some also like to have control over the percentage of fat and meat they want to use. Finally, some people like to make their blends, the same as with coffee, for example. You know, say, you buy pre-ground meat in the supermarket. It is undeniably convenient. But the reality is that you don’t know how much pork and how much your beef gets in it. And when you have the best meat grinder you can be certain what’s in the mix, and what exactly you’re eating. Hence why meat grinders are often considered some of the best gifts for meat smokers.
There is also a question of cost. By making your burgers, sausages, etc., you save quite a lot of money. And when you invest in a durable, best grinder, you can save even more.
Meat Grinders Types Overview
Electric Meat Grinders
According to the electric meat grinder reviews, these are simply marvelous machines to have when planning to grind a lot of meat. The main reason is, of course, that they will save you plenty of time and effort because they don’t require your strength to work.
An electric meat grinder is also an excellent way, to make sausages since the machine allows you to start and stop the process as you wish.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
Manual Meat Grinders
As you can guess, even the best manual meat grinder requires some strength and time. That means that the quantity of meat you will grind depends on how strong you are.
But on the bright side, this is also the cheapest mear grinder type, as well as pretty portable.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
Stand Attachment Meat Grinders
These are specific types of grinders that work with mixers such as Cuisinart and KitchenAid. They also work on electric power. However, even the best meat grinders of this type cant grind as much meat as standard electric meat grinders. However, they are also cheaper than the later model.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
What Should I Look For When Buying a Meat Grinder?
Amount of Meat & Meat Types Processed
Of course, one of the first things you need to think about is how much and what kind of meat you want to grind. Say you are grinding only occasionally for your family or friends. In that case, you don’t really need a fancy, big grinder. In that case, a manual meat grinder will be a cheaper and overall better option for you.
Motor Power
If you want an electric meat grinder, then you have to think about the power. And while creating our meat grinder reviews, we’ve discovered that there’s a huge variety in terms of power. Some models range from 300 to 2000 or even 3000 watts. Machines with more wattage are, of course, faster and can grind more. However, they are also more expensive. Thus, it’s best to opt for a middle ground – no less than 800 – 1000 watts.
Features & Attachments
Features and attachments vary depending on the grinder. Usually, it’s great if the meat grinder has more plates, so you can choose grind size.
Many people also like models with the reverse option, because it allows them to take care of the blockages. And if you, let’s say, like sausages, then look for some top-rated meat grinder with tubes.
Construction
Meat grinders can be made of many materials, from plastic or metal. However, we would recommend the models made of stainless steel. This material comes with antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties. It is also rust-proof.
On the downside, meat grinders made of stainless steel are more expensive, but they are worth the money.
How to Use Your Meat Grinder
Okay, so you have your best meat grinder! Now the time came for you to understand how to use it properly:
- Before you start grinding, make sure both meat and the attachments are cold. The best is to keep them in a freezer for at least an hour.
- Choose the meat you want to grind.
- Now, remember that you can’t simply put the whole chunk of meat in the grinder. You have to cut it into pieces. The size will vary depending on the type of your machine.
- Follow the instructions from the manufacturer and start grinding.
Tips for Successful Grinding
- Add salt to the meat for sausages before grinding. If you are making burgers, add salt after.
- Grind first larger pieces, and smaller after.
- Remember to use cold meat because the meat might residue inside the grinder, which can promote the growth of bacteria.
- Clean the grinder after every use – it will not only prolong its lifespan but will also protect you from illnesses, such as Salmonella.
How to Clean and Maintain Meat Grinder
- Make sure that the blades are always sharp. You will have to sharpen them artificially at least once a year, depending on how often you use the device.
- Keep the plates clean to avoid that meat gets contaminated with bacteria, etc.
- The best way is to wash it manually with hot water and soap.
- Make sure to remove all the stuck meat particles before cleaning.
Conclusion
And that’s all we wanted to share on what makes the best meat grinder! It is a powerful and useful device that every meat lover should have at home. And when you want to choose only the best meat grinder in 2023 you need to pay attention: how good is the wattage? Does the machine have any accessories? How much meat can in the process? Keep these in mind, and you will surely find the good, top-rated meat grinder in no time!
So have you ever used a meat grinder before?