Anyone have or use the Nesco FG-400PR Grinder?

[teebob2000]

Hi all - I'm looking for a starter grinder to get into sausage-making.  I found one I can get for reward points on my credit card; IOW, free.  It's got fair-to-middling reviews on amazon.com but seems like an OK starter unit with literally no money investment.  My thought was I could then put some money in a good dedicated stuffer, like the LEM 5# and then, once I'm into it, upgrade the grinder further down the road.

Nesco makes a dehydrator that gets good reviews on here and amazon, and I have 2 Nesco roaster/cookers that I've had for ages that have held up really well.  Anyone used this Nesco before or have any thoughts?

http://amzn.to/WAVCae

Thanks!!

Tom

 

[rexlan]

I would read the reviews a little closer and then pass on this grinder.

However, harbor freight has a cheap grinder that actually works well and it is a bargain price.  I have one and use it allot when I want a small batch ~ 5 lbs or so.  It is quick and easy.

It is on sale and here is an additional coupon code that makes it a total cost of $39 ...!!!!!!!  Enter the code and apply it for another $10 off ... LOL.  22478559   should be good all month.

http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-meat-grinder-99598.html

 

[teebob2000]

Thanks for the feedback and the code, rex!   That model doesn't seem awfully different in terms of feedback from the Nesco one, looks like some people got lemons that didn't work to start with, and everyone else was pretty happy with it.

Do you know the size of that HF model?  Doesn't say that I could find, and the thing that gave me pause about the Nesco is that it's an "off" size so you can't buy commonly-available attachments.

 

[daveomak]

Below is a Kitchener #12... several members have this model... including me....  works well....   If you wait, it will go on sale....

Dave

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200451267_200451267

 

[teebob2000]

Hey Dave - thanks.  Yeah it seems a LOT of folks have that Kitchener and are very happy with it.

It's $99 now, do you mean it'll go on sale for less than that?

 

[daveomak]

At times they do.....  I think the low I saw just before Christmas was $79....  Just before holidays seems like... Dave

 

[tennsmoker]

Hey Tom,

I have the Kitchener #12 also and I am really happy so far, it was an up grade from a Kitchen Aid grinder. Haven't had any problem at all.

Just a reminder, the $99 is an ONLINE price I found out after I went to the Northern Tool store to buy it!! They didn't hesitate at all to chg the in store price from $129 to $99 once I was already there. Just in case you were to go to the store to purchase. If so, just buy it on line & pick it up at the store.

al

 

[linguica]

I would read the reviews a little closer and then pass on this grinder.

Pay attention to the reviews. If 100 people review the item and half of those give it three stars or less I wold think twice about spending my hard earned money. IMHO Look at the reviews on the 18.5 and 22.5 WSM. Now those are reviews!

 

[teebob2000]

Pay attention to the reviews. If 100 people review the item and half of those give it three stars or less I wold think twice about spending my hard earned money. IMHO Look at the reviews on the 18.5 and 22.5 WSM. Now those are reviews!

Thanks, Linguica.  "Hard earned money" is the key, In my OP I noted I can get it for effectively no cost via a few thousand credit card reward points (I have a couple hundred thousand points so I have plenty of them).  But I take your point, if something's a pain to use and doesn't work right, it's STILL a pain to use even if it is free!!  I was just trying to do a classic cheap-out.  LOL