Considering Smaller Meat Grinder

[jrsdws]

Hey all. As per the title, I'm considering the purchase of a new, smaller meat grinder for small batch runs of sausage and burger and such. I currently have a #22 Cabela's Carnivore and it's a brute to get out for small batches. I'm wondering if a #8 would be good enough for small 5-10lb runs? Will #8 do coarse and fine grinds ok?
Can you help me with brands between LEM, Cabelas, Meat!, and Weston Pro?
Weston Pro has .75hp motor. The rest .50hp.
The Meat! #12 0.75hp is on sale right now and competitively priced with the others' #8 grinders.
What say you, grinding guys?

 

[Brokenhandle]

Hey all. As per the title, I'm considering the purchase of a new, smaller meat grinder for small batch runs of sausage and burger and such. I currently have a #22 Cabela's Carnivore and it's a brute to get out for small batches. I'm wondering if a #8 would be good enough for small 5-10lb runs? Will #8 do coarse and fine grinds ok?
Can you help me with brands between LEM, Cabelas, Meat!, and Weston Pro?
Weston Pro has .75hp motor. The rest .50hp.
The Meat! #12 0.75hp is on sale right now and competitively priced with the others' #8 grinders.
What say you, grinding guys?

I did the same thing... have a 1 1/2 hp Cabelas grinder we use when grinding deer burger and bought a number 8 Lem for small batches. It works good for that. Noisier than I expected but it's not terrible.

Ryan

 

[jrsdws]

I did the same thing... have a 1 1/2 hp Cabelas grinder we use when grinding deer burger and bought a number 8 Lem for small batches. It works good for that. Noisier than I expected but it's not terrible.

Ryan

Big Bite? Does it handle the second grind (fine grind) pretty good? It's a bunch lighter weight than the others at like 28lbs. The others are all just over 40lbs. Not sure why such a big difference. Hopefully not plastic gears?

 

[SmokinEdge]

Big Bite? Does it handle the second grind (fine grind) pretty good? It's a bunch lighter weight than the others at like 28lbs. The others are all just over 40lbs. Not sure why such a big difference. Hopefully not plastic gears?

The Big Bite #8 is what I have. It’s a fine grinder for smaller batches. You can get it in a dual grind configuration so you can fine grind in a single pass. Nice grinder.

 

[JckDanls 07]

I have the Cabelas 1/2hp commercial grinder... It's nice and quiet and will eat up anything you throw at it.. I will get the meat partially frozen and go straight to the fine plate... Works really well and you don't have to use the stomper/pusher to force the meat down the tube like you would if you did a coarse grind first...

 

[Cattoon]

I have the Weston pro #8 and I have done 50lb batches with no issues. It has been great.

 

[DougE]

I run a Weston 8# (not the pro version). Got it on sale for around $100 and it does a good job for its size.

https://westonbrands.com/products/weston-8-electric-meat-grinder-and-sausage-stuffer-33-0201-w

 

[jrsdws]

Leaning towards the Lem due to weight…..and reputation. Has anyone tried stuffing sausage with it?

 

[nlife]

I started with the Weston Butcher Grade #5. I had some issues with gouging and wear between the auger and the head. Weston replaced it free of charge, only to have the one they sent me show up with the same machining issues. They then replaced it for free with a #8 that has a thrust washer in between the problem areas.

Overall it does what I need it to, but I'm not sure if I would go Weston again.

In terms of stuffing with a grinder, you can do it, but it's better to do it with a dedicated stuffer if you can swing it.

 

[jrsdws]

I started with the Weston Butcher Grade #5. I had some issues with gouging and wear between the auger and the head. Weston replaced it free of charge, only to have the one they sent me show up with the same machining issues. They then replaced it for free with a #8 that has a thrust washer in between the problem areas.

Overall it does what I need it to, but I'm not sure if I would go Weston again.

In terms of stuffing with a grinder, you can do it, but it's better to do it with a dedicated stuffer if you can swing it.

I have a 5lb LEM stuffer but they idea of stuffing with the grinder is appealing if it works

 

[Brokenhandle]

I have a 5lb LEM stuffer but they idea of stuffing with the grinder is appealing if it works

It will work, but not do a good job... and think if you try it that you won't think it's still appealing.

Ryan

 

[DougE]

It will work, but not do a good job... and think if you try it that you won't think it's still appealing.

Ryan

Dedicated stuffer is the only way to go. I might consider filling meat bags directly off the grinder, but that's about it.

 

[nlife]

I have a 5lb LEM stuffer but they idea of stuffing with the grinder is appealing if it works

Give it a try.

I tried it a few times before I bought a dedicated stuffer. Dedicated stuffers are so much faster and they make it much easier to produce quality sausage.

 

[jrsdws]

So do you all have any issues with a second grind through the fine plate? Maybe the dual grind models are worth the extra?

 

[DougE]

So do you all have any issues with a second grind through the fine plate? Maybe the dual grind models are worth the extra?

I don't. Just keep the meat around 30~32 degrees and make sure your knife and plate are sharp.

 

[Fueling Around]

I got a Weston #8 home model for $35 ie not the butcher or pro series. It handles my needs as I don't grind more than 30# in a year.
Personally, I would not go smaller than a #8 as you really have to knife the meat into small chunks to fit down the throast.
I can direct grind in the fine plate without any problems as long as the the meat isn't frozen. Frozen makes it grunt a bit.

I have a 5lb LEM stuffer but they idea of stuffing with the grinder is appealing if it works

Your 5# LEM is relatively easy to deal with for smaller projects?

Dedicated stuffer is the only way to go. I might consider filling meat bags directly off the grinder, but that's about it.

If I considered direct fill on the Weston, I would get a large bore SS tube with a wide open plate. That plastic kidney plate and stuffer tube that comes with the Weston are worthless.

 

[fxsales1959]

I originally got a metal grinder for my kitchen aid mixer. decided not to ruin a $400 mixer grinding meat. I came into this blind and listened to doug and got the Weston 8.
I am not a large scale grinder unless i find brisket for $3.99/lb. was a little challenged on my first pork breakfast patty grind, then I learned to clean my butt right (pun intended)
for the money the Weston has served me well. Will never buy store burger again.

 

[boykjo]

Go big or go home I always say!

 

[bill ace 350]

Dedicated stuffer is the only way to go. I might consider filling meat bags directly off the grinder, but that's about it.

I've filled meat bags directly from the stuffer. It works, but still faster and easier with dedicated stuffer.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Will never buy store burger again.

Me neither...