first grinder for niece

[roadkill cafe]

@bregent : I definitely did look into that attachment, but ultimately decided against it. The reason is a lot of multipurpose tools I seen do different jobs poorly and the consumer is better off in the end by going with a dedicated tool designed specifically for the task at hand.

In this case, I checked Chowhound and other food forums and the general consensus is the KA grinder attachment is very slow and no match for a dedicated grinder. It also emits some type of grey ooze which is enough cause for concern to keep me away.

Nevertheless, I will openly admit that it's overkill and despite the above consensus, many readers still suggested the KA attachment for my particular situation because it's cheaper. I don't think that matters though, because it's a gift to my niece and one that I hope she is able to use for many years. Getting her one of the best grinders and stuffers on the market hopefully will enable her to enjoy this experience so much that she will become an instant fan and cook me all sorts of goodies all the time! I always have my fingers crossed that this is end result!

Grill_student, I’m looking at getting this same dual grinder and stuffer. Did you end up getting and giving these for your niece? How does she like them?

 

[grill_student]

Yes! However, I don't think she has used either of them apart from she and I going through the assembly/disassembly process together.

One thing I noticed that was different with her grinder and the assembly video is the plastic ring at the back of the auger. It is supposed to be at the back of the auger according to the assembly video, but for her unit, it is actually inside the grinder's housing unit and seems to be nondetachable. I wonder if they updated the design, but didn't update the video.

I was going to look around here/ make a thread or search elsewhere online for a guide/book(s) on the grinding process and making hot dogs etc. because she and I both are not sure how to use the different plates and the grinding process in general for burgers, hot dogs, sausages, etc.

 

[old sarge]

Yes! However, I don't think she has used either of them apart from she and I going through the assembly/disassembly process together.

One thing I noticed that was different with her grinder and the assembly video is the plastic ring at the back of the auger. It is supposed to be at the back of the auger according to the assembly video, but for her unit, it is actually inside the grinder's housing unit and seems to be nondetachable. I wonder if they updated the design, but didn't update the video.

I was going to look around here/ make a thread or search elsewhere online for a guide/book(s) on the grinding process and making hot dogs etc. because she and I both are not sure how to use the different plates and the grinding process in general for burgers, hot dogs, sausages, etc.

That ring/bushing is supposed to be attached. I posed that question to LEM a couple years back.

 

[roadkill cafe]

Yes! However, I don't think she has used either of them apart from she and I going through the assembly/disassembly process together.

One thing I noticed that was different with her grinder and the assembly video is the plastic ring at the back of the auger. It is supposed to be at the back of the auger according to the assembly video, but for her unit, it is actually inside the grinder's housing unit and seems to be nondetachable. I wonder if they updated the design, but didn't update the video.

I was going to look around here/ make a thread or search elsewhere online for a guide/book(s) on the grinding process and making hot dogs etc. because she and I both are not sure how to use the different plates and the grinding process in general for burgers, hot dogs, sausages, etc.

Thanks for the reply. Hope she gets into it. Fresh, homemade sausages can’t be beat!

 

[roadkill cafe]

That ring/bushing is supposed to be attached. I posed that question to LEM a couple years back.

Good to know, Sarge. That’ll save me some time trying to figure it out.

 

[tallbm]

Yes! However, I don't think she has used either of them apart from she and I going through the assembly/disassembly process together.

One thing I noticed that was different with her grinder and the assembly video is the plastic ring at the back of the auger. It is supposed to be at the back of the auger according to the assembly video, but for her unit, it is actually inside the grinder's housing unit and seems to be nondetachable. I wonder if they updated the design, but didn't update the video.

I was going to look around here/ make a thread or search elsewhere online for a guide/book(s) on the grinding process and making hot dogs etc. because she and I both are not sure how to use the different plates and the grinding process in general for burgers, hot dogs, sausages, etc.

So just an observation on hot dogs and texture. If I grind 1 time with a plate that is like 2nd from smallest (not very precise i know) the meat gets like 80% emulsified when i mix in liquid and seasoning giving me texture of like a store bought hillshire farms or eckridge sausage which to me is like knocking on the door of hot dog texture.

I discovered this while making brats and polish style sausages so that when I moved to make franks/hot dogs i didnt care to bother with double grinding and the whole "emulsification" process to get the dense compact and spongy texture of store bought hot dogs and I honestly prefer my hot dogs this different way.

So for simplicity sake I would recommend you make like a 3 pound batch of hot dogs without going the hardcore emulsification process (its much more involved) and see if you like the texture you get. If so you probably cut your overall time by 1/3 or more hahaha.