Help with a meat grinder.

[bladebuilder]

Guys, I am wanting to get into doing my own sausage, and am looking for a solid machine, under $200.

Can you help me out? There are way too many choices.

 

[crazymoon]

Maybe a Kitchen Aid with grinder attachment ? Cabelas has a sale on their grinders with free shipping(not sure about Canada though). 1/2 HP grinder for $319. They are good grinders!

 

[foamheart]

I was hoping to buy a LEM grinder today, cyber Monday, but Cabella's prices have a larger discount today. I have used LEM but not Cabella's but I have never had a bad product from Cabella's. Much like LLBean's QA.

Gonna think on it today...... Like to keep all to one manufacturer, but ........

 

[bluewhisper]

Browse Lehman's. Keep in mind you'll probably want to get a few different-sized plates for it. BTW the #10 and #12 plates are interchangeable. The #10 is the clamp-on version and the #12 is the bolt-down version.

http://non-electric.lehmans.com/search#w=grinder

 

[bladebuilder]

Found this one... Thoughts? Really tempted, for the price, and a 1/2 hp motor, dont think I can loose.

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

Will likely pair it with this

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200449319_200449319

 

[aeroforce100]

Go for it! Good way to get started.

 

[boykjo]

Gander mountain has a commercial grade 1/3hp grinder for 249,99 50 dollars off 250 dollars spent and free shipping over 50 dollars So it looks like you can get a comercial grade stainless steel grinder right at $200 and a 50 cent pack of hooks or something....lol

 

[bladebuilder]

As much as I would like that one, it will have to be an upgrade. I appreciate the help guys! I ordered the two items I linked. Call it a "starter kit".

 

[timberjet]

You will not regret getting a dedicated stuffer. I always recommend to people to go ahead and get one. Makes it enjoyable and not a chore. The plastic gears on that stuffer have been known to fail but I can't see that happening unless popeye had too much spinach and ran out of meat to stuff.

 

[venture]

You will be happy with those two purchases.

Much better than messing with the Kitchen Aid attachments or trying to grind and stuff from a grinder.

Welcome to your new addiction!

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[mike w]

Stx-3000 turboforce for $169 on Amazon. I've had it for about a year and really like it even with having to use a transformer here in the UK. I'd recommend getting a lem 5lb stuffer if you want to make lots of sausage. You can stuff with the stx but it's more convenient with a seperate stuffer

 

[voodoochile]

X 2 on getting a dedicated stuffer 

 

[bertman]

You are smarter than me. I just recently bought a dedicated stuffer. Now I wonder why it took me so long. There is a HUGE difference in texture of your sausage, time to do other things, and inappropriate language.

 

[JckDanls 07]

I have that same stuffer.. and it's in need of new gears as they have stripped and broke... my suggestion would be.. when you make snack sticks to water down your meat mixture... and be careful when you get to the bottom and not over crank when piston hits the bottom...

 

[tbrtt1]

Check Academy if you have one close by. Where I live you can't swing a dead cat without hitting one. I checked a few and found this for $60 bucks. I don't process whole deer or dinosaurs or anything like that so this is great for my needs.

IMG_0262.JPG

• tbrtt1
• Nov 23, 2014

 I got this at a local Academy too:

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/gam...Black&N=329212067&Ntt=sausage+stuffer&Ntk=All

It does have that large horn in the bottom, but it didn't leave as much as I thought. I like the idea of metal gears for that price.

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Found this one... Thoughts? Really tempted, for the price, and a 1/2 hp motor, dont think I can loose.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200451267_200451267
Will likely pair it with this
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200449319_200449319

Exact same setup I have, works great for me ! I personally could not justify the bigger, higher $ grinder & stuffers for what I do ! Not knocking at all the other brands, I just don't grind & stuff enough to justify the higher cost is all !

 

[foamheart]

I didn't buy an LEM yesterday, 10% just wasn't enough for me to get excited about. Maybe after Christmas, but who knows. LEM did have some decent sales just nothing I wanted to purchase yet.

 

[daveomak]

Grease the piston and o-ring and sides of the canister.... I use Crisco... others use food grade spraying oil... etc.. you can probably use bacon grease or lard but the parts DO need lubrication....

 

[jeff1980]

Does anyone use the sausage stuffer on the harbor freight meat grinder
Need some help with that
And sorry to jack ur thread don't know how to of my own

 

[boykjo]

Does anyone use the sausage stuffer on the harbor freight meat grinder
Need some help with that
And sorry to jack ur thread don't know how to of my own

First off welcome to SMF Jeff and were glad to have you aboard...Can you swing over to roll call and introduce yourself so we can give you a proper welcome and don't forget to fill out your location in your profile........

Thanks and happy smoking

Joe

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/174707/get-a-dedicated-stuffer