Looking to buy a Grinder

[jnagel32]

I was looking at this LEM grinder. 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-+Dining+Room-_-LEM+Products-_-9SIA0P80BU4246

Is this an older model that is discontinued or something?  What does 575 watts equate to in hp?  Is it worth getting?  Are there better options out there for the same price? 

I am looking to have a grinder to do 1-2 deer a year and to do some pork butts every now and then to make brats and sausage...

 

[boykjo]

[h2]575 watts = 0.771087702 hp      3/4 hp[/h2]
something dont look right here... I have the cabelas 1hp and mine was around 400 to 500 bucks

Joe

http://newegg-com-reviews.measuredup.com/2320

 

[badbob]

X2...I have a Lem #8, it is .35 hp an was almost $300 (from Amazon). It does the job though.

 

[couger78]

The LEM site specifies only watts (575) for that particular #8 model & NOT HP, but all other LEM 'BIg Bite' grinders specify a specific HP (.25hp, .35hp. .5hp, etc); and not watts.

What is interesting is the Big Bite#8 ($329) is 'only' .35 HP but is considered a significant 'step up' from the less-than-$100 #8 model.

could it be that watts indicated in the specs may not truly reflect the unit's actual HP, but is an effective marketing tool?

I dont know. That why I ask.....

That may be why you see those 1000watt $99 grinders on ebay.....

Kevin

 

[diggingdogfarm]

I owned that model as well as a Waring Pro which was similar, both have diecast aluminum barrels.
I'll never own another grinder with an aluminum barrel and I don't recommend them, the aluminum wears-off into the ground meat.


~Martin

 

[smokinhusker]

The one linked to on Newegg is the countertop die cast aluminum and from reading about it on LEM, it has plastic gears etc. I have the #8 1/3 HP which is stainless steel. The ones listed in HP instead of watts are the heavy duty ones as opposed to the countertop models, IMHO. 

 

[meddling kids]

I have a Northern Tool/ Kitchener #12 and it works awesome. Just over $100 too. I'm sure you can get better grinders for more money but this thing rocks compared to my kitchenaid.

 

[rexlan]

That looks to be the identical grinder sold by Harbor Freight for $59 .... OK for occasional use but will not hold up.
 

 

[jnagel32]

Thanks for the replies guys.  I guess I will just wait and buy the LEM stainless steel grinder eventually.  What model do you reccomend for the amount of use that I am going to be using it for?  The #5 or #8?  Like I said, only 1-2 deer a year and some pork now and then to make brats and sausages...  I have a cheap older electric grinder that is new in box that I got from my girlfriend's parents.  I can use that for the time being to just try stuff out.  So I guess I should get a sausage stuffer to start things off.  I was looking at the Grizzly stuffer.  Is the LEM really worth it?  I read that you can swap out the metal gears from the LEM to the Grizzly.  Is that true?

 

[daveomak]

j, morning......  Wattage ratings on grinders are very misleading..... Older design electric motors use more wattage due to their design than newer more efficient motors....  Kind of like advertising a car that uses  5 gallons an hour... One will get 30 MPG and the other 10 MPG... Wattage is energy consumed....  15 watt CFL light bulb vs 60 watt incandescent... same amount of light, 1/4 the cost to operate...  The newer designed electric motors that are energy efficient cost quite a bit more....  Dave

 

[rexlan]

I have the Grizzly and it works perfectly.  I think you'd be hard pressed to strip the "plastic" gears ... pretty beefy.  Be sure to order an extra O-ring at the same time.

 

[chefrob]

save up for the "big bite" model......i have the #8 and it does just fine for what i use it for. i also have the lem 5lb stuffer wich is great for small batches.......if yer going to make large batches look into a 10-15lb stuffer.

 

[butch cassidy]

we just got the LEM #22 1hp, a little more money, But what a grinder. Have had it a week and could not be more pleased. the 3/4 might have been fine, but I would rather have more than not enough. Lem offers different package deals.