Meat Grinder Recommendation

[mosparky]

I think this 22 might be direct drive, no gears

 

[smokininthegarden]

Didn't catch the aluminum ....dislike.
Maybe I'll just pick up the kitchen aid attachment to start and go from there.

If you have a kitchen aid stand mixer then by all means get an attachment for it, they work fine
for small batches. That is what I started with. But this hobby can be addicting and you might
Find yourself thinking, what if.....

Have fun, Cal

 

[old sarge]

I used the KA grinder attachment for a couple of decades. Just slow going. But reliable and always got the job done. It took a long time and a really good sale before I could justify getting a stronger grinder.

 

[tx smoker]

I have the STX 3000 MegaForce air cooled model, which I got a year ago from Amazon. I think it was $158 and has performed flawlessly. I do not think the model you are referencing was available at the time or I would have given it serious consideration. I've run hundreds of pounds of meat through mine and had no issues at all. Needed to get some new blades, emailed the manufacturer, got an immediate response, and subsequently the new blades were here in a couple of days. In a nutshell, the quality has been there for me and the customer service has been spot-on. Turned out however that I did not need the blades. My issue was operator error by not tightening the lock nut quite enough and fat was building up on the grinding plate. You want to be careful and not over tighten the nut but it needs to be snug enough that the plate is up against the blade so it scrapes the meat off the plate and doesn't clog the holes.

Robert

 

[johngolf01]

I have the STX 3000 MegaForce air cooled model, which I got a year ago from Amazon. I think it was $158 and has performed flawlessly. I do not think the model you are referencing was available at the time or I would have given it serious consideration. I've run hundreds of pounds of meat through mine and had no issues at all. Needed to get some new blades, emailed the manufacturer, got an immediate response, and subsequently the new blades were here in a couple of days. In a nutshell, the quality has been there for me and the customer service has been spot-on. Turned out however that I did not need the blades. My issue was operator error by not tightening the lock nut quite enough and fat was building up on the grinding plate. You want to be careful and not over tighten the nut but it needs to be snug enough that the plate is up against the blade so it scrapes the meat off the plate and doesn't clog the holes.

Robert

Thanks, for the feedback. Glad to hear STX stands behind their products...

Watched a video of sausage stuffing on YouTube with the kitchen aid attachment and it was unbearably slow..... I've decide on the STX per my original post. I'll just be careful to clean appropriately since all parts are not SS.

 

[archeryrob]

I am looking to tag onto this one. I have a Cabelas Heavy Duty grinder from years back. It says 400watts, which should be 1/2 hp. It grinds deer fine, but getting into sausage making and the par frozen meats on the first coarse grind really make me think I am going to break it. I'd like to get an LEM 12 or 22, but seem to be a lot more than I wish to pay. I have some Cabelas points, but their carnivore model are jacked up too. I like some of the cheaper versions shown, but I am not liking investing in a machine that has aluminum trays and chopper cylinders.

What Hp do you recommend or grinders?

 

[jimmyinsd]

I have a kitchen aid attachment grinder... not a fan, slow slow slow. I borrowed a buddys 1hp cabelas and ran through about 20# of meat in a little over a minute... waited for a sale and bought myself a 1hp cabelas carnivore, they are a tank and should last a lifetime. I see they are about $500 now, but if you watch you should be able to get one for around $400 or so on a sale. I have made a lot of purchases that I have regretted, but 4 years later I am still very happy with my decision to spend the extra and get a quality product. If I didnt get this one and wanted a cheaper options the LEM brand was my second choice.

 

[mosparky]

For what it's worth TSM has a 3 day sale until midnight(EST) Monday 2-4-19. Their rebadged Kitchener #12 is $98 with free shipping within the continuous 48. I might have to pull the trigger on it, been waiting for a sale like this. This a lot lower than their Black Friday price. https://www.sausagemaker.com/12-Kitchen-Meat-Grinder-Black-p/15-1133.htm

 

[indaswamp]

Anyone looking for an inexpensive grinder for entry level, this is a great option. It has Stainless steel gears and parts, not aluminum....

 

[mosparky]

Well I pulled the trigger on the TSM #12. Half the price of the other options mentioned earlier. I'm sure I will regret spending money on hobbies but nothing new about that.

 

[mickey jay]

My 7 year old Kitchener #12 is finally biting the dust (gears broken or something, making a hell of a racket even more than it usually does, and it's bogging down now something terrible, but got prob 1000lbs through it over the years).

Anyone have thoughts on the Weston Butcher Series #12? 3/4hp, stainless plates, cutter, head unit; I called them the other day and they told me the auger was tinned cast iron. Not sure how I feel about that. These higher end grinders sure are pricey.

https://www.westonsupply.com/Weston-12-Butcher-Series-Electric-Meat-Grinder-p/09-1201-w.htm