New grinder for Christmas

[bookem]

I got a new grinder as a Christmas gift.  I did a search, but can't find any reviews or people that have mentioned it on the forum.  I found some reviews on Amazon, and as you would expect, some people love it, some hate it.  I've not made sausage before, but want to start, but I don't really know what I should be looking for in a grinder.  Here's the specs, should I keep this, or look for something else.  If I get something else, what should I be looking for?

The Back to Basics 4500 Meat Grinder with sausage kit easily grinds fresh meat, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Great for making sausages - you control the ingredients! You can also grind seasonings into your meat, giving it that ready-for-the-grill flavor.

Powerful 200-watt motor (800-watt peak) for heavy loads and long life, with a built-in circuit breaker to prevent motor burnout. Durable die-cast metal head, feed tube, and auger.

Includes three quality hardened-steel plates for fine, medium, and course grinding; one stainless steel cutter blade/knife; three sausage stuffing tubes; and a directions booklet that includes three sausage recipes.

Tech Specs

	Assembled unit: 7" wide, 13" long, 15" tall.
	Aluminum feed pan: 8 1/4" long, 6" wide, 1-3/4" diameter feeder opening
	Grinder output opening: 2-1/8" diameter
	White plastic tamper: 8-3/8" long
	Small sausage stuffing tube: 4-1/8" long, 3/8" diameter opening
	Medium sausage stuffing tube: 4-1/8" long, 5/8" diameter opening
	Large sausage stuffing tube: 4-1/8" long, 3/4" diameter opening
	Grinds approximately 2 lbs. per minute.
	1-Year warranty
	Weight: 8 lbs.

Thanks everyone and Merry Christmas!

 

[boykjo]

Congrats on the new grinder. Don't know much about that unit but they are common low cost units that work well. I do see a problem  with missing stuffing attachments not included with the unit. I would not recommend stuffing with the grinder anyway and save your money and buy a 5 lb vertical stuffer. it will make your sausage making experience less stressful

Joe

 

[daveomak]

Bookem, morning.... I looked up your grinder.... Seems to be an off brand... Not that it's a bad thing....

We have sponsors on the site that sell grinders and other meat supplies....  

I have a #12 electric meat grinder that has forward and reverse and is 350 watt I think...  It is a bit noisy but has served me well.... Many folks have that same grinder....   It is probably not heavy duty but grinding 50#'s of meat a year, it will do.... Since I got it, I grind my own burger when I find beef on sale... Pork for breakfast sausage...  quite a handy money saving tool..... 

Considering what you might want to do in the future, consider returning the grinder you have and find one that will pull the extra duty in the future....

If you think you may get into grinding heavy duty.... There is no limit on what you can spend.....  Dave

 

[bookem]

Joe, it does include the stuffing attachments, but I think I would get a stuffer, just to make things easier.

Dave, this one is only 200 watts, and lots of other ones I've seen are in the 350 watt range, so maybe I will look at upgrading it.  I agree it would be handy to be able grind pork and beef even if it wasn't going into sausage.

Thanks for the input.
 

 

[shoneyboy]

Congrats on the new grinder. Don't know much about that unit but they are common low cost units that work well. I do see a problem  with missing stuffing attachments not included with the unit. I would not recommend stuffing with the grinder anyway and save your money and buy a 5 lb vertical stuffer. it will make your sausage making experience less stressful

Joe

 

[woodcutter]

I have a Gander Mountain version that looks the same as yours, Guide Series sticker is the only difference. The specs read different. Mine says it is a #5 and .2 HP but it is also rated for 2lbs per minute.

I like it for small jobs. It is small, light and easy to clean quick. There is no comparison to stuffing with a stuffer but it stuffs just like any other grinder. It has been working with no problems for about 3 years now.