What size grinder for processing deer

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

BC Buck

Meat Mopper
Original poster
Dec 16, 2018
252
102
MO
I need to upgrade to larger grinder for next year. Thinking maybe Wesson #22 but hate to spend that much $. Have a #8 LEM that I run fat through using 3 hole plate. Makes chunks about 3/4" then partially freeze while doing the same to venison whole muscle. As long as whole muscle is under 2x5" the LEM will grind 8# per minute without motor stalling. Then we mix 20% 1/2 frozen fat with 3/4" chunk ground venison. The second grind you need to drop little chunks down the feed throat and if bridges over you need to use the plunger. With two people feeding and one holding the plastic bags on the stuffing tube your looking at 30 to 45 seconds to fill a 1 LB bag using a medium grinding plate. Spent 4 hours yesterday filling bags.
 
Yeah a bigger grinder is faster but how many deer do you process each year ? If you can get someone to buy your #8 then you won't be out so much money when you upgrade. I would go for a # 22 or bigger. Keep an eye out on craigslist or facebook marketplace and you might get lucky.
 
Yeah a bigger grinder is faster but how many deer do you process each year ? If you can get someone to buy your #8 then you won't be out so much money when you upgrade. I would go for a # 22 or bigger. Keep an eye out on craigslist or facebook marketplace and you might get lucky.
Was looking for used but with corvid many processors in Missouri where not accepting deer this year. Nothing used and most suppliers where sold out of new equipment. With my family we have been averaging 8 to 10 whitetail each season.
 
Get a Cabelas credit card and use it for everything and build up points. Then you can redeem the points for a grinder and it could be free so to speak. Just keep up with your monthly payment so you don't get any extra charges. I have tapped it for several thousands on dollars in free merchandise. The Carnivore grinder is very nice
 
  • Like
Reactions: BC Buck
Throat size goes with plate size. If double grinding and not doing hundreds of pounds , the #12 big bite or Cabelas will be fine. Always remember, bigger is always better. The #22 you can stuff huge chunks of meat down, but we want quality too. Meat needs to be trimmed and chunked not too big. The #12 will serve well for a few deer a year. If you are gung hoe and want to process hundreds of pounds, then why not a #32.
 
I used my Kitchen Aid and it was slow and didn't grind well... Went to a #12 Kitchener and couldn't believe 20#'s of meat was done in minutes with a great grind...
If I was doing several deer and maybe hooking up with friends and doing their deer, the #22 might be my choice... All depends on total #'s meat per year...
Then you need a vertical stuffer... Maybe one with a motor ??? I have not heard of a good electric that doesn't break down... Stripped gears etc... You may have to go to a commercial electric to get a decent one... Maybe someone on the forum has run 1000#'s of meat through their electric stuffer with no problems....
Meat mixer ??? I have the small manual.... Does a very good job and it's fast... Only problem, It takes longer to clean than it does to mix the meat.... I still use it... mixing by hand or in the KA mixer is a PITA.... and the meat heats up pretty fast mixing in small batches...
 
  • Like
Reactions: BC Buck
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky