The best grinder is the STX International Turboforce 3000. What makes this grinder so great is that it is powerful, has multiple speeds, has great accessories, and can grind large quantities at once.
I am very skeptical of grocery minced meat as I can never be sure of how good it is. Due to this, I prefer to grind my own meat as I need it. This is why I decided to do my research and figure out which grinder would give me the results I need.
In this post, I will introduce you to the best meat grinder I will also show you some other suggestions and provide you with a buyer’s guide too!
Here are the top meat grinders for you to choose from:
Best Overall
One of the things that put this meat grinder at the top of the list is its grinding capabilities. This electric grinder is more than capable of grinding any all kinds of meat. I tried everything from chicken to venison and it worked like a charm. There was absolutely no resistance.
The only complaint that I can make about this meat grinder is that it is rather loud. So, you do have to be careful when you use it.
The reason that this model is the top pick for electric grinders is that it has three excellent speeds. There is slow, which can be used if you are grinding meat for sausages. High is used for regular grinding. And, if you are trying to unclog the machine, you can use the reverse function.
There are many different grinding plates for this model. Everything from a wagon wheel plate to a sausage stuffing plate. Due to this, you can ensure that your meat is ground to your particular taste, based on what it is that you are preparing.
I also like the fact that this grinder comes with three different sausage stuffing tubes, kibbeh making attachment, a food pusher, meat shredder claws, and a hamburger press. It has everything you could need.
The other benefit that this meat grinder has is that you can grind a large quantity of meat in one go. Now, the actual capacity is about 3 lbs. However, you can easily continue to feed meat into the machine without any issues.
Best Manual Meat Grinder
It has been a while since I have used a manual meat grinder, so I wasn’t expecting much in the way of performance. However, I was blown away by how easy it was to grind up meat with this model. It doesn’t matter what kind of meat you are dealing with, this grinder is sure to break it down.
What makes this one of the best manual grinders is that everything is made from stainless steel, including stainless steel blades. One of the perks of this is that the grinder is able to cut through any kind of meat that you need.
The other advantage is that this manual meat grinder can last you a very long time, especially since there are no delicate parts as with electric meat grinders. Therefore, this can be a really good investment.
That being said, this is pretty pricey as far as manual meat grinders go.
I do like how stable this meat grinder is as well. You can screw it into place and it is also equipped with a suction cup base. This means that the grinder doesn’t budge as you use it, allowing you to quickly and efficiently get the job done.
This grinder does come with a sausage stuffer. While this has a more classic design, I found it to be quite effective. The nozzle ensures that the meat is neatly pushed through into the casing.
Best for KitchenAid Mixer
If you have a KitchenAid stand mixer, then this is the attachment for you. This food grinder attachment easily snaps into place, allowing you to take your stand mixer to an electric meat grinder in no time at all.
This attachment works well to grind meat and was able to tackle the chicken, beef, and pork that I added to it. The meat grinding process was on par with most meat grinders on this list.
What’s more, I was able to easily grind several pounds of meat within a short period of time.
My only complaint is that this food grinder attachment is made from aluminum rather than stainless steel. I do question how durable and safe this will be over a period of time.
It is likely that when grinding your own meat, you want to have some control over the texture, size, and more. Well, then you will be pleased to learn that this KitchenAid stand mixer attachment.
Not only does it have a fine grinding plate, medium grinding plate, and a coarse grinding plate, but it is also equipped with two sausage stuffer tubes as well. So, you have a wider variety of options for what you want to turn your ground meat into.
Best Budget Meat Grinder
If you are looking for a smaller option for your kitchen counter, then I would suggest this meat grinder to you. It also works well for a smaller family or even just one person.
Don’t let its small size fool you, though. This meat grinder is more than capable of grinding several pounds of meat.
I have to say that I wasn’t expecting much from this grinder. Between the price and that most of its housing is made of plastic, I didn’t imagine that it could get much done. Well, I was happy to be proven wrong. After putting this grinder through its paces, I can confirm that it can cut through anything that you need it to.
Now, the only issue is that I do have some concerns about the plastic components. I don’t feel that these will hold up very well in the long run.
Now despite this being a budget option meat grinder, it still comes with everything that you need. This includes the cutting blades, cutting plates, and a sausage stuffer. So, this means that you are still covered on anything you want to turn your meat into.
If you don’t use your meat grinder very often or are simply looking for something to fit your budget, then this is the model that I will suggest for you. It has everything that you need, including an impressive grinding performance.
What makes this such a good meat grinder is that it is equipped with a rather powerful motor and high quality grinding plates. As a result, this meat grinder is capable of tackling practically any kind of meats or cuts that you want to put through it. If you have a varied diet, this is a great option for you.
The other thing that I like about this meat grinder is that it can grind up to 7 pounds of meat per minute. This means that if you have a large family or simply want to grind large amounts of meat at once, this grinder will get it done.
There are a lot of different grinding plates with this model. You have the coarse grinding plates, fine grinding plates, and sausage stuffer plates. In addition to this, you also get additional features like sausage stuffer tubes, plate extractors, etc.
So, if you are someone who likes handling their own meat from start to finish, you will love what this meat grinder has to offer.
This is a really easy meat grinder to use. Fit in the attachment, plug it in, flip a switch and you are good to go. As a result, even if you have never tried your hand at meat grinding before, you will be able to get the hang of this quickly enough.
However, the fact that there is only one setting can be a bit of a downside. This is because you don’t have as much control over how the ground meat will turn out.
This is a middle of the road meat grinder and I was really impressed with how well it functioned. It boasts a good quality motor that can easily grind most types of meat. I tried chicken, beef, and pork without any issues. There weren’t any clogs.
That being said, this meat grinder does have a tendency to run out of steam. So, I would be careful when using it with tougher cuts of meat. I also wouldn’t use it to grind more than 5 to 7 lbs of meat at a time.
I really like the accessories that you get with this meat grinder. You get the blades, the food pusher, the sausage and kibbe making attachment, and more. Due to this, you are fully covered no matter what you want to use this grinder for.
I really like the fact that this electric meat grinder is so easy to use. There are just two settings. One to make the machine work and the other to reverse the effects if any clogs should occur. So, if you want to keep things simple, this is definitely the machine that I would go with.
If you want an electric meat grinder that takes up limited amounts of space on your countertop and provides you with easy storage, this is the model that you should go for. It is compact, allowing it to fit in your kitchen far more easily.
I really like the grinding features of this model. It worked well to mince all kinds of meat, including beef, chicken, pork, and more. So, if you are looking for a well-rounded and versatile machine, you should definitely consider this one.
The only issue that I have here is that it isn’t entirely made of stainless steel and there are some aluminum parts as well. It is difficult to know how long these components will last in comparison.
I also love the fact that this meat grinder comes with different cutting blades, attachments, and other accessories. This allows you to make anything from kibbeh to sausages all with one machine. This works well for anyone who likes complete control over their meat processing projects.
There is no learning curve to this grinder as one button does it all. Not only can you change speeds, but you can also set the grinder into reverse with a flick of a switch. This comes in handy if any clogging occurs.
One thing that really stood out to me regarding this meat grinder is how stable it is. Once you have it locked in on your kitchen counter, it isn’t going to move at all. This is great news for anyone who wants to mince thicker cuts of meat without issue.
The motor on this meat grinder is really something. It is able to grind anything from chicken to venison without any issues. In all the time that I used it, I didn’t encounter any kind of choking or clogging.
The other thing that I like about this motor and meat grinder is how efficient it is. It is capable of grinding meat at a rate of 3 lbs per minute. So, it is great for getting through large quantities quickly.
It doesn’t matter if you want to try your hand at making kibbeh, sausages, or anything else, this meat grinder has the accessories that you need. It comes with two different grinding plates and also has various sausage making tubes as well. So, you are covered on all fronts.
The only thing that is missing from this collection is a grinding plate for fine grinds.
Even if you have never used a meat grinder before, you will have no trouble getting the hang of this one. This is because, with just a simple flick of the switch, the motor will begin to work. Apart from this, you just have to figure out the reverse function and you are all set to go.
The good thing about getting a brand like Cuisinart is that you know that you are getting quality. I noticed that this boasts a stable frame when used and all the pieces are well-designed and built. As a result, this is a grinder that is going to last you a while.
I really like the grinding power of this meat grinder. It was able to easily mince any meat that I put through it. The process was also quite efficient, with the meat turning into mince really quickly. In turn, this allowed me to make a greater quantity within a shorter period of time.
This grinder comes with a decent amount of accessories including a coarse and medium plate. It is lacking a fine grind plate, though. So, if this is something that you need, you will need to look elsewhere.
However, you do get a sausage and kibbe kit, allowing you to make lots of different kinds of food using your grinder.
I do like that this grinder is easy to use. It is just a matter of pressing a button and your meat grinder is raring to go. It is great that the food plate is quite wide, allowing you to pile on more meat at once.
You won’t find too many safety features with meat grinders, but this one is the exception. If the machine is overloaded or if something begins to clog, it automatically turns off. This prevents the machine from overheating or developing any other issues.
If clogging is the problem, you can use the reverse function to get rid of the problem.
Here are the top tips to follow when choosing a meat grinder for yourself:
The first decision that you will need to make is whether you want a manual meat grinder or an electric one.
Now, I know what you are thinking – why would you get a manual one when there are so many electric grinders available? And, you would have a point – electric grinders are the most popular option these days.
However, there are some perks to manual designs.
To begin with, if you get a good quality one, it will likely last a lot longer than an electric device. As there are fewer moving parts and no electrical components, they are less likely to break down. This means that you should be able to invest in a grinder that can last for a decade, or even longer.
The other perk is that the manual designs tend to be smaller and more portable. So, if you don’t have the space for a bulky electric one, then this is the way to go.
As for the advantages associated with an electric grinder, it is simple. There is a lot less effort involved and you can get your ground meat that much faster.
When it comes to meat grinders, materials aren’t just about durability, you also have to think of food safety. This is why it is important to always go with food grade stainless steel.
This is strong and tends to be rust resistant. Due to this, there is less chance of contamination or similar issues.
There is also the fact that stainless steel components are far better at withstanding frequent wear and tear.
If you are looking for an electric design, then you need to consider the motor. Make sure to always check the wattage of the motor. This will let you know how powerful it is.
Now, you may be wondering:
How strong of a meat grinder do I need?
Well, this all depends on what you are going to be using your grinder for. Will it largely be for more tender meats like chicken or pork? Or, will you be grinding beef and venison as well?
And, if you want to grind chicken feet, bone, and sinew, then you are going to need a grinder that is quite a bit more powerful.
Now, this isn’t something that you find with all meat grinders but it may be something that you want to look into.
Meat grinders with safety functions ensure that the machine shuts down when it begins to overheat or when a clog develops. This ensures that the problem doesn’t get worse and also guarantees your safety as you don’t have to worry about the grinder exploding.
These features may not be necessary for everyone. However, if you are someone who likes to work with tougher meats or if you plan on shredding lots of meat in one go, then such a feature can come in handy.
Before you make a decision, check the rate of grinding for the machine that you want to buy. This isn’t always mentioned, but it is worth checking up on.
You are most likely to find meat grinders that can grind meat at a rate of 3 to 5 lbs a minute. However, there are also those that can grind 7lbs or more per minute.
If you want to grind a lot of meat at once, then it is worth it to get one that has a better rate of grinding. These will be more efficient and you can be done a lot
Most grinders will come with some kind of accompaniment or attachment. This includes various types of plates, sausage stuffer tubes, etc.
If you want to use your grinder for a specific reason, then you will need to think of the equipment that you are going to need. If you are new to something like sausage stuffing, I suggest that you do your research to figure out what items you will require.
Then, simply look for a grinder that comes with all of these attachments. Make sure that the attachments are made from the same heavy duty materials as the grinder to guarantee that they can stand up to whatever you are using them for.
As you can imagine, grinding meat isn’t an easy task. This is especially true for a machine that has to tackle tougher meat. Due to this, there is bound to be some movement.
This is why it is so important that the machine is able to create a proper suction force against your kitchen counter. This prevents the meat from spilling out. It also ensures that the machine is going to remain in place throughout the process.
I find that this feature is especially important with hand crank meat grinders. As you use the crank, there is a possibility for the machine to move and you need to prevent this from happening.
This may not seem like such a big deal but the size of the appliance can matter a great deal, especially when it comes to storage.
If you want to grind a lot of meat at once or you have plenty of storage, then you can invest in a larger model. On the other hand, if storage is an issue and you typically don’t grind large quantities of meat at one time, then I would suggest going with a more compact option.
If you are trying to keep the size down, then you may want to avoid brands that have a lot of additional accessories, particularly if they aren’t necessary for you.
Something that you will notice when shopping for meat grinders is that all of them must be washed by hand. There are almost no dishwasher safe models.
And, although this is frustrating, there is a reason for this. The thing is that there are a lot of food safety concerns when grinding meat. If even one internal component of the grinder is contaminated, there is a high risk of the microbes being spread to every inch of the meat.
In turn, this increases the risk of food poisoning. Due to this, it is important to thoroughly clean all of the internal components after they have been used and then dry them completely.
There is no denying that the STX International Turboforce 3000 is the best grinder on the market. It has great grinding power, is equipped with many accessories, has multiple speeds, and can grind large quantities at once.
I would advise you to check out all the meat grinders on this list, though. They each have their own unique features and advantages. So, you can never tell when you will find the perfect fit for you!
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