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Buying ground beef, sausages, and meatballs at a grocery store is certainly the easier and more convenient option, but do you ever worry about the contents of your ground meats? If so, grinding at home may be a better option for you. You’ll be able to control the quality and fat content of the meat you consume, and you’ll have a fun experience to boot. If you hunt and catch your own game, an at-home grinder is a must as well so you can efficiently break down and store your meat for the coming weeks or months.
There are two types of meat grinders available, but many different levels of quality and performance within these two types. There are several features to be aware of, not to mention price concerns, space considerations, and the level of labour you’re willing to put into the grinding process. No matter whether you’re dead set on saving money, are willing to splurge for a top-of-the-line model, or want a balanced option, we can help. We analyzed 21 products and considered 678 reviews from customers over a 24-hour period to find the best meat grinders in Canada for your consideration.
Following our last update, we recommend the Sunmile SM-G31 ETL Electric Meat Grinder for its ease of use, ease of cleaning, and overall quality.
In a rush? Buy it Now on Amazon!
Meat Grinder Comparative Table
Product | Summary | Rating | Price | |
TOP PICK
|
Sunmile SM-G31 ETL Electric Meat Grinder |
|
9.3/10 | See price on Amazon |
---|---|---|---|---|
UPGRADE PICK
|
LEM Products Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder |
|
9.3/10 | See price on Amazon |
BUDGET PICK
|
Starfrit 93347 Manual Meat Grinder |
|
8.7/10 | See price on Amazon |
Our Pick for The Best Meat Grinder
Sunmile SM-G31 ETL Electric Meat Grinder Review
The Best Overall
Sunmile
If you’re looking for the right balance of value and performance in your next meat grinder, consider the Sunmile SM-G31 electric meat grinder. It is our top pick since it offers reliable performance, is beginner-friendly, and won’t cause too big of a dent in your pocketbook – it is the best of both worlds.
Sunmile SM-G31 ETL Electric Meat Grinder Video Review
What We Think of The Sunmile SM-G31 ETL Electric Meat Grinder
The Sunmile electric meat grinder is incredibly user-friendly. It comes with three cutting plates to achieve coarse, medium, or fine grinded textures, plus has a large sausage stuffer so you can make everything at home with one machine. The plates are stainless steel for durability while the sausage attachment and pusher are plastic and easily cleaned by hand.
The grinder operates using 250 watts of power, so you will want to cut your meat into reasonably sized cubes or strips before operating the machine. It can reach grinding speeds of 2.5 lbs per minute on average when grinding things like turkey, beef, and chicken. For tougher game meats, you should expect a bit more of a lag since they require more power to cut down efficiently.
The cutting plates are excellent, made of stainless steel, but the other components are more cheaply made – the metal is coated silver, but it turned black when I was washing in hot water. Not very happy with that, but it grinds good for making meatballs and is simple to operate. It isn’t as powerful as I expected, but since I cut the meat into cubes beforehand, I haven’t had any performance issues.
faye h.
As far as electric meat grinders go, this is a pretty compact model. While it doesn’t have the power of the larger options, it is easier to store and more manageable to lift and move back and forth from storage. Most of the components on this grinder are plastic and cheaper medals, so there may be an issue with durability down the line, but it’s very reasonable price and simple mechanics make it a highly balanced, preferrable choice for casual or first-time grinders.
Sunmile SM-G31 ETL Electric Meat Grinder Specifications
- Dimensions: 19.3” x 10.4” x 8.4”
- Weight: 7.9 lbs
- Type: Electric
- Cutting Plates: 3
- Power: 250 watts
- Grinding Speed: 2.5 lbs per minute
- Warranty: 1 year
Sunmile SM-G31 ETL Electric Meat Grinder Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Includes multiple cutting plates for various results
- Requires no effort to grind except preparing meat
- Compact and easier to store than other larger electric options
- Great price for what you get
Cons
- Can’t be cleaned in the dishwasher
- Relatively slow grind speed compared to some other electric models
- Cheaply made
Our Final Opinion about the Sunmile SM-G31 ETL Electric Meat Grinder
Quality 3.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Overall, this is one of the most balanced products on the market. Its price to performance ratio is excellent. It is versatile with three cutting plates and a sausage attachment, plus easy to use even for beginners. While it is a bit cheaply made, casual grinders won’t find better value.
Our Upgrade Pick for a Meat Grinder
LEM Products Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder Review
The High Performance Pick
LEM
For people who hunt their own meat or prefer to grind their own meat weekly, an okay meat grinder just won’t cut it. For advanced performance and a painless grinding experience, choose the LEM Products stainless steel big bite electric meat grinder.
LEM Products Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder Video Review
What We Think of The LEM Products Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder
The LEM Products stainless steel big bite electric meat grinder is one of the top models practical for home use. With a strong 0.5HP motor that runs quieter than you’d expect, every type of meat is quick and easy to grind. This model has an extended auger that pulls more meat into the grinder than competitors, making it one of the most efficient and requiring less work from you to operate efficiently.
Plus, the rifling pattern in the head of the grinder pulls meat into the grinder almost automatically, so your interference will be minimal during the grinding process – an essential function with large batches of meat. This meat grinder has gone one step further for your convenience in the form of a storage tray for your plates and other utensils so that they’ll never be lost.
I’m a big game hunter and needed an easy, efficient solution for grinding my meats. This thing is a total powerhouse. The motor is surprisingly quiet, and it doesn’t get warm at all. It handles large amounts of game meats and sausage making without hesitation. I probably could have done with a #5 instead of #8 but I’m glad I splurged.
justin f.
This grinder can handle bulk grinding sessions without heating up and works at a rate of roughly 7 lbs per minute depending on the toughness of the meat you’re working with. The stainless-steel components and body scream durability, though the 5-year warranty makes this fact quite obvious as well. The only downside of choosing this electric meat grinder is the high cost and the bulky, heavy form of the grinder that makes storage the most challenging part of your grinding experience.
LEM Products Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder Specifications
- Dimensions: 20.2” x 9.1” x 16”
- Weight: 28.7 lbs
- Type: Electric
- Cutting Plates: 2
- Power: 0.5 HP
- Grinding Speed: 7 lbs per minute
- Warranty: 5 years
LEM Products Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Built-in storage tray for knife and cutting plates
- Fast 7 lb per minute grind rate
- Lengthy 5-year warranty proves high quality of product
- Requires minimal effort
Cons
Cons
- Very expensive
- Heavy and bulky – hard to store
Our Final Opinion About the LEM Products Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder
Quality 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 2.0 out of 5.0 stars
This is one of the most powerful meat grinders someone could need in their home. This meat grinder delivers excellent grinding speeds, high-quality make and materials, and a simplified grinding experience that even the most dedicated will appreciate.
Our Budget Pick for a Meat Grinder
Starfrit 93347 Manual Meat Grinder Review
The Budget Pick
Starfrit
If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to expensive automatic meat grinders, the Starfrit 93347 manual meat grinder is an excellent choice. This manual meat grinder is easy to use, simple to store, and best of all, easy on your wallet.
Starfrit 93347 Manual Meat Grinder Video Review
What We Think of the Starfrit 93347 Manual Meat Grinder
The Starfrit meat grinder is a manual option ideal for those who are on a tight budget. For a very low upfront cost, you’ll be able to grind fresh meats for burgers, sausages, and dozens of other applications. This meat grinder has plastic parts and a stainless-steel cutting plate. The durability isn’t great for most of the grinder, particularly the crank, but the cutter won’t dull or rust.
The included cutter produces a very fine grind, and there are no adjustment options since only one cutter is included. This grinder is a bit awkward to use without help since you must hold the grinder steady, push the meat down using the included pusher, and crank the handle to grind the meat. This is very challenging to do single-handed, especially since the suction feet are weak and ineffective.
I make homemade cat food for my little tabby, so I wanted something small and easy to use every couple of weeks. Works great for light grinding, super easy to clean, 10 seconds to disassemble. I grind chicken and turkey by cutting it into strips first. Blades are still sharp after a year of use. The suction cup is hit and miss even on clean, nonporous surfaces, so it’s kind of useless.
yuri w.
As a manual grinder, there isn’t a motor or large body to worry about, so storing this handy device is much easier than electric versions. As an added bonus, the parts of the grinder, aside from the cutter, are dishwasher safe for simple cleanup. If you don’t mind a little manual labour for your freshly ground meats, this Starfrit model is one of the most affordable options out there.
Starfrit 93347 Manual Meat Grinder Specifications
- Dimensions: 5.3” x 9.8” x 6.3”
- Weight: 2 lbs
- Type: Manual
- Cutting Plates: 1
- Power: N/A
- Grinding Speed: N/A
Starfrit 93347 Manual Meat Grinder Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Easy to store
- Very quiet
- Dishwasher safe parts for easier cleaning
- Highly user friendly
Cons
- Requires a lot of effort
- Only one cutting plate included
- Time consuming in medium to large quantities
- Suction cup doesn’t work very well
Our Final Opinion About the Starfrit 93347 Manual Meat Grinder
Quality 3.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 3.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Overall, this Starfrit meat grinder is only ideal for casual, low yield grinding since it can be a lengthy, labour-intensive process with inconsistent results. Considering it’s a manual grinder, it handles light grinding tasks very well, though it isn’t very durable.
Alternative Products to Consider
STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series Electric Meat Grinder Review
The Versatile Pick
STX
If you’re looking to accomplish a variety of tasks with your meat grinder, such as multiple grind sizes, miniature burger patties, sausages, and more, the STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series electric meat grinder is the best choice for powerful multifunctioning.
STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series Electric Meat Grinder Video Review
What We Think of the STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series Electric Meat Grinder
The STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series electric meat grinder is a high-end option designed for the household. Under load, this grinder uses between 800 and 1200 watts of power, making it strong enough to grind smaller bones like chicken wings or feet if you’re making cat or dog food. It’s also strong enough to efficiently grind any type of meat.
At only 12 lbs, this compact grinder doesn’t look like much, but it offers grind speeds of 180-240 lbs per hour, or up to 4 lbs per minute. You’ll have the freedom to make any recipe you choose with the included attachments such as four grinding plates, 3 sizes of sausage stuffing tubes, a kibbe making attachment, 2 meat claws for shredding, and a 3-in-1 slider maker/press. With a kit this size, there’s nothing you won’t be able to do with your meat grinder.
I have used this grinder twice, grinding about 25 lbs of elk meat each time. It handled the job very well. It is simple to use, not too big for storage, and makes a perfect grind in any size you want. I haven’t used the sausage stuffer yet, but I’m pleased with the rest of it. I’m sure there are more powerful machines out there, but I am very happy with this grinder for my game meat.
linda m.
We’re pleased by the durability of the components in this STX meat grinder because they are all 304 stainless steel and built to last. The special design of the auger on this model, which uses advanced variable intake technology, paired with the 2” hopper opening make your prep work minimal since it can take in larger portion sizes of meat. A 3-year warranty ensures your purchase is protected.
STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series Electric Meat Grinder Specifications
- Dimensions: 20” x 12” x 11”
- Weight: 12 lbs
- Type: Electric
- Cutting Plates: 4
- Power: 1200 watts
- Grinding Speed: 4 lbs per minute
- Warranty: 3 years
STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series Electric Meat Grinder Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Comes with 4 grinding plates, 3 sausage stuffing tubes, kibbe making attachment, 2 meat shredder claws, and a 3-in-1 slider press
- Stainless-steel components are highly durable
- Powerful but compact for easy storage
- Fast grinding speeds
Cons
- Expensive
Our Final Opinion About the STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series Electric Meat Grinder
Quality 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 3.0 out of 5.0 stars
The STX Turboforce 3000 Series meat grinder offers enough bang for your buck to make the high cost worth it. It can be used for dozens of meat-related prep work and is easy to use, easy to clean, and powerful enough to get the job done efficiently.
Sunmile SM-G73 Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder Review
The Beginner-Friendly Pick
Sunmile
If you’re new to meat grinding and are only confident that you’ll make a few mistakes, the Sunmile SM-G73 heavy duty electric meat grinder is an excellent option. With simple one-press button functioning, a helpful reverse function, and all necessary attachments, you won’t have any trouble achieving your desired results with this novice-friendly meat grinder.
Sunmile SM-G73 Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder Video Review
What We Think of The Sunmile SM-G73 Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder
The Sunmile heavy duty electric meat grinder offers enough power to grind through small bones with 400-800 watts of power under load. The grind speed is a bit slower than some larger, more powerful models with roughly 2.8 lbs per minute, though this will depend on the type of meat you’re grinding and whether you’re included small bones in the process as these will take longer to grind.
This grinder includes a very useful reverse function that will switch the direction of the blades to take care of any clogs that occur if there happens to be sinew or tendons in your meat that block the blades. There are buttons for on/off as well as stop/run functions so you can pause the process to switch containers or prepare another batch without turning off the entire machine.
I use this grinder to make dog food. It will grind chicken thighs with bone no problem. The bone does get stuck around the edges but it is easy to remove. I’ve had to use the reverse a few times and am very thankful for that function. It’s small enough to fit in the cupboard but not so small that it can’t handle batch grinding for my bi-weekly prep. Worth every dollar.
tara m.
Included with the grinder are three sizes of grind plates as well as a large sausage pusher. This is a mid-size grinder that can fit in your cabinet with relative ease, though you may need to remove the top hopper. A 1-year warranty isn’t a ton of coverage compared to the 3–5-year warranties on other grinders, but it is enough to protect you from manufacturer defects that may pop up.
Sunmile SM-G73 Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder Specifications
- Dimensions: 20” x 11” x 9”
- Weight: 12.4 lbs
- Type: Electric
- Cutting Plates: 3
- Power: 400-800 watts
- Grinding Speed: 2.8 lbs per minute
- Warranty: 1 year
Sunmile SM-G73 Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Includes a reverse function to unblock clogs in the grinder
- Max 800 watts can grind small bones
- Stainless steel body and cast aluminum parts are durable and sleek
- 3-section grinding and low speed screwing for tender meat
Cons
- Slower grind speed
Our Final Opinion About the Sunmile SM-G73 Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder
Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
This meat grinder by Sunmile is another balanced option with a reasonable price, reliable performance, and expected quality. This is a good choice for those who want simplicity and just enough versatility for homemade ground meat products.
Gourmia GMG525 Meat Grinder Review
The Compact Pick
Gourmia
If you want to add a meat grinder to your repertoire in the kitchen for fresh, homemade ground meat goods but don’t exactly have the space for yet another appliance, the Gourmia GMG525 meat grinder is the perfect small-statured choice.
What We Think of the Gourmia GMG525 Meat Grinder
The Gourmia meat grinder is the smallest option on our list. It weighs under 7 lbs and is a very compact grinder, capable of fitting into any cupboard even if you have 18 other appliances taking up space in your kitchen. Its small stature makes it a great option for people in apartments, students living in a dorm, and those who have way too many kitchen gadgets.
Given its size, it’s not surprising that it’s fairly weak and can only grind about one pound of meat per minute. With that in mind, we don’t recommend this grinder to people who will be working with larger amounts of meat at once since it will take quite a while for this small grinder to work through. This option is best for casual users who will only be doing a few pounds at a time.
I wouldn’t recommend this grinder to someone who will use it every day because it isn’t that powerful, but it is perfect for my once or twice monthly grinding for meatballs and homemade stuffed burgers. All the pieces come out to be cleaned pretty easily. It is louder than I expected but overall, I didn’t have any complaints while using it. Great price too.
naomi c.
With three grinding plate sizes, you’ll be able to achieve any consistency needed for your recipes. This grinder also has a helpful reverse function in case sinew and other unfortunate parts make their way into the grinder, so you won’t have to worry about damage if your meat isn’t perfectly prepared. The grinder comes with a kibbe attachment as well as a sausage horn for extra uses.
Gourmia GMG525 Meat Grinder Specifications
- Dimensions: 13.5” x 11.8” x 5.5”
- Weight: 0.8 lbs
- Type: Electric
- Cutting Plates: 3
- Power: 500 watts
- Grinding Speed: 1 lb per minute
Gourmia GMG525 Meat Grinder Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Comes with 3 grinding plates for different sizes
- Has a reverse function in case of clogs
- Very user-friendly with simple operation
Cons
Cons
- Slow grind speed
- Can only handle smaller amounts of meat at a time
- Fairly loud
Our Final Opinion About the Gourmia GMG525 Meat Grinder
Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 3.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 5.0 out of 5.0 stars
While this isn’t the best choice for someone who’s going to be grinding meat daily or will be grinding large amounts of meat at a time, it is a great option for casual users who have limited space in their kitchen or a limited budget that they’d like to stick to.
Altra Multifunction Electric Meat Grinder Review
The All-in-One Pick
Altra
If you’ve decided to purchase a meat grinder to make homemade ground meat products, you may be wary about fitting yet one more appliance into your cupboards. Luckily, the Altra multifunction electric meat grinder performs more than one function so you can save storage space and achieve more with this machine.
Altra Multifunction Electric Meat Grinder Video Review
What We Think of The Altra Multifunction Electric Meat Grinder
The Altra multifunction electric meat grinder does a little more than most other meat grinders. This grinder includes the usual cutting plates in coarse, medium, and fine grind sizes, as well as a sausage stuffer and the slightly rarer kibbe maker and slider press. However, this meat grinder also comes with three specialty cutters: two sizes of shredders and a slicer.
All of these attachments ensure that you can perform dozens of tasks with various food types all with one single appliance – super convenient. This meat grinder is incredibly simple to operate with on/off buttons as well as a reverse function in case of a mishap so you can unblock a clog without taking everything apart. With ideal power, your new machine can handle all meat types and an assortment of fruits and vegetables for slicing and shredding.
I started with a high-quality manual grinder, but it’s really difficult to use and time-consuming. This is so much better! Easy to assemble and disassemble, makes quick work of grinding beef, and is easy to clean. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare a 10lb chuck roast, and about 3 minutes to grind it into a perfect hamburger patty. We have superior tenderness and flavour by grinding our own.
dan m.
Every component is durable and well-made, so there are no issues with quality. It even includes an accessory storage compartment for all the extras so that they’ll never be misplaced or damaged. A safety lock for the head tube so everything is stable and safe during operation. All of this power and versatility is packed into a compact, 10-pound machine for storing convenience.
Altra Multifunction Electric Meat Grinder Specifications
- Dimensions: 13.2” x 6.5” x 11.2”
- Weight: 10 lbs
- Type: Electric
- Cutting Plates: 3
- Power: 350-2000 watts
- Grinding Speed: 3 lbs per minute
Altra Multifunction Electric Meat Grinder Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- High peak wattage for powerful, efficient operation
- Includes 3 cutting plates, produce slicers/shredders, 2 kibbe attachments, a slider press, and a sausage stuffer
- Durable and sleek stainless-steel body
- Reverse function
Cons
Cons
- More expensive
Our Final Opinion About the Altra Multifunction Electric Meat Grinder
Quality 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 3.0 out of 5.0 stars
If you choose the Altra multifunction meat grinder, you’ll have no complaints regarding performance, speed, ease of cleaning, or ease of use. This grinder achieves excellent results in all of its various functions and is a great choice for anyone willing to splurge.
Why Should You Trust Us?
All the recommendations we make on The Good Choice are the result of many hours of research, comparisons, analysis of consumer reviews and, if necessary, expert feedbacks.
The products we recommend here are the ones that will best perform their daily tasks, passing all security, reliability and efficiency tests while having an appealing price-quality ratio for everyone.
What are our criteria for judging the products reviewed and selected by The Good Choice?
- Quality: Does the product have a solid construction? Will it be reliable over time? Does it have a good warranty?
- Efficiency: Is the product efficient in its task or do you need to give it some help? Is it for example powerful, fast, quiet?
- Usability: Is the product easy to handle, easy to use and maintain?
- Price: Is the price of the product and/or accessories and/or spare parts reasonable compared to the rest of the market?
In addition to these main criteria, we then establish a list of specific criteria for each product category, detailed a little further down in this article.
In the end, the products we recommend are the ones we would want to buy, and the ones we would also choose for our friends and family.
Things to Know Before Buying a Meat Grinder
Why Should I Grind My Own Meat?
There are a few reasons that make grinding your own meat a better option than buying pre-packaged meat from a grocery store. First of all, grinding your own meat is a lot cheaper.
Since meat products are one of the most expensive things on the market, this can help save you a lot of money in the long run. Grinding your own meat can also be healthier than eating pre-packaged ground meat.
You can control the freshness of the ingredients, the cleanliness of your work area, and know exactly what is in the final product.
Lastly, grinding your own meat can give you a better tasting food after cooking. You have the ability to choose fresh meats, add your own blend of seasonings, and include as much or as little fat as you want.
How to Properly Use a Meat Grinder
Before you start grinding, it is a good idea to freeze all the components of the grinder (blade, attachments, etc.) to make the grinding more effective. The meat should also be cold to avoid fat smearing.
You’ll want to cut your meat into cubes, and then run the meat through the grinder twice to get the best results. Cleaning a meat grinder is also an essential process.
Pushing through a slice or two of white bread will help push out the last bits of meat and dry it before you thoroughly wash it. This keeps things sanitary and prepared for your next batch of home-ground meat.
Pros and Cons of Electric and Manual Meat Grinders
There are a number of reasons why someone would choose a manual meat grinder over an electric one. Not only are they a lot cheaper, but they can also be used anywhere, whether you have access to power or not.
They are significantly smaller than electric models, so are better suited to smaller kitchens as well. They are very simple in design, and it may be quite obvious that their one major drawback is the amount of manual labor that needs to go into their use. If you have a lot of meat to grind in one sitting, you can expect to get quite fatigued.
Electric meat grinders will also have their benefits and cons. Electric meat grinders will be incredibly user friendly since all you have to do is plug them in and turn them on.
They are a great tool for cutting through tough meat types and even grinding bone too if you feed a pet raw food.
They are the best choice for grinding in bulk as well. The main drawbacks of an electric grinder include their power requirement and their complex internal workings.
You’ll always need to work close to an outlet, and they machines can be quite bulky and loud due to the motor and other components. If you have plastic materials inside the grinder, they may eventually strip and render the machine useless as well.
How to Properly Choose Your Meat Grinder
- Reverse Function.
Purchasing a meat grinder with a reverse function should be a no brainer. Not every model will include this feature, but it is almost a necessity.
Every meat grinder will get jammed eventually, and a reverse function is a quick and easy way to resolve that problem and keep the grinder operational.
The last thing you need is to take apart the meat grinder to clear it out and try to get it back together correctly.
- Price.
The price of a meat grinder will be one of the first things you consider before purchasing. Electric grinders will be more expensive than manual ones, so if you are shopping on a budget, that is something to keep in mind. Larger models with more features will also raise the price, so you’ll have to find the right balance between affordability and performance.
- Attachments.
Some meat grinders will come with attachments that help you achieve a different final product. For example, a sausage attachment can help you make your own sausage links at home with meat of your choosing. You can add whatever seasonings and extras you like, with minimal effort.
There will be various grinding attachments as well depending on the target texture of the meat. Many meat grinders will also often come with various cutting plates with different sized holes.
- Manual vs. Electric.
The manual vs electric debate is one of the first decisions you’ll have to make when searching for your perfect meat grinder. There are pros and cons to each type, as outlined above, and every person will have their own preference.
As a brief overview, manual meat grinders will be cheaper and more portable, but will require some manual effort to get the job done. Electric grinders are great for bulk grinding or for tough meats, but they will be pricey and require more maintenance and storage space.
- Size.
The size of a meat grinder will affect how portable it is and how easy it is to store. Electric grinders will be bulkier as a rule, but they come in a variety of sizes as well.
If you have limited storage space or like to grind your own meat even while camping, a small manual model will be the ideal choice.
- Durability.
If you plan on keeping a meat grinder for a long time or using it frequently, durability should be something you consider.
Stainless steel will always be the best material choice, and you’ll want metal components inside rather than plastic as well, since they won’t wear down like plastic will. Maintaining a consistent and thorough cleaning routine will also improve the longevity of the grinder.
- Grinding Speeds.
Purchasing a grinder with multiple grinding speeds can help you achieve different textures in a final product.
Manual grinders only rely on you for their grinding speed, but if you choose an electric model and plan on producing various textures of ground meat, multiple grinding speeds will be necessary.
- Wrranty.
It’s always a good idea to purchase a product with warranty coverage, especially if you have your sights set on one of the more expensive electric meat grinders out there. Very few models will come with lifetime coverage, but even a year or two is a great buffer for unexpected replacement costs.
We do our best to provide you with a comparative guide of meat grinders allowing you to choose the best product possible. If we are missing information or new models, do not hesitate to leave a comment below or to send us a message.