A Comprehensive Guide: Choosing, Using, and Maintaining the Best Home Meat Grinder

Looking for the ultimate tool to take your homemade burgers and sausages to mouthwatering perfection? Look no further! In this article, we will delve into the world of the best home meat grinder, revealing the top contenders for 2023. But that's not all – we'll also guide you through what to consider when choosing a meat grinder, share expert tips for grinding like a pro, and provide essential maintenance advice to ensure your machine stays in pristine condition. Prepare to unleash your culinary creativity and revolutionize your kitchen with the best meat grinders on the market!

The 7 Best Meat Grinders Reviewed for 2023

1. Best Overall Meat Grinder – STX Turboforce 3000 Electric Meat Grinder

Read our full review of the STX Turboforce 3000 here.

We understand that the STX Turboforce 3000 may be more powerful than what a casual cook needs. However, if you grind your own meat frequently, it's important to invest in a reliable and high-quality grinder. The STX-3000 offers a heavy-duty motor with a power of 1,200W, allowing you to grind up to 360 pounds of well-trimmed meat per hour. The grinder features Advanced Variable Intake (AVI) technology, ensuring it can safely handle large quantities of meat in a short amount of time. It's also easy to clean and comes with excellent attachments like a meat pusher, Kubbe/Kibbe-making attachment, and sausage stuffing tubes.

The STX Turboforce 3000 is built with high-quality stainless steel and polished aluminum blades and plates. Its strong electric motor and stable rubber feet ensure durability and reliability. While it may be a bit loud, it offers speed selection and a circuit breaker for enhanced safety. The only minor drawbacks are that it's not ideal for grinding larger cuts of meat and may require pre-cutting. Overall, the STX-3000 is an exceptional grinder for both casual cooks and those who need to process large quantities of meat quickly.

1. Excellent attachments: The grinder comes with a meat pusher attachment, Kubbe/Kibbe-making attachment, and three different-sized sausage stuffing tubes, making it convenient and versatile.
2. Industrial construction quality: The internal components are made of polished aluminum or stainless steel, ensuring durability.
3. Speed selection/circuit breaker: The grinder offers high and low speed settings, and the addition of a circuit breaker makes it safer to use.
4. Can take a lot of food: The Advanced Variable Intake (AVI) technology allows for processing large quantities of meat in short periods.

1. Loud: The STX3000 is a bit noisy during operation.
2. Auger pressure: The auger does not provide a perfectly tight seal, making it a bit challenging to fill sausage casing.
3. Struggles with larger cuts: The motor can stall when processing larger chunks of meat, so pre-cutting is recommended for optimal results.

The STX-3000 performed well in our tests, handling a 4lb brisket flat in a little over seven minutes and a 6lb Boston pork butt in about 30 minutes. It consistently delivered a coarse grind without any issues or slowdowns. While it may have encountered some difficulty during the second grind with the fine plate, overall, it proved to be an efficient and reliable option for grinding meat.

STX International STX-3000 Test Results

It's important to note that when using the STX-3000, it's recommended to trim your meat of excess silverskin and tendons. Grinding a whole pork butt or processing game may cause the blade to bog down and not cut through sinew effectively. However, with proper pre-trimming, the STX-3000 is an excellent choice for efficient and fast grinding. If you're looking to grind a lot of sausages, consider selecting a model that includes a foot pedal for hands-free use.

2. Best High-End Meat Grinder – LEM Products Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder

Read our full review of the LEM Big Bite grinder here.

LEM is a well-known name in the meat and game processing market, and their Big Bite electric meat grinder lives up to their reputation. With various motor options to choose from, including 0.35 and 1.5 Hp, you can select the power that suits your grinding needs. The LEM Big Bite grinder is perfect for hunters or those who process a lot of raw meat. It can easily handle large chunks of meat without slowing down.

The LEM Big Bite grinder is made from modernized brushed steel, which minimizes fingerprints and maintains a sleek appearance. It features a rifling pattern in the head, ensuring consistent and efficient meat processing without constant prodding or pushing. The grinder is easy to clean and includes a convenient storage drawer for organizing accessories.

1. Excellent speed and capacity: The motor, rifling pattern in the head, and extender auger work together to grind meat at a phenomenal rate.
2. Grind strength: The LEM Big Bite can handle sinew and leftover silverskin without slowing down, providing consistent and efficient grinding.
3. Quiet when in use: Despite its high power, the LEM Big Bite operates relatively quietly, allowing for a more enjoyable grinding experience.

1. Expensive: Compared to other grinders, the LEM Big Bite is on the pricier side. However, it delivers exceptional performance and is worth the investment if you grind a lot of meat.

In our tests, the LEM Big Bite grinder proved its worth. It ground a 4lb brisket flat in just over three minutes, maintaining a steady and efficient pace. Double grinding a 6lb Boston pork butt took around 12 minutes, showcasing the grinder's capability to handle different types of meat.

.5HP LEM Big Bite Test Results

The LEM Big Bite grinder exceeded expectations, delivering impressive results. Its rugged and sturdy build, combined with its high-quality components, ensures a commercial-grade performance. While it may be more expensive than other options, the LEM Big Bite is a reliable and powerful grinder for those who process meat regularly.

3. Best Budget Meat Grinder – ALTRA Stainless Steel Electric Meat Grinder

The ALTRA electric grinder offers an affordable option for those looking for a reliable low-volume meat grinder. Despite its lower price, it still provides quality performance.

The grinder features a 350W electric motor and comes with two cutting blades, one sausage tube, a food pusher, and 2 Kibbeh attachments. It also includes three cutting plates for different consistencies. The ALTRA grinder is made with stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and durable ABS plastic.

1. Easy to disassemble for quick cleaning: The grinder can be easily taken apart, allowing for individual cleaning of major components. The blades, plates, and other meat-touching parts are dishwasher safe for added convenience.
2. Good durability: The grinder is made from high-quality materials such as stainless steel and aluminum alloy, ensuring durability and longevity.
3. Storage box: It comes with a concealed storage box for organizing unused parts and other accessories.
4. Affordable: Compared to other electric meat grinders, the ALTRA grinder offers excellent affordability.

1. Loading tray and pushing handle are weak: The loading tray for pushing meat into the grinder can feel unstable, and the pushing handle may not provide sufficient force. It's recommended to go slower and use additional tools if extra force is needed.
2. Gets bogged down easily: Overloading the auger or packing down meat too tightly can cause the motor to bog down and reduce grinding effectiveness.

During testing, the ALTRA grinder performed well, grinding a 4lb brisket flat in under ten minutes and a 6lb Boston pork butt in around 44 minutes. While it struggled a bit with the pork butt, proper trimming and slower feeding ensured efficient grinding. Overall, the ALTRA grinder is a reliable and affordable option for those who need a low-volume meat grinder.

Altra Test Results

4. Fastest for Processing Meat – Meat! Your Maker .5HP Meat Grinder

Read our full review of the Meat! Grinder here.

Meat! Your Maker offers high-quality grinders for those who prefer complete control over their meat sourcing and processing. The .5HP grinder is perfect for bulk processing and delivers fast and efficient results.

The Meat! .5HP grinder comes with coarse and fine stainless steel grinding plates, as well as a stainless steel stuffing plate with three stuffing tubes for sausage making. It's a heavy-duty grinder designed for heavy grinding tasks but is still easy to set up and operate. Meat! also offers other motor options, such as a 500W grinder or a 1.5HP grinder, for those who require even greater processing capabilities.

What we like:

• High Quality: The Meat! Grinder is well-built and performs at a high level.
• As fast as advertised: The .5HP grinder can go through approximately 5.5 pounds of meat per minute, making it ideal for bulk processing.
• Quiet Power: The Meat! .5HP grinder operates quietly and consistently, without flaring up or clogging.

What we don't like:

• Demand: The popularity of Meat! grinders has led to longer lead times due to low stock.

In our tests, the Meat! .5HP grinder showcased its impressive speed and efficiency. It ground a 4lb brisket flat in approximately 41 seconds, significantly faster than many other grinders. Double grinding a six-pound pork butt took approximately 84 seconds, further demonstrating its high processing capabilities.

.5HP Meat! Grinder Test Results

The Meat! .5HP grinder consistently delivered exceptional results, operating quietly and without any issues. While demand for Meat! grinders may exceed supply at times, it's a testimony to the quality and performance of their products. Overall, the Meat! .5HP grinder is a top contender for high-performing grinders and offers great long-term value.

5. Best Budget Meat Grinder – ALTRA Stainless Steel Electric Meat Grinder

The ALTRA electric grinder provides an affordable option for those looking for a reliable and efficient meat grinder without breaking the bank.

Despite its lower price point, the ALTRA grinder offers quality performance and reliability. With a 350W electric motor, it can effectively process meat. The grinder comes with two cutting blades, one sausage tube, a food pusher, and 2 Kibbeh attachments. It also includes three cutting plates for different grinding consistencies.

Many of the important parts of the ALTRA grinder are made of stainless steel, ensuring durability and rust resistance. The grinder is easy to clean and features a convenient storage box for organizing unused parts and accessories. While it lacks variable speed settings, it remains a dependable option.

What we like:

• Easy to disassemble for quick cleaning: The grinder can be easily taken apart, allowing for easy cleaning of individual components. The meat-touching parts are dishwasher safe.
• Good durability: The ALTRA grinder is made from high-quality materials such as stainless steel and aluminum alloy, providing durability and rust resistance.
• Storage box: It comes with a concealed storage box, providing convenient organization for unused parts and frequently used accessories.
• Affordable: The ALTRA grinder offers excellent affordability compared to other electric meat grinders.

What we don't like:

• Loading tray and pushing handle are weak: The loading tray may feel unstable, and the pushing handle may require additional tools to exert enough force when feeding meat into the grinder.
• Gets bogged down easily: Overloading the auger or tightly packing meat can reduce grinding effectiveness and cause the motor to bog down.

During testing, the ALTRA grinder efficiently processed a 4lb brisket flat in under ten minutes and a 6lb Boston pork butt in approximately 44 minutes. While it encountered some difficulties with the pork butt, properly trimming and feeding the meat at a slower pace ensured optimal grinding. Overall, the ALTRA grinder is a reliable and affordable option for low-volume meat grinding needs.

Altra Test Results

What to consider when choosing a meat grinder

When searching for the perfect meat grinder, there are certain factors you should keep in mind to ensure you find the right product for your needs.

How much and what type of meat will you be grinding?

It's important to think ahead and consider how frequently you will be using the grinder. If you only plan on using it occasionally, it may not be worth investing in an expensive electric model. These models are designed for grinding large quantities of meat quickly. In this case, a manual or attachment type would be more suitable as they can handle smaller quantities of meat.

Motor power

If you do decide to go with an electric grinder, it's crucial to choose one with the appropriate motor power. Higher wattage generally means greater grinding capability. However, comparing grinders that are rated in watts versus horsepower can be tricky. While 746 watts is equivalent to 1 horsepower in ideal conditions, factors such as gears, blade sharpness, and auger size can affect the actual grinding power. In our testing, we've found that horsepower-rated engines tend to have stronger motors than those with equivalent wattage ratings.

Ease of cleaning

Some meat grinders are easier to clean than others. Regardless of the type you choose, it will need regular maintenance. If you prefer a simpler cleaning process, opt for a machine that is easy to take apart and wash after each use.

Features and attachments

Meat grinders can come with various features and attachments. It's important to ensure that the grinder includes multiple plates for selecting different grind sizes. Additionally, having a grinder with a reverse function, such as the STX 3000 model, can be useful for clearing any blockages. While some grinders may include attachments for sausage making, it's worth noting that meat grinders are not the best for stuffing sausages. For large-scale sausage making, we recommend investing in a dedicated sausage stuffer.

Construction

Meat grinders can be made from different materials, such as hard plastic or various types of metals. It's advisable to choose grinders with stainless steel blades whenever possible. Stainless steel is hypoallergenic, rust-resistant, and tends to retain sharpness and durability better than typical steel. Grinders with fewer parts made of durable metal may be more affordable, while those made of higher-quality steel may be pricier. It's worth considering that the initial higher cost of steel grinders may lead to long-term savings if they are less prone to breaking.

How to effectively use your meat grinder

Now that you have found the perfect meat grinder for your needs, let's discuss how to use it effectively. For more detailed instructions, refer to our guide on how to grind your own meat.

1. Preparing for grinding

Before you start grinding, it's important to ensure that all your equipment, including grinder attachments and the meat itself, is cold. Warm meat can smear the inside of the grinder and cause the components of the meat to separate. By placing everything in the freezer for about an hour before grinding, you can keep the fat cold and achieve a better meat mixture during the grinding process.

2. Selecting your meat

When grinding meat, cheaper cuts with higher fat content work best. Chuck is a great option for beef, but brisket or tri-tip can also be used. You can experiment with different combinations to achieve different ratios of fat to lean meat.

3. Trimming your meat

Depending on your grinder, you may need to trim the meat before grinding. For cheap electric or manual grinders, it's recommended to cut the meat into one-inch pieces and remove tough sinew that can get caught around the entry hole of the grinder. However, more powerful electric grinders may not require trimming, which is particularly helpful when dealing with complex cuts like pork butt.

4. Starting the grinding process

The specific instructions for grinding will vary depending on your machine, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions. For hamburgers, it's best to avoid overworking the meat. One grind through the medium plate should be sufficient. If the texture is still too coarse, you can grind it through the same plate again. However, avoid double grinding through the small plate as it can cause the meat to emulsify. It's important to have some space in the beef to allow juices to spread throughout.

Tips for grinding meat

1. Sausage: Salt before grinding; Burgers: Salt after forming

When making sausage, it's recommended to add salt and seasonings before grinding, as the salt helps dissolve certain proteins and contributes to a tighter texture. However, for burgers, it's best to add salt and seasonings after forming the patties to achieve the desired taste.

2. Grind from large to small

For most meat mixtures, it's a good practice to grind the meat twice, starting with a large coarse grind and then running it through again using the fine plate. Grinding twice can result in more tender meat and prevents smearing.

3. Avoid meat smearing

To prevent smearing, observe the meat as it comes through the grinder. The ideal grinding process will produce tiny chunks of meat with distinct fat aspects. If the meat appears mixed together, wet, and clumpy, it indicates smearing. To address this issue, you may need to sharpen the blades, clean the plate, or perform other maintenance tasks. Keeping the meat and equipment cold also helps prevent smearing.

Maintaining your meat grinder

Blade sharpening is crucial for optimal performance, as dull blades can result in squished or smeared meat. It's advisable to check your blades every few uses to see if they need sharpening. While frequent use of the grinder can help keep the blades sharp, it's still necessary to sharpen them artificially from time to time.

Cleaning the plate is also essential to prevent the build-up of bacteria and germs. Thoroughly wash the plate with hot water and ample soap after each use. Additionally, grinding a piece of bread or a few wadded up paper towels can help remove any remaining meat chunks or bits. The bread can be discarded after absorbing some of the remnants, while the paper towels absorb oil and fat residues. This makes it easier to clean the inside of the grinder.

In conclusion

While there are various great options available, the best overall meat grinder is still the STX International STX-3000 Turboforce Speed Electric Meat Grinder. It offers a high capacity for grinding large amounts of meat quickly, comes with a great selection of attachments, provides texture and speed variations, and is highly durable. However, regardless of the grinder you choose, remember to keep the parts clean and store the unit in the freezer before use. Happy cooking!

In summary, finding the best home meat grinder can truly enhance your culinary adventures. With our comprehensive list of the top 7 meat grinders for 2023, coupled with valuable insights on what to look for, how to use, and maintain your machine, you're well-equipped to take your meat grinding game to the next level. From preparing savory sausages and delicious burgers to experimenting with homemade ground meat recipes, the possibilities are endless. So, why settle for pre-packaged ground meat when you can savor the freshness and flavor of grinding your own? Invest in a quality meat grinder and unleash your inner culinary artist today!