Choosing the Optimal Meat Grinder for Deer: Unveiling the Top Contenders of 2023

Are you tired of struggling to find the best meat grinder for deer? Look no further, as we have compiled a list of the top seven meat grinders for 2023 that will satisfy all your hunting needs. From the powerful Lem Big Bite Meat Grinder to the affordable Gourmia GMG525 Prime Plus, we have scoured the market to bring you the most efficient and reliable options available. Join us as we delve into the world of meat grinders, where quality and performance are at the forefront. Get ready to elevate your game in the kitchen and discover the ultimate tool for processing your prized deer meat.

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 Electric Meat Grinder.

Okay, we will admit it.

Our choice for the best overall meat grinder is probably a little bit excessive for the casual cook.

However, if you want to start grinding your own meat frequently, there is nothing worse than being stuck with a cheap grinder.

The STX-3000 grinder is a heavy-duty household machine that can bring a total of 1,200W of power to any type of meat you feed into it.

You can grind up to 360 pounds of well-trimmed meat per hour, which is more than enough for most people (if you think that's not enough, skip ahead to our enthusiast pick, the LEM Big Bite).

The advanced variable intake technology (AVI) allows the grinder to safely and quickly accept large quantities of meat in short time spans. This grinder is a solid choice when you need to grind a lot of meat for a lot of people in a short time.

Even if you only want to grind a few pounds, it's nice to be able to get it done quickly without your machine getting clogged like some cheaper grinders are prone to do.

The blades and plates of the grinder are made of stainless steel and polished aluminum. The electric motor is strong, and the rubber feet keep everything stable.

Both materials are excellent for cleanliness, durability, and reliability.

You can switch between three different speeds, one of which includes a reverse function to help clear up any jams.

What we like:

• Excellent attachments – This grinder comes with a meat pusher attachment, which is really handy for getting larger amounts of meat into the funnel for grinding without getting your hands dirty. There's also a Kubbe/Kibbe-making attachment, as well as three different-sized sausage stuffing tubes.

• Industrial construction quality – The internal components are made of polished aluminum or stainless steel.

• Speed selection/circuit breaker – The grinder offers high and low speed settings. The addition of a circuit breaker makes this grinder safer to use than many other cheaper models.

• Can handle a large amount of food – This grinder features AVI (Advanced Variable Intake) technology, which allows for large quantities of meat to be processed in short periods of time.

What we don't like:

• Loud – There's no way around it; the STX3000 is loud.

• Auger pressure – The auger does not provide a perfectly tight seal, which can make filling sausage casing a bit challenging.

• Struggles with larger cuts – The motor can stall when processing larger chunks of meat, so for best results, it is recommended to cut up your meat before grinding.

The STX-3000 grinder handled the 4lb brisket flat in a little over seven minutes, churning out a coarse grind without any problems or slowdowns.

Double grinding the pork butt started off well, but the second grind through the fine plate bogged the machine down. The internal silverskin and sinew started getting caught up in the blade and plate.

This took a little over 30 minutes due to the need to stop and clean out the particles clogging up the blade and plate.

STX International STX-3000 Test Results

Task	Grind time
4lb brisket flat single grind	7:27
6lb Boston pork butt double grind	30:14

The reverse function came in handy here, as it helped to pull back some of the meat when it was starting to slow down. The ability to choose between high and low speeds also helped in managing the meat flow.

Also, it is recommended to trim your meat of excess silverskin and tendons. This can be challenging when grinding a whole pork butt or processing game meat as the blade may struggle to completely cut through the sinew. The company warns against grinding tendons for this reason. It is best to have your meat super clean and well trimmed.

If you want something that can grind through anything without slowing down, you should consider the LEM Big Bite, which we review below.

Other than those minor issues, the STX-3000 is a great choice. It can handle tough cuts of meat and can grind both fine and coarse textures easily. Just be sure to trim any tendons, silverskin, and sinew that you can get to for fast and efficient grinding.

Note that if you want to grind a lot of sausages, you should also check out the select models that include 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 Electric Meat Grinder.

LEM is a major player in the meat and game processing market, and their products reflect that.

Out of all the models we tested, the LEM is the most capable, grinding through pounds of meat quickly and efficiently.

The LEM Big Bite electric meat grinder offers several motor options. You can choose between 0.35 and 1.5 Hp, depending on the amount of meat you plan on grinding. The higher horsepower motors allow for exceptional speed and capacity.

This grinder is a great choice for hunters who need to process a large amount of raw meat or for those who make their own dog food. It doesn't slow down even with large chunks of meat or if you have some silverskin left untrimmed.

We selected the .50 horsepower model for our review. It can grind about 13 pounds of meat per minute without breaking a sweat.

This motor size is ideal for most people who grind their own meats casually. Anything larger would be entering the commercial realm.

If you find yourself grinding meat multiple times a week, every week, then it is worth investing in a larger motor.

The grinder is made from modernized brushed steel to minimize fingerprints and keep it looking great. The head uses a rifling pattern to push the meat forward consistently. There is no need for constant prodding or pushing.

A storage drawer is located right beneath the grinder head, allowing you to organize your accessories.

What we like:

• Excellent speed and capacity – The motor, rifling pattern in the head, and extender auger all combine to quickly grind meat through the grinder.

• Grind strength – The LEM Big Bite can handle any sinew and leftover silverskin on the meat without skipping a beat. Other grinders may struggle at the blade, but the Big Bite cuts right through.

• Quiet when in use – Despite its high power, this grinder is relatively quiet and won't disturb you once you get used to the mild humming.

What we don't like:

• Expensive – Compared to other options we have reviewed, this electric grinder is quite expensive. However, it has an excellent motor and works incredibly well, making it worth the investment if you need to grind a lot of meat.

The LEM Products Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder is without a doubt one of the best meat grinders available if you need to grind a large amount of meat in a short amount of time.

It processed the brisket flat in roughly 3 minutes, never skipping a beat. I couldn't feed the machine fast enough for the coarse plate.

Double grinding the pork butt was equally easy. It processed six pounds of pork in 4 minutes for the first grind. Even when switching plates, I finished double grinding in about 12 minutes.

The feel of the grinder itself is rugged and sturdy, giving it a commercial feel in terms of heft and component quality. It surpassed my expectations and made me wish I had more meat to grind on test day.

This is a no-brainer choice for game hunters and processors, and it is a very forgiving grinder if you are not adept at trimming meat primals.

The .5HP motor never struggled, even when the auger and hopper were full. It kept pulling and grinding meat at a steady pace.

.5HP LEM Big Bite Test Results

Task	Grind time
4lb brisket flat single grind	3:08
6lb Boston pork butt double grind	12:20

Don't be shy on grind day, as this machine is made for bulk processing. In total, I ground ten pounds of meat in under a half hour, including cleaning parts and switching plates between proteins. You could easily go through 50 pounds of meat and not have any issues.

I have very little criticism for the LEM Big Bite, and if you have the budget, it is a noticeable step up in power output compared to the STX.

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

The ALTRA electric grinder is more affordable than many other electric models we have tested.

In fact, it is priced similarly to a manual grinder.

Despite its affordability, it remains a reliable option for low-volume meat grinding.

The electric motor can reach up to 350W.

The purchase includes two cutting blades, one sausage tube, a food pusher, and 2 Kibbeh attachments.

These attachments are used to simplify the preparation of Kibbeh, which is spiced lamb packed inside a wheat shell.

You also get three different cutting plates for different consistencies or textures.

These plates are equivalent to coarse, medium, and fine grinding.

Many of the crucial parts are made of stainless steel. The steel has been layered three times to increase durability and rust resistance.

Other parts are made of aluminum alloy and high-end ABS, which is a type of durable plastic.

Operation is easy with an on/off/reverse switch, although it lacks a speed variable function.

What we like:

• Easy to disassemble for quick cleaning – Fortunately, this grinder is easy to take apart so that you can clean each major piece individually. Putting everything back together is also easy. To make things even more convenient, all of the blades, plates, and other meat-touching parts can be thrown in the dishwasher.

• Good durability – Most of the grinder is made from high-quality materials such as stainless steel and aluminum alloy. The addition of a reverse switch allows for easier cleaning as well.

• Storage box – The grinder comes with a concealed storage box that you can use to store all of the parts you aren't using. You can also store any other accessories that you frequently use with your meat grinder.

• Affordable – Compared to many other electric meat grinders, this model is very affordable.

What we don't like:

• Loading tray and pushing handle are weak – The loading tray for pushing meat into the grinding mechanism is a little short and flimsy. It can feel unstable when you're trying to feed meat into the machine. You'll have to go a little slower to ensure that everything works properly. In addition, the pushing handle is made of a thin plastic cylinder that isn't quite tough enough to push meat with any real force. Using another tool or implement is recommended if you need to add some extra force.

• Gets bogged down easily – If you overload the auger or pack down a bunch of meat with the stomper, the motor may struggle and it won't grind effectively.

The Altra grinder performed steadily with the brisket flat, grinding it in a little under ten minutes using the coarse plate.

It struggled a bit with the pork butt, even with the coarse plate. I knew that if I continued, the machine would get stuck on the internal sinew, so I stopped halfway through and trimmed as much of the sinew as I could from the remaining cubed pieces of meat.

Altra Test Results

Task	Grind time
4lb brisket flat single grind	9:41
6lb Boston pork butt double grind	44:25

This helped the grinder move along much more efficiently, but some of the initial tendons that got through during the first grind caused the machine to struggle a bit during the second pass.

All in all, it took about 45 minutes to double grind the pork butt.

The loading tray wobbled a bit when pushing with the stuffing handle. The Altra grinder performed best when using a slow and steady approach, letting the auger take the meat at its own pace.

This is a great choice if you want the convenience of an electric grinder without having to pay for industrial-grade equipment.

It is lighter than other grinders we have looked at but can still handle clean trimmed meat without clogging up.

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

Read our full review of the Meat! Grinder.

If you engage in a lot of meat processing and want complete control over sourcing and handling your food, then consider the grinders from Meat! Your Maker.

Meat! is a relatively new player in the industry, offering a range of meat and game processing gear directly to consumers.

They are promoting their products through influencers, but we wanted to see how they compared to the competition.

The .5HP grinder comes with both coarse and fine stainless steel grinding plates, as well as a stainless steel stuffing plate with three stuffing tubes for sausage. It also features an accessory drawer for easy organization.

It is nondescript enough to sit on a countertop but is designed for heavy-duty, bulk grinding.

The .5HP grinder is priced accordingly for those who process the majority of their own meat, but it may be overkill if you only grind occasionally throughout the year. Meat! also offers a slightly less powerful 500W grinder at a slightly lower price, as well as a 1.5HP grinder for those who regularly process large amounts of meat.

What we like:

• High Quality – The Meat! Grinder is a premium product that not only performs at a high level but is also very well built.

• Fast processing – Meat! claims that the .5HP grinder can go through approximately 5.5 pounds of meat per minute, and our tests confirmed that capability. This grinder is designed for bulk processing over a long period.

• Quiet Power – The Meat! .5HP grinder was surprisingly quiet compared to the lower-powered grinders we tested. The engine noise never flared up due to too much meat intake or clogged plates.

What we don't like:

• Demand – If I have to get nitpicky, it would be that demand exceeds supply. Some products may have longer lead times due to low stock. However, this is a testament to the quality of the products.

I tested the speed of the grinder with a 4lb brisket flat, fully trimmed. The meat was partially frozen to 33°F for easier grinding. With all the meat loaded into the tray, it took roughly 41 seconds to grind through the brisket. Compare this to the 9 minutes it took with the Altra grinder we tested.

The Meat! grinder never wavered in its output and was surprisingly quiet. I never had to force meat into the grinding head or use the stomper. This output is aligned with Meat!'s statement of 5.5 lbs per minute.

Next, I tested it with a six-pound pork butt, cut into chunks and partially frozen. Double grinding the pork butt took 84 seconds, not including the time to switch the coarse plate with the fine plate.

There was no clogging of the plates due to connective tissue, and the motor did not bog down. I was left standing in awe at my fresh pile of house-ground meat, wondering why I didn't plan to grind more while I had the setup ready to go.

Overall, the Meat! .5HP grinder is an excellent option for volume processing. While it is more expensive than other grinders we have reviewed, it provides great long-term value if you use it as intended.

The Meat! .5HP grinder competes directly with the LEM grinder for the top spot in high-performing grinders.

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

The ALTRA electric grinder is more affordable than many other electric models we have tested.

In fact, it is priced similarly to a manual grinder.

Despite its affordability, it remains a reliable option for low-volume meat grinding.

# 1 - Lem Big Bite Meat Grinder

LEM Products W780A Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric #12-Meat Grinder (.75-HP)

• Electric meat grinder; Induction motor with a start and run capacitor (9 amps);...
• Dimensions (fully assembled): 9" W x 19.5" L x 16" H; Dimensions (motor only): 7.5" W x...
• Big Bite technology; All metal gears with roller bearings; Hole in head where pan is...
• Stainless steel motor housing; Heavy duty handle for easy moving; Built in circuit...
• Includes: 1 meat stomper, 1 stainless steel knife, 1 stainless steel stuffing plate, 2...

Amazon

This Lem meat grinder is available from both Amazon and Pleasant Hill Grain – often abbreviated to PHG. PHG specializes in high-quality kitchen equipment and has excellent, in-depth information on each Lem meat grinder – check out their website!

This meat grinder is equipped with a powerful induction motor that has a start and run capacitor. Its dimensions when fully assembled are 9" W x 19.5" L x 16" H, and 7.5" W for the motor alone. It features Big Bite technology with all-metal gears and roller bearings. The stainless steel motor housing ensures durability, and it comes with a heavy-duty handle for easy portability. The grinder also has a built-in circuit breaker for safety. Included accessories are a meat stomper, stainless steel knife, stainless steel stuffing plate, and two grinding plates.

# 7 - STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series Electric Meat Grinder

STX Turboforce 3000 Heavy Duty 5-In-1 Powerful Size #12 Electric Meat Grinder

This meat grinder is more affordable and lightweight compared to others. It is designed for home use but comes with useful features. It includes a reverse function to prevent jams, although it may jam easily. The plastic plunger is not very sturdy. It provides fast grinding with its rifled-head design.

Find More Info on Amazon.

# 6 - Thunderbird 300E Meat Grinder

This meat grinder from Thunderbird is highly regarded and popular at PHG. It offers a grinding speed of 8 to 12lbs per minute with its #12 head and 1HP motor. Although it is suitable for commercial use, it can also be used at home. It is NSF and UL certified and features a sturdy stainless steel build.

# 5 - Hakka Brothers TC Series Meat Grinder TC8

This Hakka meat grinder is compact, lightweight, and reasonably priced. It is suitable for both home and commercial use and complies with safety standards. The outer housing, feed assembly, and auger are made of stainless steel for hygiene. It has a circuit breaker, cooling fan, and a reverse option for convenience. It can process approximately 176lbs per hour, equivalent to around 3lbs per minute.

# 4 - Weston Pro Series Meat Grinder

Weston Pro Series #22 Electric Meat Grinder, Commercial Grade 1120 Watts, 1.5 HP, 14lbs. Per Minute, Silver (10-2201-W), Stainless Steel

• POWERFUL 1.5 HP MOTOR TO CONTINUOUSLY GRIND LARGE VOLUMES OF MEAT: The 1.5 hp, 1120 watt...
• FAST GRINDING. The electric meat grinder is designed for speed with a rifled-head design...
• DURABLE & QUIET: The Weston Meat Grinder is engineered for quiet performance and rugged...
• INCLUDES ACCESSORIES: The grinder comes with a patented auger-grabbing stomper, patented...
• BUILT-IN KNIFE SHARPENER: The meat grinder includes a built-in knife sharpener for...
• FORWARD-REVERSE MODE. The forward-reverse mode is useful for grinding tougher meats and...

Amazon

This Weston meat grinder is equipped with a powerful 1.5 HP motor to handle large meat volumes. With its rifled-head design, it provides fast grinding. It is durable, quiet, and includes useful accessories. The built-in knife sharpener adds convenience. It features a forward-reverse mode for grinding tougher meats. The grinder is available on Amazon and comes with a 5-year warranty.

# 3 - Pro-Cut KG-12-FS Grinder

This Pro-Cut KG-12 meat grinder is suitable for both home and commercial use. It is NSF and UL certified, despite its weight of almost 80 pounds. It offers a grinding rate of 4 to 7lbs per minute with its #12 head and 3/4 HP motor. It ensures safety with a standard 110V outlet. It is available at PHG and offers a good warranty. It features a stainless steel build and compatibility with Torrey meat grinders.

KitchenAid Food Grinder Attachment - Best Meat Grinder Attachment

Check price on Amazon here

The KitchenAid meat grinder attachment is highly rated and compatible with KitchenAid mixers. It comes with both coarse and fine grinding plates and is suitable for various food preparations. The attachment easily hooks onto KitchenAid mixers and operates using the motor's power. It is a cost-effective option for those who already own a KitchenAid mixer and are short on kitchen space.

The attachment includes a coarse grinding plate and a fine grinding plate. It also comes with tips, recipes, and a one-year replacement warranty. The food tray and sausage stuffer are sold separately but can be used with the attachment.

Magic Mill MMG-3001 Meat Grinder and Sausage Maker

Check price on Amazon here

This all-purpose meat grinder, called the Magic Mill MMG-3001, effortlessly minces and grinds various types of meat, and even helps make sausages. It features a user-friendly control panel with buttons for one-touch operation, including on/off, reverse, half, stop, and reset.

The Magic Mill MMG-3001 includes:

• 3 cutting plates for fine, medium, and coarse grinding
• 3 sausage funnels for making sausages
• 2 kubbe attachments
• Die cast food tray
• Food pusher
• 1 year warranty and service

Although the Magic Mill MMG-3001 grinds up to 4 pounds of meat per minute, which is less compared to other grinders on this list, it is still a good choice due to its heavy-duty copper motor, versatile attachment options, and a one-year warranty.

Check price on Amazon here

The ALISKID Hand Crank Meat Grinder is not only highly affordable, but also receives better reviews compared to most hand meat grinders. Made from high-quality and durable food-safe materials, this lightweight grinder is easy to carry around.

You can easily disassemble this grinder for thorough cleaning. Additionally, its long handle design reduces the effort required during the grinding process. The powerful suction base ensures stability on most dry and clean countertop surfaces.

Besides grinding meat, the ALISKID Hand Crank Meat Grinder is also advertised as capable of grinding peppers and serving as a pasta maker. However, unlike other models, this grinder does not come with a sausage stuffer.

The ALISKID Hand Meat Grinder includes:

• Powerful suction base for stability
• 2 cutting plates with plate cover
• Pusher for convenience
• Lifetime Warranty and 24-hour customer service and support

Gourmia GMG525 Prime Plus Meat Grinder Deluxe - Best Meat Grinder for the Price

Check current price on Amazon here

Although the Gourmia GMG525 model may not provide as much power as others, it still offers one of the best meat grinding options under $100. ETL certified with 500 watts, it comes with durable metal gears and stainless steel blades. The machine features simple on/off buttons and a reverse switch for easy usage.

The Gourmia GMG525 includes:

• 3 stainless steel grinding plates for fine, normal, and coarse grinding
• Sausage horn for making sausages
• Food pusher
• Sausage and kibbeh attachment
• Recipe book

With its stainless steel cutting plates, this grinder allows you to create custom blends for different grinding levels. Considering its affordable price, it offers great value for money according to meat grinder reviews.

LEM Products Stainless Steel Electric Meat Grinder

Check current price on Amazon here

The LEM Products Meat Grinder comes in different variations and price ranges. The #12 .75HP model sits in the middle of the pack. It has the capacity to grind up to 11 pounds of meat per minute, with a motor that is permanently lubricated to reduce grease formation and motor noise. Its sleek brushed steel finish not only adds modern style to your kitchen, but also minimizes fingerprints. The rifling pattern designed into the head allows for meat to be pushed forward with less pressure from the user.

The LEM Electric Meat Grinder includes:

• Stainless steel knife, head, and large meat pan
• Extended auger for faster meat pulling
• 2 stainless steel plates, one coarse (3/8") and one fine (3/16")
• 1 stainless steel stuffing plate
• 3 stuffing tubes
• Meat stomper
• Lifetime customer support; 5-year warranty

The 0.75 HP stainless steel Big Bite grinder included in this model provides a significant upgrade compared to other models in the series. If you want to step up to 1 HP, the price increases by over $100, and for 1.5 HP the price goes up by another $130. The Amazon listing allows you to easily explore other models from the same page.

In conclusion, whether you're an avid hunter or simply enjoy the taste of fresh, homemade ground meat, finding the best meat grinder for deer is essential. After thorough research and careful consideration, we have identified the top contenders for 2023. From the powerful and efficient Lem Big Bite Meat Grinder to the budget-friendly Gourmia GMG525 Prime Plus Meat Grinder Deluxe, there is a option to suit every hunter's needs. Don't settle for store-bought ground meat when you can create your own delicious and perfectly textured creations with these top-rated meat grinders. Upgrade your kitchen arsenal and take your culinary adventures to new heights with one of these exceptional tools.