When it comes to meat, things like burgers and meatballs are very common, especially among the new generation. Many of these food items use ground meat and meat grinders are those heavenly appliances that help us in making multiple recipes that call for ground meat and also enable us to get freshly ground meat whenever we want (rather than using frozen ground meat) and lower the grocery budget to boot. Since I am among those who are always in search of new recipes with ground meat, I needed the best meat grinder and so I looked for and found some amazing pieces:
The Best Meat Grinders In 2020
PRODUCT |
ELECTRIC/MANUAL |
BEST FOR |
HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES |
 Gourmia GMG525 Electric |
Electric | Best Overall |
|
|
Electric | Best For Home |
|
 Sunmile SM-G31 Electric |
Electric | Best For Commercial |
|
 Grinder Attachment for KitchenAid Stand Mixers |
Attachment for KitchenAid | Best Budget Pick |
|
1.Gourmia GMG525 Electric
Highlighted Features
- 800W motor
- 3 cutting plates
- Heavy duty food tray
- Stainless steel grinding plates
- Food pusher
This meat grinder by Gourmia has an 800-watt motor that enables it to work for a longer time while grinding meat. Its grinding plates are made of stainless steel so they aren’t likely to rust.
Construction: This electric meat grinder is made of an exceptionally strong and long-lasting material that enables you to use it for a considerable period of time. It has a copper 800W motor that enhances the work capacity of the grinder. Its metal gears and stainless steel blades are corrosion-free and ensure proper grinding of meat. This grinder has three stainless steel cutting plates of different sizes.
It is also provided with a kibbeh attachment and a retainer ring that allows you to make perfect kibbeh rolls. A heavy-duty food tray is also available with this product, along with a dual safety switch and three way on/off/reverse switch.
Function: This is an efficient electric grinder that helps you grind meat according to your choice as it has three cutting plates for fine, medium or coarse cutting so you can use the cutting plate according to your requirement. It works efficiently owing to its 800W motor that allows you to grind meat with great convenience and has an ETL. The food tray allows you to keep the meat in it before grinding so you don’t have to reach into other bowls during the process. The funnel helps you in making sausages out of the grinding meat. You can also use it for pushing meat inside the grinder for easy grinding if you’re in a hurry and can’t locate the food pusher.
Cleaning and maintenance: You can disassemble this grinder which makes the cleaning process easy for you. Just remove all parts and wash the blades, funnel, food pusher, and all non-electric parts with hot, soapy water. Then let it air-dry before reassembling and putting it away. If you are a bit careful about its proper cleaning, you can enhance its durability.
Pros
- Stainless steel cutting plates
- Efficient motor
- Food pusher
- Has kibbeh attachment
- Easy to use
Cons
- The blade may break and leave metal bits in the meat
2. STX Megaforce Classic 3000 Series
Highlighted Features
- 3000 watt power
- Stainless steel blades
- Tempered steel cutting plates
- Ergonomic meat pusher
- Air-cooled system
This is a wonderful package of a number of accessories designed by STX INTERNATIONAL which enables you to make a wide variety of recipes with the help of the provided attachments.
Construction: The grinding head, auger, and meat pan of this electric grinder are made of un-coated cast aluminum. The three, high-quality cutting blades are made of 304-grade stainless steel which makes them corrosion-free. It is also provided with three grinding plates of different sizes that are constructed of hardened steel. Along with this the grinder also has a sausage stuffing plate, also made of hardened steel.
Three sausage tubes of various sizes, a kibbe attachment, and a stuffing adapter is also available with this electric grinder. It also comes with an ergonomic meat pusher that helps you in stuffing the meat into the grinder. This product also contains two meat claws, a burger-slider press, and waxed transfer sheets so you can make perfect burgers or sliders as well.
Function: This meat grinder has a locked motor wattage of 3000w but uses a power between 800w and 1200w while grinding meat. It normally grinds 180 to 140Lbs of meat per hour. It can be used on high and low as well as reverse speed in order to meet your needs which makes this a perfect piece. It comes with three cutting blades and three grinding blades that enable you to grind meat perfectly and exactly according to your requirements.
The sausage tubes allow you to make your favorite sausages out of the grinding meat while the meat pusher makes the stuffing of the meat easier and also enables you to pack the sausage tubes in it. Also, the meat claws available with this grinder make it easy to shred meat, while the burger press allows you to be prepared for any backyard barbecue because you can have perfect sliders or burgers ready in your freezer.
Cleaning and maintenance: The cleaning of this pan needs a bit of care because some of its parts are dishwasher safe and others are not. The head, auger and meat pan, along with the grinding plates, should be hand washed with hot water and mild detergent, after which you should dry them well before putting them away. However, you can wash the cutting blades in the dishwasher but you need to dry them thoroughly as well to prevent any rusting.
Pros
- Three speeds
- Three cutting blades
- 3 grinding plates
- 1 beaner plate
- 3 sausage tubes
Cons
- Attachments are not dishwasher-safe
3. Sunmile SM-G31 Electric
Highlighted Features
- Stainless steel cutting plates
- Coarse cutting blade
- Large meat tray
- Plastic meat pusher
- Durable
This is a simple but powerful grinder for home use designed by Sunmile with stainless steel plates and a coarse-cutting blade that can grind 150 lbs per hour.
Construction: Sunmile SM-G31 electric meat grinder consists of a strong coarse-cutting blade and three cutting plates that are made of stainless steel. So, they are not prone to corrosion and work for a long span of time. The cutting plates are of various sizes like fine, medium and coarse. The grinder also contains a large tray that can hold a large amount of raw meat while you grind.
The electric motor used in this meat grinder is made of copper which makes it powerful and durable. Along with this, the grinder has a big sausage stuff and a plastic meat or food pusher that facilitates the grinding process.
Function: You can simply use this meat grinder with the help of two buttons that are designed for switching it on and off. While starting the grinder you should press the start button then it will start grinding meat until you stop it. The motor of this grinder has a maximum locked power of 800w. The capacity of this grinder is 150 lbs per hour so it can fulfill your home grinding needs. It is ETL certified and has an emergency breaker which stops the grinder automatically so prevents it from burning.
If you want it to work well then you need to install it correctly so all the parts in the head should be in order, and for that you need to know the process of putting the blades and the cutting plates in the right manner. Firstly, put the screw and then the cutting blade, after which goes the cutting plate, and at the end the cap of the opening of the meat grinder should be installed. The flat surface of the blade should be outward otherwise the grinder will not work.
Cleaning and maintenance: All the attached parts should be cleaned under running water so all the residue can be washed away. All of its parts are not dishwasher safe as they are made of aluminium so by putting in a dishwasher you risk having a discoloured surface. The cutting plates and blades, though of stainless steel, should also be hand-washed.
Pros
- High power
- Great capacity
- Large tray
- Simple to use
Cons
- Hand-wash only
4. Grinder Attachment For KitchenAid Stand Mixers
Highlighted Features
- Metal design
- Four grinding plates
- Food-grade grinder
- 2 sausage stuffing tubes
- Food pusher
This is a package of meat grinder attachments designed by KENOME which can be used in any KitchenAid stand mixer and has four grinding plates that give a variety to your ground meat.
Construction: This meat grinder attachment is made of metal and is specially designed to be fixed on any KitchenAid stand mixer. This metal meat grinder does not have its own stand and includes only a large meat tray, two sausage stuffer tubes, and four grinding plates. The sizes of the holes in the grinding plates differ, corresponding to fine, medium, coarse, and kidney grinding. Along with this, it has two cutting blades, a food pusher, and a cleaning brush. All of the parts are durable and work-friendly if you use them in the right way. The material used in the construction of this meat grinder attachment is food-grade.
Function: This food grinder attachment not only grinds meat but also vegetables, fresh bread crumbs, and hard cheese. The four different sizes of grinding plates allow you to choose the right option for grinding meat for a specific recipe. So, if you want to have coarse-ground meat for making a specific dish then you can use the coarse grinding plate where as a fine plate can be used for fine mince. You can make different sausages like italian sausage, boudin and summer sausages with the help of the sausage stuffing tubes which come in different sizes to bring versatility to your sausages.
It has the side blade that is newly designed in a kidney shape so quickly mince or grind meat, veggies, firm fruits, and dry bread. The food tray on the top of the grinder can hold a large amount of meat, cheese or breadcrumbs so you can get through the grinding process without having to reach into other bowls and trays. Through this attachment, you can transform your stand mixer into an efficient grinder very easily.
Cleaning and maintenance: This food grinder is not dishwasher safe but you needn’t worry about the cleaning process of this attachment because it is provided with a cleaning brush. All the parts are detachable, so you just detach them and use that brush to get all the food out. Use soap and warm water, under 122F, while washing all of its parts.
Pros
- Food-grade grinder
- Has cleaning brush
- Has a food pusher
- Large food tray
- Grinds vegetables and bread crumbs
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
5. Kitchener Heavy Duty Electric
Highlighted Features
- Stainless steel cutting blades
- Air-cooled motor
- Two grinding plates
- 4 stuffing tubes
- 500w power
It is a heavy-duty electric meat grinder designed by Kitchener, takes 500 watts, and has an air-cooled motor that keeps the motor from burning.
Construction: Plastic is used in the overall construction of this electric meat grinder. However, the meat pan is made of aluminum and the cutting blades, grinding plates and stuffing plates are constructed of stainless steel. This meat grinder has gears that ensure the longevity of the product because they are not prone to easy breakage. It has a powerful motor that has grind, stuff and reverse speeds.
This heavy-duty electric meat grinder takes 500 watts and contains an AC motor of 120V/60Hz and a safety circuit breaker that helps in maintaining the temperature of the grinder. The package also contains a stainless steel cutting knife and stainless steel coarse and fine cutting plates of 3 /8 inches and 3 /16 inches respectively which enables you to grind the meat accordingly. Along with this, the product has four stuffing tubes of different sizes and a solid meat stomper. The switch of the grinder is water-proof and hence is quite safe, in addition to being rust-proof.
Function: If you are someone who makes a lot of meatballs or patties and find grinding meat a difficult task then don’t worry because Kitchener Heavy Duty Electric meat grinder is a great choice which can give you a good amount of ground meat in a short time. The stuffing tubes provided with this grinder allow you to make sausages and can also work as a food pusher to push the meat into the grinder.
The large metal pan has a capacity to hold a lot of meat so you don’t need to stuff the grinder time and again. This grinder can grind 330 lbs per hour while its sharp and long-lasting cutting blades help you in grinding the meat efficiently.
Cleaning and maintenance: Since the manufacturer recommends that you don’t put this appliance in the dishwasher, it is better that you hand-wash it carefully in order to increase its longevity. Disassemble the attachments and wash them with a mixture of hot water and mild detergent and let them air dry.
Pros
- Capacity of 330lbs/ hr
- Large pan
- Water-proof switch
- Powerful motor
Cons
- Attachments can only be hand-washed
6. Weston Manual Tinned Grinder
Highlighted Features
- Heavy-duty nylon auger
- Damage preventing rubber pads
- Long-lasting
- Two steel grinding plates
- Three sausage funnels
This manual meat grinder, designed by Weston, has an ergonomic handle and can be attached to any countertop because of its clamp-on style. It has no work limit because it does not have an electric motor that might burn out.
Construction: This is a manual meat grinder, provided with a strong wooden handle, is constructed of cast iron and has a food-safe coating so it is highly durable and does not harm your food. Two steel grinding plates of 45mm and 10mm are available with this grinder which enable you to grind meat finely or coarsely, according to your recipe. The size of the opening of the grinder is 3” x 4”, which is large enough to accommodate a lot of meat.
Besides this, the product has a cutting knife and a sausage stuffing kit that includes an adapter, a spacer, and three different-sized funnels. The funnels are 14mm, 19mm, and 24mm so they enable you to make a variety of sausages. The clamp-on style of this grinder can be easily attached to any countertop up to 11.5 inches thick. The auger bearing is made of heavy-duty nylon that enhances the longevity of the grinder. The grinder is also furnished with rubber pads that protect the delicate work surface.
Function: The functionality of this grinder totally depends on you because it is a manual grinder so you can use it wherever you want. The grinder is highly durable and can work for hours and hours as it does not depend on any electric motor and power. It also gives you the freedom to attach with any countertop so you don’t need to stick to a single place for its operationalization. The handle, being wood, is quite ergonomic and protects your hand while working effortlessly.
You need to assemble the parts correctly: install the blade right after installing the screw, and then install the grinding plate. Then fill the opening completely with meat or the food you want to grind and exert a slight, downward force on that so it grinds well. You also need to position a tray carefully under the opening of the grinder to receive the ground meat.
Cleaning and maintenance: First of all, you should disassemble all the parts of the grinder for quick and easy cleanup. You can wash it with a mixture of soap and hot water while using a sponge or cleaning brush to get all the meat/food off. Let them air-dry after washing or just dry them with a cloth. Keep the machine disassembled until you use it again.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Ergonomic handle
- Large surface area
- Food safe coating
Cons
- Needs more effort
7. Electric Meat Grinder By BBday
Highlighted Features
- 350-watt power
- Kibbe attachment
- Sausage kit
- A meat pusher
- Simple to use
Bbday designed this durable electric meat grinder that takes 350 watts. It also has a noise-reduction copper engine and has the capacity to grind 3 pounds of meat per minute.
Construction: The materials used in the construction of this electric meat grinder are stainless steel, copper, aluminum alloy and ABS. It is designed with a noise-reduction, all-copper engine which is durable and has a power usage of 350 to 2000 watts. The parts of the grinder that are in direct contact with food are made of food-grade material.
It is made of three layers; 420 hardened stainless steel, high-end PP7 ABS and thickened aluminum alloy so the whole grinder is durable and corrosion-resistant. The product includes three grinding plates, a stainless steel blade, a set of three kibbe and sausage attachments and a food pusher. The three carbon steel grinding plates, having a diameter of 2mm, 4mm and 7mm, allow you to use them for coarse, fine and medium grinding. It has a large tray that can hold a great amount of meat or any other grinding food.
Function: This grinder can be simply operationalized by an on/off and a reverse button. The reverse feature will help in unclogging the grinder. This machine can perform multiple functions so you can make mouth-watering meatballs, burgers, meatloaf, and sausages, while the different-sized sausage stuffing tubes allow you to enjoy a variety of your favorite sausages.
After putting the required amount of meat in the food tray, push it towards the grinder with the help of a food pusher, and then press the ‘on’ button. If your meat does not grind well then you can reverse the function by using the reverse button. When you are done with grinding, simply turn off the machine with the ‘off’ button. The parts which touch the food are made of 100 percent food-grade material so they don’t contaminate your food. After a 5-minute continuous usage, you should turn it off in order to let it cool down.
Cleaning and maintenance: To clean this grinder you need to disassemble its parts but remember that all of its parts are not dishwasher safe so you’ll have to hand wash them. Use a neutral detergent otherwise the material of the appliance might be affected. Also, do not use any bleaching solution, thinners, and petrol because they will cause discolouration and might crack the aluminium surface. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid grinding frozen and hard food like nuts and bones in order to enhance its durability.
Pros
- Food-grade material
- High power
- Good capacity
- 420 hardened stainless steel
- Corrosion-resistant
Cons
- Might get hot after 5 minutes use
Things To Look For Before Buying!
We are always excited to have new accessories for our kitchen but we often don’t know whether they will work for us like we want them to or not. In order to avoid such a situation while buying a meat grinder you need to be a bit careful about some of its key features e.g. how much capacity and power the grinder has and the accessories available with it.
You should look for the following features when buying a meat grinder:
- Power
- Capacity
- Electric vs manual
- Accessories
- Durability
Buying Guide
Important Things To Know About A Meat Grinder
You should be mindful of certain features while choosing a meat grinder because these are the key to making a difference between a grinder you actually use and a grinder that gathers dust in a cabinet. These features enable you to get a considerable amount of work done in a short period of time with less effort.
The motor
It is the most important feature of a grinder that you need to take into consideration while choosing a meat grinder for your kitchen. This feature is specific to an electric meat grinder so its power varies from one electric meat grinder to another. Some of them are less powerful while others are more, so you should select which one best suits your needs. Normally, they come with a power range of 350 watts to 700 watts which directly influences the capacity of grinding meat per hour. The motors with great power will help the professionals to grind meat as they can be used for a long period of time and also grind more meat in less time because of their power.
Accessories
There are additional attachments with all of the grinders; some have more, others have fewer. It again depends on your needs so, if you usually make sausages, burgers, patties, and kibbe then the grinder which includes all the accessories to meet your needs is the best for you. But if you need simple ground meat then the other accessories like sausage stuffing and kibbe kit will be useless for you so you don’t need to spend more on accessories that you won’t be using anyway.
Cleaning of a meat grinder
The most important thing for you to take care of is the cleaning process of meat grinders. Manual meat grinders need less care as compared to electric grinders because the electric parts of the grinder need to be kept safely away from water. You need to disassemble the attachments first and then clean them according to the instructions given with each grinder in order to avoid damaging the appliance.
Some grinders are coated with aluminum which needs a bit of extra care for its maintenance as it gets damaged when washed with certain chemicals. You need to use some neutral detergents in order to save it from discoloration and corrosion. All of the parts should be wiped with a soft cloth which will help in absorbing any remaining water which, if left, may result in corrosion.
Manual Vs Electric Meat Grinder
Basically, there are two types of meat grinders, namely electric and manual, and they are different in their specifications from each other. The electric grinders have an electric motor that helps in running the grinder automatically but in the manual type of grinders, you have to put in a bit of effort. Secondly, manual grinders are relatively smaller in size and come with fewer attachments and therefore they normally have limited functions. In contrast, electric grinders are large, heavy, and have a greater number of accessories.
Moreover, the accessories available with an electric grinder are sausage stuffing tubes, a kibbe kit, and many grinding plates of different sizes which help you grind meat for a number of different dishes and also enable you to make your favourite sausages with the help of the stuffing kit. Manual grinders don’t offer you these multiple options because of their limited accessories.
Manual grinders take a lot of time while grinding meat as they don’t have a motor to run them and you need to exert force to grind food. An electric grinder, though, contains a powered motor, therefore, doesn’t take much time to grind meat and can process a much larger quantity in a considerably shorter period of time. The manual grinder, however, is the best option if you grind small quantities of meat periodically or are planning on using it in a place with no electric power. In terms of price, manual grinders are usually less expensive as compared to electric ones.
Why Do You Need A Grinder?
You need a grinder for mincing and grinding meat, vegetables, seafood and other things that you want to use in making burgers and patties. Having ground meat vastly expands the variety of recipes you can cook up in your kitchen and allows you to become something of a scientist in front of the stove.
A grinder is basically like an upgraded mincing knife used for processing/grinding/mincing meat. It enables you to grind fresh meat anytime without any extra effort instead of using packaged/frozen meat which is likely to be full of preservatives. In this manner, a grinder contributes to a healthier lifestyle.
Can You Grind Nuts In A Meat Grinder?
Nuts are hard to grind in a traditional manner but you can easily grind them in a meat grinder by adding them in small portions. You can simply add the nuts in the feeding tube and in no time you’ll have crushed or ground nuts. You can also make nut butter in a meat grinder.
Can You Grind Vegetables In A Meat Grinder?
Well yes, you can grind different types of veggies easily with a heavy-duty meat grinder. As it becomes handy when you have to prepare pickles and relishes. It is a fact that chefs do prefer a meat grinder over a vegetable mixer grinder.
What Are The Different Uses Of A Meat Grinder?
Besides grinding meat you can make sausages, you can toss in the ingredients for a burger patty, and you can also grind bones. And, as mentioned above, you can also grind nuts and veggies as well.
Conclusion
After thorough research, I have found the above-discussed, amazing meat grinders. They all are great pieces and will certainly come up to anyone’s expectations but it’s really up to you to choose a grinder that best suits your particular needs.