Best Meat Injectors
Not many people know about meat injectors. For ages, delicious meat has been cooked without the use of these fancy things called ‘injectors’, so why would they? Once, however, you find the best meat injector, there’s no going back. You will find yourself injecting every piece of meat you cook with delicious flavours.
I’ve got a list of the 10 meat injectors that are so good you’ll end up injecting your veggies as well:
Our Best Meat Injectors To Make Your BBQ Ooze with Flavor!
| PRODUCT | CAPACITY | BEST FOR | HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES |
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2 ounces | Best Overall |
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1 ounce | Best Value |
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2 ounces | Best High-end |
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Almost 2 ounces | Best for Chefs |
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1. Ofargo Non-Clogged Design
Highlighted Features
- Stainless steel and zinc alloy
- 3 needles
- Friendly pressure control
- Extra accessories
- KitchenFaction Rating
Construction: The Ofargo meat injector is made, according to the manufacturer, of FDA-approved materials. The barrel and the needles are made of 304 stainless steel while the handle and the injector top are made of zinc alloy. The O-rings and the basting brush that come as an accessory with the injector are made of silicone. The set contains a barrel, a plunger, three needles, 5 extra O-rings, 2 cleaning brushes, a free e-book, a box, and a basting brush.
Function: The 2-oz capacity of the barrel allows you to inject delicious flavors into your meats without having to pause to refill too much. The needles are sturdy enough to penetrate tough meats and one of them has tiny perforations along its length which means that the meat will be well and truly injected with whatever seasoning you are pushing in through the barrel. Also, it is easy to push the plunger as the handle has a 3-ring construction, allowing you to comfortably hook two fingers onto the barrel and push with your thumb. It gives you full control of the process.
It has an ergonomic threaded design that is easy to assemble and disassemble.
Cleaning: The set includes two cleaning brushes to facilitate you in getting your gadget clean. Also, it is dishwasher-safe so your clean-up is further minimized. You can store all the accessories and the injector safely in the box that it comes with. This way, it stays out of reach of children and you are in no danger of losing the pieces.
Pros
- Stainless steel
- 3 needles
- 2 cleaning brushes
- A basting brush
- Easy-to-use plunger
- 2 -ounce capacity
Cons
- None
2.Ofargo Lightweight + Compact Design
Highlighted Features
- Good for occasional use
- Lightweight
- Compact
- 2 needles
Construction: According to Ofargo, this meat injector is made of 100% FDA-approved materials. The needles are made of 304 stainless steel, while the barrel, the handle, and the plunger rod are made of eco-friendly plastic. The O-rings are made of silicone. Being almost entirely plastic, it is lightweight. But it is solidly built, which makes it a great value product. It comes with two needles; a small-hole needle and an angled-cut one. There’s also a small cleaning brush.
Function: The injector is easy enough to use. The assembly is straightforward as the needles screw onto the barrel quite easily. The handle of the plunger is shaped in a curve so it supports your thumb or the base of your thumb comfortably while your fingers can hook onto the handle. The two types of needles provide the dual option of injecting thick marinades or thin ones. The capacity of the barrel is only one ounce, though, so you might find it a bit problematic to have to refill again and again.
Cleaning: The cleaning brush that the Ofargo meat injector comes with makes it easy and convenient to clean the needles. Other than that, the gadget is also dishwasher-safe. You can put the barrel and the plunger in the top rack of the dishwasher, but the manufacturer advises that you wash the O-rings and the needles by hand.
Pros
- Two needles
- Cleaning brush
- Food-safe materials
- Easy assembly
- dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Plastic
- Small capacity
3. Premium Kit With Carry Case By EChef’s
Highlighted Features
- 304 stainless steel
- Easy to use
- Has 3 needles
- Comes in a padded box
- Has 3 cleaning brushes
Construction: This meat injector by eChef’s is made of 304 stainless steel. The set includes a barrel, a plunger, three needles, 2 cleaning brushes, two meat shredders of stainless steel and a guide to smoking meat. All of this is enclosed in a lovely, padded box. It also comes with 4 spare O-rings. Of the three needles, one is simple, one has an angled cut, and one has perforations along half of its length.
Function: The handle of the injector has three rings which allow you to have a very comfortable, firm grip on the plunger. This way, you can push the marinade very effectively into the meat. The different types of needles ensure that you have a full arsenal at your disposal; you can inject thin sauces, thick marinades, etc. according to your recipe. Also, you don’t have to constantly stop and refill the injector as the 2-ounce capacity of the barrel is quite large.
The bear claws that accompany the set make lifting pork, chicken, huge roasts, etc. from the fire, without endangering yourself, very easy. They allow you to shred meat to ribbons within minutes.
Cleaning: This gadget is not dishwasher-safe. However, you are provided with two cleaning brushes which can reach even the toughest of places. You should hand-wash your injector, dry it completely and store it in the pretty box that it comes in, with all its accessories.
Pros
- Stainless steel
- 3 needles
- 2-ounce capacity
- Easy-to-use plunger
- 2 cleaning brushes
- Pretty, padded box
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
4. SpitJack Complete Kit With Case
Highlighted Features
- Made of sturdy materials
- Has 4 different needles
- Comes with cleaning brushes
- Is easy to clean
- Is easy to store
Construction: This great tool is made of nickel-plated brass and die-cast zinc. It comes with 4 needles; one with side-holes, one with an oversized opening, one with a thin gauge and one with a slanted opening. The plunger is operated by a squeezing handle. The gun is provided with 4 FDA-approved O-rings. It also has three cleaning brushes of various sizes as well. The whole thing comes in a rugged nylon case.
Function: This gadget is great for professional use as it comes with 4 industrial-strength needles with different specifications to take care of all kinds of meat-injecting needs. You can inject thick, grainy marinades, thin sauces and the like. The barrel is big enough to hold a lot of liquid, but you might feel that you are stopping for refills more than you should. The squeezing handle makes injecting easy work as it is so user-friendly.
Cleaning: The gadget isn’t dishwasher-safe but is easy to clean by hand. It comes with three brushes ranging from small to large than can clean this gun in no time. You can store the injector and all its components in the nylon bag so you don’t lose any accessory.
Pros
- Nickel-plated brass and die-cast zinc
- 4 needles
- Squeeze handle
- Cleaning brushes
- Nylon box
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
5. Cave Tools With Clear Measurements
Highlighted Features
- Made of 304 stainless steel
- Has a viewing window
- Has a 2.3-ounce capacity
- Has 3 needles
- Is dishwasher safe
Construction: The special thing about this meat injector, that sets it apart from its brothers, is that it has a plastic viewing window. This meat injector by Cave Tools is made of 304 stainless steel. The barrel has a capacity of 2.3 ounces, a tad more than found in other, similar models. The injector is provided with 3 professional needles that will take care of meats of all sizes, cuts, and thickness. The handle of the plunger is 3-ringed. The O-rings in the gadget are made of silicone.
Function: The meat injector can be assembled easily by simply screwing on the specific needle required for the job. The angled one is great for thick seasonings and the one with holes all along the sides is best used for thin sauces. The three-ring handle gives you supreme control over the plunger and you can start/stop just like you want. In order to make the plunger slide smoother, you should coat the O-rings with vegetable oil.
The special feature of this gadget, the plastic viewing window, is a great addition. It allows you to see just how much liquid you have pulled in and just how much you are pushing out into every puncture you make. This way, you can inject your meat evenly.
Cleaning: To clean the injector, fill a bowl with warm water and soap. Pull in the cleaning solution through the dirty needles and push it out. Repeat until the water comes out clean. Proceed to dismantle and place it on the top rack of the dishwasher. There are no cleaning brushes with the set, however.
Pros
- Stainless steel
- 3 needles
- Viewing window
- 3-ounce capacity
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- No cleaning brushes
6. Miusco With Clear Markings
Highlighted Features
- Stainless steel and plastic
- Two, multi-purpose needles
- Has a viewing window
- Plastic storage box
Construction: The Miusco meat injector is durable and sturdy as it is made of stainless steel. Some parts of the gadget are plastic, however, like the screw-on parts of the needles and the handle. The stainless steel barrel has a plastic viewing window on the front with markings in milliliters and teaspoons. The capacity of this steel-and-plastic contraption is 1.5 ounces which is a bit less than the usual 2 ounces found in meat injectors. The kit comes in a plastic case that holds the barrel and the needles securely in place.
Function: The two needles that come with this kit are good for thick and thin marinades alike. The one with the angled cut is great for minced marinades and the other one is great for thin ones. This set doesn’t have a needle with perforations along the sides, however. Minus one point!
The plastic handle allows you to hook your fingers easily while you use the thumb to push down on the flat edge of the plunger. The markings on the barrel ensure that you inject your meat evenly throughout. 1.5-ounce capacity, or 9 teaspoons, means you’re good to go without too many refills.
Cleaning: The gadget is easy to clean. You should, however, wash it first by hand to ensure nothing remains in the needles. You can do that but pulling in and pushing out warm, soapy water several times. Then, you can dismantle it and put it in the top rack of the dishwasher.
It can be stored in the plastic box that it comes in.
Pros
- Stainless steel
- Viewing window
- Plastic storage box
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Only 2 needles
7. CHEFHQ With Kit
Highlighted Features
- Made of stainless steel
- Has a 2-ounce capacity
- 3 multipurpose needles
- Has a meat thermometer
Construction: This marinade meat injector by CHEFHQ is made of stainless steel which gives it a certain durability, ensuring that the gadget will be long-lasting. The manufacturer provides you three needles to go with the barrel; an angled one, one with perforations and a smaller one. The plunger has a 3-ring handle, also of stainless steel. This meat injector also comes with a meat thermometer, which is an added bonus. Not only can you inject meat with flavor, you can also test to see it cooks well.
Function: The gadget is easy to use. The needles have screw-on bottoms that can be twisted onto the barrel quite easily. The 2-ounce capacity of the barrel means you don’t have to pause for refills as much as you might have to do with a barrel of lesser capacity. The three multi-purpose needles can be used for thick, chunky seasonings or thin sauces. The small needle is great for thin cuts of meat. The 3-ring plunger makes the injection process quite easy.
The meat thermometer that the injector comes with is easy to use. It is accurate and works to precision within 10 seconds.
Cleaning: The manufacturer is silent about whether the meat injector is dishwasher safe or not. Even so, it is better that you wash the gadget by hand. Just fill the barrel with warm, soapy water a couple of times and then you can put the dismantled pieces on the top rack of the dishwasher. The set doesn’t come with cleaning brushes, which is a shame.
Pros
- Stainless steel
- 2-ounce barrel
- 3 needles
- Meat thermometer
Cons
- No cleaning brush
8. OFG Leak-Free Design
Highlighted Features
- Made of 304 stainless steel
- Has 3 needles
- Has 2 cleaning brushes
- Is dishwasher-safe
Construction: This is a meat injector like many others. The barrel, the needles and the plunger are made of 304 stainless steel. The O-rings are made of FDA-approved silicone. The handle of the injector is 3-ringed, and the rings are a fraction bigger than those found in other models, according to the manufacturer. It comes with 3 sturdy needles. One has perforations along its side, one has an angled cut and one is a simple needle. OFG also offers a 100% Unconditional Return Policy as well.
Function: Like all other models similar to this one, it is easy to use. The 3-ring handle gives a firm hold and allows you to push the marinade or whatever inside the meat properly. The angled needle can be used for thick, grainy sauces while the one with holes in its sides can be used for thin liquids. The 2-ounce capacity of the barrel minimizes refills. The precise O-rings of the gadget make it leak-proof as well. The injector has an ergonomic design which makes it easy to assemble and disassemble.
Cleaning: Cleaning the OFG meat injector is really easy as it is dishwasher-safe. You can put it quite comfortably in the top rack. Also, you can use the 2 cleaning brushes that come with it to clean hard-to-reach areas. You can store the injector and all its components in the box that it comes with, so you never lose any.
Pros
- 304 stainless steel
- 3 needles
- 2 cleaning brushes
- 3-ring handle
- 2 – ounce capacity
Cons
- Doesn’t have a wider-ended needle
9. Milagroso With Bilateral Scale
Highlighted Features
- Made of stainless steel
- Has squeeze handle
- Has 4 needles
- Has 2 cleaning brushes
- Comes in a zip-bag
Construction: The meat injector gun by Milagroso is made of 304 stainless steel and, according to the manufacturer, it is the best grade they could find to make such a product that will last long. It has a plastic barrel with markings along its length. The plunger is equipped with a squeeze handle of bright red colour. The marinade gun comes with 4 needles; 2 big and 2 small. The set also contains 2 cleaning brushes. The whole thing comes in a bag that keeps everything in place and zips close.
Function: The gun has an assembly that is a bit trickier as compared to traditional syringe-like injectors as the squeeze handle has to be screwed onto the barrel. The squeeze handle, however, makes up for this tiny complication. It makes injection really easy. The plastic barrel allows you to see how much liquid you’re pushing into the meat, aided by the scale. Out of the four needles, one has an angled cut (for chunky marinade), one has perforations along its length (for thin sauces) and the 2 smaller ones are for thinner pieces of meat.
Cleaning: The cleaning part of this injector gun is quite easy since it is dishwasher safe. On top of that, the cleaning brushes that come with the set also make clean-up very easy. You can clean out the barrel and the needles effortlessly. Once all the parts of the gadget are dry, you can store them in the zip-bag safely and securely.
Pros
- Stainless steel
- Squeeze handle
- 4 needles
- 2 cleaning brushes
- Dishwasher safe
- Convenient storage box
Cons
- Plastic barrels may crack
10. Dicfeos With 3 Different Needles
Highlighted Features
- Made of 304 stainless steel
- Has 3 needles
- Has 2 cleaning brushes
- Comes with a basting brush
- Is easy to assemble
Construction: The Dicfeos meat injector is made of 304 stainless steel which means it is quite sturdy and durable. The injector is provided with two 5.8-inch needles and a shorter steak needle, also of stainless steel. The gadget has a three-ring handle and a large, 2-ounce barrel. The set is also provided with two cleaning brushes of different sizes. A silicone basting brush accompanies the injector as a bonus.
Function: The Dicfeos meat injector is quite easy to use. You can assemble the gadget easily and efficiently as the needles have a screw-on mechanism. The angled-cut needle is good for chunky marinades and the 12-hole needle is great for thin sauces. The steak needle is to be used on smaller, thinner cuts of meat. The 3-ring handle provides good control over the injecting process. To make injection easier, you should coat the O-rings with some vegetable oil so the plunger can slide easily, without facing much friction.
Since it is made of premium stainless steel, it won’t impart any unpleasant flavours to your food and won’t rust.
Cleaning: The manufacturer claims it is dishwasher-safe, but then gives a step-by-step account of how to clean it by hand. I suggest you follow that instead of the dishwasher. First, make a solution of warm water and soap. Then, fill the syringe through the needle and push the water out, over and over, until the water runs clear. Dismantle the gadget and clean it thoroughly with the brushes. Wash and let it dry. When it dries completely, store it in a safe place.
Pros
- Made of stainless steel
- 3 needles
- 2 cleaning brushes
- Easy assembly
- Basting brush
Cons
- No storage box
Things To Look For Before Buying!
If you are a pro at injecting meat you’ll already know what you need from your meat injector. However, if you are a newbie, you might need to look at a few things, and weigh a few pros and cons, before you make your decision.
Here are some things you should focus on while examining a meat injector:
- Ease of use
- Size of the barrel
- Plunger
- Number of the needles
- Size of the needles
- Ease of cleaning
Buying Guide
Things To Know About Meat Injectors
Not everyone uses a meat injector so naturally when one sets out to buy one, there are lots of questions that come to mind. What it is, how to use it, how to clean it, whether it is multipurpose or not, etc. Let’s address those things.
What Is A Meat Injector?
A meat injector is a gadget that is used to infuse meat with seasoning. Generally, meat is marinated and seasoned from the outside. This has resulted in delicious, moist and tender meat for years. However, a meat injector fills the meat with seasoning from the inside. So on top of the delicious exterior of a piece of meat, the interior is extra-juicy and moist when you bite into it.
So, it’s not an absolute necessity to use a meat injector, but once you do there’s no going back. Once you have a taste of just how much more delicious your food can taste, you will never want to go back to plain meat. In fact, you will end up injecting even your vegetables with seasoning. You will start injecting everything with everything. That is how good it is.
Construction of a meat injector: A meat injector is generally made of plastic and stainless steel. Some have more plastic, some have more steel. And some are made entirely of metal. There is a barrel, needles, a plunger, and a handle.
Steel – stainless steel meat injectors have a barrel, needles, plunger and handle all made of stainless steel. Some steel models also have a degree of zinc, nickel-plated brass and the like. The O-rings, however, are all made of silicone.
Plastic – plastic meat injectors have the main body made out of plastic. The barrel and the handle are plastic, but the plunger and the needles are made of stainless steel. The O-rings are, again, of silicone.
Why Use A Meat Injector?
You might be thinking right now: why? Why the bother of using something that many people get by without, that has never been used in cooking by those who came before us? Well, as mentioned before, it truly enhances the taste of the meat you’re cooking. It increases flavor, imparts moisture and saves your time by helping the meat cook faster. It infuses meat thoroughly with seasoning so you don’t face dry pieces of meat when you slice into it. It is a handy gadget to have. All you do is fill it up with seasoning, inject it into the meat and voila!
How To Use A Meat Injector?
It is quite easy to use a meat injector. What you do is that you choose the needle that you require and screw it onto the barrel. Then you dip the needle into the seasoning and pull the handle of the plunger towards yourself, filling the barrel with it. Then, you insert the needle into the meat, taking care to do it at an angle and not head-on. Keep pulling the needle outward as you inject – but not fully – in order to get the maximum area injected.
Then, you simply push the plunger to infuse the meat with the seasoning. If the needle you’re using is the one with perforations all along its length then make sure it is fully inserted in the meat before you push the plunger or you’ll end up wasting the seasoning and making a mess to boot. Try not to hit bones with your injector. Also, it’s best if you don’t inject along the bones.
When you have filled the barrel with seasoning, keep it upright with the needle pointing upward to minimize spillage.
Choosing The Required Needle
Most meat injectors come with a least 2 needles; one has a slanted cut on its end and the other has perforations along its length. Some also have a third one, which is quite smaller than the other ones and is used when you want to infuse thinner cuts of meat.
The angled needle should be used when you are using thick, chunky marinade so the sauce doesn’t get stuck in the needle and hamper the injection process. The one with perforations along its length should be used when you are injecting the meat with thin sauces. This needle should absolutely not be used for thick sauces.
When To Use A Meat Injector?
You should use a meat injector when the meat you’re dealing with is quite thick. Scratch that, you should use it whenever you feel like it. And trust me, you will feel like using it every single time once you get used to it.
You should inject your meat at least 5 minutes before you start the cooking process so the seasoning has time to spread and be properly incorporated. You can, of course, leave the injected meat overnight for extra flavor. The more time you give your meat after injecting it with sauces, the better it will turn out.
What Else Can You Use A Meat Injector For?
Injecting meat is not the only thing you can use your meat injector for. You can even use it to infuse fruit with rum or inject delicious creams and sauces into desserts. It is a truly versatile and useful thing to have in the kitchen.
Cleaning The Best Meat Injector
It’s very easy to clean out your meat injector. You need to follow the following steps:
- Fill a bowl with warm water and add some dish soap.
- Dip the syringe into the water and fill the barrel completely.
- Push out the soapy water. Refill the syringe.
- Keep repeating until the water comes out clean.
- Dismantle the gadget and clean it thoroughly with the little brushes that come with it.
- If there aren’t any brushes and the gadget is dishwasher safe, put it in the top rack.
- Dry it well and store all the pieces safely.
Maintaining A Meat Injector
It is essential that you keep your meat injector clean. Since this gadget is mainly used with raw meat, it is very easy for bacteria to accumulate in it. Always make a point of cleaning it out as soon as possible and as well as you can.
Make sure that when you use the injector you lubricate the silicone O-rings with vegetable oil so the plunger goes up and down smoothly. If it faces too much friction, you might end up damaging the silicone.
Always store the injector and all its components securely as you don’t want to be missing any piece of it. The needles are larger than regular needles but are, eventually, needles and you can lose them if you are not careful. The same goes for the O-rings.
Conclusion
And that’s all from my side. You have all of this info and all of these products… buy the best meat injector, inject your meat with whatever you can think of and never go back to dry, flavourless dinner.
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