Arguably, life would be much cheaper if sausages and burgers can be made at home, especially if you can make your own cat or dog food yourself.
Also, if you want a healthier eating habit, better fillings, and save money, then you should consider a meat grinder.
These models are built to help reduce the consumption of harmful additives present in most processed foods. Besides, it helps lower your bills on groceries significantly while providing you with tastier, richer meals.
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Even better, it allows users to decide the thickness of the grind and the content. Sadly, there are hundreds of models out there, which makes the decision process a lot challenging.
Without further ado, let’s check out the top 10 best meat grinders America’s test Kitchen currently available.
Reviews of Best Meat Grinders of 2020 – Top 10 Picks of the Year
Here are top rated electric and manual meat grinders on the market today
1 – KitchenAid Food Grinder Attachment – America’s Test Kitchen Choice
When it comes to meat grinders, KitchenAid FGA Food Grinder Attachment is a go-to for grinding meats. This model helps make preparing sausages at home much easier. It’s fine grinding plate allows users to grate hard cheese without much hassle.
This hard-plastic grinder attachment is designed to allow you to do more than grinding meat. This model is ideal for looking to prepare a large tube of bratwurst and a small breakfast.
Technically, this model is not a meat grinder but makes it a go-to for people on a budget. This meat attachment includes a coarse and fine grinding plate, which gives you fewer options than dedicated grinders but still gets the job done impressively.
KitchenAid FGA Food Grinder Attachment comes with securing rings, wrench/stomper, coarse and fine grinding plate, auger, knife, and housing. Keep in mind that this model doesn’t offer much control over the grinder’s output.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Budget-friendly
- Dishwasher safe components
- Works well with all KitchenAid mixers
Cons:
- Best used with a KitchenAid appliance.
- Plastic components mean prone to breaking
2 – LEM Products Stainless Steel Big Electric Meat Grinder: Best electric meat grinder
If you want a model that grinds just about anything without making noise, then you should consider LEM Products Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder.
To begin with, this model is equipped with a patented “Big Bite” auger to pull more meat in a short period, and quietly with the aid of the noise-free gears. It sports a modernized brushed steel finish, a rifling pattern to push meat forward, and drawer-type tray to store plate and knife.
LEM Products Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric Meat Grinder is equipped with metal gears with roller bearings and stainless steel motor housing to ensure it is safe to use and serve you for an extended period.
The included handle provides easy movement and comes with a super grease motor for a lifetime ultra-quiet operation. This meat machine grinds at 7 pounds per minute with a minimum of 0.75 horsepower.
Although this machine comes in different sizes for industrial and commercial use, this model works just for a family kitchen.
Pros:
- Brushed steel finish
- Super-quiet operation
- Includes plate and knife storage tray
- Runs on little power
- ETL certified for quality
Cons:
- The second grind could be faster.
- Lacks a reverse function
3 – STX Turboforce II “Platinum” Electric Meat Grinder & Sausage Stuffer: Best home meat grinder
This heavy-duty electric grill earns a spot on our list. The STX Turboforce Foot Pedal Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder & Sausage Stuffer comes with a 1200W powerful motor to offer fantastic versatility.
This meat machine includes a standard 12-inch grinding head and three additional grinding plates for fine, medium and coarse grinding. Also, the grinding plates are better to hand wash though made of tempered steel.
Its 3-speed control system offers a super-quick grinding experience. Also, it sport modified Beaner Plates to let meat flow through the grinding head easily. This machine features a 3-year warranty and a 30-day unconditional money-back warranty.
Pros:
- Powerful motor
- Comes with complete usage instructions
- Offers versatile grinding capabilities
- a 3-year warranty and 30-Day unconditional money-back warranty
Cons:
- Not suitable for grinding animal tendons
- Not designed for commercial use
4 – Metal Food Grinder Attachment for KitchenAid Stand Mixers by KENOME
This model works well with any KitchenAid stand mixer. This model features superior plastic construction. This unit is a top pick for durability, clean grind, and amazing speed.
This meat machine comes with two-size sausage stuffer tubes to allow users to make chorizo, bratwurst, summer sausage, Italian sausage, boudin sausage, and other sausages.
This meat grinder is made of food-grade material for healthy and safe meals. This unit will help grind fresh meat for fresh bread crumbs, hard cheeses, burgers and sausages, and vegetables for sauces and salsas.
Keep in mind that this food grinder is not dishwasher safe. However, it’s hassle-free to clean.
Pros:
- All metal construction
- Include sausage stuffer
- Easy to use and clean
- Grinds Meat effortlessly
Cons:
- The screw cap should not be overtightened.
5 – Sunmile SM-G73 Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder and Sausage Stuffer
This ETL accredits model offers impressive efficiency and safety to ensure users are satisfied with this model. Sunmile SM-G73 Heavy-Duty Electric Meat Grinder and Sausage Stuffer feature a quick ON/OFF to offer a trouble-free working mode.
This machine is built to quickly grind soft and hard meat with an optimal output of 1000W and save cost on electric bills. This product comes with a red copper coil, which means this model is a powerful and enduring one.
Pros:
- Suitable for personal and commercial use
- Easy screw knob assembly and disassembly
- Durable construction
- Superior coil to extends motor lifespan
Cons:
- High-speed operation result in sharpening the grinding knife often
6 – Metal Food Grinder, Sausage Stuffer Attachments for KitchenAid Stand Mixers
This food grinder attachment from KITOART is easy to attach and detach. It comes with a cleaning brush, food pusher, two sizes of sausage stuffing tubes, sausage stuffing holder, two sizes of grinding blades, four sizes of grinding plates, and a meat grinder device.
This model is made of premium aluminum alloy and works well with any KitchenAid stand mixer for a perfect food procession experience. Besides, it’s safe to use with high efficiency.
Pros:
- All-metal design
- Convenient to use
- Compatible with all KitchenAid stand mixers
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
7 – BBday Electric Meat Grinder, Stainless Steel Meat Slicer & Sausage Stuffer for Home use
Another powerful 2000W food processor on our list is BBday Electric Meat Grinder. It features a steel silk brushing treatment to make this unit a stylish one.
That’s not all: it features a noise-reduction and durable all-copper engine to handle up to 3 pounds of minced meat in a minute. It’s a go-to for people looking to process pork, chicken, deer meat, and many more.
Besides, it comes with multiple accessories like food pusher, sausage and kibbe attachments, grinding plates, stainless blades, etc. also, it ensures this unit offers impressive versatility.
Pros:
- Easy to operate
- ETL certified material
- Includes several accessories
- Lifetime support
Cons:
- Slightly slow speed
8 – Weston #10 Manual Tinned Meat Grinder and Sausage Stuffer: Best meat grinder for venison, deer
This unit comes with two cutting plates, sausage stuffing kit, steel knife, and others to ensure a seamless experience. This manual meat grinder has a 3 x 4-inch hopper opening for quicker results.
Its clamp-on style ensures it attaches to your countertop hassle-free. Users can also enjoy a wide range of grind control from fine to coarse, thanks to its adjustable burrs.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty nylon auger bearing
- Large hopper opening
- Two cutting plates
- Adjustable burrs
Cons:
- Casting quality could be better.
9 – Kitchener Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder
The Kitchener Heavy-Duty Electric Meat Grinder features a powerful 500-watt motor to allow users to grind up to 330 pounds of food in an hour. Its heavy-duty construction includes long-lasting metal gears for extended use.
It features maintenance-free air-cooled motor and steel gear-driven mechanism design to offer a smooth, quiet operation and high grinding capability.
Pros:
- Safe and versatile
- Precision grinding
- Easy to use
- Smooth, quiet operation
Cons:
- The description can be misleading.
10 – LHS Best Manual Meat Grinder
LHS Manual Meat Grinder is an ideal choice for people looking to make chicken burgers, egg salad, meatballs, and especially baby food.
It’s made of stainless steel blade and heavy-duty plastic body to ensure maximum durability. This powerful model will help you grind meat fast. Another worth mentioning features is its hopper size to allow you to grind more meat.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Safe for kitchen
- Unique design
Cons:
- Not suitable for grinding pork
Things to Consider When Purchasing the Best Meat Grinder
When it comes to pinning down the right meat grinder, there are several factors to consider to ensure you make a better choice.
Power
These models are available in a wide range of power options. The low-powered meat grinders are ideal for people who don’t need to grind high volumes of products. But for commercial to intermediate use, it’s recommended to go for a high or medium powered machine ( 1000W – 2000W).
Considering the unit’s power is essential to ensure you’re not purchasing an overpowered or underpowered device, which won’t give you good value for the money.
In addition, opting for a model that allows you to adjust the power can be a smarter decision. They help save unnecessarily hefty electric bills and meet your demands at any time.
Capacity
On the market, there are different capacity options to pick from. Typically, these machines’ capacities are measured in pounds per hour.
However, if you often entertain guests or have a large family, then you should lean towards models with high grinding ability. This option will ensure you can grind large quantities faster and allow you to do other things.
Circuit protection/Overheating
Another thing to consider when purchasing a meat grinder is its protection measure against overheating and power surge. This will ensure you work safely and make sure the machine serves you for many years to come.
More importantly, it’s essential to consider after-sales support and warranty before making a choice.
Accessories
Speaking of accessories, these factors depend on your preferences or what you are looking to get out of the machine. In general, most meat grinders will come with the following accessories: a pusher, a blade, three grids, a kit with kebbes and/or sausage.
Nonetheless, other models might be equipped with a complete kit for kebbes and sausages, a burger kit, a tray, and other handy accessories. We understand that you might not need this many accessories at the moment; however, opting for a model with several accessories can be smart.
Robustness
Meat grinders made of stainless steel and metals are very powerful and resistant to damage and corrosion. We recommended going for this option always, if possible.
Keep in mind, models made of stainless steel or metal can include plastic accessories. So, it’s best to go for ABS plastic, which is denser, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and more robust.
More importantly, it’s advisable to lean towards food-grade material build models. Also, ensure that it does not contain components that can compromise your food’s quality.
Ergonomics
No one wants to own a machine that’s difficult to handle. From assembly, basic operations to its disassembly, it should be less hassle to perform. On top of that, the model should be convenient to clean and fill.
Machines with an automatic shutdown system are more ergonomic and safer to use, especially for people who are likely to leave their appliances on after use. On top of that, you should go for models with tray, lid, and push-button since they are easier to handle.
Ease of cleaning
These machines are likely to fail quickly, if not properly maintained and cleaned. Therefore, you don’t want to own a model that’s tricky or time-consuming to clean. If possible, you should go for models that are hassle-free to clean and include dishwasher-friendly accessories.
In case the manufacturer did not mention the model’s ease of cleaning, it’s advisable to opt for stainless steel models since they are much easier to wash and maintain.
Noise Level
Note, all meat grinders on the market make noise. However, some options are more noisy and annoying than others. Therefore, it’s important to go for devices that come with enticing features.
Versatility
Aside from power, the meat grinder’s versatility is another important factor worth considering. Most models bag a lot of functions. Some meat machines are designed for chopping meat, making vegetables, and cut vegetables. Thus, you should choose a model according to your needs or expectation.
Grid size
The grid’s size refers to the hole’s diameter that you want the machine to make on your prep.
Type of meat grinder
There are basically two types: manual and electric models. For people living in countries with power outages, a manual meat grinder can be a smarter decision. Also, these options work great for people looking to take their meat machines on camping or hunting trips. Otherwise, consider the electric variant. Besides, they are faster and much easier to use.
Conclusion
If we must recommend a product as the best meat grinder, KitchenAid Food Grinder Attachment will be our top pick. Nevertheless, other models on this list offer fantastic performance and results.