Every Man Needs a Meat Grinder in His Kitchen

April 15, 2011, By Jonathan Wylie 2 comments

There's something primal about men and meat, and it's not a relationship that's going to break up anytime soon. We like meat. We like hunting it, preparing it, cooking it and eating it.

You'll also like grinding it. Meat grinders come in all shapes and sizes, but some are more suited to the task than others. Here are three of the best meat grinders you can buy, and some tips on how to get the most out of them.

1. STX Turboforce 1800WTX - Want the best bang for your buck? Check out the STX Turboforce. This affordable powerhouse can typically be found for less than $150. It comes with a motor that the manufacturer rates at 1800 watts. When set to its highest speed, it should be good for grinding up to 225 lbs of meat an hour. It may be a little noisy for some, but it will definitely get the job done faster than your average meat grinder. The Turboforce comes with sausage-stuffing tubes and even a spare cutting blade. It may not be quite as well made as the others on this list, but if you look after it properly, there is no reason why it shouldn't last for some time.

2. Weston Pro Series #22 -The powerful 750-watt motor in the Weston Pro 22 processes meat at a rate of 600 lbs per hour. It is exceedingly well made and can be relied upon to get the job done quickly and efficiently. The 15-inch loading tray is ideal for large loads, and it includes a variety of grinding plates that let you choose the coarseness of your ground meat. The non-slip rubber feet are a great feature, as are the all-metal grinding components that can be easily removed for cleaning. A forward and reverse switch is included to help prevent clogging. It retails for around $450.

3. LEM #32 Big Bite - The LEM #32 is one of the most powerful meat grinders available for consumers today. It might not look like much, but the 1.5 HP motor in this bad boy can grind up to 720 lbs of meat an hour! If that's not enough to satisfy your meat craving, I don't know what is. It comes clad in stainless steel for easy cleaning and has a great handle for moving this 75-pound monster. The meat pan, gears, auger and cutting knives are all made of metal and are easily removed for cleaning or storage. Additional attachments, like a patty maker and a foot switch, are also available. Expect to pay at least $630.

NEXT: Helpful Tips for First Time Users