Photo: Gourmia
Having a meat grinder comes with a lot of benefits. You get better-flavors because you know exactly what goes into your machine, including its fat content and special spices or flavors.
You also get fresher meat because you grind when you need it, plus a lesser chance of contamination because you are in charge of the hygiene.
All these reasons make owning a meat grinder worthwhile, but since there are so many grinder-offers out there, making the right choice can turn out a tough process.
This meat grinder review tries to make that choice easier for you by providing you with a list of the top meat grinders out there, and it includes a buying guide to help you make a more informed decision.
In this post:
- 10 Best Meat Grinders – Review
- 1. STX International 3000-TF – Best Overall Meat Grinder
- 2. Gourmia GMG7500 – Best Budget Stainless Steel Meat Grinder
- 3. Gideon GD-MT-MCER – Cheapest Entry Level Meat Grinder
- 4. Cuisinart MG-100 – Most Stylish Meat Grinder
- 5. STX International 3000-MF – 3,000-Watt with Dedicated Cooling
- 6. Sunmile SM-G73 – Stylish, Beautiful & Modern Meat Grinder
- 7. LEM 821 – Heavy-duty All Stainless Steel Manual Grinder
- 8. Arksen 1100W – Commercial Grade Meat Grinder
- 9. Homeleader K18-010 – Simple & Reliable Meat Grinder
- 10. Weston 10-320 – Rugged & Powerful Meat Grinder
- How to Buy the Best Meat Grinder
- How to Clean a Meat Grinder
- Conclusion
10 Best Meat Grinders – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
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1. STX International 3000-TF (Best Overall) |
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2. Gourmia GMG7500 (Best Budget Stainless Steel Grinder) |
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3. Gideon GD-MT-MCER (Cheapest Entry Level Grinder) |
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4. Cuisinart MG-100 (Most Stylish) |
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5. STX International 3000-MF (3,000-Watt with Dedicated Cooling) |
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6. Sunmile SM-G73 (Stylish, Beautiful & Modern) |
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7. LEM 821 (Heavy-duty All Stainless Steel Manual Grinder) |
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8. Arksen 1100W (Commercial Grade) |
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9. Homeleader K18-010 (Simple & Reliable) |
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10. Weston 10-320 (Rugged & Powerful) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. STX International 3000-TF (Best Overall)
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2. Gourmia GMG7500 (Best Budget Stainless Steel Grinder)
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3. Gideon GD-MT-MCER (Cheapest Entry Level Grinder)
|
4. Cuisinart MG-100 (Most Stylish)
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5. STX International 3000-MF (3,000-Watt with Dedicated Cooling)
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6. Sunmile SM-G73 (Stylish, Beautiful & Modern)
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7. LEM 821 (Heavy-duty All Stainless Steel Manual Grinder)
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8. Arksen 1100W (Commercial Grade)
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9. Homeleader K18-010 (Simple & Reliable)
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10. Weston 10-320 (Rugged & Powerful)
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1. STX International 3000-TF – Best Overall Meat Grinder
Photo: STX International
- Power: 1200 Watts
- Grinding Head: 3 cutting heads / Size #12 @ 2.7 inches
- Material: Aluminum & stainless steel
- Weight: 2 pounds
Here comes a heavy-duty solution to all your meat grinding needs. The Turboforce 3000 packs 1,200 Watts of maximum grinding power and can easily handle up to 360 pounds of meat per hour.
The build combines food-grade polished aluminum for most parts and stainless steel for parts like its cutting blades, of which there are three, to offer you one of the best meat grinders for home use and the best overall offer here.
STX International backs it with a 3-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee but warns that it’s neither a commercial grinder nor meant for grinding bones.
There are also cheaper meat grinders available, such as the Gourmia GMG7500.
You also get all the accessories you can wish for, including sausage stuffing tubes, three stainless steel cutting blades, and three grinding plates. Plus, there’s a 3-speed control, so you can work at your own space.
Pros:
- Large meat grinder
- Driven by a very powerful 1,200W motor
- Includes lots of accessories
- It’s backed by a 3-year warranty
Cons:
- There are cheaper options
- It’s not a commercial-grade meat grinder
2. Gourmia GMG7500 – Best Budget Stainless Steel Meat Grinder
Photo: Gourmia
- Power: 2,200 Watts
- Grinding Head: 3 cutting heads / #5 @ 2.1″
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 13.7 pounds
If you want a stainless steel meat grinder at an affordable price, then you’ll need to make certain concessions as well. The first is to accept a lesser-powered motor and the second is a smaller cutting plate diameter.
This gives you the best electric meat grinder for those on a budget, and it’s available in three different power options, including 500 Watts, 800 Watts, and this 2,200 Watt option.
You get three cutting plates, including fine, normal, and coarse plates, plus stuffing funnels for making sausage and kibbe attachments.
For the control system, you get four buttons to control the grinder through Switching it On, reversing it, switching it off, and operating at half speed. Gourmia backs it with a 1-year warranty.
Pros:
- Made from long-lasting stainless steel
- Includes 2 speeds plus reverse buttons
- Comes with a variety of attachments
- Backed by a 1-year warranty
Cons:
- It’s not a high-capacity meat grinder
- The grinder size is only #5 at 2.1 inches
3. Gideon GD-MT-MCER – Cheapest Entry Level Meat Grinder
Photo: Gideon
- Power: Manual
- Material: Plastic & steel
- Weight: 1.8 pounds
While others may search after high-capacity, durable, or top-rated meat grinders, you could just need something affordable that gets the job done. In that case, you may want to take a closer look at this offer from Gideon.
You get a manual grinder here, but unlike the earlier manual grinder from LEM, this one features a plastic body and construction, which makes it less durable, but also the cheapest meat grinder in this review.
It’s beautifully designed anyway, and it looks quite modern. It’s also easy to use and comes with an ergonomic design to make it more natural to work with.
The major drawback here is its plastic body, which is incapable of handling rough usage or abuse. So, while this grinder won’t last as long as a stainless steel grinder, it’s more affordable than steel models.
Pros:
- Works without electricity
- Cheapest grinder on this list
- Lovely and modern design
- Lightweight and easy to use
Cons:
- Many parts including the handle are plastic
- It can’t handle bones and tough meat well
4. Cuisinart MG-100 – Most Stylish Meat Grinder
Photo: Cuisinart
- Power: 300 Watts
- Grinding Head: 2 wheels
- Material: Aluminum & stainless steel
- Weight: 8.5 pounds
This Cuisinart MG-100 is one of the best meat grinders that you’ll find out there when it gets down to functionality and style, and this is what the Cuisinart brand is also known for.
From first glance, you see just how differently designed this meat grinder is from the rest. It features an elegant appearance and is stylish from top to bottom.
In addition to all that, it’s built tough using stainless steel and Cuisinart backs it with a 3-year warranty.
On the flip side, it offers only 300 Watts of grinding power, which is one of the lowest on this list. Still, it can grind up to 180 pounds of meat per hour and that’s okay for most homes.
Pros:
- Its stylish design sets it apart from the rest.
- Package includes 2 cutting plates and sausage attachments
- This grinder will grind up to 180 lbs of meat per hour
- It’s backed by a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty
Cons:
- With 300 Watts, it’s only 0.4 horsepower strong
- It’s not a commercial grade meat grinder
5. STX International 3000-MF – 3,000-Watt with Dedicated Cooling
Photo: STX International
- Power: 3,000 Watts
- Grinding Head: 3 heads / #12 at 2.7 inches
- Material: Aluminum & stainless steel
- Weight: 12 pounds
This Megaforce meat grinder is nearly identical to the 3,000-TF grinder from the same company, STX International. But it comes with 2 differences.
The first difference is its more powerful motor at 3,000 Watts and the second difference is the patented air cooling system that comes with this Megaforce.
Asides from these features, both meat grinders feature a 3-speed system plus a circuit breaker for improved safety. Both grinders also come with three tempered steel grinding plates and this one includes a 4-piece sausage tube attachment.
This Megaforce is also slightly costlier than the Turboforce, and it processes up to 240 pounds of meat per hour.
Pros:
- Features a powerful 3,000-Watt motor
- High-quality and durable construction
- Features a polished aluminum and stainless steel body
- The package comes with lots of accessories
Cons:
- It’s high-capacity but not commercial grade
- It’s costlier than comparable models
6. Sunmile SM-G73 – Stylish, Beautiful & Modern Meat Grinder
Photo: Sunmile
- Power: 1,000 Watts
- Grinding Head: 3 grinding plates
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 12.5 pounds
Sunmile offers you the best meat grinder for the money here, based on its high output power, grinding capacity and low price.
With its 600-Watt rated motor and 185 pounds per hour capacity, it produces more meat than the average kitchen grinder, rightly earning it that heavy-duty label.
The package also includes most of the accessories that you’ll need from time to time, like three different cutting plates in three sizes. Plus three sausage attachments and a food pusher.
This grinder is also ETL certified and comes in other motor-power ratings to help you choose better. Sunmile backs it up with a 1-year warranty, which is short but still okay.
Pros:
- Rated at 600 Watts and 1,000 Watts maximum
- The big tray enables you to load more meat for grinding
- Designed with enough ventilation for the motor
- Sunmile backs it with a 1-year warranty
Cons:
- It comes with only one cutting blade
- It’s not a heavy-duty grinder
7. LEM 821 – Heavy-duty All Stainless Steel Manual Grinder
Photo: LEM
- Power: Manual
- Grinding Head: 2 plates / #10 @ 2.7 inches
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 8 pounds
You don’t always need electric power to perfectly grind meat. Manual meat grinders are also efficient and are often a lifesaver for off-the-grid and many other situations where energy-saving or alternative energy methods are important.
A good meat grinder has to be strong, durable, rust-resistant, and easy to clean. This grinder from LEM products is all that and more. It features a 100% stainless steel construction, including its included two grinding wheels and blade.
LEM Products develops and makes unique products with hunters, fishermen, game processors and other outdoor loving professionals and hobbyists in mind.
With this manual meat grinder, you’re guaranteed an always dependable tool to process your meat without electricity.
For downsides, you’ll always have to work it by hand and the package doesn’t include many accessories.
The package, however, includes 3 stuffing tubes for all your sausage-making needs and a 1-year warranty to put your mind at ease.
Pros:
- Manual operation allows both on-grid & off-grid use
- All stainless steel construction for strength and durability
- Wide clamp opening allows easy mounting everywhere
- Backed by a 1-year warranty from LEM Products
Cons:
- You always need to work it by hand
- The package only includes 2 cutting plates
8. Arksen 1100W – Commercial Grade Meat Grinder
Photo: Arksen
- Power: 1,100 Watts
- Grinding Head: 2 grindings plates / #22 @ 3.3 inches
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 52 pounds
Heavy-duty meat grinders have to meet the needs of those who process large amounts of meat in short periods. They have to grind fast and their motors shouldn’t overheat every few minutes.
This Arksen grinder is exactly such a product. Made entirely from stainless steel, it’s tough and ready to go. The package includes a 1,100-Watt motor, which slowly but surely grinds up to 450 pounds of meat per hour.
On the flip side, you may not like this meat grinder’s higher-than-average price and its heaviness, which makes it difficult to move around.
It features a size #22 throat, which provides a 3.3-inch diameter, and the package includes two grinding plates and two replacement blades, plus a meat pusher.
Pros:
- Powered by a 1,100-Watt motor
- Made of 100% stainless steel for durability
- Commercial grade construction for intensive grindings
- CE & UL tested and certified
Cons:
- It’s a very heavy meat grinder
- The price is comparatively expensive
9. Homeleader K18-010 – Simple & Reliable Meat Grinder
Photo: Homeleader
- Power: 800 Watts
- Grinding Head: 3 grinding plates
- Material: Aluminum & stainless steel
- Weight: 8 pounds
As one of the best meat grinders in the market, this grinder from Homeleader offers you everything to make you happy with your meat processing at home.
Whether you like your ground meat coarse, medium, or finely ground, this package includes all the grinding plates that you need, plus you also get one sausage and one kibbe attachment. There is also a food pusher and the large tray, which lets you load it all up at once.
On the technical side, the motor is an 800-Watt system and so, large enough to meet the grinding needs of most households.
In addition to looking great and stylish, it’s additionally easy to take apart for washing, and Homeleader backs it with a 1-year warranty.
Pros:
- Comes with an 800-Watt motor that always gets the job done
- The package includes lots of accessories
- Stylish and modern design
- Backed by a 1-year warranty and 30-day guarantee
Cons:
- Not suitable for commercial applications
- It’s not a cheap meat grinder
10. Weston 10-320 – Rugged & Powerful Meat Grinder
Photo: Weston
- Power: 1,500 Watts
- Grinding Head: #22 @ 3.12 inches
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 73 pounds
This Weston Pro-Series is the ultimate definition of a high-quality meat grinder, designed to offer excellent service and for a very long time.
It comes with a full stainless steel construction, plus an extra-wide grinding throat, which makes it a true heavy-duty meat grinder. This throat is a size #22 with a 3.1-inch diameter, and it produces up to 750 pounds of meat an hour.
You only get one knife and two grinding plates as part of the package. This isn’t much, given the price of this grinder, but you also get four sausage funnels and a heavy-duty food pusher.
Another downside of this grinder is that it’s simply an overkill for most household kitchens because 750 pounds of meat an hour is really a lot. Still, there are those who need its 1,500 Watts of power and capacity. So if that’s you, then feel free to get it.
Pros:
- It features a solid stainless steel construction
- All-metal gears offer plenty of power and long life
- This grinder processes up to 750 pounds of meat per hour
- Backed by a 2-year warranty from the manufacturer
Cons:
- It’s an overkill for most household kitchens
- The price is comparatively very high
How to Buy the Best Meat Grinder
A meat grinder is a specialized machine that got developed over a long time. This means you’ll need to understand its most important factors if you want to make the right buying decision.
These factors you need to pay attention to are below:
1. Power
There are two major types of meat grinders that you’ll find in the market. They are manual and electric meat grinders and your choice of either one comes with advantages and disadvantages. These two meat grinder types are below:
Manual Meat Grinders. This type of grinder is for low-volume meat grinding and as the name suggests, you’ll need to turn it manually using your hands, which is often a lot of work for most people.
Manual meat grinders are not ideal for commercial use because you can only grind so much meat with them before you get tired. On the positive side, they don’t use any electricity.
Electric Meat Grinders. With electric meat grinders, everything gets powered by electricity, enabling you to process much more meat than with a manual grinder.
Depending on construction material and overall quality, an electric grinder can additionally be for domestic or for commercial use. There’s nothing stopping you from using a commercial meat grinder at home anyway, but the other way round won’t work.
Any electric meat grinder with a 500-Watt or higher power rating, such as the Homeleader K18-010 is okay for most domestic meat grinding jobs.
2. Construction Material
Another important consideration is the type of material that the meat grinder comes from. You’ll find meat grinders made from a range of materials from plastic to stainless steel, but you should know that they each come with their advantages and disadvantages.
A plastic-made meat grinder, for example, will cost less than one made from metal, but its durability will also be less. For a more serious and longer-lasting meat grinder, therefore, metal is often used and the best of all is stainless steel.
The disadvantage is that stainless steel meat grinders cost more, but you’ll be buying durable quality that will last you for a long while and will never rust.
3. Durability
This has a lot to do with construction material. Stainless steel grinders will last longer than plastic ones, but you’ll also find cross-breeds that offer you the best of both worlds.
They will often combine plastic and metallic or stainless steel parts to produce a meat grinder that is not too expensive and that’s reasonably durable as well.
Such a combination requires that parts which handle the most pressure like the plate and blades get manufactured using a stronger material, while parts that handle little pressure, such as the feeding chute, get made of plastic.
4. Accessories
Also, worth considering is the type of and how many accessories the grinder comes with. Some manufacturers include lots of accessories with their meat grinders and these can include so many items from extra blades to multiple grinding plates.
You’ll also find larger meat grinders with meat mixing attachments that let you mix ground meat, plus the popular sausage attachments that enable you to grind meat and turn it directly into sausage.
Read More: The Best Sausage Stuffer
There’s no standard list here, so you’ll have to know what you want and then be on the lookout for the right meat grinder with accessories that meet your needs.
5. Ease of Use
Most meat grinders offer the same functioning principle, so there isn’t much difference there. You’ll need to take a closer look with attachments though because a grinder’s method of adding an attachment or of using it might get really complicated.
6. Price & Your Budget
If money isn’t a problem for you, then feel free to skip this one. Else, you should have a budget, a price range that you’re comfortable to buy within. Then mostly focus on meat grinders in this range and be ready to accept whatever they offer.
How to Clean a Meat Grinder
Personally grinding your meat is often a fun and rewarding experience, but you also need to seriously consider your hygiene standards because raw meat can easily become a breeding ground for all kinds of germs.
Following is a step-by-step plan to washing your meat grinder and keeping it clean from germs:
Step 1: Don’t Waste Any Time
Try to wash your meat grinder as immediately after use as possible. Waiting too long may lead to the pieces of meat and grease drying up and crusting over. So, don’t waste any time at all to wash it after use.
Step 2: Use Bread First
It’s always better to flush the grinder first before washing it. The best material for this is bread, although you could use anything similar. Simply feed the bread like you fed the meat into the grinders, and it will clean out most of the grease and meat pieces for you.
Step 3: Disassemble the Grinders
Most meat grinders have the very same parts and offer you an easy method of taking the entire grinder apart for washing. Simply disassemble it into its different parts and make sure to unplug it first if it’s an electric meat grinder.
Step 4: Soak the Parts
Soaking the parts helps you to clean the grinder better. So, fill a bucket or sink with hot soapy water and let the parts sit in it for 15 to 30 minutes. Make sure you do not soak the part that contains the electric motor!
Step 5: Scrubbing Time
Now’s the time to clean out the different parts. You can clean any motorized part with a towel and then dry it. Then use either a brush or a sponge to clean the other parts as you see fit. Don’t rush and rinse everything properly after scrubbing.
Step 6: Air Dry Them
After rinsing, use a towel to wipe down the parts properly and then leave them to air dry before storage. This way, you’ll avoid oxidation of the parts by letting them dry before storage.
Step 7: Oiling (Optional)
You can also choose to oil your meat grinder parts to prevent oxidation and rust, especially when you are storing the grinder for a long time. Just remember to use food-grade oil and to disinfect the parts and wash-off the oil before using the grinder again.
Conclusion
We’ve come to the end of this meat grinder review, and you’ve seen the different offers out there, designed for different situations, users, and homes.
You can quickly go with the overall best meat grinder if you want a good and reliable machine, or the 3000-MF if you want maximum power.
Sources
- How to Clean a Meat Grinder – WikiHow