Photo: Dimeshy
There are many ways to add flavor to your meat before cooking, but nothing beats the use of a meat injector. All the other methods such as marinating and brushing meats simple pale.
It saves you time, makes the meat juicier, and gives it a better flavor overall. The best thing is that you can create your own custom mix of spices and send it directly into the meat for deep absorption.
Once you’ve tried a meat injector, you’ll know that there’s no going back to rubbing meats. Also, if you are new to injecting meats, then you’ll need a guide to help you make the right decision.
This best meat injectors review provides you with all the information that you need to choose correctly. You get a list of the top injectors in the market and a buying guide to help you make the right choice.
In this post:
- 7 Best Meat Injectors – Review
- 1. Grill Beast 304 – Best Overall Meat Injector
- 2. GrillHogs Kit – Best Budget Meat Injector
- 3. Bayou Classic 5011 – Best Entry Level Meat Injector
- 4. Premiala SS-20-2 – Safe & Reliable Meat Injector Kit
- 5. Dimeshy JK-9 – Meat Injector Package with Plenty Accessories
- 6. Miusco C3036 – Meat Injector with Unique Measurement Window
- 7. Ostro Kit – Premium Quality Meat Injector
- How to Buy the Best Meat Injector
- How to Use a Meat Injector
- Conclusion
7 Best Meat Injectors – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Grill Beast 304 (Best Overall) |
| |
 | 2. GrillHogs Kit (Best Budget) |
| |
 | 3. Bayou Classic 5011 (Best for Entry Level) |
| |
 | 4. Premiala SS-20-2 (Safe & Reliable Kit) |
| |
 | 5. Dimeshy JK-9 (Plenty Accessories) |
| |
 | 6. Miusco C3036 (With Measurement Window) |
| |
 | 7. Ostro Kit (Premium Quality) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Grill Beast 304 (Best Overall)
|
2. GrillHogs Kit (Best Budget)
|
3. Bayou Classic 5011 (Best for Entry Level)
|
4. Premiala SS-20-2 (Safe & Reliable Kit)
|
5. Dimeshy JK-9 (Plenty Accessories)
|
6. Miusco C3036 (With Measurement Window)
|
7. Ostro Kit (Premium Quality)
|
1. Grill Beast 304 – Best Overall Meat Injector
Photo: Grill Beast
- Barrel Capacity: 2 ounces
- Number of Needles: 3 needles
- Material: Stainless steel
This Grill Beast stainless steel meat injector’s popularity says everything about its quality and affordability.
It’s made using high-quality 304 stainless steel and the package comes with three needles, one six-inch needle for thin marinades, another six-inch needle for thicker ones and the third and three-inch needle for precise injections.
On the downside, it might seem too large for people with small hands and some small parts like the rings are not made from stainless steel.
The package comes backed by a money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty as well, meaning you will never have to worry about damaging your injector because it’s very well-made.
Pros:
- Built to last using stainless steel
- Comes with three different needles for precise application
- Comes with an e-book full of tips and tricks
- Backed by a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer
Cons:
- The screw caps and rings are not stainless steel
- It’s not ideal for people with small hands
2. GrillHogs Kit – Best Budget Meat Injector
Photo: GrillHogs
- Barrel Capacity: 2 ounces
- Number of Needles: 3 needles
- Material: Stainless steel
People find themselves on a budget from time to time and if that’s you, then there’s no need to worry because here comes a budget-friendly meat grinder that you’ll love.
The features start with a stainless steel construction, which gets backed by three stainless steel needles, plus five o-rings and a recipe book to top it all off.
The most important feature, of course, is its impressively low price, which gives you a nothing-to-lose feeling if you were to go ahead and buy it.
Pros:
- Offered at a very low price
- Comes apart easily and is dishwasher safe
- Sharp needles pierce all kinds of meat easily
- Made using a stainless steel construction
Cons:
- It comes with no warranty
3. Bayou Classic 5011 – Best Entry Level Meat Injector
Photo: Bayou Classic
- Barrel Capacity: 2 ounces
- Number of Needles: two
- Material: Stainless steel
This offer gives you an affordable meat injector that’s great for beginners. It comes with just 2 needles, but that’s okay anyway because you can also get along with just two.
One thing that’s going for this offer is its low price, which is one of the lowest on this list. Another good thing going for it is its stainless steel construction, which means it will last a long time.
It comes with a 2-ounce capacity and looks nice, but you should note that its stainless steel is not 304, rather it’s 201 stainless steel, so you always kind of get what you pay for.
Pros:
- Features an all-steel construction
- Body is 2-ounces large for enough marinade
- Comes ready to go
- Offered at a very low price
Cons:
- Comes with only two needles
- Includes no other accessory like a box or brush
4. Premiala SS-20-2 – Safe & Reliable Meat Injector Kit
Photo: Premiala
- Barrel Capacity: 2 ounces
- Number of Needles: 3 needles
- Material: Stainless steel
Few meat injectors offer a premium quality like this offer from Premiala. It comes with everything you need in an injector and is the best solid food injector, being made exclusively from premium quality 304 stainless steel.
The package comes with a 1-year warranty initially, but you’re free to upgrade to Premiala’s VIP club, which is free to join and which upgrades the warranty to a lifetime period.
Asides from using premium stainless steel all the way, the package includes three needles, two needle cleaning brushes, 5 spare silicon 0-rings, and a flip-top gift box for storing it all in.
One thing that you might not like about this offer is its price, which is the highest in this review, but you get a safe and reliable kit.
Pros:
- Designed with safety in mind
- Comes with three needles for complete versatility
- Made exclusively with 304 stainless steel
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Comparatively very expensive
- You have to separately download the free e-book
5. Dimeshy JK-9 – Meat Injector Package with Plenty Accessories
Photo: Dimeshy
- Barrel Capacity: 2 ounces
- Number of Needles: 3 needles
- Material: 304 Stainless steel
How about another one of the best marinade meat injector for the money? This injector kit from Dimeshy includes many accessories at a very low price.
You get a 304 stainless steel construction, the best food-grade steel with impressive durability, plus all the needles are also stainless steel, enabling you to pierce even the toughest meats with ease.
The injector has a 2-ounce capacity and the needles are the same angled-cut needle for chunky marinades, side-holes for liquids, and a smaller one for precision.
Dimeshi also includes useful information on the pack and backs up the injector with a 12-month warranty.
Pros:
- Made using food grade 304 stainless steel
- Beautifully and stylishly designed
- Pack includes 3 needles and a 3-ring handle
- Very low and attractive price
Cons:
- The small needle is quite long and not too precise
6. Miusco C3036 – Meat Injector with Unique Measurement Window
Photo: Miusco
- Barrel Capacity: 1.5 ounces
- Number of Needles: two needles
- Material: Plastic and steel
All the best meat injectors for BBQs and grills usually come with a 100% stainless steel body, which is great, but it also makes it impossible to see what’s left inside.
If you need to keep an eye on your marinade’s volume for any reason, then here’s definitely the solution. It combines plastic and steel to create a unique meat injector that’s equally the cheapest in this review.
Its plastic parts prevent it from being the best value injector for the money, but it’s still a great option. It comes with a 1.5-ounce barrel capacity, two needles, and all its parts are dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- The pack includes two needles
- Features a unique measurement window
- Comes with a plastic storage case
- All its parts are dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Offers only a 30-day money back guarantee
- It has lots of plastic parts
7. Ostro Kit – Premium Quality Meat Injector
Photo: Ostro
- Barrel Capacity: 2 ounces
- Number of Needles: 3 needles
- Material: Stainless steel
This Ostro injector also gets made with high-quality 304 stainless steel like the very popular Grill Beast offer above, but it comes from a lesser-known brand, which makes it less popular.
The package also includes three needles and an EVA foam waterproof case for storage. The needles are the same sizes and offer the same functions as those from the Grill Beast. They even match in sizes of two 6-inch needles and one 3-inch precision needle.
Where this set falls behind is when it comes to warranty. Unlike the Grill Beast with its lifetime warranty, Ostro only offers a 1-year warranty on this injector, but it remains a top-rated meat injector.
Pros:
- Made using premium quality 304 stainless steel
- Built strong to last long
- Package includes 3 needles for versatility
- High-volume barrel for less refills
Cons:
- Top quality injector but lesser known brand
- Short warranty when compared to the Grill Beast
How to Buy the Best Meat Injector
Photo: Dimeshy
Meat injectors are a special kind of tool with a special job, so you need to understand them well if you want to get the best fitting injector for you.
As part of this meat injector review, here’s a look at the important features of a meat injector that you need to understand and keep out an eye for when making a choice.
1. Barrel Capacity
This refers to how large the barrel is, which in turn, translates into how much liquid it can hold. Large, commercial meat injectors might come with up to 1-gallon barrel capacities, while most meat injectors for home kitchen use feature barrels about 2 ounces in size.
There is no law guiding the size of meat injector barrels, except convenience. You want a size that isn’t so small and forces you to fill-up again and again. You also don’t want a size that’s too large and places too much pressure on the needles.
2. The Needle
A meat injector’s needle is the pathway through which the spice mix gets delivered deep into the meat. This means that it needs the ability to pierce a piece of meat easily and additionally offer a channel to deliver the spices.
Different meat injector packs will come with different types and quantities of needles, so it’s left for you to know what you intend cooking and then find a package that meets your needs.
You’ll find small needles for injecting small pieces like chicken and steaks and a larger need for larger pieces of steak. Some packages will also include a larger needle for injecting spice mixes with large pieces like garlic and herbs.
3. Material
The material that your meat injector gets made from, determines the price, the performance, and the lifespan of the injector.
Different manufacturers use different materials ranging from plastics to stainless steel in making their meat injectors and it’s left for you to choose what you want.
A plastic injector will cost less, offer a lower performance and last the least long. A stainless steel injector, however, will cost more, offer a better performance, and last the longest.
4. Accessories
Although needles are the most common accessories you’ll find in a meat injector package, they are not the only ones. Other important accessories include cleaning brushes, which can come in different sizes, storage boxes for storing them when not in use, and a user guide.
5. Quality, Price & Warranty
These are three important factors that are often linked. A higher-quality and well-engineered injector that’s made using better materials like stainless steel will often come at a higher price but also offer you a longer warranty.
You’ll need to consider these different factors when making a choice and whether a higher or a lower price with longer or shorter lifespans is better for you.
6. Ease of Use
Consider how easy the manufacturer states that the injector is to use and to clean, as well. You don’t want a system that takes forever to clean or that’s difficult to use.
If the package comes with the right needles for each type of meat, then great, and if each needle comes with an appropriate cleaning brush, then great as well.
How to Use a Meat Injector
Photo: Ostro
For first time users, the meat injector might seem a challenge, but with the right guidance and dedication, you too can easily create masterpieces of flavor that people will come to know you by.
The following step-by-step guide shows you how to get the meat injector job done easily and conveniently.
Step 1. Prepare your Equipment
You’ll first need to get everything ready and set up your countertop with all the materials that you’ll need, including the injector, the tray to sit your meat, your meat, and of course, your spice solution in a convenient container.
Step 2. Prepare the Marinade
This part is all yours to take care of because everyone has his secret sauce. What you mix depends on your taste and on the type of meat that you’re preparing. Just make sure to use a non-reactive container and store the rest properly sealed in a fridge.
If you need help with your marinade, try experimenting with a few items and see how it goes, just don’t add too much at a go. You can try adding ground garlic or ginger, hot chili sauce, water, salt, apple juice or even alcoholic beverages, your choice.
Read More: The Best Garlic Press
Step 3. Get the Right Needle
Now’s the time to set up your needle for the best results. You need the right needle for the right meat, to make your life easier. A large needle for solutions with larger pieces of spices and a smaller needle with holes around its shaft for very smooth marinades.
Step 4. Fill Up the Barrel
Fill up your injector’s barrel after the manufacturer’s instructions. Depending on the injector’s design, you may need to either draw up your marinade like a doctor draws up a drug into his syringe or to fill the barrel using any other means recommended by the manufacturer.
You can add the marinade into a bottle and shake it well before pouring it into the container that you’ll fill your injector from. This is to make sure of a completely even distribution of your mix.
Step 5. Inject and Repeat
Now comes the main part. Injecting meat simply requires that you distribute your spice solution as evenly as possible across the meat. To do this, you’ll need to start working from one side of the meat to the other side logically.
To properly inject a piece of meat, pierce the meat with the injector’s needle-tip until the needle is fully immersed. Then start pushing the plunger slowly to release the marinade inside the meat, while slowly removing the needle.
You’ll notice your meat plumping up as you inject it and once you’re done, feel free to rub the meat’s outside with pepper, salt, or extra spices for the best taste.
Step 6. Ready to Cook
You are now ready to grill, BBQ, or to smoke your meat as you would any other piece of meat.
Conclusion
We’ve reached the end of this meat injectors review and you’ve seen all the best offers out there, including those with unique features and others with quality designs and engineering.
You can easily go with the Grill Beast 304, the best overall injector, or you could also choose the best budget GrillHogs kit.