Meat grinders

[DaverV]

I bought an Omcan 1hp grinder, that I've had since 2002 and I suspect it will easily outlive me. You get what you pay for with these sorts of things... If you have a local butcher shop, go in and talk to the owner and see if they can order something for you. That's how I sourced mine... paid $400 at the time. Here's the link http://www.omcan.com/meatgrinders/fts_meatgrinders.html

[paulaboutform]

You have to spend 4 to 5 hundred at least to get s good grinder. Even the spam aid mixer has plastic gears .I took one apart to see... spend the money and get one that will last a lifetime. Dutch

Unfortunately, I absolutely have to agree. Ultimately, the higher quality grinder will result in a better deal in the long run.....and it's a lot easier to spend your $$$ Don Hopefully Ironoggin chimes in. From what I recall he had a beast of a grinder.

Paul

[Hi5]

How many pounds a year would you expect to process? If you are going to be using the grinder for many years into the future and doing a significant volume, don't be influenced by Cabella's labeling, and instead go for quality.

A "Pro" model likely isn't what a commercial processor would use. That's the name a savvy retailer puts on a lower grade item designed for non-professional users.

I betcha that the most cost effective approach would be to find a good, used, commercial unit. You are located in a high population area. There must be meat cutters who get old and retire, or close up shop when the big box stores open up down the street. Have you checked Kijiji?

Heck, if you want to drive a BMW and can't afford the new sticker price, that doesn't mean you have to shop for a new Lada instead. Look for a good used BMW. (Then look for a good Dealer for servicing. There must be some around.)

[Boo]

My head is spinning looking at frigg'n grinders. I'm close to bailing and leaving it all to Karin to decide. The only issue being her "frugal" German upbringing!
One of these two are what I think we should buy, mainly because of the 5 yr warranty.
http://www.lemproducts.com/product/impr ... t-grinders

http://www.lemproducts.com/product/impr ... t-grinders

Any comments from you guys? The #22 is 67 freaking pounds! and the #12 is 47 lbs.
The #22 (1 hp) has a 5 star rating and the #12 (3/4 hp) has a 5 star rating
To answer your question Norm. I don't want to be limited to how much I want to grind, so the sky's the limit. My daughters are all grown up so I don't have to grind bones, on the other hand, I have a 37 HP tractor and a backhoe that has over 7' of reach!

[robertyb]

Go with the #12 if a Lem is what you want unless you are closing your auto shop and going into the meat grinding business full time. You will be happy with it I am sure.

[Boo]

Lem charges $150.00 US for shipping Looks like a thousand dollar CDN grinder by the time it gets here! I wonder if there's a 3 point hitch attachment that's cheaper?

[Hi5]

.................. I don't want to be limited to how much I want to grind, so the sky's the limit. My daughters are all grown up so I don't have to grind bones, on the other hand, I have a 37 HP tractor and a backhoe that has over 7' of reach!

If you really mean that you want that much capacity --"sky's the limit", you need a commercial quality unit. A good used one would do the trick. They are made for continuous hard work, and are expected to have parts eventually wear out and be replaced as needed. That's usually more cost effective, however, than buying and replacing entire cheap junk units.

If you really, really, mean that the "sky's the limit", just get a wood chipper and mount it to the power take off on your tractor. The movie "Fargo" showed one at work, if I recall.

If you are set on buying the "home" models, why not check out Consumer Reports?

[ottawacats]

Don,
The best thing would be a used commercial grade grinder. Since you are in the GTA area a quick search on Kijiji or a search for used commercial equipment should find a few. Look for Hobart products as these are what most butcher shops would be using.

A quick search found this unit in your area
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-business-industr ... nFlag=true

[Fazan]

Bass Pro caries LEM.

[IronNoggin]

...While not real familiar with failure rates ,after many reviews over the course of my research into grinders ,a Cabala's model burning up I've not seen any mention of.

Very Rare I would think!
That said we cooked one of the same units Boo had - my Partner ran a 130 grain Nosler Partition through it by accident!
Killed the gears!

...Hopefully Ironoggin chimes in. From what I recall he had a beast of a grinder.

You get what you pay for with these things.
My Partner and I have gone through at least 6 or 7 now. Finally had enough (we generally run ~ 400 lbs+ each winter) and decided to get a "Laster".

Went with Cabelas One Horse Commercial (stainless gears) models.
Damn TOUGH!





It is a Monster! Has not even slowed whatsoever with anything we've tossed at it. Now with well over 1,000 lbs under it's belt, methinks it is safe to say we found the one that will be sticking around!

Good Luck Boo! Drop the dime for a GOOD one now, or run through a handful of so-so ones on your journey there. Either way you'll end up with a higher end model eventually...

Cheers,
Nog

[mfh]

I use an older electric from Northern Tools. It looks identical to the Kitchner#22. I got it off CL and I put about 100-lbs of meat through it in a year and its going on ten years and all I did was replace the on/off switch which was pretty easy. Clumsy design but made strong (and heavy). It grinds whatever I put in it very quickly and with loads of power.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... s?seeAll=1

[Ricky McLaughlin]

Lem grinders are good.

[wildcatter]

LEM,,, that simple,,, quality technology and power, great warranty by people who specialize in meat processing,,,, unless your running a meat market and using 5 days a week all day, the $279.00 metal gears roller bearings and Stainless steel #8 is all you really need, you wont be able to feed it fast enough, and works with any size stuffing tubes, 25lbs meat mixer, tenderizers patty makers,, etc etc,,,, If you want ridiculous and something that takes up more storage space,,, get #12, but most will never need this big a grinder, and it wont be any faster, but if you want a 50lbs meat mixer, then the #12 is needed,,, you won't outlast either one. I would have bought the #5 grinder if it would have worked with the 25lbs mixer and 2" stuffing tube. great company with great customer service!

[Carutht]

Don, I have used my #10/12 for about 15 years. Each year I hunted in Missouri we used a #22 to produce 50# of summer sausage. There is no comparison. This past year I bought the Lem #22 Big Bite and the attachments I need for the various sausages I make. I can not keep up with it and do not use the stomper. Just drop the meat as fast as you can. I wish I started with the #22. The 22 weighs less than my 10. I also stuff the sausage with my grinder, the stomper is need for that. When I pull out the grinder I am doing at least 25# of meat so my vote if for a 22. I see shipping is probably a deal breaker for a Lem but if I remember correctly my #10, a Thunderbird and came from Canada. Perhaps something to check on.

Best of Luck

[Boo]

Looks like the boss is buying a 3/4 hp Carnivore from Cabelas. It has a 5 yr warranty, metal gears and only weighs 50 lbs We have a $50.00 gift certificate and said that the 1 hp is going to be $50 less. She who breaths fire (and is inherently cheap) said, so is the 3/4 hp.
I think I can't change her mind