I have some de-boned Sitka deer meat that I need to grind up into hamburger and am debating purchasing a grinder and doing it myself. I always get my deer processed but this might be the right opportunity to jump into the self processing role.

Any recommendations on grinders and anything else I would need? I'm not looking for the Cadillac of meat grinders... something that works and does a good job is all that is needed.

TIA

I would recommend anything less than a 1hp. I have one I bought used that was sold at Northern Tool. It runs like a champ and is probably 6-7 years old.

I have a Tor-Rey 3/4 HP that I am very pleased with. Their 1/2 HP would have been fine for me but the price difference was small compared to the advantages or going with the larger machine.

Recommend cabelas. I think I have a 1 horse and it if it fits through throat it will grind.

I have a LEM 1/3 HP. Works outstanding. Only thing I would do different is to get a 1/2 HP, but that's really a small thing.

Can't go wrong with LEM stuff, but I bought an STX International air-cooled one off Amazon about 5 years ago and it's been great. It's made 100+lbs of sausage every year with no issues.

If you're just going to grind a couple dozen pounds and your wife has a KitchenAid mixer, their grinder attachment works well.

AggieChemist said:

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If you're just going to grind a couple dozen pounds and your wife has a KitchenAid mixer, their grinder attachment works well.

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Will run a lot smoother if the meat is still partly frozen. The same is true for any grinder, but the advantage is way more apparent on smaller units.

... I got nothin

I didn't know if I would enjoy making my own sausage, or if I would be any good at it, so I bought a cheap one on Amazon. I think I paid $60. It works fine. Once it craps out, I'll upgrade, but it gets the job done for now. The LEM and Cabela's stuff is nice, but it will cost you.

A.G.S. said:

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AggieChemist said:

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If you're just going to grind a couple dozen pounds and your wife has a KitchenAid mixer, their grinder attachment works well.

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Will run a lot smoother if the meat is still partly frozen. The same is true for any grinder, but the advantage is way more apparent on smaller units.

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This is correct

I use the LEM 1 HP model. No problems at all and will handle anything.

Thanks guys! Let me look around and I'll report back with what I get.

LEM

I bought the cabelas 3/4hp commercial grinder and it will grind as fast as you can stuff it. I was able to get it when they ran a sale for $100 off. I couldn't pass on that.
I always looked at it as what ever size I thought I needed to get by with, get the next size up.

I always tell people to shoot for at least a 1/2 hp if you can swing it. A person can certainly get by with less, but you will never regret getting a bigger grinder.

A.G.S. said:

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AggieChemist said:

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If you're just going to grind a couple dozen pounds and your wife has a KitchenAid mixer, their grinder attachment works well.

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Will run a lot smoother if the meat is still partly frozen. The same is true for any grinder, but the advantage is way more apparent on smaller units.

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Just don't try to grind it twice. It is a mess.

Am interested in this as well. When I upgrade mine, I am going to make sure that it can take a meat tenderizer/jerky slicer attachment. I apparently have the only model of Kitchener that does not have that option.

Agree 100%. I ground 8 deer with a friend using a cheap grinder and it was a chore. Had to bone everything out, re freeze, grind twice and deal with constant overheating. With mine I let sit in ice chest a few days bone, grind and bag with 1 cut.

I recently upgraded to the Weston Pro #12 meat grinder, 1 HP. Weston has a sale right now if you use MeatEater19 coupon code. It knocked $125 off their website retail price, which beat Amazon by about $75