opinions on meat grinders

[littleladyhunter]

I need some opinions on horsepower preferred on an at-home meat grinder. We plan to process about 10 deer/year. Thanks!

[jimbires]

I have had a few meat grinders . the best one I have used is a grinder driven by a seperate motor . I posted a few pics of it . I bought the grinder and pully as a set from northern tool . then I took an electric motor out of an old washing machine and mounted them to a board . it really works good . I have about $50.00 in the grinder, got the motor for free , "V" belt $10.00 , and a piece of board . and a couple hours time . very cheap . I think this motor is( .75 h.p. ) three quarters h.p. Jim
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m257/jimmyboy16866/P1010232.jpg


http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m257/jimmyboy16866/P1010233.jpg

[HOGWILD]

looks like the insides of my swamp cooler, if it does the job that is all that matters and if it grinds and grinds it's GTG!

[beeell]

littleladyhunter,
10 /year, thats alot of grinding. I typically grind about 100 lbs each time, and I would definately recommend the biggest best made one you can get. The less time spent cleaning the happier you'll be.

[uwyo]

I use the Cabela's "Deluxe Electric Meat Grinder" IT # 51-6666 The specs are toward the lower end as far as meat grinders go and I think it's about $100 but the day after thanksgiving I think they're $50.00. Anyways...between me and my roommates this year we've ground 5 antelope, 1 elk, 3 mule deer and 2 whitetails. It will grind almost as fast as you can put the meat in the grinder. I could never justify spending more money on a grinder. I've had it for a few years and usually do just my own but this year it's got it's share of work and I am very pleased.

[Cabela's Rocks]

I personally own a Cabelas's Commerical Meat Grinder .75 hp (see item 516401 here on Cabelas.com) and have owned it for 7 years. We do approximately 5 deer a year on it, and have also used it for pork and beef. It has been the best investment of our lives and has paid for itself over and over again. The customer rating on this is 4.8 out of 5 and I must say the rating is well deserved. If the product is taken care of and maintained properly this item will last you for a lifetime.

[WMU3A]

L.E.M. aren't too bad but don't waste your time on the smaller units...also skip all those EBay <$100 grinders, they all are worthless on meat. Buy yourself a a min. of .75 HP with a set of 3 grinding plates and 3 knives...match the knives to the plates and keep them as a set..don't mix them...they'll wear together and be more efficent.
The size of the unit is not as important for game meat as the meat prep is....trim all sinew and gritsle... you want your meat at nearly frozen stiffness ***that's the trick to good grinding** that along with using the plate with the largest holes in it first and REGRIND the meat down with the second plate of largest holes.
I used to process deer..about 500 each year..and had a Hobart grinder 1HP that was old an worn I had bought at a farm sale for $250..but after that finally wasn't worth repairing anymore I bought L.E.M. the second largest they make,it works but isn't made as well a Hobart. You can get a good grinder for around $300 or go the route someone else mentioned with a V belt and a pulley with an old hand cranked #32 cast grinder...more work for a nice finished prouduct but for a few deer it will suffice...wouldn't want to try doing a steer with one or making sausage though.