Meat Mixers

[204guy]

Looking to add a mixer to the processing operation. Currently using an LEM #12, so their mixers that attach to the grinder are appealing, but big $. How important is it that it's motorized? Tilting non tilting? What size? Lots of options from china on amazon, the LEM's appear to made there also. I would imagine an adapter could be fabbed to run almost any mixer from any motor. Thanks.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Gotta ask yourself how much meat you're trying to mix because a 20lb mixer doesn't mix up 5lb of meat well for instance. If you're not making large batches then I don't see much appeal in tilt or motorization. My group makes up 70-100lb of sausage at the end of the year, we just use the hand crank 20lb cabelas unit (purchased on sale) and it works reasonably well for our once a year usage.

 

[204guy]

Would probably be trying to do 25-50lb batches. I like to try and do a bunch at once and be done with it.

 

[NJDiverDan]

I have 2 of the 20 lb hand mixers. They work fine. Not hard to hand mix the meat and if it is, you probably need to add more water anyway. I just pick the 20 lber up and dump its contents into a meat lug before stuffing.

 

[muddydogs]

I've been looking at mixers but have decided its just not worth the hassle. The bigger ones won't mix small batches, a 40 pound mixer will only mix around 30 pounds and if you run big batches like I do most times a big enough mixer is spendy. Then there is the hassle of storage and cleaning. I ended up getting a pair of insulated rubber food safe gloves and a big meat lug, I find that I have no problem mixing up 100 pound batches by hand plus it gives the old arms a good workout in the process.