Upgrading the meat grinder

[Sled]

I'm looking to move up from my cheap under $100 grinder to something that processes faster. I usually do a deer, couple antelope and couple elk a year if all goes well. If I can speed that up to above 5lbs a minute if be happy. I've looked at the lem's, carnivore, avantco, Weston, costway and a few others but I'm wondering if I'm missing something. My concerns are that it's reliable, easy to use and cost effective. Anyone have suggestions or opinions?

 

[Trial153]

cant go far wrong with anything that is 1hp from LEM, Weston, or Cabelas

 

[Huntinaz]

Agreed the 1hp Cabelas grinder is nice. I am curious at how the bigger models would mow through an elk but the 1hp sure gets the job done

 

[Elkslayer67]

I personally run the LEM 3/4 hp model. It has more than enough power. The only reason why I would upgrade is for a larger feed tube. That seems to be my bottleneck for the second grind.

 

[Huntinaz]

Yeah I have used a 3/4 too and it’s plenty of power, the benefit of the 1hp is the larger feed tube and therefore faster and easier

 

[manitou1]

The 1 hp Cabelas has served us well for years. I can't bog that thing down. Grinds as fast as I can feed it. Reverse is a plus. Get the foot pedal... money well spent. You won't have to touch the unit with bloody, greasy hands and it also helps immensely when stuffing sausage. Keeps the heat down by only running when you need it to.

 

[unclericco]

I have an LEM grinder and have really been happy with how it performs on everything I've thrown at it.

 

[buzzyb]

Hobart

 

[Rimrocks]

Get one that’s bigger than what the specs say you need. They just feed better. And are faster.

 

[robtattoo]

Western #32.
I'm pretty sure you could feed an entire cow through this bastard.....

I literally cannot feed it fast enough. I believe it's rated at 13lb/min. I picked it up from an Ebay vendor for $600 new in the box. It may have been discontinued.

 

[rayporter]

i have 2 that are 3/4 hp and both will take meat as fast as you can feed it in. the bigger feed tube may not be needed but i can not deny it would help some.

one the thing to remember is these will get heavy.

 

[KChunter71]

Agreed the 1hp Cabelas grinder is nice. I am curious at how the bigger models would mow through an elk but the 1hp sure gets the job done

I have the same one. Add a electric pedal and food grade silicone and you grinding what ever you want.

Cabela's Food-Grade Silicone Lubricating Spray | Cabela's

Our Food-Grade Silicone Lubricating Spray stops sticking and inhibits rust formation on food-packaging and -processing equipment by leaving a dry film. Use on metal, rubber, O-rings or plastic. VOC

www.cabelas.com

Cabela's Electric Meat Grinder Foot Pedal | Cabela's

www.cabelas.com

 

[StetsonAnderson]

We run a 1.5 HP cabelas grinder and it’s all we can do to keep up. Generally we are talking about processing 4+ deer, at least one elk, and an antelope. Not all of it goes thru the grinder but it’s a beast. Also nice for stuffing bologna rings, brats, snack sticks, etc etc.

 

[MTPipeliner]

Another vote for cabelas, I had a tiny old Oster grinder for years and thought it was fine until I used a bigger one, couldn’t go back now.

 

[Rky Mtn Farmer]

I also have the LEM .75 hp big bite, and have had great experience with it. It’s built very well and seems like it should last. Even though the .75 does everything I need it to, I would still recommend going a bit bigger if your budget allows. Never hurts to have the extra hp.

 

[steadytowingandshot]

I have a 1 hp LEM Big Bite that I use to do at least 6 deer and a couple of pigs a year and I really like it. It's robust and has never given me any trouble

 

[robtattoo]

I stand corrected, the Weston #32 2hp is still available. Shame it doesn't sound like a hemi...

Weston 2Hp SS Steel Pro-Series 32 Meat Grinder & Stuffer, Model#10-3201-W

Powerful and durable, the Weston 2Hp SS Steel Pro-Series 32 Meat Grinder & Stuffer, Model# 10-3201-W delivers exceptional performance for meat processing.

www.meatprocessingproducts.com

 

[Rich M]

I have a 0.75 hp LEM and cube jerky attachment.

Love it. Quiet. Ground up a couple deer and a hereford bull with it. The cuber is great.

Go as big as you can afford. Grinding a couple elk would need 0.75 or larger IMO.

 

[Sled]

after all the comments here and reviews i've read i think that LEM sounds like the way to go. parts and add ons are readily available, customer service is good, durability and efficiency is great. the more i've thought about what i need vs what i want leads me to a #12 with a #22 in close second. if money and storage space were not an issue i'd look at the #32 but the reality is i probably don't need that much machine... but it would be fun to run one and feed it huge strips.

so, i think it comes down to who has a labor day sale that i can't pass up on either a 12 or 22. i'd be happy with either but the wallet will be happier with the 12. either way my back and patience will be less tested than with my little toy grinder.

thanks again for the help. now the search for the LEM begins.

 

[rayporter]

the big sales come after the holidays-