There comes a time in life when one may start to put under scrutiny all the components of their diet. In an attempt to live a better, healthier life, it is understandable why you would want to know all about your food. From how it gets prepared to what kind of ingredients go in. And minced meat is no exception from the rule. Often the subject of controversy, grinded meat is present in so many delicious dishes. Burgers, pasta and so many more use it and let’s face it, who could say no to a savory burger?
To clear all doubts about the quality of minced meat, one solution is to grind it at home. You get full control over what goes into its composition and you get to cook it as you please. So today, we take a walk down the best meat grinders lane. We share all the secrets of a must-have grinder, from essential features to our favorite 10 models. Let’s shred all those doubts away, shall we?
Why Buy A Meat Grinder?
You may ponder for a long time if you should invest in a meat grinder or not. Here are some of the benefits this type of kitchen equipment can bring to your cooking style and life.
- Know what comes inside.
When you buy your ground meat from the supermarket, it usually comes wrapped in plastic. For the cheaper brands, you may often wonder how much of it is actually pork meat. Or what kind of additives and colorants they add to give it a specific color. By grinding your own mix at home, you get to choose what spices or types of meat are in.
- Leave contaminants out.
Imagine all the plastic containers, uncertain proportions of ingredients and additional conservatives. When you buy pre-packaged minced meat, you have to believe the label. While you grind it at home, you get to know exactly what goes in your food.
You decide the quality of your mix, according to the cuts of meat you put in.
- Make your own rules.
Home-made minced meat allows you to decide what is the perfect grind size or fat percentage for you. You get to blend various cuts of meats, fresh and seasoned as you find it best.
- Improve the quality of your food.
As you can expect, preparing a burger from a freshly minced cut of meat will taste and feel differently. Enjoy more savoury dishes, with a more appealing color and consistency.
How To Pick The Best Meat Grinder?
Time to shred all your curiosities away. Find below our guide on how to pick the best meat grinder for your kitchen. Whether you are a barbecue expert or a newbie cook, here is what you should look for in a meat-mincing machine.
- Power Source
You have two main options here. For the old-style fans, a manual meat grinder puts your arms to work and lets you enjoy a slow-motion process. This can be perfectly okay for those in need of only small amounts of meat.
If instead, you cook large meals for a big group (family, friends gathering), you may not have all the time in the world. So, an electric meat grinder can save you precious time and effort. These machines are capable of mincing larger amounts of meat.
- Size
Manual models take less space on your counter and are also easy to disassemble and store away. Electric meat grinders will occupy a larger area both in your cabinet and countertop. Consider your storage availability and real needs when making a decision. You want to buy a meat grinder with a large capacity, to save you time. Yet it should not be that big to cram up your kitchen.
- Versatility
In terms of accessories, your chosen grinder model can allow you to adjust the coarseness of the meat. There is a standard set of accessories that come with most of the meat grinders. This often includes three grids, the main blade, a sausage kit and a pusher. Any extra pieces included in the package are a more than welcomed bonus.
- Capacity
You make the call on how much meat you plan to mince every month or week. And knowing that, you should choose a machine that can handle that process well, for a long time. Your grinder’s capacity should allow you to get things done easier and faster. That also means you should not get a model that processes way more than you actually need. Simply because it would be a waste of money and power consumed.
- Maintenance Requirements
Keep in mind that you will have to thoroughly clean your meat grinder after each use. You want to eliminate all the risks of bacteria growing on the inner components, when you work with raw meat. Therefore, pick a model that allows you to clean it with ease and that is also durable. Having to replace plastic parts or check for rust is not fun, nor desirable. Your budget will also benefit from this, as you avoid unwanted fixing expenses.
- Ease of Assembly
On the same note with the maintenance needs, you want a meat grinder that does not give you a headache to assemble. As you have to take the pieces out to clean, then put them back, the easier it is, the better. Check out the reviews and user manual to get an idea on how tricky this process is.
- Noise Level
For electric meat grinders, the motor responsible for the mincing part may not be as smooth as a big cat hunting. Check the specs to get an idea of how loud your chosen model gets at its highest level.
Upgrade Your Mincing Game – Our Top 10 Best Meat Grinders
Time to get down to the real grinding. We carefully studied the wide variety of models on the market and picked the best meat grinders for you. Find our top 10 down below, with their best qualities highlighted. And as we like to take things with a grain of salt, we also pointed out some downsides for each model. Keep reading to know more!
Powerful Electric Food Meat Grinder
Mince your meat like a pro with this Electric Meat Grinder from BBday. This heavy duty machine does an impressive job in processing up to 3 pounds of meat per minute. Prepare sausages, burgers or bolognese effortlessly. With a maximum power of 2000W, nothing can stand in the way of quick and efficient grinding. Adjust the coarseness of your meat with the help of the three cutting plates. To unclog the auger, just press the reverse button.
Pros:
- heavy duty performance (up to 2000W)
- 3 different mesh diameters for cutting plates
- accessories (sausage funnels and Kubbe attachment)
- suitable for grinding spices too
- made of food-grade materials
- easy to disassemble and clean.
Cons:
- heavy
- not dishwasher safe
- heats up fast.
Antree Meat Grinder Attachment fits for KitchenAid Stand Mixer
There is a way to make the most of your KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Combine its power with this Antree Meat Grinder Attachment and get ready to mince. The improved design reduces the heat resulting in the mincing process. This leads to a better quality of the final result, keeping your meat still fresh, juicy and with a soft texture. Choose if you want fine, medium or coarse meat, as the attachment comes with 4 different grind plates. The fourth one is for kidney grinding plates.
Pros:
- compatible with all the KitchenAid Stand Mixer series
- one year warranty
- made of food-grade materials
- comes with 4 grind plates, 2 grind blades, 2 sausage filler tubes, one cleaning brush.
Cons:
- requires compatible devices to function
- cannot grind pork fat or beef tendons
- not dishwasher safe.
Aobosi Electric Meat Grinder
Your perfect minced meat mix is a button press away with the Aobosi Electric Meat Grinder. Reaching up to 2000W, this heavy duty meat mincer allows you to grind anything. From beef, pork, to fish, chilli or garlic, you can have it all set for cooking in a few minutes. Made of stainless steel, this sturdy and durable machine will be your best ally in the kitchen. It features a set of accessories, including a detachable tray or Kubbe attachments.
Pros:
- versatile use (meat mincing, sausages, spice grinding)
- high performance (up to 2 pounds of meat per minute)
- user-friendly design (one-button press)
- comes with 3 grinding plates, 3 sausage tubes & Kubbe attachments.
Cons:
- not dishwasher safe
- rather noisy (according to some users).
Panasonic MK-G20NR Meat Grinder
If you are looking for something meant to last, the Panasonic MK-G20NR Meat Grinder is your answer. Made exclusively from metal parts, this machine promises top performance for many years. It comes with a large metal hopper, allowing you to process even large amounts of meat. Any risk of overheating or burning is well taken care of. The built-in circuit breaker protects the motor from overloading.
Pros:
- heavy-duty design (all metal)
- suitable to process large volumes of meat
- built-in circuit breaker (for motor protection)
- sausage and Kubbe attachments included
- stainless-steel blade and plates.
Cons:
- only one year warranty
- high-end product
- not dishwasher safe.
Metal Food Grinder Attachments Compatible with All KitchenAid Stand Mixers
These Metal Food Grinder Attachments from ESSTENSILUS are worthy of attention. Compatible with All KitchenAid Stand Mixers, these durable accessories are a must. Process meat, prepare sausages with little effort and clean in no time. Easy to disassemble, all these pieces are reliable, made of premium aluminum alloy.
Pros:
- affordable set of attachments
- versatile use (meat grinding, sausage stuffing and more)
- made of premium aluminum alloy
- easy assembly and cleaning.
Cons:
- suitable only for compatible stand mixers
- full assembly of components necessary for meat mincing
- not dishwasher safe
- some components prone to rust (according to users).
Chefman Choice Cut Electric Meat Grinder
The promise of butcher-like quality comes from the Chefman Choice-Cut Electric Meat Grinder. With three stainless steel plates, this machine is a stylish grinding beast. Take full control over the final result while preparing burgers, sausages, or breadcrumbs. The powerful 700-Watt motor can grind up to 3. 5 pounds of beef, lamb, pork, and more, every minute.
Pros:
- heavy duty capacity
- versatile accessories
- dual safety switch
- stable and durable ( suction cups as feet for locking the unit into place)
- dishwasher safe components (at maximum 131°F).
Cons:
- only one year warranty
- metal components suitable only for hand wash
- hard to clean (according to some users).
Frifer 7 in 1 Kitchen Stand Mixer
Why buy several kitchen appliances when you can have one that does it all? The Frifer in 1 Kitchen Stand Mixer & Meat Grinder & Juice Blender is hard to ignore. With its versatility and appealing design, this machine meets all your cooking needs. Whisk, blend, make bread, milkshakes or sausages, everything is possible with it. The 500W copper motor and 6 gear speeds can be your ally for the best cooking results. It has a built-in sensor to prevent overheating. It all stays stable and safe during use thanks to the suction cups found on the base.
Pros:
- extra-versatile design (7-in-1 appliance)
- saving countertop space
- adjustable (6 gear) speed
- built-in sensor for overheating protection
- stable, sturdy design
- available in two colors (black and red).
Cons:
- suitable for small portions for mincing meat
Stainless Steel Food Grinder Accessories for KitchenAid Stand Mixers
Another great match for your KitchenAid Stand Mixer is this Stainless Steel Grinder from GVODE. All the accessories included in the package are safely made of food-grade materials. Get creative with this set and do more than just grinding meat. Grate cheese, make sausages or breadcrumbs, mix savory dips and spreads. Best part is some of the components are even dishwasher safe (except the grinding plates).
Pros:
- made of food-grade materials
- highly versatile
- dishwasher safe components
- easy to clean surface
- budget-friendly.
Cons:
- only functional with compatible stand mixer
- hand washing needed for the grinding plates
- grinding plates prone to rust (unless dry wiped after wash).
Electric Food Chopper
Save up plenty of space in your kitchen with the help of the homgeek Food Processor. Small-sized, but reaching up to 300 Watts, this food chopper can save your time and energy. Chop, blend, mix, mince a large variety of ingredients. Adjust the speed to get the results you want or use the pulse feature for the final touch. Safety comes first in design and the anti-slip rubber mat proves it. Plus, the lock feature ensures the blade is functioning only while you operate the button.
Pros:
- lightweight, compact design
- easy to assemble/disassemble
- dishwasher safe
- stainless steel blades for precision cutting
- safety (lock feature, thermal protection for the motor).
Cons:
- suitable only for small amounts of meat
- bottom blade part harder to clean.
YIYU Manual Meat Grinder Hand
The timeless, durable design of the YIYU Manual Meat Grinder will win you over. Silent, made of aluminum alloy, this kitchen tool comes with a tabletop clamp, for extra safety in use. Grain beans, meat, vegetables, at your own pace. Save plenty of countertop space with this easy-to-assemble device. Take full control of the meat mincing process, with no addition to the electricity bills.
Pros:
- silent functioning
- easy to use/assemble
- sturdy construction
- low countertop print
- budget-friendly.
Cons:
- meat grinding takes longer, depending on the speed of mincing or meat texture.
Maintenance Tips For Your Meat Grinder
Passed from generation to generation, a manual meat grinder needs very low maintenance. But when we talk about their electric counterparts, a bit more care is more than welcomed. This way, you know you get the best results and prolong the life of your appliance. So, how to take care of your meat grinder?
- Clean the components after each use.
Both for the protection of the pieces and your health, this is essential. Raw meat remains can create favorable conditions for bacteria to grow. Bacteria can easily reach your plate (and body) when you use the grinder the next time. Opt for a thorough water and soap routine after each meat mincing session.
- Dry metal parts after each wash.
Despite their stainless steel protection, some pieces may not react well to moisture. To avoid rust and deterioration, wipe dry all the components after each washing.
- Read the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The user manual includes all the advice you should apply to your meat grinder. Whether it is greasing some pieces or placing them in dry places, follow these steps as indicated. Also, make sure you do not try to grind something that is not on the list of allowed materials. You may damage your machine if you put bones or hard nuts in a plastic grinder, for example.
Summary
We hope you no longer feel like a complete beginner when it comes to meat grinders. Your doubts should be, by now, fully shredded, after reading this article. If you still feel unsure, here are some key elements to ponder on. Consider how much meat you actually think you would need to mince and how often. Measure the space you have available in your kitchen/cabinets. And, of course, decide how you want things done. It can be fast and easy (electric models) or you may be willing to put your shoulder to work (manual grinder). Take a second look at our top 10 best meat grinders and let us know in the comments which one is your favorite!
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