What is the best meat grinder for home use? The answer will be the same for everyone. We have a personalized pattern of meat consumption. Therefore, there will not be any single best option for it. Rather, for the users of a different category, the best option will be different. In this article, we will review the top meat grinders that you can use in the kitchen at your house. In the beginning, we will first describe the common attributes of a residential meat mincer. After that, we will extensively review our best picks. Finally, we will end up with some recommendations. What is the most important appliance in the kitchen? The answer is variable. We have our usage pattern that is different from others’ usage style. Therefore, we use different kinds of kitchen-appliances as per our personalized needs.
Best meat grinders for home and residential use
There is no single best meat grinder that is perfect for all. Therefore, I have tried to find out a list of good quality meat grinders that have their own differentiating attributes. Before going to a detailed review, let us find out the table of comparison among the models.
Comparison
| Models | STX Turboforce 3000 | Kitchen Basics | LEM Products 1158 | Sunmile SM-G73 | Kitchener 370 W | SuperHandy #8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension (inch) | 19 x 8 x 14 | 7.8 x 5.6 x 5.4 | Not Found | 20 x 11 x 8.9 | 17 x 14 x 10.5 | 19.7 x 9 x 16 |
| Size | #12 | N/A | #8 | #8 | #8 | #8 |
| Wattage | 800 W | N/A | 500 W | 600 W | 370 W | 370 W |
| Weight | 12 lbs | 1.9 lbs | 16.53 lbs | 12.45 lbs | 19.4 lbs | 39.6 Lbs |
| Output Speed | 240 lbs/H | Not Found | Not Found | 185 lbs/H | 240 lbs/H | 480 Lbs/H |
STX Turboforce Classic 3000
STX International is the most popular name in the meat grinder industry. Apart from the meat grinder, this company supplies a few other kitchen equipments. They have about five products in their meat grinder product line. Among these, Turboforce 3000 is the most appropriate one for home use. This model has been commended by a thousands of consumers.
Specification
- Dimension (inch)- 19 x 8 x 14
- Weight- 12 lbs
- Size- #12
- Speed- 240 lbs/H
- Motor Power- 800 W
Free Accessories
- Grinding blade- 3 pcs
- Grinding Plate- 4 pcs
- Sausage Stuffer- 3 pcs
- Meat pusher- 1 pc
- Kibbe attachment- 1 pc
- Meat shredder- 2 pcs
- Burger maker- 1 set
What we liked about TF 3000
- Big grinding head size- TF 3000 is a #12 meat grinder with a wider grinder head unlike most of the other meat grinders which are either #5 or number 8. A bigger size of meat grinder ensures convenience.
- A lot of accessories- STX provides a lot of free accessories with its meat grinders. You will receive burger patty maker, meat crawler, kibbeh attachment with TF 3000. That’s not the end, you will also receive an additional number of grinding plates and blades that other competing brands will not provide for free.
- Higher motor power- The running motor power of this unit is 800 W. Although it does not produce equivalent expected grinding speed, this 800 W is the highest power among similar other meat grinders.
- Bigger meat tray- The Turboforce 300 has a big meat tray of a dimension of 9.75″L x 7.25″W x 2.00″D that can hold a lot of meat.
- Better control- Apart from the reverse motion, the grinder has a ‘slow’ motion option that ensures better control during operation.
What we did not like about TF 3000
- Not dishwasher safe- Due to the use of aluminum for producing grinder head, STX-TF-3000 is not dishwasher friendly. You will have to clean and store properly after use. Otherwise, the formation of rust may damage the metal parts. Although this is a common problem for almost all lower to mid rage meat grinders.
- Not the best for bones- If you want to grind bones for your pet, you should look for another option.
Overall
This is the most popular home grade meat grinder. STX designs its meat grinders targeting the residential users. The look of the mincer is excellent. You will get a lot of accessories with it that no other brand will provide for free. The motor is powerful to withstand a heavy operation. Considering everything, STX TF 3000 can be the best popular choice for a home user.
You may read the article on the difference between LEM and STX meat grinders as the users tend to compare them often.
Kitchen Basics manual meat grinder
Among so many manual meat grinders available in the market, we have found Kitchen Basics 3 in 1 to be the best one for a lot of good reasons. Many people will not like a manual meat grinder because of slow operational speed and the necessity of hand cranking. But still, a manual one has its value proposition and therefore, a specific group of people chooses this kind of meat grinder.
Specification
- Dimension- 7.8 x 5.6 x 5.4
- Weight- 1.9 lbs
- Speed- Not found
- Motor Power- N/A
Free Accessories
- Grinding blade- 1 pc
- Grinding Plate- 1pc
- Sausage Stuffer- 3 funnels
- Meat pusher- N/A
What we liked about Kitchen Basics
- Suction cup for stability- To stabilize the unit with your countertop or table, there is a powerful suction cup at the bottom of the grinder. It holds the machine firmly during operation.
- Pasta Making- You can make pasta with this unit. Instead of meat pieces, you need to insert dough and the machine will turn it into pasta.
- Dishwasher safe- This is a plastic made meat grinder. Therefore, you can wash it by the dishwasher.
- Lightweight- The weight of this unit is about 2 pounds only where an electric meat grinder will weigh around 7-8 pounds.
- Inexpensive- This manual meat grinder will cost you only about half of an electric meat grinder.
What we did not like about Kitchen Basics
- Slow operational speed- The speed of this machine is not that much. This is only suitable for occasional meat grinding. Not for regular and heavy use.
- Not sturdy enough– The body and many of the important accessories of this unit is made of plastic. Therefore, this unit is only suitable for light use.
Overall
A light user who grinds the meat occasionally may like a manual meat grinder. A frequent user who needs to prepare baby food with the meat may also need a manual grinder rather than having a big complicated electric one. Considering all other manual meat grinder brands, we think Kitchen Basics Manual Meat Grinder to be the best option for home users.
LEM Products 1158 Mighty Bite
Mighty Bite is LEM Product’s residential series meat grinder. Although LEM’s Big Bite is also a hit series among the consumers, after comparing these two, we found Mighty Bite to be better for residential use. Below are the detailed specification and features of this number 8 Mighty Bite meat grinder.
Specification
- Dimension- Not found
- Weight- 16.53 lbs
- Size- number 8
- Speed- Not found
- Motor Power- 500 W
Free Accessories
- Grinding blade- 1 pc
- Grinding Plate- 3 pcs
- Sausage Stuffer- 3 pcs
- Meat pusher- 1 pc
What we liked about LEM Mighty Bite
- Motor quality- The motor of 500 W is permanently lubricated. It means you will enjoy a smooth operation. This quality of the motor will ensure less friction Therefore, the machine will generate less heat and you will be able to operate it continuously for a longer period.
- Three different speed- You can operate this machine in full speed, slower mode and reverse mode. Therefore, this function will ensure a lot of conveniences. For example, if you need to grind some soft bone, you might need to slow down the speed of the machine.
- Large meat pan- The meat hopper of LEM Mighty Bite number 8 is large enough to hold 3 pounds of meat at a time. The 9.9×7.5×2 inch meat pan is deep. Therefore, you can put a larger chunk of meat on it.
- Metal gear- This unit consists of precisely made metallic gear.
- Smooth operation- As per the review of the users and due to the fact of having lubricated motor and metallic gear, this unit will provide smooth operation.
What we did not like about LEM Mighty Bite
- Additional attachment- It does not support attachment such as tenderizer or jerky slicer.
- Aluminum made body and head. Therefore, this unit is not dishwasher safe like other LEM’s meat grinders.
Overall
LEM produces good quality meat grinders for heavy use. This Mighty Bite number 8 meat grinder is good for home use specializing in bone grinding because of its sturdiness. Although this is not stainless steel made, unlikely for a LEM meat grinder, you can get the Big Bite series number 8 if you have some more budget.
Sunmile SM-G73 Meat Grinder
Sunmile is the master of budget meat grinders. Out of about five different meat grinders of this company, almost all are of lower prices. After researching all the models, I have found SM-G73 to be the best for home use in the low price category. Below is the detail of the product.
Specification
- Dimension (inch) – 20 x 11 x 8.9
- Weight- 12.45 lbs
- Size- number 8
- Speed- 185 lbs/H
- Motor Power- 600 W
Free Accessories
- Grinding blade- 1 pc
- Grinding Plate- 3 pcs
- Sausage Stuffer- 3 pcs
- Meat pusher – 1 pc
What we liked about SM-G73
- Inexpensive- The price of this unit is below 100, but the value it generates is equivalent to meat grinders that are priced much higher than this.
- Powerful motor- Even though a budget meat grinder, the 600 W motor of this unit is powerful. Some pricy meat grinders do not come with that much heavy motor.
- Stainless steel cutting blades and plate- Surprisingly, the important small metallic accessories, such as cutting blades and plate of this unit is made of stainless steel. I was surprised because even an expensive meat grinder does not always provide S/S accessories.
- The reverse motion included- This is an important aspect of a budget meat grinder. Meat clogging during operation is common for low priced grinders. Along with reverse, SM-G73 has on/off and reset function.
- Lightweight and compact- This machine weighs less. Assembling and disassembling process is easy. Hence, easy to clean.
What we did not like about SM-G73
- Plastic gear- To cut the cost, the manufacturer has made the gear with plastic. Therefore, do not expect as smooth operation as does a grinder with metal gear.
- Scarce replacement parts- The small parts are not readily available everywhere.
Overall
Sunmile SM-G73 is the best meat grinder for home considering the price. Even though it is inexpensive, it can perform daily residential kitchen grinding. Although not a heavy-duty machine, but the value it serves for the money probably the best among all other grinders we have reviewed.
Read our article if you are interested to know about the best budget meat grinders for home use.
Kitchener Elite Meat Grinder
Kitchener is renowned for the mid to higher range of meat grinders. They have quite a few options to offer to the home users. Among all the models, we have found Kitchener 370 W meat grinder to be the best for moderate home use.
Specification
- Dimension (inch)- 17 x 14 x 10.5
- Weight – 19.4 lbs
- Size – number 8
- Speed – 240 lbs/H
- Motor Power – 370 W
Free Accessories
- Grinding blade – 1 pc
- Grinding Plate – 3 pcs
- Sausage Stuffer- 4 pcs
- Meat pusher – 1 pc
What we liked about Kitchener Elite
- Grinding speed- This machine can grind at a speed of 240 lbs/ hour which is more than sufficient for a residential kitchen.
- Sausage stuffing mode- Along with the reverse motor speed, this meat grinder has a special motor speed that is designed for sausage stuffing. Sausage lovers may love this option.
- Metal gear- For a moderately priced meat grinder like this one, metal gear is certainly a bonus option.
- Air cooling system- The 370 W motor of this unit is integrated with an air cooling system. Therefore, you should expect higher longevity.
- Stainless steel grinder head- The grinder head and extruder, along with cutting blades and plates are made of stainless steel. Therefore, this grinder has higher anti-rust property.
What we did not like about Kitchener Elite
- Not for Heavy-duty- This grinder is good option for a residential kitchen but this is not a heavy-duty grinder for commercial kitchen.
- Motor power- I would love to see a motor with higher power than a 370 W one. Although it is sufficient for a home user, a higher power may make this one suitable for heavy-duty operation.
Overall
Kitchener Elite 370 W number 8 will be the best choice for regular and moderate home use. Although it can perform occasional heavy use but perfect for a small family that needs to grind meat once or twice a week. The motor is not that strong but can give a smooth operation.
SuperHandy Meat Grinder
SuperHandy is a reputed name for producing power equipment. This number 8 commercial-grade meat grinder is one of the perfect options for heavy residential options.
Specification
- Dimension (inch)- 19.7 x 9 x 16
- Weight – 39.6 Lbs
- Size- number 8
- Speed – 480 Lbs/H
- Motor Power- 370 W
Free Accessories
- Grinding blade – 1 pc
- Grinding Plate – 2 pcs
- Sausage Stuffer- 4 pcs
- Meat pusher – 1 pc
What we liked about SuperHandy
- Stainless steel body and parts- Body, gear and metallic parts of this unit are made of stainless steel which has made it durable and resistant to corrosion.
- A heavy-duty performance-This meat grinder is good for a heavy-duty operation that includes frequent and continuous meat grinding.
- High-speed operation- It can give output at a speed of 480 lbs/ hour which is good for even medium commercial kitchen.
- Circuit breaker integrated- To make sure the safety of the motor from overload damage, there is a circuit breaker that cuts the connection in any adverse situation.
- Bone grinding- As a heavy-duty grinder, it can perform bone grinding very well. Therefore, you can prepare dog-food and organic bone fertilizer with this machine.
What we did not like about SuperHandy
- Expensive- Because it is a commercial-grade meat grinder, this unit is expensive.
- Bulky and heavy- Because of using stainless steel as a built material, the weight of this unit is almost 40 lbs which is more than double compared to others.
Overall
If you are in a large family, needs to grind meat too often or convenience is your priority over price, then SuperHandy #8 will be the best choice for your kitchen. The stainless-steel body and parts of the grinder will ensure longevity and convenience while you wash it. The speed of operation is super-fast that is so important for grinding a large amount of meat.
Read our article if you are interested to know about the top meat grinders for heavy use.
Features of a home-use meat grinder
Motor capacity – A home-grade meat grinder does not usually have a very high motor capacity. But the motor power of a good quality residential meat grinder must be around 350 to 500 watts. Sometimes I have seen there is a confusion about the watt rating. You might see two types of motor power rating- maximum power at load and working power. I suggest to ignore the maximum power rating and consider only the working power to compare among different brands.
Material used – Generally, a meat mincer for a home kitchen is made of aluminum alloy. But the important small parts such as grinding plates and blades are made of stainless steel. The body of some inexpensive machines might be made of plastic. On the other hand, producers of commercial-grade meat grinders use stainless steel to produce high-end meat grinders.
Accessories – In general, you will get a lot of accessories and parts with a home grade meat grinder. For example, sausage stuffer of multiple sizes is a common item. Besides, kibbeh maker and patty maker are not very common but can also be available for free with some of the models.
Cost – A basic home grade meat grinder will cost you not more than 100 bucks. A mid-range meat grinder may have a price tag between 150 to 200 bucks. That’s it for a regular home meat grinder. But for a heavy user, there is no limit. A commercial-grade meat grinder that is also suitable for a residential kitchen can have a price ranging from $300 to $600 or more.
Speed – The grinding speed of a meat grinder designed for home use may range between 150 lbs/ hour to 250 lbs/ hour. But if you need more speed, then you may spend some extra to get a commercial-grade meat grinder that can also be used for your kitchen.
Buying Guide – What to consider during purchasing the best meat grinder for home use?
Know your need – You need to know your pattern of usage of the home-use meat grinder that you intend to get. Because, in general, there might be a lot of good quality home grade meat grinders out there. But within the category, we can subdivide these into different subcategories for different kinds of home users. For example, a home user who infrequently grinds meat in a small quantity might be happy with a manual meat grinder. A good quality manual meat grinder may also be sufficient for a mother who wants a meat grinder for preparing baby food. But what about the person who lives in a big family and needs to grind a lot of meat now and then? For these kinds of users, a heavy meat grinder preferably with a stainless-steel body and parts will be suitable. Therefore, as I always suggest to my readers- ‘know why you need it first’.
Quality of the alloy used – The manufacturers of the meat grinders usually use three kinds of substances to produce these- a) stainless steel – usually for sensitive parts such as grinding plates and blades, b) plastic – for the body of the grinder and the additional accessories, and c) aluminum alloy- for the grinding heads and meat pan. Stainless steel is the most expensive alloy but it has a strong property to resist corrosion. Therefore, a high-end meat grinder is usually fully made of this alloy. Due to its resistive nature to corrosion, you can wash a meat grinder that is made of S/S with a dishwasher. Otherwise, if you like to save some money, you can choose aluminum or plastic made meat grinder. But in that case, you will have to be very careful when washing and cleaning.
Accessories – Interestingly, the number of free accessories you get with your home-use meat grinder is not equivalent to the amount of money you spend. Therefore, you need to check what you are getting free with it. For example, STX is not the most expensive meat grinder but it will provide you the greatest number of free accessories with it – multiple sausage stuffer, kibbeh maker, patty maker, multiple blades and plates and so on. From my experience of reviewing quite some meat grinders, I have found that even some most expensive grinders do not come with bare minimum accessories. Another important aspect of accessories is the availability in the market. If you prefer a budget home grade meat grinder but the spare parts are not readily available in the market, you may suffer when you need a repair. Read our article to know how to sharpen the grinding blades.
Operational speed – Speed of processing is not that important for a residential meat grinder unless you need to grind a lot of meat regularly. A maximum grinding speed of about 150 lbs per hour will suffice for a moderate home user. But for a user who lives in a big family, it might need about 250 lbs/ hour or more. Therefore, you need to know the speed before you make your decision. A user living in a small family may ignore this attribute.
Price – Can you clean and wash your home-use meat grinder carefully and store it in the right manner? If yes then you can save a lot of money. Usually, a stainless steel made meat grinder costs almost twice as much as aluminum-made meat grinder having the same facility. But if you like to be a little casual, then I must suggest you not go for a meat grinder with an aluminum body.
Motor quality – The motor of a meat grinder has few important aspects- electric power, lubrication, air cooling feature and so on. For sturdy operation, higher motor power is recommended. If you need a continuous operation for a longer period, then lubrication and air-cooling features are important. These feature helps lower the friction. Hence, it generates less heat and increases longevity.
Commonly asked questions by the users of home grade meat grinder (FAQ)
Can I make bone-meal with a meat mincer below 100?
You can try soft meat but I strongly suggest not to grind bones with a budget meat grinder. You may spend a bit more. A commercial-grade meat grinder is perfect for bone grinding, but there are some high-end home grade meat grinders as well which can perform bone grinding.
What is the suggested motor power for the best home grade meat grinder?
To perform regular home grinding, a meat grinder should have a motor power of about 350 watts. However, the rule of thumb is, more the power is the better. Therefore, if all your requirements are fulfilled, go for a meat grinder with a higher power.
How much grinding speed should I need for the grinder of my house?
For home use, 150 lbs per hour maximum speed will be more than enough. However, the speed you get is dependent on a few factors, such as the composition of the meat, physical condition of the meat, size of the pieces and so on. You can try heavy-duty grinders for higher speed. You can get as much as 600 to 700 lbs/ hour speed with a commercial-grade meat grinder that is priced moderately.
How can I properly store my meat grinder?
Remember that a home grade meat grinder is usually made of aluminum. Therefore, these are not resistant to corrosion. If you do not dry up before storing, the metal can get rusted. When you store a kitchen appliance even in a dried condition, moisture from the air can precipitate on it and accumulate as rust. Disassemble the meat grinder during storing and put some desiccants to keep the parts dry.
Can I wash my meat grinder with a dishwasher?
To become dishwasher safe, a meat grinder needs to be made of high-quality stainless steel which is very expensive. Therefore, the majority of the home grade meat grinders are made of either aluminum alloy or coated with S/S. In both of the cases, using a dishwasher will damage the surface of the grinder. Therefore, I suggest using mild liquid soap with lukewarm water when washing a meat grinder made for home.
Is a meat grinder for home-use suitable for processing deer meat/venison?
Deer meat is no different concerning grinding. Therefore, a meat grinder that can grind beef or chicken, can handle venison as well. However, a hunter who needs to grind a lot of meat at a time may require a heavy-duty meat grinder. In that case, I suggest getting a commercial-grade meat grinder.
Is there any maximum limit of using a meat grinder at continuous operation?
Yes of course. An electric meat grinder is run by a mechanical motor. Therefore, a motor can not run continuously under load. However, the limit varies for different brands. To be on the safe side, you should not grind continuously for more than 10 minutes. If you put extra load on the motor, it will generate excessive heat and the motor may get permanently damaged. If you want to be a little casual, check whether your grinder has a circuit breaker which can save the grinder from this kind of damage.
Is manual meat grinder any better than an electric meat grinder for home use?
A manual meat grinder is only suitable for infrequent users. It is better for a person who prepares baby food. Other than that, I must recommend an electric meat grinder for regular home use, although the prices of these two types are not equivalent.
Final words
I hope now you can choose the best meat grinder for home use from our comprehensive discussion. For whatsoever reason you use these at home- making ground beef or process your game, all of them are quite capable of doing the job. Read our buying guide and FAQ for better understanding before making the decision. If you find this article helpful, please share it with your friends and family. Do not forget to share any of your experiences regarding kitchen appliances through the comment section. Have a good day!