Electric Meat Grinder Sausage Maker Advice

[yukonjasper]

With deer season coming to a close and a lot of meat to process, any recommendations on a good heavy duty Meat Grinder/Sausage Stuffer? Any experience with some models Good or Bad? I'm doing the internet research and not finding a difinitive source for recommendations. It will be used primarily for Venison after deer season. We typically have at least 10 deer a season to process - Probably in the 150 - 200 LBS of meat. Hamburger and sausage for anthing that isn't a loin, backstrap or recognizable steak or roast.

Is a $1200 machine worth it? Seems like the $130 one won't be sturdy enough.

We are looking for a good medium priced unit - under $400.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts, experience and insights.

[Holland&Holland]

While I have long drooled over such lofty machines, I have processed many deer with an inexpensive 1/2 horse unit. I forget what I paid but it was well under $100. Before that I processed several deer using my wifes KitchenAid mixer with the $20 meat grinder attachement. Maybe someday I will upgrade, until then, I use what I have and spend my money on ammo...

[gyrfalcon]

Buy a GOOD grinder, and find a motor / gear drive to power it... mount it all on a board and you're good to go for hundreds of pounds of meat. You'll also save yourself quite a few dollars.

[45Badger]

I have a Cabela's .5 horsepower grinder. It is awesome, and more than enough (really overkill) for any home user. It will blow through 200 pounds in less than 30 minutes.

[Pezhead]

Cabela's has a selection. I used to have a catolog with game processing equipment in it. I just can't remember the name. It was one of those postcards you get in a pack & I sent away for the free catalog.

[Vlad]

Our party invested in one of these http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200449763_200449763, made a stand and mounted a 2 horse motor we had laying around and we can push meat through faster than you can feed it. We use it striclty for grinding. it is too big to stuff bags or casings with. One of the the guys has an cast iron sausage stuffer that we use for bagging the ground.

[Pinnacle]

Whatever you buy remember - THEY CAN ALL COOK THE MEAT WHEN OVERHEATED

Add a small bit of ice to the meat when grinding. The small bit of additional water will not hurt anything and the results will be better.

[bucktail]

I've put 2 deer, 2 antelope, and an elk through the 89.99 on sale Northern tool 1000 watt model. Works well. Too early to tell on longevity.

[gyrfalcon]

Whatever you buy remember - THEY CAN ALL COOK THE MEAT WHEN OVERHEATED
Add a small bit of ice to the meat when grinding. The small bit of additional water will not hurt anything and the results will be better.

I'm not sure about your grinding experiences, but all of the meat I've ground up has been pretty damn cold before and after it went through the grinder. Generally my fingers are numb which can cause other issues if you're not careful with knives etc.

[yukonjasper]

Looks like the consensus with the hunting partners is to go with a Cabelas machine. I've been told to look at and purchase the 1/2 or 3/4 HP unit - whichever seems to be adequate. I'll be picking up the 3/4hp unit this weekend. We have 13 deer to process - not sure the weight of the meat that wil be going through. Any experience with either of the specific models? I like the 5 year warranty they carry and reviews on the Interweb (which we all agree is a serious place) seem to say Cabelas are well built machines.

Thanks for the thoughts and opinions.

[Heffay]

I have the #12 Commercial grinder from Cabelas (rated for about 10# per minute). The tray will easily hold over 5# of meat at a time, and since you'll want to partially freeze it first prior to grinding, it seems about right. Your typical half-sheet pan will hold that much meat, so you load up a tray, freeze for 15-20 min, grind. If you have multiple trays, you can keep a pretty good rotation going. At some point you're limiting factor will be mixing or stuffing anyway, depending on what kind of labor you have available.

Again, the best place to find them is in the Bargain cave, since you'll be able to pick one up for a fraction of the price of a new one. Of course, if there aren't any on the shelves, you're out of luck, but it's definitely worth the visit. Plus, you'll end up at Cabelas, and I fail to see one negative part of that whole concept.

Other things you're going to want:

Stuffing machine. At least 5# stuffer. LEM makes a good one, but 5# seems a bit small these days.
Mixer. With the Commercial grinders, you can get a mixer that attaches to the grinder so you don't have to turn a crank. Physical labor is for suckers.
Food Saver. Essential.
Bradley Smoker. Not required, but it does open up a lot of options. If you have a full-on smoke house, that's even better. If you don't, build one.

[Holland&Holland]

Some nice grinder deals in that Cabela's black friday add that was posted.

[Heffay]

Some nice grinder deals in that Cabela's black friday add that was posted.

Hmm... I see some Bargain Cave deals going on, but not sure if it's their black friday ad.

http://www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?categoryId=106994880

Is that what you were referring to? Or some other sale?

[Holland&Holland]

Some nice grinder deals in that Cabela's black friday add that was posted.

Hmm... I see some Bargain Cave deals going on, but not sure if it's their black friday ad.

http://www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?categoryId=106994880

Is that what you were referring to? Or some other sale?

No, someone posted a link here yesterday or maybe tuesday to the cabela's black friday flyer that will be out. Deals on grinders and a stuffer.

[yukonjasper]

I saw the Black Friday Ad but there appeared to be a tear right at the spot that held the prices for the units and beside that, my eyesight is not good enough to see the print. If you can decipher it, please let me know what the 3/4 HP model will be selling for. They regularly list for $399 and appear to be on sale now for $349. I'm headed up there this Saturday and delivering the grinder to the crew when I go home for Thanksgiving, so I'm hoping the Black Friday discount isn't substantial enough to make me regret buying it early.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Home-Cabin/Food-Processing/Food-Grinders|/pc/104798880/c/104723280/sc/104364180/Cabelas-Commercial-Grade-Electric-Grinders/744936.uts?destination=/catalog/browse/home-cabin-food-processing-food-grinders/_/N-1101293