Meat Grinders

Although the name implies grinders  are only for meat, there are a variety of other uses that will make you wonder how you ever lived without one. If you have a stand mixer, many have a meat grinder attachment  that you can add. You might also be able to use your food processor for some grinding tasks.

Recommended Grinders

It's difficult to find reviews of meat grinders -- most people today seem to prefer multi-function appliances like food processors. Based on the limited number of reviews on Amazon.com,  the Waring Pro MG-800  and the VillaWare V5265-05  seem to be favorites. The Waring received an average of 4 stars from 8 reviewers; the VillaWare averaged 3.5 stars from 15 reviewers. Epinions has very few reviews, none of which are for these models. Since the most reviewed model on Epinions only received four reviews, those results are not included here.

Why Not Buy Pre-Ground Meat?

It is cheaper and healthier to make your own sausage, spreads, and pates, since you are in complete control of what goes into them. You also know exactly what else has been through the grinder, how clean it is, and how long it has been sitting since it was ground. You can also customize your food. If you can't find the ground sirloin you want, make your own! Got 60 pounds of elk in the freezer? Time for a sausage-making weekend.

What Can You Grind?

Fine Grind Setting

• Spreads
• Pates
• Baby food
• Ground meats for hamburgers and sausages.

Coarse Grind Setting

• Beef for chili
• Nuts
• Vegetables
• Bread crumbs

Related Products
Food Processors	Sausage Stuffers	Blenders	Kitchen Mixers	Juicers

External Links

• SausageMania -- recipes for several kinds of pork sausage and a step-by-step illustrated guide to making sausage.
• Cook's Illustrated (subscription required) -- no reviews, but some tips on cleaning a meat grinder.
• BARF World -- Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (aka Bones and Raw Food) -- a diet for pets based on what wild animals would eat. Definitely worth a look. Many foods require a meat grinder.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
NL: Vleesmolens Shopgids