Meat Grinder Recomendation

[MN RACK ATTACK]

Planning on purchasing a new electric meat grinder and am looking for some recommendations.
Will be grinding up venison and pork to make about 50# of sausage a year and then occasionally do some small amount grindings.
So what do you look for? Wattages? HP ratings? #5 - #8 - #12? Particular brand? Price, cuz I'm kind of cheap.
A buddy of mine has a Turboforce that he bought online and loves it but I'm not sure. Any suggestions would be helpful.

[Bobberineyes]

I'm kinda cheap too, this one was on sale for 100 bucks. It's grinded everything I've run through it just fine. I didn't need the stuffing kit it came with though.

[mike89]

I'm kinda cheap too, this one was on sale for 100 bucks. It's grinded everything I've run through it just fine. I didn't need the stuffing kit it came with though.

2nd this

[dew2]

 I tried many!! I have 3 hand grinders and 3 elect and 1 kitchenaid attachment.Last one I bought 3-4 years ago was the turboForce stx3000 it has a blade for each plate Thats important!! for seating to each plate and even after years sliver skin dont clog it,1800 watt machine.I grind around 80-120 lbs a year in 20-25 lb batches then venison if I hunt.
 I am very happy with this machine check it out>>Make sure you get the fan air cooled one!! I exchaned the first one for the air cooled cause it popped its breaker to much!! air cooled fan one never popped

https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=Turboforce+3000&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS699US716&q=stx+turboforce+3000+series+reviews+&gs_l=hp..2.0j0i22i30l4.0.0.0.21125...........0.uKD3-31VhDM&gws_rd=ssl

[glenn57]

hey stranger............welcome back!!!!!!!!!

[Gunner55]

Or maybe it's Stranger Than Most Was he gone?

[Reinhard]

I have  larger grinder that I have used for a few years but you would not need one that big.  Something around $200 bucks or a little less would do.  If you are going to make sausage you are going to need a stuffer also.  You can get a vertical stuffer [5 pound] for around $100.  Kitchner makes one like that.  Not a good idea to stuff from the grinder even though they give you stuffing tubes for it.  good luck.

[dew2]

I have  larger grinder that I have used for a few years but you would not need one that big.  Something around $200 bucks or a little less would do.  If you are going to make sausage you are going to need a stuffer also.  You can get a vertical stuffer [5 pound] for around $100.  Kitchner makes one like that.  Not a good idea to stuff from the grinder even though they give you stuffing tubes for it.  good luck.

RH why not stuff from a grinder?? Mine works fine fer stuffin

[ThunderLund78]

I have a 1/2 hp grinder.  I think it's a Chard - but it seems like the exact same grinder they slap they Lem label on and very similar to other "private" labels.  I do about 50 lbs per year like you're going to - maybe even a little more, actually, and this unit does just fine.  Just ensure the mechanics are good quality - look for metal gears, not plastic.

I would agree with RH - if you can swing it, buy a 5 lb vertical stuffer.  Yes, you can stuff from a grinder, but having tried it both ways - I'll never stuff from a grinder again.

[Reinhard]

Dew, If you have two people, one stuffing the mix down the grinder and one handling the casing with the flow it would be ok but in my opinion it's not a one man deal.  Plus it tends to emulsify the meat because it doesn't let the mix flow without hindering the original texture.   During my work experience I have never seen it done and that is the way I have done it and it's worked well for me.  None of my sausage bud's stuff from the grinder as well.  But if it works for you then that's great. A good 5 pound vertical stuffer makes a world of difference.  good luck.

[Bobberineyes]

Stuffing from a grinder all the mix needs to be pretty even, and that's almost impossible.

[KEN W]

The problem I have had with a grinder attachment is that it is probably Ok using 1 meat.If you grind  2 seperately .....say venison and pork. Then season and try to run it through again into casings......Reinhard is right it emulsifies it. Plus with the casing tube on......it is like trying to stuff a balloon. A real pain. You will only try it once.As the guys said above......get a stuffer.

I recently bought this one. One made by LEM for Gander Mountain. But less expensive than the comparable LEM.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Gander-Mountain-12-Heavy-Duty-Electric-Meat-Grinder&i=840649