LEM 25% Sale: Meat Grinder Question

[Chuck R.]

I've been using a Cabela's standard meat grinder for a couple seasons. It's done OK, but labors at time to the point it's painful to listen to.

Just got an Email from LEM that they're having a 25% of sale till tomorrow and I'm thinking now is the time to upgrade. I'm looking at this model with .5HP:

https://www.lemproducts.com/product/big-bite-grinder-8-head-size/butcher-meat-grinders

What do you guys that process your own think?

 

[Duster340]

I'm still using an old kitchen-aid with grider attachments. Effective for small scale grinding, but sloooow if doing multiple deer. That unit looks pretty stout. Got me thinking about getting a real grinder lol.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Seems like a good deal at 25% off. If you are going to use it a lot I would go for it.

I'm running a Cabela's one, which was a gift, for now. May last years or may not make it through tomorrow as it is a bit low end with a fair amount of plastic in it.

 

[CopperClad]

Really like the 10 lb sausage stuffer we got from them a few years ago. Foot operated electric jobbie leaves both hands free. Made in USA is a plus

 

[Chuck R.]

Seems like a good deal at 25% off. If you are going to use it a lot I would go for it.

I'm running a Cabela's one, which was a gift, for now. May last years or may not make it through tomorrow as it is a bit low end with a fair amount of plastic in it.

It's probably the one I have, need hearing protection to operate and always sounds like the next chunks of meat will be it's last... but it has held in there!

The little Cabela's does Ok for my personal use. Biggest reason for looking at an upgrade is last year we started "sausage fest" (nope, not what some of you are thinking!). We pooled resources and made a chit load of sausage one day. The poor little "grinder that could" almost couldn't. Last year I shot a couple hogs and we made a bunch of brats, then we did a deer I shot making German Landjager dry sausage. That Landjager was enough incentive to upgrade!

https://smokedmeats.com/16-oz-landjager-sausages/

Each of us has invested in something to bring to the table (literally) to make this easier. Last year I added a 20lb meat mixer, this year I figure I'll throw in a larger grinder. One of the guys bought one heck of a sausage stuffer, the other takes care of the ingredients and casings. This year I've had to travel for work a couple times, so I figure with the extra cash..why not?

 

[Armored farmer]

The folks at LEM know their meats....!

Go for it!

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Sounds like you need to upgrade. I vote YES..

 

[earlthegoat2]

I grind around 4 deer per year plus about 50 lbs of beef.

I would get the 3/4 hp because it’s only $50 more at regular price and IMO, well worth it.

That said, I have the 1 hp.

I have used the .5 hp before and I will say that it is up to the task but I like something like that to be a bit overkill for my needs so that is why I size up a notch or two.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

OP,
Given your use case, I would replace it as you don't want to be a disappointment at the next sausage fest with a broken tool. Earl has a good point about going to 3/4hp for a few $$ more and then, it should last a long time.

Plus, if you have TDY $$ it only makes more sense . We're an enabling crowd here ya know...........

 

[archeryrob]

I went with the 3/4hp as I also got the 25# mixer and the extra hp is for the mixer. I get great proteins extraction for hot dogs, bologna, sausages, snack sticks and venison bacon.

 

[nick22]

Another vote for at least the 3/4 HP unit I bought the 1hp Cabelas grinder mayber 15 years ago and It doesn't show any signs of being overworked I have no idea how many deer it's ground up but I know for sure it's ground up 2 elk and 4 caribou maybe 6 hogs tough guess on the deer maybe 35 to 40. A larger unit won't work as hard, cry once.

 

[Chuck R.]

Well, it arrived yesterday..3/4HP.

Like the rest of the LEM stuff it appears well made. I'm tempted to shoot a doe this weekend just to try it out (KS early antlerless).

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

^^^^
Sounds like a good reason to me.

 

[Thomasss]

Most of my grinding goes into summer sausage, slim jims, etc. so I turn the cuts over the summer sausage people and they grind most of it up for me which is included in the price. You grinders are becoming a lost art.