OT- Opinions on meat grinders

[Andrew]

I have been wondering lately about getting a meat grinder for my kitchen and found out, once I started looking, that I have no idea what the good ones are supposed to be. Is there any references on the web or do any of you have any hands on experiences with certain brands? I couldn't really find much on the web other than a bunch of them for sale; no info.

I am looking for a manual crank model that will last a long time and work really well too. I don't want one that will have to be replaced every few years cause it's cheaper to get a new one then replace parts. I would like one that maybe costs a bit more but the quality is there. Yeah, that's it.

Any suggestions/opinions?

Thanks in advance.

[Tycer]

Hand crank: Enterprise #22, Enterprise #10 or 12.

This would be perfect. It has both grates and a decent looking blade. Blades are still available.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HUGE-NO-22-ENTERPRI ... 500wt_1176

Here's what you need to read:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forums ... 149&page=2

[SFRanger7GP]

I've used a lot of different meat grinders. The best one I have used is my wife's Kitchen Aid stand mixer appliance with the meat grinder attachment. If you don't already have a Kitchen Aid, your wife will love it also.

http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/page/home

[Tycer]

I've done a hundred pounds or more on my Kitchenaid grinder. Love it. The grain grinder rocks too. Loud as a banshee, but it rocks.

[Andrew]

Neat-O-Frito Tycer, I think I have one of those in the garage at Dad's. I remember looking at it about a month ago when I first got the idea I might want one and decided it was a bit rusty and didn't want to mess with it. It had the collar, three plates and auger with the wingnut on the back. I didn't know what it was. I will double check to see if it is the same brand or not. Who knows, I may get lucky.

[Tycer]

Heck yeah, clean it up and grind some meat. Make sure the plates are flat and the blade mates them well.

Brand is really not that important on the oldies.

I use a late 1800s/early 1900s Universal grinder for my coffee every day and still use my Corona grain mill to grind flax seed.