Are you a meat-lover? If yes, the best meat grinder is a must-have item in your kitchen. This gadget will help you prepare tasty and mouth-watering sausages and grilled meat without worrying about the freshness of the meat like the prepacked one in the supermarket.
Besides electric versions, manual meat grinders are also popular and have become a favorite appliance to many users thanks to their versatility and grinding capacity.
This kind of grinder can indeed save your kitchen space and electricity and allow users to prepare actual "handmade" meat-based dishes.
Therefore, to give you a closer look at manual meat grinders and help you make the right decision, we would like to suggest the list of the best manual meat grinders in the current market.
What Are Manual Meat Grinder?
A manual meat grinder is a simple, hand-crank machine to grind meat. It's also referred to as meat mincer. It usually replaces tools like mincing knives used to prepare ground meat. This kitchen appliance is commonly used for delicate grinding raw or cooked meat, vegetables, fish or similar food. The food to be ground is usually placed into a funnel on top of the grinder. From there, the material then enters a horizontal screw conveyor; and since it's a manual model, the screw conveyor is hand-cranked.
Next, the screw squashes and mixes the food. Then the food is passed through a fit grinding plate, which exits the machine. The fineness of the ground food depends on the size of the holes in the grinder plate. With your meat grinder, you will enjoy more benefits besides saving some bucks every time you prepare ground food. Now that we understand what manual meat grinders are, let's check out the best options on the market. Keep reading!
When Should You Rely on Manual Meat Grinders
Grinders come in two types; manual grinders and electric grinders. Each type usually boasts various benefits and setbacks. Hence you might find it overwhelming to choose between the two. Though everything usually comes down to personal preference, there are cases where purchasing manual meat grinders are more beneficial.
1. When working on a tight budget
Pricing is one of the key reasons most customers buy a hand grinder. A manual grinder is far less expensive to manufacture and buy than electric grinder models. Therefore if you're on a tight budget, it's an excellent option for you. Besides, since hand grinders don't involve energy usage, you will cut electricity expenses.
2. When working space & storage matters
Manual meat grinders are more compact than their counterparts due to the electrical elements and engines' absence in hand meat grinding units. The units' measurements are always about one foot tall and a couple of pounds. Therefore they won't take up a bigger room in the kitchen as electric grinders. Hence, a manual variant is for you if you run out of kitchen space to store a big machine.
3. When looking for mobility
Due to the compact design of these grinders, however, most significantly, since their elements are not electrical, you could carry them and use them everywhere. Besides, it does not matter whether the place you take your machine has power supplies or not since the machine doesn't need it.
The Difference Between Manual Meat Grinders and Electric Meat Grinders
As mentioned, the hand grinder is a simple, hand-crank machine to grind meat.
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Disadvantages
The electric meat grinder is a grinder that requires power to grind, thus providing a lot of conveniences.
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Top 12 Best Manual Meat Grinder Reviews In 2021
1. LHS Manual Meat Grinder with Stainless Steel Blades
- Easy to Use: Simply place the pieces of meat into the grinder and turn the hand crank.No electricity needed.It is a good helper to make...
- Good Quality: Heavy duty plastic body and stainless steel blades ensure durability. Powerful and fast to grinding all meat. Blades, sausage...
- Unique Design: Powerful suction base ensure to keep this meat grinder in place while you are using it. A great improvement on its...
- Safe for Kitchen: Blades are fully enclosed so it is extremely safe to use.Ergonomic handle design and stable body with non-slip bottom...
- Some Suggestions: Please choose a no water and smooth counter and place the meat grinder on the edge of it,then press it to expel the air...
If you are looking for something simple, you can count on LHS Manual Meat Grinder. You can place the meat into the top container and ground it quickly. It only requires a hand crank to operate, hence no electricity. The grinder features a robust suction base that requires placing on a dry table, which usually keeps the grinder stable and steady to facilitate the powerful meat grinding. Additionally, the cutting blades are enclosed deep in the unit, making it safe to use.
The grinder is a heavy-duty plastic body and weighs 1.74 pounds. It is the perfect grinder for tacos, meatballs and baby food too. The grinder is very easy to use. You put your meat into the grinder bowl and turn the hand crank. Moreover, it has a stainless steel construction making it durable.
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2. Weston #10 Manual Tinned Meat Grinder
- 2 Cutting Plates: Two Steel Plates 45 Mm & 10 Mm, Steel Knife, Sausage Stuffing Kit Including Adapter, Spacer & Three Different Sized...
- Large Opening: Hopper Opening 3" X 4"
- Funnel Sizes 14 MM, 19 MM & 24 MM
- Clamp on Style Easily Attaches to Any Countertop up to 1 1/2 Inch Thick
- Adjustable Burrs Allows for Coarse to Fine Grind Control
Weston has a long-lasting history of producing manual meat grinders, responding to the need for a straightforward way for our customers to cook their sausages and other ground meats, free of preservatives and spiced to the flavor.
This high-quality # 10 manual meat grinder from Weston is made from food-safe tinned stainless steel and is an inexpensive and versatile device for your gourmet food.
With Weston #10 Manual Tinned Meat Grinder, which can process from 2 to 3 pounds of product per minute, processing goose, deer, or any other kind of meat is fast, convenient and straightforward.
Also, with this grinder, you can accurately decide the amount of fat you want for your homemade sausage, as this always contributes to the flavor of a good sausage.
This device is featured with hard core-steel, high-grade blades and plates and the long-lasting plastic attachments that will give this grinder long years of operation. The drill is stainless steel and can be removed for quick cleaning.
Also, the crank handle has a wood grip which is easy to hold when grinding. The mounting clamp secures tables or countertops with the aim of stability in usage. Another feature of this manual grinder is that it is straightforward to use, install and clean.
Weston's #10 Manual Tinned Meat Grinder is a practical manual meat grinder. You can easily prepare minced meat with this portable and elegant grinder.
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3. CucinaPro Cast Iron Heavy Duty Meat Grinder with Tabletop Clamp
- Meat Grinder features tabletop clamp for easy and safe use
- Meat Mincer includes 2 cutting disks
- Heavy duty cast iron construction for durability and quality
- Use for all meat grinding and mincing -- even use as a sausage maker!
When thinking of a quality kitchen appliance that will allow you to grind your own meat at home, CucinaPro Cast Iron Heavy Duty Meat Grinder will be one of the appliances that will close your mind. This meat grinder is ideal for preparing different delicacies like sausages and hamburgers, and so on. Besides, there is no end to what you can achieve with this unit.
The meat grinder is straightforward to use since everything you need to enjoy in the unit is 100% provided. Therefore, even a beginner can use it comfortably. Also, the unit is easy to clean after use; to clean it; you need to disassemble the parts first and clean them. Besides, it's user-friendly.
CucinaPro Cast Iron Heavy Duty Meat Grinder can handle different veggies and meat, making it fast and efficient. Also, it's designed to serve you for an extended period due to the quality construction. Therefore, you can use it with confidence since it doesn't disappoint.
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4. Gideon Hand Crank Manual Meat Grinder
- Simply place your desired meats or vegetables into the grinder and turn the hand crank. The meats turn into a fine grinded paste ready to be...
- Features high quality stainless steel blades and screens, to ensure durability and lifelong performance. Comes with two stainless steel...
- It's compact lightweight and can easily be dissembled to take along to your next barbecue.
- Blades are fully enclosed, effectively eliminating any chance of injury. Includes a meat pusher to push meats into grinder, keeping fingers...
- Features a super-powerful suction base to keep meat grinder firmly in place. DISHWASHER SAFE – Simply place the grinder into the...
Gideon Hand Crank Manual Grinder is a very durable meat grinder that provides you with outstanding grinding performances. You will love how Gideon Hand Crank Manual Meat Grinder helps you prepare dishes in the kitchen.
It is made with heavy-duty stainless steel and plastic materials to improve the grinding performance and durability. As this is a manual grinder, you may need to use a fair amount of force to turn the knob and start grinding the meat, especially when processing beef and other complex meat types. However, this grinder also works for bones with some soft ones.
See more: Top 7 Best Meat Grinder for Grinding Chicken and Turkey Bones Reviews.
This model's blade system and accessories are manufactured with heavy-duty materials that can bear the strain, allowing it to endure repeated usage. Hence, this is an excellent pick for everyone searching for a heavy-duty meat grinder for a professional kitchen.
Another reason why many customers love this grinder is its suction base's efficiency. This device has a strong suction base to hold the grinder securely attached for better performance.
This grinder can bind itself to any surface when you turn the knob, allowing you to grind the meat very quickly.
With its powerful force in grinding and ability to give excellent performance, this is one of the best hand meat grinders on the market. In addition, it is very affordable for most people and compact size so you can take it anywhere.
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5. Kitchen Basics 3 N 1 Manual Meat Grinder
- Quickly and easily grind meat, vegetables, etc. Includes two stainless steel screens; fine mincing and course mincing plate
- Attach the sausage funnel (3 sizes included) and impress your family and guests to healthy and delicious homemade sausages
- Make your own homemade pasta - creates two pasta types rigatoni and spaghetti. Just insert the dough, turn the crank and watch it turn into...
- Dimensions: 7.5 in Height X 5 in Width; Quality sharp stainless steel blades
- Easy to use and clean, Dishwasher safe
If you are searching for a grinder that can process veggies, meat and even pasta, then the Kitchen Basics Meat Grinder is the perfect option for you.
The main parts of this tool are manufactured with good quality plastic that is sturdy and can withstand a longer duration of workload. In addition, it has robust stainless steel knives to cut the foods into small parts easily and excessively.
This meat grinder has two mincing plates for different mincing purposes: Fine and coarse ones. It also has attachments, including three different sizes of a sausage funnel. A suction cup is designed at the bottom of this grinder to hold the countertop and stand still while grinding.
The metal handle of the grinder is also firm to make an efficient grind, but it can be turned easily so that any user can move it seamlessly.
Besides grinding meat, this grinder can become a vegetable mincer and a pasta preparer. Tomato sauces, puree, baby food and many other things are what you can make with the Kitchen Basics Meat Grinder. Simply put your meat or ingredients into the grinder and turn the handle to make your desired dishes.
Also, the dishwasher can easily clean the parts of this meat grinder. However, it is recommended that the blades be washed independently in water to clean out all the meat clogs.
Kitchen Basics 3 N 1 Manual Meat and Vegetable Grinder is one of the best hand meat grinders to consider when you want a product that offers versatility and easy cleanup.
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6. Norpro Meat Grinder, Mincer and Pasta Maker
- 2 screens: coarse and fine
- 3 pasta attachments: rigatoni, spaghetti and linguine
- Sausage funnel attachment
- Secure suction base with locking key
- Includes recipes and instructions
This manual meat grinder is an absolute must-have in your kitchen, which can help you solve all the grinding tasks with its versatility and multi-purpose functions.
As the Norpro meat grinder, Mincer and pasta maker integrates three different tools into one; this grinder can save a lot more kitchen space in the house. Also, this is particularly beneficial for anyone whose kitchens have limited space.
Moreover, two plates are available for Norpro Meat Grinder, Mincer and Pasta Maker for coarse mincing and fine mincing. These two stainless steel plates make this grinder perfect for making delicious burgers with fresh ground beef and other meat-based dishes.
In addition, you can make homemade sausage with the accessories that come along with Norpro Meat Grinder. A grinder can grind almost any kind of meat. You can grind veggies with it as well.
Additionally, you can enjoy making your very own pasta with this meat grinder, as it has five pasta attachments, including Penne, Tagliatelle/Fettuccine, Fusilli/Spiral, Rigatoni & Spaghetti linguine accessories. This feature makes it an outstanding one among other alternative ones in the market.
Norpro Meat Grinder, Mincer and Pasta Maker is a 3-in-1, multi-purpose kitchen device that helps you process meat and slim veggies and make all your homemade noodles and pastas.
It is very affordable for its meager price and comes complete with the mincing plates for different purposes, which allow users to make flavorful and perfect ground meat dishes.
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7. Chard #10 Meat Hand Grinder, HG-10
With Chard #10 Meat Hand Grinder, HG-10, you can easily prepare veggies and meat for your favorite recipes. It is a powerful meat grinder featuring a hand crack, meaning you can grind any meat. So whether you want to make sausage, hamburgers, jerky, this machine will offer value where it counts. Moreover, with its heavy-duty cast iron construction, you are sure of a tool you can rely on.
The meat grinder comes with a table clamp style that attaches to any countertop up to 1 1/2" thick. You can fully disassemble the unit for easy and quick clean-up when it comes to cleaning. Conversely, top-notch kitchen performance doesn't end there when you have this grinder. It has excellent aesthetics meaning that it can match the appeal of your modern kitchen.
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8. LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder
- All stainless steel construction, heavy duty hand grinder
- Easy to clean
- Rust resistant
- Clamp accommodates width of 1 1/2" thick
- Includes: 2 stainless steel plates: course 3/8" and fine 3/16", 1 stainless steel knife, 3 stuffing tubes: 1/2", 3/4" & 7/8", 1 stuffing...
Whether you're hunting for something rubber-coated that can manage just about any kind of meat, the LEM Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder is a great pick and deserve a place in your loving kitchen.
The grinder is manufactured with stainless steel, which helps it retain its appearance for many years to come. In addition, this material is anti-rusting, then you will not worry about the durability of LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder.
Also, the clamp-on design allows this grinder to be mounted to nearly any kind of counter or tabletop. A device can attach itself to almost anywhere, so you can conveniently grind at any suitable place.
In addition, the wooden hand-crank makes it very comfortable to hold when grinding. It is considered durable, making it the best hand crank meat grinder.
LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder comes with two blades of stainless steel, which are coarse mincing and fine munching. Also, there are a stainless steel knife and three stuffing tubes of different size ranging from 1/2′′, 3/4′′ to 7/8′′ which lets it act as a stuffer for sausages.
Using LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder, you will love how easy it is to clean the grinder after using it. You can easily disassemble parts of the manual grinder for easy cleaning.
This heavy-duty grinder will give you a complete and professional grinding experience. LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder is made for long-lasting use and ensures flavourful and fresh meat-based dishes for you and your family.
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9. Huanyu Manual Meat Grinder for Beef Chicken Rack Chili
- [HEAVY DUTY STAINLESS STEEL] This is a sturdy, durable meat grinder. The body and all metal parts are made of stainless steel in one piece...
- [DOUBLE FIXATION] The bottom strong suction cup + Stainless steel table clamp, double fixation to prevent the machine from moving during...
- [MINCING&SAUSAGE MAKING] It can easily grind various meat ingredients such as beef, pork, fish, chicken racks, etc., it can also grind...
- [HEALTHIER&FRESHER] Manual meat grinder simulates the process of manual meat mincing, which greatly retains the original taste of the meat,...
- [PERFECT AFTER-SALES SERVICE] We have specially produced English manuals, and our meat grinder has gained CE certification, the quality will...
If you want a unique manual grinder in your kitchen, count on the Huanyu Manual Meat Grinder for Beef Chicken Rack Chili. This model is famous for making sausages and features two different types of stainless steel, making it sturdy and durable. Using this model, you can easily prepare beef, fish, chicken, and pork. Also, seasoning can be a lot easier and more fun with the unit, such as chili, pepper and garlic. Additionally, the grinder performs excellently even with vegetables such as carrots, radish, mushrooms, long beans, and other types of vegetables.
Huanyu Meat Grinder features excellent quality accessories, including an ABS plastic funnel, a cleaning brush, small enema nozzles, 4.5 mm round hole, 8mm round hole meat board, and pushrod to add ingredients. Also, the grinder has a stainless steel table clamp and double fixing. A sturdy suction cup at the bottom permanently prevents the unit from moving while grinding your meat makes grinding more convenient and straightforward.
Additionally, the unit has a stainless steel table clamp, double fixing, and a sturdy suction cup at the bottom that usually prevents the grinder from moving while grinding your meat; it makes the grinding more convenient and straightforward. You can easily set it up for grinding, and it is easy to reassemble when cleaning.
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10. Bellemain Manual Meat Grinder
- EAT HEALTHIER WHEN YOU GRIND YOUR OWN FRESH MEATS: You can ensure your family is eating the freshest burgers, tacos and sausages made from...
- SIMPLE HAND CRANK OPERATION GIVES YOU FULL CONTROL: The advantage of a manual grinder over electric is control. Grinding is easy with the...
- STRONG SUCTION BASE ENSURES STABILITY: Your grinder will never “walk away” from you while you are grinding away because the super strong...
- EASY TO USE AND SIMPLE TO CLEAN: The operation is simple and will take you less than two minutes to master. The grinder comes apart easily...
- MEAT PUSHER AND GRINDING BLADE AND DISC INCLUDED: The meat pusher is made of the same heavy duty plastic as the grinder housing while the...
Bellemain Manual Meat Grinder can help prepare the freshest dishes for you and your family. This grinder is easy to use, durable and can help you with even the toughest grinding task.
The Bellemain grinder gives a durable impression since it is manufactured with durable stainless steel blades and a rugged plastic design. Also, the compact size of this grinder makes it suitable for any kitchen, even the modest one.
However, some minus points are not suitable for all users. It can hardly perform well in rough jobs, including tough cuts of red meat. The tool can be clogged with meat when used with red meat or meat with too many fats. They also provide one option for the texture of your ground meat only. Therefore, Bellemain Manual Meat Grinder best fits individual or small families who do not require a too large grinding amount.
This grinder can be cleaned with a dishwasher and is incredibly easy to clean and keep clean. It also has a sizeable single-suction base, which can stand more stable than other kinds of grinders. Bellemain Manual Meat Grinder also comes with a meat pusher that ensures your blades' safety.
The Bellemain is another plastic manual meat grinder that quickly grinds porks, beef, and chicken. A good choice for single-use, particularly at such a low price point.
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11. Simple Being Manual Meat Grinder
- 🍔[EASY TO USE] - No special skills needed to operate. Simply place the pieces of meat into the grinder and turn the hand crank. Unlike...
- 🍔[TOP QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE] - Made of heavy-duty plastic and stainless steel to ensure durability and long-lasting performance. This...
- 🍔[STRONG SUCTION BASE] - Features a powerful suction base to keep this tabletop meat grinder in place while you are using it. Simply turn...
- 🍔[SAFE AND ERGONOMIC] - Blades are fully enclosed so it is extremely safe to use. Also includes a meat pusher to keep fingers and hands...
- 🍔[COMPACT & EASY TO CLEAN] - This sturdy meat grinder is lightweight and portable. It is also dishwasher safe so it is very easy to...
This grinder is featured with durable, tough plastic and stainless steel to ensure the highest quality and longevity. Also, this lightweight grinder is so affordable in price. You can grind all of your favorite ingredients most efficiently.
The grinder slips during the work are upsetting. To avoid this, Simple Being Manual Meat Grinder has an excellent suction cup that ensures the grinder is fixed on the countertop without slipping away. Also, the stainless steel blades of this grinder are closed to avoid any harm and injury. The grinder also has a meat pusher to keep your fingers safe when processing.
In addition, Simple Being Manual Meat Grinder is very easy to use and clean. The pieces can be removable when you've done the grinding, and you can also put them into the dishwasher. But, it is highly recommended that you wash the grinder with your hand to preserve the machine parts.
It's a durable plastic tool with a stainless steel blade, perfect for cutting meat, vegetables, and so much more. You can quickly get a smooth texture of meat by putting pieces of meat into the grinder and having complete control with turning the hand crank. Also, Simple Being Manual Meat Grinder works well with both ră and cooked ingredients, making it convenient to prepare various types of food.
With its ease of use and affordable price, Simple Being Manual Meat Grinder offers complete grinding solutions to any kitchen, and it is especially perfect for individuals and small families.
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12. Useful. Manual Meat Grinder, Mincer, and Pasta Maker
- Brand: Useful.
- SKU: A120
- Brand: Useful.
Do you want the highest quality handmade meat grinder that can provide excellent ground meat in a short time? The Useful Manual Meat Grinder, Mincer, and Pasta Maker are waiting for your use. With many good functions, quick and easy features, and competitive prices, it can bring freshness into your kitchen.
Good meat grinders have a realistic style, bringing attractiveness to your kitchen. It's available as a meat grinder, a pasta processor, and Mincer.
With a strong handle crank, it is easy to control the grinding. In addition, this grinder weighs up to 1.46 pounds, which is easy to transport.
This grinder is made with heavy-duty stainless steel blades that are sufficiently sharp to slice and grind all kinds of meat. Also, you can use these blades for a long time if you give proper care.
Useful meat grinders also come with accessories that you will need for different purposes. For example, there are two available plates for fine and coarse mincing. In addition, two attachments for pasta making can assist you in preparing spaghetti, fettuccine quickly.
Useful Manual Meat Grinder is a complete grinding solution to your kitchen, as it can grind many different ingredients besides meat. Its versatility and competitive price make it a suitable appliance for your kitchen.
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What Are the Benefits of Grinding Meat Yourself?
Besides the improved taste of your meat, there are lots of reasons why you need to consider grinding your meat at home. And once you have tasted your home-ground burger patties, you will never want to go back to your store-bought ground beef. Also, you will need to grind meat if you plan to make your sausages. So let's check out some of the reasons why you should be grinding at home.
1. Quality
When purchasing ground meat from the store, you have very little or no control over the meat they use. Some butchers will allow you to choose the cuts to be ground though that is very rare in larger stores. Those ground meat pieces you see in refrigerated displays might come from an older cow.
Grinding and mixing your ground can allow you more options. You could even use a prime cut. Also, you can control the fat content, whether you want a more burger-friendly 80/20 of meat to fat content and a lean 95/5 blend.
2. Freshness and hygiene
The fact is most grocery stores don't grind their meat in the store. Instead, it is usually done off-site in some factories a few days or even a week before. The issue is that processed meat that has been exposed to the air has a higher chance of bacteria to make its home settle in your beef, and the food quality reduces after being processed for a few days.
Recent data from Consumer Reports reveal that virtually 20% of ground beef in US stores contained bacteria that are resistant to three or even more classes of antibiotics. By buying a slice of meat and grinding at home, you have more control and knowledge about your meat's hygiene, quality, and freshness.
3. Ingredient choice
Walking around your local store, you will find several trays of ground meat on display. But what about more exotic cuts such as ostrich, venison or even your pork for sausages? Shopping for simple ingredients such as ground pork can be hit-or-miss. If and when the local store has it already in stock.
Considering the pork butts availability and the relatively low cost, couldn't it be easier to grind your own? You would even grind the available turkey meat and make a leaner, more healthy burger or sausage. Besides, there is nothing more satisfying than hunting, especially for hunters than knowing they shot the animal, freshly field-dressed it, and ground it themselves for sausage or burger-making.
Taking your meat to a local store to be ground is not an option when you have the best manual meat grinder. Besides, strict hygiene codes usually mean that most butchers can't grind meat they are not aware of the origin of.
4. Complete control over taste
That additional choice of ingredients, hygiene, freshness and quality usually means you will have more control over the meat's taste. You could experiment with different meat combinations, like adding veal or pork to your patty mix. For healthier sausages, why not try ground chicken or turkey. Besides, most manual meat grinders can also cope with fruits or vegetables for varied flavor additions or even making veggie and salad options.
Adding seasoning to your beef as you grind it can reveal a much deeper flavor than mixing it with already pre-ground meat. Moreover, you can choose the ground texture for meals that require thinner or coarser grinds. For example, you will be surprised by the grind's difference from a burger or sausage taste.
5. Cost-saving
Grounding your meat with the best manual meat grinder is nearly always cheaper. Walk around the local store, pick up some chuck roast and compare the price to ground them. You will realize that the meat you ground yourself is cheaper, despite being the same meat. That means you are paying someone to put it through a grinder for you.
Having your grinder, you can virtually grind any meat at a much cheaper cost. You can ground the leftover off-cuts you would throw away to ensure you have no waste. Picking a few of the less popular cuts or any meats at a special price is the way to go. You can considerably lower the cost of your next barbecue gathering even without compromising on flavor.
Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Manual Meat Grinders
1. Dimensions
Before settling for a grinder for meat grinding, it's essential to consider the dimensions of the uni, especially if you have little space in your kitchen. There is no need to buy a meat grinder that forces you to displace other precious kitchen appliances. However, some of our best options on the list have small dimensions, such as SAILSWORD Multi-functional Manual Meat Grinder and Koulate Manual Meat Grinder. They perfectly fit in small-sized kitchens.
Besides, you can store these units when you want to use your countertops or kitchen table for other purposes. Most manual grinders are usually smaller than automatic models.
2. Weight
The size of the machine directly affects its weight. So, unlike automatic grinders, most manual grinders are lightweight. You can easily take them with you to camps to make meatballs, grind, sausages or vegetables. Most of the meat grinders on our list are lightweight. They weigh between 1.5 and 8 pounds. You can buy a model weighing between 1.5 and 2.6 pounds like Kitchen Basics Manual Meat & Vegetable Grinder, Simple Being Manual Meat Grinder Set and Tescoma Multi-Purpose Meat Grinder.
3. Versatility
When shopping for the best manual meat grinder, consider whether it's a versatile model. A versatile model usually comes in handy for passionate cooks who love grinding several foodstuffs. Most of the units on our list are super-versatile, whether you want to grind vegetables, make baby food or sausages. For example, a Tescoma Multi-Purpose Meat Grinder model handles everything from grinding nuts, tomatoes, cheese, parmesans, and bread crumbs.
Conversely, SAILSWORD Multi-functional Manual Meat Grinder is tailored to grinding vegetables, garlic and beans. In addition, LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder can quickly grind meat, make meat cakes and sausages, plus other meat-related products.
4. Construction materials
The materials used to make the meat grinder determines its durability. Most units on our list have stainless steel construction. Also, some machines have handles designed from stainless steel, while others are designed from heavy-duty plastic. Although meat grinders made of plastic are usually cost-effective, they damage fast. Furthermore, building quality is essential. If you purchase something not well made, the setting up process and turning the crank will be no fun.
Stainless steel models will be more heavy-duty and can handle tougher meats and bones. But, unfortunately, they are also more prone to last longer. Conversely, heavy-duty plastic models can last a long time, too, ensure to read users' reviews about how easy it's to use before you make an order.
We recommend buying durable meat grinder models made of cast metal such as Tescoma Multi-Purpose Meat Grinder, LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder, and Eastbury Manual Meat Grinder. These manual grinders are made of stainless steel or aluminum and are the best options for anyone seeking a model to use for commercial purposes.
5. Performance
Performance is a vital consideration when choosing the best manual meat grinder. Therefore, you should research the grinder's performance you intend to buy. The best manual meat grinder option will be ergonomically designed, easy to use and won't require much physical effort to grind the meat. And just because it is manually operated does not mean it should be challenging. Besides, the grinding blades and discs in the grinder you purchase should be stainless steel. Any lesser metal material won't do a great job or last longer.
6. Anchoring & safety
Since manual meat grinders usually revolve around physically cranking leverage and handle, it requires a system to support it to your workspace, whether a counter or kitchen tabletop. The two common anchoring mechanisms on meat grinders are clamp and suction.
Clamps are a more robust way to affix your meat grinder while you get to work. However, they usually take a little more time to set up, and you need to ensure to use rubber protectors or something else of the like to ensure you don't damage your table or counter if it is wooden. Also, ensure your counters are built to fit clamps. For example, some might not be too thick or protrude far enough to hold a clamp anchor.
Conversely, suction anchors usually rely on suction cups that vacuum seals the unit's bottom to the top of your table or counter. They're great due to how simple, fast and easy they're to use. However, suction anchors don't work well on non-smooth or uneven surfaces. If you are not careful, they can wobble or come off with many side-to-side movements.
7. Ease of cleaning
When shopping for the best manual meat grinders, consider something easy to clean when grinding your meat. You can't risk a non-sanitized meat grinder and open the chances of bacteria festering in this kitchen appliance. An excellent meat grinder usually fosters high hygiene standards. Keep in mind that meat tendons can get stuck in the machine when grinding, and this can easily translate to a considerable accumulation of bacteria that can end up poisoning your meat.
With that in mind, it is essential to keep your meat grinder clean and sanitized after every use. Ensure that you can easily dismantle the machine for cleaning after every use. Plus, if it's dishwasher safe. Experts say that manual meat grinders with stainless steel construction are easy to clean.
Kitchen Basics Manual Meat & Vegetable Grinder is usually easy to clean. You can slide out its grinding mechanism and hand wash it well with water. Also, you can detach the upper and the suction base of machines for thorough cleaning.
8. Crank handle
The crank handle usually determines the shelf life of a meat grinder and its effectiveness. Machines with robust crank handles can grind large chunks of meat without even breaking. However, crank handles made of plastic break faster. Besides, you can also consider buying a unit with a short or long handle depending on your arms' length. Conversely, a machine such as Weston No. 8 Manual Food Grinder has a handle that cannot grind big chunks of meat. However, you can go for the Eastbury Manual Meat Grinder since it has an ergonomic crank handle design.
9. Price
Although ground meat is relatively inexpensive, it is more expensive per pound than similar meat that has not been processed. Therefore, when it comes to looking for the best manual meat grinder for you. The best manual meat grinder is an investment, whether big or small; it's a one-time cost that will save you the grind costs in the long run.
Besides, think about your need and do a cost-benefit analysis. For example, theThe more expensive machines are more heavy-duty and constructed to last for an extended period. But, on the other hand, if you intend to use the meat grinder occasionally and for lighter jobs, something inexpensive might get the job done for you.
10. Additional features and attachments
Some kitchen appliances, including manual meat grinders, come with unique accessories. When it comes to meat grinders, most sellers offer accessories that make the grinding process and preparation of sausages and meat very easy. Although grinding meat is straightforward, there are a few attachments and accessories that you can use.
Meat grinders feature cutting blades, sausage attachments, food pushers, and others. In addition, you will get two stainless steel plates and a sausage funnel after buying the Kitchen Basics Manual Meat & Vegetable Grinder. Having the option of different size grinding plates is a fantastic feature. Different size grinder plates allow you to adjust the coarseness of your meat so you can make what is perfect for your meatballs, sausages and burgers.
Some units feature tubes and attachments that make making homemade sausage very easy. If at all this is something that you are looking forward to grinding meat at home, check out for a meat grinder that comes with all necessary attachments. For example, Weston No. 8 Manual Food Grinder usually has two grinding plates and a food pusher. Conversely, SAILSWORD Multi-functional Manual Meat Grinder comes with a sausage funnel.
11. Grinding options
Before buying the meat grinder, think about the food type you intend to grind. For example, do you want a sausage stuffer or multiple grinding plates? Do you want a model that can handle more than meat? For example, if you are only planning on grinding meat for burgers, then having choices will be a little more essential than grinding other foods.
12. Warranty
When buying kitchen appliances, especially those with moving parts, we recommend you check the warranty offers since there is always a tiny percentage of new items breaking quickly after purchasing and anything with moving parts is vulnerable. Most meat grinders feature at least a one-year warranty.
Conclusion: What is the Best Manual Meat Grinder?
With our list of manual meat grinders above, the first position comes to the Gideon Hand Crank Manual Meat Grinder. It has a heavy-duty design with robust stainless steel blades, which allows it to process any meat and many other ingredients.
Also, it has several valuable attachments that can help you with different tasks. The grinder is also dishwasher safe, so cleaning it after use is a simple task and won't take too much of your time.
Grinding meat is more than just a preparation job; it can be considered an art. And manually ground meat will bring you closer to the sense of the craft used to cook your dishes.
An excellent grinder with your desired features will be a long-lasting partner in your kitchen. If you're still wondering which manual meat grinder is your best mate, our list of best manual meat grinders will assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Manual Meat Grinders
1. How can I clean my manual meat grinder?
Meat grinders are usually easier to clean than you might think. Experts say that manual meat grinders with stainless steel construction are easy to clean. You can hand wash them with warm soapy water. However, experts usually recommend cleaning them after use. Start by dismantling the parts, soak them in water, scrub the parts with a brush, and then dry the unit.
2. How do you sharpen your manual meat grinder blades?
At some point, your manual meat grinder stainless steel knife and plates become dull. However, it is relatively easy to sharpen them. One of the easiest ways is by using sharpening stones. Before use, soak each sharpening stone in water for p to 10 minutes. Then, use the stone together with the square center to replace the knife and sharpen the grinding plates and the stone with the circular center to replace the grinder plate and sharpen the knife.
Lock the knife into the machine by securing the retaining ring, and operate the grinder for up to 5 seconds or 10-20 cranks for manual machines. Ensure you sharpen your plates and knife on the same day for optimal cutting performance.
3. Can you grind poultry in a manual meat grinder?
Yes, you can put turkey or chicken in a meat grinder, though it won't be as tasty and flavorful as its pork and beef counterparts. We recommend adding additional fat to the grind and seasoning well before preparing if you intend to take this route.
4. Can a manual meat grinder grind bones?
Most meat grinders can grind soft bones from chicken, rabbit, duck and other small fowl. Turkey is also considered soft bone though slightly denser and might be difficult for your grinder to handle. Moreover, many at-home meat grinders cannot process hard bones from pork, beef, lamb, venison and other large animals. It's therefore essential to consult the manufacturer about what the machine is capable of.
5. What do the numbers labeled on the grinders mean?
The numbers usually show the size of the grinders. The shoe, more specifically, the grinder plates size. The most popular household sizes are the #5, #8, #12, #22 and #32. So, the size varies depending on the amount of meat to be ground each minute. The smaller the size of the grinder plate, the smaller the amount of ground meat.
6. Can you grind frozen meat?
It's recommended to chill the meat cubes for up to 30 minutes in your freezer before grinding them, although meat is more often ground semi-frozen because of health reasons. It's better to ground your meat either at room temperature or semi-frozen as frozen meat can be challenging, putting more pressure on your meat grinder than usual.
