"Heavy-duty" on a home grinder means three things: a motor of ¾ HP or more, a #12 or larger head, and metal gears that can run for an hour without cooking themselves. These are the grinders for hunters, farm families and anyone splitting a side of beef.
- Most capacityLEM #22 BigBite Meat Grinder, 1 HP (1781)$729.99 list
- Best balanceLEM #12 BigBite Meat Grinder, 0.75 HP (1780)$599.99 list
- Best ¾ HP #8Weston Pro Series #8 Meat Grinder, 0.75 HP (10-0801-W)$479.99
- Best valueLEM #8 BigBite Meat Grinder, 0.5 HP (1779)About $420
Side by side
| Model | Price | Size | Motor | Output (maker) | Plates | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEM #22 BigBite Meat Grinder, 1 HP (1781) | $729.99 list | #22 | 1 HP (750 W) | 13 lb/min | 4.5 mm, 10 mm, stuffing | 5 years |
| LEM #12 BigBite Meat Grinder, 0.75 HP (1780) | $599.99 list | #12 | 0.75 HP | 11 lb/min | 4.5 mm, 10 mm, stuffing | 5 years |
| Weston Pro Series #8 Meat Grinder, 0.75 HP (10-0801-W) | $479.99 | #8 | 0.75 HP (560 W) | 4–6 lb/min | 4.5 mm, 7 mm | 5 years |
| LEM #8 BigBite Meat Grinder, 0.5 HP (1779) | About $420 | #8 | 0.5 HP | 7 lb/min | 4.5 mm, 10 mm, stuffing | 5 years |
No. 1Most capacity
LEM #22 BigBite Meat Grinder, 1 HP (1781)
- Price
- $729.99 list
- Size
- #22
- Motor
- 1 HP (750 W)
- Output (maker)
- 13 lb/min
- Plates
- 4.5 mm, 10 mm, stuffing
- Warranty
- 5 years
1 HP and #22 plates, rated at 13 pounds a minute. 50 lb, so it needs a sturdy table.
Pros
- Rated 13 lb/min
- #22 plates
Cons
- $729.99 list
- 50 lb
No. 2Best balance
LEM #12 BigBite Meat Grinder, 0.75 HP (1780)
- Price
- $599.99 list
- Size
- #12
- Motor
- 0.75 HP
- Output (maker)
- 11 lb/min
- Plates
- 4.5 mm, 10 mm, stuffing
- Warranty
- 5 years
0.75 HP and #12 plates, rated at 11 pounds a minute, for $599.99 list.
Pros
- Rated 11 lb/min
- 33 lb
Cons
- Pricey for occasional use
No. 3Best ¾ HP #8
Weston Pro Series #8 Meat Grinder, 0.75 HP (10-0801-W)
- Price
- $479.99
- Size
- #8
- Motor
- 0.75 HP (560 W)
- Output (maker)
- 4–6 lb/min
- Plates
- 4.5 mm, 7 mm
- Warranty
- 5 years
A ¾ HP #8 with a stuffing kit and sharpener. Rated 4 to 6 pounds a minute.
Pros
- 0.75 HP
- Kit included
Cons
- #8 plates
No. 4Best value
LEM #8 BigBite Meat Grinder, 0.5 HP (1779)
- Price
- About $420
- Size
- #8
- Motor
- 0.5 HP
- Output (maker)
- 7 lb/min
- Plates
- 4.5 mm, 10 mm, stuffing
- Warranty
- 5 years
Half a horsepower is enough for a deer a year, and it's about $420.
Pros
- Fast for its size
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Not for multiple deer
#12 vs #22
KaTom puts typical #12 output at 4 to 5 pounds a minute and #22 at 9 to 12. See grinder sizes explained.
