LEM and Weston make most of the serious home grinders sold in the US. Both sell stainless #8 grinders with five-year warranties for about $420 to $480. The differences are in the details: LEM rates its grinders faster; Weston puts more in the box.
Side by side
| LEM | Weston | |
|---|---|---|
| Models | #8 BigBite (0.5 HP), #12 (0.75 HP), #22 (1 HP), Mighty Bite #8 (500 W) | Pro Series #8 (0.75 HP), Butcher Series #8 (0.5 HP) |
| Rated output, #8 | 7 lb/min (BigBite) | 4–6 lb/min (Pro), 4–5 lb/min (Butcher) |
| Feed design | Rifled 'BigBite' head | Auger-grabbing stomper |
| Stuffing kit | Stuffing plate, three plastic tubes | Four funnels; Butcher adds a 10 mm snack-stick funnel |
| Warranty | 5 years (BigBite); 2 years (Mighty Bite) | 5 years |
| #8 price | About $420 (BigBite) | $479.99 (Pro), about $420 (Butcher) |
Speed
LEM rates its half-horsepower #8 BigBite at 7 pounds a minute; Weston rates its three-quarter-horsepower Pro Series #8 at 4 to 6. Makers rate differently, so treat these as rough. The only independent timed test we've found, by Smoked BBQ Source, included a LEM BigBite but no Weston; the BigBite was more than twice as fast as the STX Turboforce.
What's in the box
Weston includes more for sausage: four funnels on the Pro, plus a knife sharpener, and a snack-stick funnel on the Butcher Series. LEM includes a stuffing plate and three tubes, and a storage drawer.
Which should you buy?
For grinding speed per dollar, the LEM #8 BigBite. For the most complete sausage kit, the Weston Pro Series #8. For more than a deer a season, the LEM #12.
Questions
Are LEM and Weston plates interchangeable?
Standard #8 plates generally fit #8 grinders, but hub and knife fit can vary. Buy replacement plates from the maker or check the diameter and hub.
Who makes Weston?
Weston grinders are sold by Hamilton Beach Brands, which is why retailers list them under both names.
