10 Tips for Choosing an Electric Meat Grinder

Engine power is an indicator that determines the performance of an electric meat grinder. The higher this parameter, the better your home equipment will cope with the task. The total power range varies from 120 to 2 500 watts.

If you plan to use an electric meat grinder for processing soft or wiry meat, then 400 to 800 watts will suffice. Devices with a capacity of 1,500 kW are more close to professional technology and easily grind bones.

We recommend to choose models with a speed switch in order to set the optimum mode with regard to the products used. The maximum time of its continuous work depends on the power of the meat grinder. It is indicated in the technical documentation and should be from 10 to 15 minutes.

Considering the power, do not forget about the performance of the equipment. Modern meat grinders are ground from 0.5 to 5 kg per minute. This is enough to process a large amount of meat, including large pieces.

The grinder body is made of metal (stainless steel / aluminum), food grade plastic, or a combination of these materials. Plastic models are inferior in strength to metal devices, but they are much cheaper.

If you choose equipment from plastic, then consider - internal parts must be made of metal, since it is on them that the main load is placed. Not only durability depends on the body material, but also the appearance of the device.

Metal grinders are much stronger and more reliable, but they have a great weight. We recommend to find in advance a place for such equipment in the kitchen, so that you do not have to constantly get and remove heavy equipment.

If you decide to buy an electric meat grinder from the metal, then choose steel with a matte finish. It is much easier to care for, since, unlike brilliant polishing, it will not show handprints and stains from detergents.

The comfort of use of the meat grinder depends on how correctly the shape of the device will be chosen. The neck for feeding meat, bones and other products should have a height of 10-15 cm in order to ensure safety during the operation of equipment.

From above the tray made of metal or food plastic fastens. This detail acts as a kind of loading platform, helping to deliver products to the neck and prevent their accidental scattering.

Choose a meat grinder with a shape that allows you to closely establish the bowl for chopped products. If the body is convex or flat, they may fall past the prepared dishes.

Knives. They are among the most susceptible to wear parts, since they account for the main load. Poor quality or blunted knives - the main cause of premature equipment failure. Before buying a meat grinder, make sure that all cutting tools are made of high strength steel and there are no defects.

Discs. The package includes an electric meat grinder 3 perforated discs that differ in the size of the holes.

The consistency of minced meat depends on their diameter:

• Grilles with small holes (up to 3 mm) are used in the preparation of pies, mashed potatoes, as well as baby food;
• Disks with medium cells (from 4 to 7 mm) allow to get the stuffing of the usual consistency, chop vegetables;
• Grilles with large holes are used for making coarse minced meat and grinding bones.

Screw. Its function is to transport food from the mouth of the mouth to the knife. If you plan to work with soft foods (lard, vegetables, etc.), choose models with a screw conveyor made from food-grade plastic, but metal augers that are not prone to abrasion are better for meat processing.

Pusher. It provides convenience, and most importantly, safety when loading products into the mouth. Usually pushers are made of food grade plastic.

Legs. In order to ensure the stability of technology, manufacturers equip the equipment with rubberized feet. They guarantee reliable fixation of the device on any surface, which is especially important for owners of marble or granite kitchen pedestals.

Reverse. This feature helps when the veins of meat or other solid fibers are wound on the axis of the auger. The reverse is activated by pressing a button and causes the auger to rotate in the opposite direction, clearing the mechanism without complete disassembly of the meat grinder. A useful feature, but not available in all modern models. If you choose a powerful technique, then the reverse is not needed, because it without additional help can grind the veins.

Motor protection Contact of bones, solid fibers or other particles on the rotating parts of equipment may lead to seizure and subsequent overheating of the motor. The function of emergency automatic disconnection from the power grid allows to prevent this. Motor protection is additionally triggered during long-term operation of the meat grinder (above the norm specified in the instructions).

Some devices are equipped with a mechanical interlock function. For example, in most Axion meat grinders, the gearbox of the motor is connected to the auger with a soft plastic gear, the teeth of which are cut off with a screw stopper, and the engine starts to idle. Spare parts are included in the package of such models.

In the Panasonic and Tefal meat grinders, the assembly is equipped with a clutch that opens when the engine is overloaded. Such a function reliably protects household equipment from burning and significantly increases the durability of its use.

Speed ​​shifter. Allows to regulate engine capacity taking into account the crushed products. This feature not only provides user comfort, but also guarantees significant energy savings. Most models have 1-2 speeds, but the best option is 3 working ranges - slow, medium and fast.

Manufacturers offer more than 10 types of nozzles. However, for comfortable home use, a few grinders are enough:

For stuffing. Universal nozzle used for extruding meat. The kit usually comes with several discs with outlet holes of different diameter. They are used in the processing of poultry, vegetables, fat, meat.

Grater. It allows you to quickly grate products using an electric meat grinder, while making a minimum of effort. The kit usually comes with a few nozzles grater, differing in size and type of grinding.

For vegetables. They are designed for quick cutting of any vegetables and fruits.The final shape of the product will depend on the type of nozzle: circles, slices, squares, bars. Usually in a set 3-4 similar nozzles are attached.

For the formation of dough. The nozzle is represented by a metal (less often - plastic) disk with 3-4 figured holes. With its help, you can get the dough for the subsequent preparation of cookies. It is rarely included in the kit, but useful in the kitchen.

In addition to the main above-mentioned nozzles, additional ones can be found - for shredding, pasta, juicer, for tomatoes, sausages, meatballs, and even “kebbe” for cooking various national meat dishes.

Consider, the more nozzles in the kit, the more expensive the electric meat grinder. If at the moment your financial capabilities are limited, we recommend you to pay attention to the models with universal attachments, and to purchase additional ones later.

The convenience of using an electric meat grinder directly depends on the noise level. If you buy equipment in the store, we recommend checking it at idle. Keep in mind that when loading products the technician will work even louder. If it is not possible to check the noise level, study the technical documentation. The optimal value for the home - from 50 to 70 dB.

Usually, control is limited to one button located on the body of the meat grinder, and activating its work. Additionally, it performs the function of a switch, i.e. disables equipment. If the reverse function is provided, then another button will be located on the case.

For some models, a rotary switch is installed instead, designed to regulate speed. Before buying, we recommend to make sure that all the buttons and switches are intact, and their use is not difficult.

The choice of manufacturer is determined by your financial capabilities and personal preferences. We do not recommend buying electric meat grinders from little-known companies without reviews.

Top brands offering premium models:

• Bosch,
• Braun,
• Panasonic,
• Kenwood,
• Philips.

According to statistics and reviews, Bosch electric meat grinders (Germany) are in the highest demand due to their durability and reliability.

Top brands offering budget models:

• Redmond,
• UNIT,
• Polaris,
• Redmond,
• Zelmer,
• Scarlett

Pay attention to the products of the Russian manufacturer "Axion". Judging by the reviews, he offers to choose electric meat grinders with excellent functionality, but at affordable prices.

Low cost electric meat grinders from the Russian manufacturer will cost you 1,500 rubles and more. However, one should not expect a huge number of functions, various nozzles or several speeds from inexpensive equipment. Usually they have one mode of operation, so they are perfect for a small family.

More expensive models from 5,000 rubles offer to choose foreign manufacturers. For this price you will receive at least 4-5 interchangeable nozzles in the kit, several operating modes and the function of protecting the engine from overheating. Premium models are an excellent choice for a large family where you have to cook a lot and often.