I looked through the archives. I'm wondering if anyone has more recent recs. Don't have a KA, as I'm not a baker.
I'd like a simple machine, preferably electric, to grind my own burger and sausage. I've tried the food processor, but results were kinda lumpy/mushy/inconsistent.
Sorry, I missed seeing this.
Thanks PF! I went ahead and ordered the very highly rated Cabela Pro. On sale and free shipping!
A new toy!
Thanks to all for the responses!
Let us know how it works. If I were looking at a new grinder I might consider a manual one, but a big honking manual. I don't mind a little electric one, but if I am supplying the power I want a large handle for lots of torque.
Try - LEM.com. It really doesn't pay to get a "cheap" one. As they are sort of a work horse type of michine. Plus you can get attchments to make sausage, jerkey etc.
Meat Processing Equipment | Sausage Making Supplies | LEM Products is the grinder and stuffer people. I have their vertical stuffer and I am thrilled with it.
That's the only thing I miss on my meat grinder: a sausage feed tube. It's so old now that I doubt they have parts for it any more. I should check.
I checked, the sausage stuffer attachment is no longer available.
If it has a standard size you might find someone that sells a compatible tube, but even though the grinder sizes are standard the mouth of the output seems to be slightly varied. A 1/16 of an inch might, or might not, make a difference in seating.
Was it just the tube or was there more to it? Mine you put the tube between the ring and the grinder plate...
You don't have a spacer? Most of the grinders I see have a spacer (or a really large holed plate) so you aren't trying to put meat through those little holes again.
It's more the time setting it up and cleaning than than it is worth for such a small amount. That and I have to set up a space for the mixer on the stove and work in very limited space. Maybe if I had a nice kitchen where I could keep my mixer on the counter it would be easier to tolerate.
I leave my mixer out. If I didn't it wouldn't get used. Too much work carting it around and it can be unhealthy for toilets to move them too much.
I have debated if I want something with more capacity for grinding, but right now I don't really seem to do more than is comfortable with the KA. I figure about a pound a minute and the most I have done at one time is 15 pounds. I wouldn't be able to process much more than that in our kitchen.