What is the difference between a 12 and a 22 meat grinder?

What Are Standard Meat Grinder Sizes and How Is It Measured?

The "outlet opening" is what grinder plates are measured by; you can measure the outlet diameter or plate to find your hub size. Use the chart below to find the hub size of your grinder:

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What Size Grinder Is Right for Me?

The larger the size of a meat grinder, the greater the volume it can handle and the faster it processes (expressed in pounds per hour). If you are considering a manual hand crank grinder, keep in mind that larger grinder sizes require more power to turn the crank. However, larger grinders usually compensate for this by having a longer crank handle to provide more leverage.

If you are looking at electric grinders, you will notice that the larger the size number of the grinder, the more powerful the motor. Bigger grinders need more power to push larger volumes of meat through the machine.

So, whether you want a manual grinder or an electric meat grinder, remember that a larger size number means a bigger unit and greater investment.

What Are Grinder Plates and How Are They Used?

The grinding plate, also called a cutting plate, is a round carbon or stainless-steel plate with several holes that sits at the end of the meat grinder. As meat is forced through the holes of the grinding plate, a spinning blade cuts across the holes several times per second.

Grinding plates come in different standard number sizes (based on diameter size) to match the size grinder you have. Besides the standard number size, grinding plates also come with a variety of hole sizes for making fine, medium, or coarse ground meat. The sizes are generally noted in millimeters (MM) and sometimes indicated on your current grinder plate. We recommend replacing your plates and cutting knife at the same time.

What Are Different Grinder Plates Hole Sizes For?

Grinder plates come with different sized holes to allow for smaller or larger sized chunks of meat to pass through. Plates with smaller diameter holes, like 3MM (1/8"), 4.5MM (3/16"), or 6MM (1/4"), make fine ground meat for making franks, bologna, or hamburger. Plates with larger holes, like 13MM (1/2") and up, allow larger pieces of meat to pass through. These larger plates, sometimes called medium or coarse grinding plates, are used for making various types of sausage. Most grinders come with one or two grinding plates, but more plates can be purchased separately. The holes in the grinding plates are relatively sharp when new but tend to dull over time and should be replaced periodically. We recommend replacing your plates and cutting knife at the same time.

Are Stainless Steel Grinder Plates and Knives Better Than Carbon Steel?

Although stainless steel grinder plates and knives are more expensive than their carbon steel counterparts, they are more durable and retain their sharpness for up to three times as long. Knives and plates made of stainless steel also have the benefit of avoiding rust. For further protection against rust, carbon steel plates must be kept dry and occasionally covered with a thin layer of oil.

Should I Get a Manual or An Electric Meat Grinder?

Deciding whether to get a manual or an electric meat grinder largely depends on the frequency and quantity you will be grinding. Will you be grinding a whole deer or making sausage regularly? Or do you just want 30 pounds of homemade sausage occasionally? Look for a grinder suited for the capacity of meat you need to grind.

Manual Grinders - A manual meat grinder is sufficient if you only need to grind occasionally or in small batches. If you only use a grinder for small batches, or once a season for game meat, and don't want to spend much, consider our manual meat grinders. Any of our manual models are a great value for those not needing to use one for large quantities or regularly. We carry them in stainless steel and plated cast iron at everyday low prices.

Another factor to consider about manual grinders is using them to stuff sausage. Making sausage using a manual meat grinder can be cumbersome. The meat must be fed into the grinder and the handle cranked at an even rate by one person, while the sausage casing is manipulated on the other end by a second person. To make the stuffing process easier without jumping to an electric meat grinder, consider purchasing a sausage stuffer.

Electric Meat Grinders - For those who grind meat frequently or in large batches, an electric meat grinder is definitely advantageous. The electric motor saves a lot of manual labor and allows meat to be ground quickly and easily by one person. Remember that meat must be kept cold during grinding, so the time it takes is important. If you need to grind 100 pounds of meat by hand, it could take a long time and a lot of muscle. Using an electric model to grind 100 pounds of meat takes less than an hour and saves a lot of effort. Electric grinders do cost more than manual ones, but the extra investment may be worth it.

Electric grinders are also easier for stuffing sausage. Since there's no handle to crank, the grinding rate is maintained by the electric motor, which helps stuff sausage casings evenly.

We offer quality manual and electric meat grinders, so rest assured that whichever type you choose, you will be receiving a top-quality product.

Are you interested in learning more about Sausage Clipper? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Can I Stuff Sausage with A Meat Grinder?

Any meat grinder, whether manual or electric, can be fitted with sausage stuffing tubes to stuff sausage into casings. Many grinders come with a set of stuffing tubes, but they can also be purchased separately and are inexpensive. Ensure they match your grinder size for proper attachment.

Stuffing sausage with a manual meat grinder can be cumbersome. One person must feed the meat into the grinder and crank the handle, while another person manipulates the sausage casing at the other end.

It is easier to stuff sausage with an electric grinder. Since there is no handle to crank, the even grinding rate is maintained by the electric motor, which helps stuff sausage casings evenly.

Using a sausage stuffer is even easier than stuffing with a meat grinder, especially for larger quantities.

Can I Grind Bones in A Meat Grinder?

Most meat grinders aren't designed to grind bones, and manufacturers typically advise against it due to the risk of damaging the motor or gears. However, many grinders can handle smaller animal bones and soft bones like chicken or rabbit. A larger and more powerful grinder is more durable for grinding soft bones. For grinding bones, such as making pet food, we suggest getting the highest wattage all-metal grinder you can afford.

The Weston #22 or #32 Butcher Series or Pro Series electric grinders effectively handle soft bones because they have all-metal gears and are powerful.

We do not recommend grinding beef, deer, pork, or other larger animal bones as they may damage your grinder.

Can I Make My Own Dog or Cat Food with A Meat Grinder?

Making your own pet food is an excellent use of a meat grinder. There is a lot of information on the internet about putting pets on an all-raw food diet with homemade food using a meat grinder. Advocates say pets will be healthier if they eat food with a good mixture of ground meat, organs, and bones.

What Other Foods Can I Process with A Meat Grinder?

Grinders, whether manual or electric, can be used for various foods. Although called "meat" grinders, they can grind nuts, fruits, vegetables, and even cheese.

Do Meat Grinders Require Any Maintenance?

Whether manual or electric, we recommend stainless steel grinders if you can afford them, as they are maintenance-free and dishwasher safe. Electric grinders nowadays require no special cleaning care or lubrication. If you have a cast iron meat grinder, do not put it in the dishwasher. Hand washing will reduce the risk of rust. Cast iron grinders need to be kept away from moisture. After cleaning, dry all parts thoroughly. Apply a coat of mineral or cooking oil to protect from rust. Store the grinder disassembled in zip-top bags with dry rice to absorb any moisture. If your grinding knife or plates are made of carbon steel, maintain them similarly to cast iron.

Meat Your Maker was just having a 25% off sale. It may still be going. When I bought mine last spring, I used "HUNT10" for an additional 10% off. I think I paid around $500 for the 1.5 hp. I've only done a musk ox and two moose so far. It has worked very well. It doesn't get near as hot as the previous 1.5 hp grinders I've used. The actual grinding tube and plates are much larger than most 1 hp grinders as well, which I like. When I did the second grind on my moose burger, I hardly ever had to use the plunger. Just slowly fed it fist-sized chunks and it kept things moving on its own and never got too hot. I would do about 100 lbs and let it rest. I have one more moose to hopefully do in December and I plan to do a review on it shortly after.

edited: I have the 1.5 and not the 1hp

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