5 Best Meat Grinder For Deer & Elk: Hunters Meat Grinder

If you like your deer meat ground, then you have two options: you can either pay a butcher to grind your meat for you, or you can do it yourself. For most of us, the latter option is a no-brainer; I mean, that’s why you are here.

Grinding your meat allows you to get the best out of it. You can adjust the fat content and experiment with different spices to get your preferred taste. But to do this, you will need the best meat grinder for deer meat. 

Choosing a meat grinder can be frustrating, in any case. These appliances range from electric meat grinders that cost thousands to manual 20-dollar grinders. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a few pointers on what to consider when buying a grinder.

Also, we have included our top five meat grinder picks for you to check out.

How To Choose The Best Meat Grinder For Deer and ELK

So, what are some of the things you should consider when shopping for a meat grinder for deer meat? In this section, we are going to look at the main factors to consider.

Motor power

The motor is what powers a meat grinder. As such, it is perhaps the most important component to consider. The power output of meat grinder motors can range from 350 to 750 watts or more. If you plan on grinding a ton of deer meat, then you need a powerful grinder.

It is worth noting that more power means an increase in price. Thus, if you are on a tight budget, you may want to opt for something a little bit less powerful than 750 watts.

Locked power output

Locked power is the maximum power output of a grinder. Normally, a grinder will have a standard power output that it operates at. This is different from its locked power output. For example, some grinders have an output of 800 watts but can go up to 3000 watts.

The locked power output will be important when the grinder becomes clogged up. In such instances, you will need an injection of power to clear the blockage. Thus, a high locked power output is important if you intend to be using your grinder frequently. 

Construction material

Meat grinders are typically made from aluminum, plastic, or stainless steel. Of the three, stainless steel is the best. This is a material that is easy to clean and durable. Aluminum comes in at a close second in terms of durability.

Also, stainless steel grinders feature good-quality attachments that will not break with heavy use. Plastic grinders are inexpensive and are less durable. If you are someone looking for the best commercial meat grinder, a stainless steel grinder will be the right fit.

Capacity

A grinder’s capacity is the amount of meat it can accommodate. This is another feature that influences price. Pricier grinders tend to offer a bigger capacity. Thus, if you are looking to process large amounts of meat, then a big capacity is a must.

Overall size

The size of the grinder you intend to purchase is also important. If you have limited space, then a big grinder will probably not make sense. However, if space is not an issue, then you can go for a bigger grinder with a higher capacity.

5 Best Meat Grinder For Hunters

LEM Products W780A Stainless Steel Big Bite Electric #12-Meat Grinder

Short Overview About LEM Products W780A

The large stainless steel W780A electric meat grinder from LEM Products is a heavy-duty unit. It is quite a step up from its #5 and #8 LEMS products siblings, and it has the features to prove it.

Like any other heavy-duty meat grinder, it has a powerful motor rated at .75 horsepower. With a power rating of 550 watts, it is quite a powerhouse. It has no problems grinding through tough and thicker meats.

In-built storage is a nice bonus feature you get with this grinder. It has an onboard drawer that you can use to store appliances. 

Measuring 9″ in width by 19.5″ in length by 16″ in height, fully assembled, it is quite manageable. Also, all the essential components of this grinder are made from stainless steel. This includes the handle, the motor housing, the stuffing plate, and the plates.

What we liked

1. Very well built, with a majority of its components being made from stainless steel.
2. Has a built-in handle for improved control and portability?
3. Comes with a storage tray for accessories
4. Is big enough to accommodate substantial amounts of meat

What we did not like

1. It has quite a large footprint and is not suitable for smaller spaces.
2. The cutting screens have to be purchased separately.

Features

• 550 watts permanently lubricated motor
• Stainless steel knife
• ⅜ inch stainless steel course
• one stuffing plate
• three stuffing tubes
• 47 pounds weight

Verdict

This is quite a large meat grinder. And thanks to its size, it can accommodate a lot of meat grinding. As such, it is one of the best meat grinders for hunters. Its heavy-duty construction means it will serve you for a long time.

Cabela’s Heavy-Duty Meat Grinder

Short Overview About Cabela’s Heavy-Duty Meat Grinder

This Cabela’s heavy-duty meat grinder is every hunter’s prized grinder. With most of its parts being made from aluminum, it is quite lightweight. More importantly, it can process much meat.

Its meat-grinding capabilities are attributed to its powerful motor. It has a locked power rating of 4000 watts. It is, therefore, able to chew through a large pile of meat with ease. And in case of clogging, it can clear the blockage quickly.

There is a three-way toggle switch that allows you to switch between grinding, stuffing, and reverse modes. At the bottom, it features stable, non-slip feet, and thus, you can place it on virtually any surface.

You get two #8 grinding plates, a stuffing panel, and a stuffing star. These are all the features you need to get started on your grinding.

What we liked

1. It has a powerful 4000 watts motor.
2. The hopper, gearbox, and feeder are made of aluminum and are easy to clean.
3. Comes with a three-way toggle switch for switching between reverse, stuffing, and grinding modes
4. It comes with two grinding plates, fine and medium.
5. It is quite lightweight.

What we did not like

1. Is not ideal for commercial-grade grinding
2. Made from aluminum and not stainless steel

Features

• 4000 watts locked power
• Three-way control toggle switch
• Two metal grinding plates
• Aluminum hopper, feeder, and gearbox
• 9.25 pounds weight

Verdict

This is one of the best meat grinders for venison at its price. It offers features found on pricier models. Also, it is quite lightweight and makes a great option for home use.

STX Turboforce Classic 3000 Series Electric Meat Grinder

Short Overview About STX Turboforce Classic 3000

The best home meat grinder for people who are on a budget has to be the STX turbo force classic 3000. This electric grinder can grind up to 320 pounds of meat in an hour.

What makes it so effective is its three-speed modes. These modes are high, low, and reverse mode. You can select either of the three depending on the kind of meat you are grinding. And as its name suggests, it comes with up to 3000 watts of maximum power.

The grinding plates on this electric grinder are quite large compared to some of its competitors. This means you can grind more meat within a shorter period. 

When it comes to its construction, it’s built from a combination of stainless steel and aluminum. This makes it easy to clean while guaranteeing its durability. Also included in this grinder is a sausage tube and sausage stuffing plate for stuffing sausages quicker.

What we liked

1. Is made from high-quality materials
2. This is a powerful grinder and works well for regular grinding.
3. Overall, it is easy to assemble and disassemble. 
4. Features a powerful motor capable of grinding thick and tough meats
5. It is easy to operate and maintain

What we did not like

1. Might not be ideal for commercial use
2. Is not dishwasher safe

Features

• 800 watts rated power
• 3000 watts locked power
• Three-speed switch system
• Circuit breaker
• three tampered grinding plates
• three stainless steel cutting blades

Verdict

This is perfect for home use. It is capable of chewing through tough cuts with plenty of sinews.

Cabela’s Pro Series DC Meat Grinder

A Quick Brief About Cabela’s Pro Series

The Pro Series DC meat grinder from Cabela’s is another that is made from aluminum. In this case, die-cast aluminum. It is also priced reasonably. 

Powering this grinder is a 0.5 HP DC motor. It runs quietly and is capable of grinding up to 7 pounds of meat per minute. This is quite impressive. Also, with a #12 head, it is quite large and can accommodate plenty of meat.

There is a four-position control switch for switching between four modes. The four modes are full power grinding mode, reduced-speed grinding mode, sausage-stuffing, and reverse modes. 

As with the other Cabela’s model reviewed above, this one also comes with rubber feet at the bottom. These feet give it stability. The one-way fit cutting blade is made from stainless steel, and so are the two cutting plates.

What we liked

1. Has a powerful motor capable of grinding up to 7 pounds a minute per minute
2. Comes with four different meat processing modes
3. The cutting blades and plates are made from stainless steel.
4. Is quite lightweight thanks to its die-cast aluminum construction
5. Comes with both large and small sausage attachments

What we did not like

1. Might not be ideal for grinding moose or elk meat
2. Made from die-cast aluminum and not stainless steel

Features

• 0.5 HP DC motor
• Four mode control switch
• Die-cast aluminum housing
• One-way-fit stainless steel cutting blade
• Two stainless steel cutting plates
• Storage cover

Verdict

For the price, you will be hard-pressed to find another grinder that offers the same features as this one. For deer meat, it is one of the best grinders on the market. It is a top-rated meat grinder from Cabela’s.

Cabela’s Carnivore meat grinders

Short Overview About Cabela’s Carnivore meat grinders

Cabela’s carnivore series of meat grinders are among the best meat grinders for venison on the market. Three grinders have the Carnivore brand name, each with different power outputs.

The least powerful of the three is the ¾ HP commercial-grade meat grinder. This unit boasts a powerful ¾ HP induction motor. With the latter, it can grind up to 8 to 10 pounds of meat per minute. 

After the ¾ HP comes to the Cabelas 1hp meat grinder. A 1 HP motor powers this Cabela’s grinder. It is capable of 11 to 13 pounds of meat per minute. Similar to the ¾ HP model, it is also quiet.

The most powerful of the three is the 1-¾ HP model. This one is also the most expensive. It is capable of grinding an impressive 19 to 23 pounds of meat per minute. 

One of the best things about these units is the Carnivore Cool-Tek Gel Ice Pak wrapped around the head. What this does is keep the meat inside the grinder head cold to prevent sticking and binding. The grinder’s one-way, two-sided stainless steel knife is easy to install.

All three models come with two grinding plates, 4.5 mm and 10 mm. These two are ideal for coarse and fine meat. Also, they come with non-slip rubber feet and heavy-duty carry handles.

What we liked

• Are sufficiently powerful for grinding plenty of meat
• Come in different price choices.
• Feature an innovative cooling system that keeps meat in the grinding head cold
• All feature non-slip rubber feet that help maintain stability.
• Both the grinding plates and cutting knife are made from stainless steel.

What we did not like

1. These grinder models are quite expensive.
2. Compared to other Cabela’s models, they are quite bulky.

Features

• ¾ Hp, 1Hp, and 1-3/4Hp induction motor
• auger-pull-handle tool
• 4.5mm and 10 mm grinding plates
• Side-mounted on/off switch
• one -way two-sided cutting knife
• Stainless steel meat tray

Verdict

For tough meat grinding, the carnivore meat grinders from Cabelas are more than capable. While they are quite costly, their price is justified. They offer exceptional grinding power and can chew through tough meat.

Tips On Choosing The Top-Notch Deer Or Elk Meat Gridner

Some general question-answer tips on how to grind deer meat effectively will include selecting the right grinder for your needs based on size and power, ensuring the grinder is easy to clean, using sharp blades, and cutting the meat into smaller pieces before grinding to achieve a consistent texture.

Is a grinder’s size important?

Grinders come in different sizes, which begs the question, does size matter? And the answer is yes. A bigger grinder is capable of grinding more meat than a smaller grinder. However, a bigger grinder has to be paired with a powerful motor. Thus, if you intend to grind a lot of meat, then you are better off with a big grinder.

What is the standard for measuring meat grinders?

Grinder size depends on the size of outlet openings, grinding plates, and neck. In most cases, you will find grinders with a size designation of #8, # or #12. This size normally corresponds with the outlet diameter. For instance, an #8 grinder will have an outlet diameter of 2.5 inches while a #5 will have an outlet diameter of 2 ⅛ inches.

How do you prevent a meat grinder from getting clogged?

There are several things you can do to prevent clogging up your grinder. Some of the things you can do include Remove the silver-colored layer of skin from meat before grinding. Also, it is a good idea to remove any connective tissue, such as fascia, sinews, and ligaments, before grinding. Cut the meat into small pieces before grinding. Grinders often clog up because of being fed large pieces of meat. Put the grinder blades, meat, and auger in a freezer for about thirty minutes before grinding.

Can I grind bones with my meat grinder?

Some grinders are capable of grinding bone. However, they can only grind small and soft bones, mainly of small animals. It is a bad idea to try and grind deer or elk bones with your meat grinder.

Conclusion

Deer meat is both tasty and nutritious. And if you want to get creative with your deer meat preparation, grinding is the way to go. There are many recipes you can experiment with when you can grind your deer meat.

Of course, to do this, you need the best meat grinder for deer. The five we have reviewed above should give you all you need to get started on your deer meat grinding.