How to choose a meat grinder

When choosing a meat grinder, it is worth considering first of all its technical characteristics, since it is they that determine the ease of use.

How to choose a meat grinder: characteristics to consider

The main parameters that determine the practicality of the meat grinder and the convenience of using it are:

1. Device power;

2. The material from which the case and the mechanism are made;

3. Functionality and equipment in the form of the number and varieties of attachments.

4. The manufacturer is also important.

Types of meat grinders

The meat grinders on the market can be roughly divided into three groups:

1. Manual;

2. Highly specialized (called 'class C');

3. Multifunctional.

Manual meat grinders

Manual meat grinders are almost an endangered species. They cannot be found in home appliance supermarkets, they are sold in stores of various small things for the home. However, they still exist and are even produced by several companies.

Advantages

• Low price (within a few hundred rubles);

• Zero power consumption;

• High mechanical reliability and durability (the operating period can be up to several decades);

disadvantages

• Labor intensity, inability to process a large number of products due to user fatigue;

• Limited functionality;

• They damage the countertop, if at all they are able to gain a foothold on it;

Highly specialized meat grinders (so called 'class C')

This group includes budget meat grinders that offer the minimum required functionality. As a result, they are designed exclusively for grinding various products and are characterized by a rather low productivity.

Advantages

• Low price (within 2-3 thousand rubles);

• Low power consumption;

• Simple and reliable design;

disadvantages

• Very low performance;

• They usually offer very limited options;

• May not cope with grinding tough meat;

Multifunctional meat grinders

Multifunctional meat grinders are devices that can replace several types of kitchen appliances at once. Thanks to their high power and variety of attachments, they are suitable for a wide variety of applications.

Advantages

• Various attachments included;

• They can replace a juicer, noodle cutter, suitable for cooking sausages, etc .;

• High power and performance;

disadvantages

• Small difficulty in maintenance (you will have to wash many different attachments and accessories).

• It is the multifunctional meat grinders that are recommended for purchase, which are suitable for a variety of uses in the kitchen.

Which meat grinder to choose

When choosing a grinder, it is worth determining the intended use. Then you will be able to find the perfect type.

1. For very rare short-term use – manual;

2. For very rare long-term use – highly specialized ('class C');

3. For regular use – universal.

But, if the budget allows, then, regardless of the planned frequency of use, it is worth purchasing a universal meat grinder.

Selection options

When choosing a meat grinder for your home, you should pay attention to the following device parameters:

1. Device power;

2. Performance;

3. Body material;

4. Reverse mode;

5. Equipment (number of nozzles and available operating modes);

6. Overload protection.

Grinder power

The higher the power of the meat grinder, the faster it grinds the food. Therefore, when choosing a model, you should pay attention to this very characteristic.

The standard power for most household meat grinders is 1000-2000 watts. Devices equipped with such drives are suitable for processing the vast majority of products. More powerful meat grinders grind faster, but only slightly, so it is impractical to purchase them for home use.

Nevertheless, some manufacturers indicate very low power in their specifications (up to 500 W). This is the so-called effective electricity consumption and may differ from the actual consumption. It should be multiplied 4-5 times, and then the actual power of the device will be obtained.

However, a clearer parameter that shows the speed and technical characteristics of the device is its performance.

Grinder performance

Productivity is a parameter that shows the average amount of meat or products that a meat grinder can process per minute. It consists not only of the drive power, but also of other parameters, including the sharpness of knife sharpening, the geometry of the inner compartment, the presence or absence of crushing elements, etc.

The average productivity of multifunctional meat grinders is 1-2 kilograms of food per minute. Devices that process more slowly are poorly suited for general use. More productive ones are more expensive and therefore better suited for cafes, restaurants and catering establishments.

If the technical characteristics of the device indicate its performance, it is worth paying attention to this parameter. When it is not given, but there is power, then it becomes the most important.

Body and tray material

The body material determines the durability of the meat grinder and its resistance to various external or internal mechanical influences. It can be made of steel or plastic. The metal body makes the meat grinder as reliable and durable as possible. But at the same time, it increases the price and complexity of the repair.

Metal case

Advantages

• Maximum strength;
• Maximum resistance to mechanical stress;

• Durability and reliability.

disadvantages

• High price;
• High mass of the device;
• Limited range of models;
• Low maintainability of the device.

Plastic case

Advantages

• Low device price;

• Diverse design;

• A wide range of meat grinders;

disadvantages

• Low mechanical and vibration strength;
• Low thermal stability.

Much more important when choosing a meat grinder is the material of the tray for laying products. It can also be metal or plastic.

At the same time, metal trays are recommended for selection, which have high mechanical stability and, even with active use, are not damaged (do not crack or scratch).

Reverse mode

Reverse (reverse rotation) mode is a very important function for most meat grinders. It significantly extends the operational period. In case of any 'jam' of food in the mechanism (for example, due to the ingress of bones in the meat), you can unscrew the 'puree' from the device and eliminate the defect yourself.

Therefore, it is worth choosing meat grinders with a reverse mode.

Equipment

The functionality of the meat grinder is directly affected by its configuration. The number of modes in which the device can operate depends on the attachments.

1. The sausage attachment is a funnel-tube on which a casing is put on one side (natural or artificial, at the request of the culinary specialist).

2. The kebbe attachment discharges the minced meat in the form of a hollow tube with dense walls, which is filled with various fillings. It is intended for the manufacture of both the dish of the same name and others with a similar structure.

3. The grater attachment allows you to use the meat grinder as a grater for vegetables. It is usually used without knives. At the same time, the processing quality may be slightly inferior to that obtained using a conventional hand grater.

4. The juicer function is realized through a special attachment. Unfortunately, most meat grinders are capable of processing only berries; they cannot cope with hard fruits or vegetables (apples, carrots).

5. The noodle maker turns the dough into individual pasta. If the grinder is equipped with it, it is desirable that its speed can be adjusted. After all, you have to cut the noodles yourself.

6. The cookie cutter works similarly to the noodle attachment, only the shape of the finished 'sausage' is curly. You will also have to cut into separate portions yourself.

7. The storage compartment for the accessories is very convenient – you don't have to search for them throughout the kitchen. However, it increases the dimensions of the meat grinder.

How much does a meat grinder cost

The cost of electric meat grinders starts from 1-2 thousand rubles, but is directly determined by the performance, power and equipment of the device. The vast majority of models suitable for home use are in the price range of 8-10 thousand rubles.

The best manufacturers of meat grinders – which company to choose

Among the manufacturers of meat grinders are:

1. Redmond, Philips – produce high-quality meat grinders in the middle price segment;

2. Bosch, Zelmer – manufacturers of high-quality meat grinders in the upper price segment (from 10 thousand rubles).

3. Among the manufacturers of budget meat grinders, one can single out the company Moulinex, which specializes in the production of inexpensive kitchen appliances.

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Video for choosing a meat grinder

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.