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 appliances will cope with the task. The total power range varies from 120 to 2500 watts.

If you plan to use an electric meat grinder to process soft or stringy meats, 400 to 800 watts will be sufficient. Devices with a power of 1,500 kW or more are closer to professional equipment and grind bones with ease.

We recommend choosing models with a speed switch in order to set the optimal mode, taking into account the products used. The maximum time of its continuous operation depends on the power of the meat grinder. It is indicated in the technical documentation and should be from 10 to 15 minutes.

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

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

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

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

If you decide to buy an electric meat grinder made of metal, then choose steel with a matte finish. It is much easier to maintain, because, unlike a brilliant polish, it will not show handprints and stains from detergents.

The comfort of using the meat grinder depends on how correctly the shape of the device is chosen. The neck for supplying meat, bones and other products should have a height of 10-15 cm to ensure safety during the operation of the equipment.

A tray made of metal or food-grade plastic is attached to the top. This part acts as a kind of loading platform, helping to deliver products to the neck and prevent accidental scattering.

Choose meat grinders of a shape that allows you to set the bowl for ground products closely. If the body is convex or flat, they may fall past the prepared dishes.

Knives. They are among the parts most subject to wear, since they bear the main load. Poor quality or blunt knives are 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 that there are no defects.

Disks. The package of the electric meat grinder includes from 1 to 3 perforated discs, which differ in the size of the holes.

The consistency of the minced meat depends on their diameter:

• Grids with small holes (up to 3 mm) are used in the preparation of pâtés, mashed potatoes and baby food;
• Discs with medium cells (from 4 to 7 mm) allow you to get minced meat of a regular consistency, cut vegetables;
• Grids with large holes are used for preparing coarse minced meat and grinding bones.

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

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

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

Reverse. This feature is helpful when strings of meat or other hard fibers are wound around the auger shaft. The reverse is turned on by pressing a button and causes the auger to rotate in the opposite direction, cleaning the mechanism without completely disassembling the meat grinder. A useful feature, but not available in all modern models. If you choose a powerful technique, then a reverse is not needed, since it can grind the veins without additional help.

Engine protection. If bones, hard fibers or other particles get on the rotating parts of the equipment, it can lead to jamming and subsequent overheating of the motor. This is prevented by the emergency automatic power off function. Engine protection is additionally triggered during prolonged operation of the meat grinder (in excess of the rate specified in the instructions).

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

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

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

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

For stuffing. Universal nozzle used for squeezing meat. The kit usually comes with several disks with outlet holes that differ in diameter. They are used in the processing of poultry, vegetables, fat, meat.

Grater. It allows you to quickly grate food using an electric meat grinder, with a minimum of effort. The kit usually comes with several grater nozzles, differing in caliber and type of grinding.

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

To form a test. The nozzle is represented by a metal (rarely plastic) disk with 3-4 shaped 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, there may be additional ones - 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 possibilities are limited, we recommend that you pay attention to models with universal nozzles, and buy additional ones later.

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

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

For some models, a rotary switch is installed instead, designed to control the speed mode. Before buying, we recommend that you make sure that all buttons and switches are in good working order, 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,
• Brown,
• panasonic,
• kenwood,
• Philips.

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

The best brands offering budget models:

• redmond,
• unit,
• polaris,
• redmond,
• Zelmer,
• scarlett,

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

Budget electric meat grinders from a Russian manufacturer will cost you 5,000 - 10,000 rubles and more. However, you 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 10,000 rubles are offered to choose foreign manufacturers. For this price, you will get at least 4-5 replacement nozzles in the kit, several operating modes and an engine overheat protection function. Premium models are an excellent choice for a large family where you have to cook a lot and often.