My little $100 LEM grinder finally crapped out after about 10 years of service. I've been trying to get by with a KitchenAid attachment but it just doesn't quite cut it.

Was just going to grab another LEM but thought I'd see if there's anything better out there that won't cost me an arm and a leg.

A number of years back I hit Cabelas at just the right moment & retrieved their dandy 1/2 hp 'professional' model (at the lower end anyway) for about 1/2 price. Stainless steel and with a sausage set up too. Used it little but very impressed with the projects so far. Has the large & the smaller hole extruder plate.

I've been exposed to the 'too little but cute' style grinders, & used granny's hand crank one for a lot of mom's home projects.

I've got a big Cabelas grinder that I think would suck in my leg and pull me in it's so powerful. For 100 bucks though I have one from Northern Tool that I picked up for small jobs and it's a little beast. Just this evening my wife used it to grind a bunch of dried figs for Christmas cookies. I've run half frozen beef, venison, and pork through it and it's never had any problem doing what I've asked of it.

I don't know what you define as an arm and a leg but I have a Cabela's 3/4hp grinder and it is a beast. Grinders are one of those things that you really get what you pay for.

I also have a Cabelas 3/4HP grinder that I bought several years ago and I agree with mark, it's a beast. It's rated at 10 lbs/minute but it seems like it consumes meat at about 40 lbs/minute. I spend hours cleaning and cutting the meat from the quarters and only about 2 minutes total on grinding.

A mixture of venison and lard is good.

I also have a Cabelas, though I think it's the 3/4 hp deal. It does pretty well, I've gotten so accustomed to it taking bigger chunks that I pretty much use the measurement of "if it's small enough to cram in, she'll grind it." I will say on some really sinewy grinds I've offered her, she slows down for just a tick.

If I were buying, I'd spring for the 1hp model. Yes, mine works ok, but the extra 25% is worth a one time cost. As I've said a bunch of times before, you can often find things like this for sale used (where folks think they'll use them much more than they do). Found my 3/4 on eBay, and it has done well enough.

Years back I bought a Hobart slaughter house grinder, must weigh 50+ pounds. I can do a deer in 5 minutes. Parts are common place and plenty of different size plates plus blades are easy to sharpen if ever needed. I think I paid $100 for it. Something like that will server you well. Check with some of the local auction houses for their next restaurant auction. Chris

Yeah, I'd love to have one of them Hobarts that'll grind up a yak, but they run in the thousands.

Thanks for the input fellas. I just ordered up another of the $100 jobbers ($150 actually). 4.5 star rating and if I get ten years out of this one too I'll be happy.

Lamb, onion, lettuce, tomato and tzatziki sauce.

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things like this for sale used (where folks think they'll use them much more than they do).

years ago I happened into a deal on a slightly used smaller commercial model slicer....it was devine using it as much as possible for a couple weeks....then it took its station back there by the tread(clothes hanger)mill....

Finally gave it to my buddy as his family are pretty much stuck on venison/elk/mountain creatures year round. Sorry to see it go but it was way more tool than I needed.

I've got a 1hp Weston commercial #22 that is awesome. Will grind whatever you throw at it and ask for more.