Grinding your own burger means you choose the cuts and the fat, and you grind right before cooking. For a few pounds at a time, you don't need a big grinder. You need one that stays cold and cuts cleanly.
- Best for KitchenAid ownersKitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment (KSMMGA)$99.99 list
- Best compact electricCuisinart Electric Meat Grinder (MG-100)About $130
- Best for regular burger nightsLEM Mighty Bite #8 Meat Grinder (1158)About $240
- Best if you also do deerLEM #8 BigBite Meat Grinder, 0.5 HP (1779)About $420
Side by side
| Model | Price | Size | Motor | Output (maker) | Plates | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment (KSMMGA) | $99.99 list | Mixer hub | Your stand mixer | Not listed | Fine, medium, coarse | See KitchenAid |
| Cuisinart Electric Meat Grinder (MG-100) | About $130 | Compact | 300 W | 3 lb/min | Medium, coarse | 3 years (limited) |
| LEM Mighty Bite #8 Meat Grinder (1158) | About $240 | #8 | 500 W | 4–5 lb/min | 3/16 in, 3/8 in, stuffing | 2 years |
| LEM #8 BigBite Meat Grinder, 0.5 HP (1779) | About $420 | #8 | 0.5 HP | 7 lb/min | 4.5 mm, 10 mm, stuffing | 5 years |
KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment (KSMMGA)
- Price
- $99.99 list
- Size
- Mixer hub
- Motor
- Your stand mixer
- Output (maker)
- Not listed
- Plates
- Fine, medium, coarse
- Warranty
- See KitchenAid
Freeze the metal attachment for an hour, grind chuck through the coarse plate, and you'll have better burgers than the store sells.
Pros
- $99.99 list
- Freezer-chillable
Cons
- Slow
- Smears warm fat
Cuisinart Electric Meat Grinder (MG-100)
- Price
- About $130
- Size
- Compact
- Motor
- 300 W
- Output (maker)
- 3 lb/min
- Plates
- Medium, coarse
- Warranty
- 3 years (limited)
300 watts and reverse in a small body for about $130.
Pros
- Small
- Reverse
Cons
- Small batches only
LEM Mighty Bite #8 Meat Grinder (1158)
- Price
- About $240
- Size
- #8
- Motor
- 500 W
- Output (maker)
- 4–5 lb/min
- Plates
- 3/16 in, 3/8 in, stuffing
- Warranty
- 2 years
A real #8 with metal gears and standard plates for about $240.
Pros
- Standard #8 plates
- Compact
Cons
- Two-year warranty
LEM #8 BigBite Meat Grinder, 0.5 HP (1779)
- Price
- About $420
- Size
- #8
- Motor
- 0.5 HP
- Output (maker)
- 7 lb/min
- Plates
- 4.5 mm, 10 mm, stuffing
- Warranty
- 5 years
If burgers are only part of it, the BigBite handles everything else too.
Pros
- Fast
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- About $420
- Heavy
The blend
Chuck on its own is the classic burger grind, close to the 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio most stores sell as ground chuck. Grind once through a coarse plate for a loose, tender burger. Cook to 160°F, as USDA advises for ground beef. See how to grind burger meat.
