Sausage asks two things of a grinder: a clean, cold grind that doesn't smear fat, and a second pass through a fine plate. Look for a #8 or larger with a strong motor and a 3/16-inch (4.5 mm) plate. Most come with stuffing tubes, but a separate stuffer does that job better.
- Best for sausageWeston Pro Series #8 Meat Grinder, 0.75 HP (10-0801-W)$479.99
- Fastest #8LEM #8 BigBite Meat Grinder, 0.5 HP (1779)About $420
- Best for snack sticksWeston Butcher Series #8 Meat Grinder, 0.5 HP (09-0801-W)About $420
- Best smaller grinderLEM Mighty Bite #8 Meat Grinder (1158)About $240
Side by side
| Model | Price | Size | Motor | Output (maker) | Plates | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weston Pro Series #8 Meat Grinder, 0.75 HP (10-0801-W) | $479.99 | #8 | 0.75 HP (560 W) | 4–6 lb/min | 4.5 mm, 7 mm | 5 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 |
| Weston Butcher Series #8 Meat Grinder, 0.5 HP (09-0801-W) | About $420 | #8 | 0.5 HP (350 W) | 4–5 lb/min | 4.5 mm, 7 mm | 5 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 |
Weston Pro Series #8 Meat Grinder, 0.75 HP (10-0801-W)
- Price
- $479.99
- Size
- #8
- Motor
- 0.75 HP (560 W)
- Output (maker)
- 4–6 lb/min
- Plates
- 4.5 mm, 7 mm
- Warranty
- 5 years
A ¾ HP motor, coarse and fine plates, four stuffing funnels and a built-in knife sharpener.
Pros
- 0.75 HP
- Full stuffing kit
- Sharpener
Cons
- $479.99
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
LEM's rated 7 pounds a minute and a strong showing in Smoked BBQ Source's timed test. Comes with a stuffing plate and three tubes.
Pros
- Fast
- Quiet
Cons
- About $420
Weston Butcher Series #8 Meat Grinder, 0.5 HP (09-0801-W)
- Price
- About $420
- Size
- #8
- Motor
- 0.5 HP (350 W)
- Output (maker)
- 4–5 lb/min
- Plates
- 4.5 mm, 7 mm
- Warranty
- 5 years (limited)
Includes a 10 mm snack-stick funnel alongside 20, 30 and 40 mm funnels.
Pros
- Snack-stick funnel
- Five-year limited warranty
Cons
- Slower rated output than LEM #8
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
About $240, rated 4 to 5 pounds a minute, with 3/16 and 3/8 inch plates.
Pros
- Compact
- Standard #8 plates
Cons
- Two-year warranty
The double grind
Mississippi State Extension recommends a first grind through a ½- to ¾-inch plate, mixing in seasoning, then a second grind through a 3/16-inch plate, with the meat held at 40°F or below. See how to make sausage.
Sources
- Smoky Mountain Knife Works: Weston Pro Series #8 (10-0801-W)
- LEM: #8 BigBite Meat Grinder, 0.5 HP
- Everything Kitchens: Weston Butcher Series #8 (09-0801-W)
- LEM Mighty Bite #8 Grinder retailer listing
- Smoked BBQ Source: The best meat grinders, timed brisket and pork-butt tests
- Mississippi State University Extension: Making Sausage at Home
