LEM's #8 and #12 BigBite grinders share a rifled head, stainless parts and a five-year warranty. The #12 adds a quarter horsepower, a bigger throat and plate, and about $180.
Side by side
| LEM #8 BigBite | LEM #12 BigBite | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About $420 | $599.99 list |
| Size | #8 | #12 |
| Motor | 0.5 HP | 0.75 HP |
| Output (maker) | 7 lb/min | 11 lb/min |
| Weight | 29 lb | 33 lb |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
Time saved
On LEM's ratings, 50 pounds of trim is about 7 minutes of grinding on the #8 and under 5 on the #12. The real savings come from the bigger throat: larger chunks, less cutting and fewer stops to clear sinew.
Size and storage
The #12 weighs 33 lb to the #8's 29 lb. Both are counter-sized but heavy enough that most owners store them between seasons.
Which should you buy?
You grind one deer a year, plus burgers and sausage.
You process two or more deer a season, or grind for several families.
Questions
Can I buy a #12 for future needs?
If you hunt regularly, yes. The price gap is smaller than the cost of replacing an outgrown #8 later.
Do they use the same accessories?
No. Plates and knives are sized to the head.
