The STX Turboforce 3000 is the best grinder under $200, as long as you trim well and don't mind noise. Its #12 head is big for the price and it comes with three speeds, reverse and a pile of attachments. In Smoked BBQ Source's test it took more than twice as long as a LEM BigBite and clogged on sinew. The "3000 watts" on the box is a locked-motor figure; it draws 800 to 1,200 watts while grinding.
Key specs
| STX Turboforce 3000 | |
|---|---|
| Price | About $180 |
| Size | #12 |
| Motor | 800–1,200 W running |
| Output (maker) | 3–4 lb/min |
| Plates | 4, 7 and 10 mm, plus more |
| Weight | 12 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Notable | Three speeds and reverse; kubbe and patty attachments |
How it grinds
STX rates it at 180 to 240 pounds an hour on high, or about 3 to 4 pounds a minute, with meat cut into strips or cubes. It has high, low and reverse; low is for stuffing.
In Smoked BBQ Source's test, a 4 lb brisket took 7:27 and a 6 lb pork butt took 30:14 ground twice. The reviewer called it loud, said it struggled with larger cuts, and found silverskin clogged the fine plate. Reverse helped clear jams.
In the box
Tempered-steel plates (4, 7 and 10 mm, plus a wagon-wheel and a stuffing plate), three stainless knives, three sausage tubes, a kubbe attachment, two meat claws and a burger press. It weighs about 12 lb.
Price and warranty
About $180 when we checked. Three-year warranty from STX. One owner notes its plates aren't interchangeable with other brands', so buy spares from STX.
After grinding
Ground meat keeps one to two days in the fridge, so freeze what you won't cook. Pressed flat in vacuum bags, it freezes and thaws fast; our sister site has a guide to vacuum sealing meat. Grinding for jerky? Ground jerky has to reach 160°F; see ground beef jerky on The Dehydrator Report.
This review is based on STX's published specifications and on independent tests where they exist; we name whose test each finding comes from. We haven't run our own timed tests on this model yet and will add hands-on notes when we do.
Questions
Is the STX really 3,000 watts?
That's its locked-motor rating, the most it draws when stalled. While grinding it draws 800 to 1,200 watts.
STX or LEM Mighty Bite?
The STX has a bigger head and more attachments; the LEM is quieter and better built. See STX vs Mighty Bite.
