LEM Products 1384 #10 Aluminum Hand Grinder, Silver

As a response to those who say this item jams; you don't know what you're doing. Please realize that you need to remove silverskin and tendons from meat before grinding.To those detracting the carbon steel blade I say learn the attributes of different varieties of steel. What you want is stainless steel, a metal that is difficult to sharpen, wont hold an edge for long, and is costly to replace. What you get is an appropriate carbon steel blade, a metal that is easy to sharpen, holds an edge for an extended period of time, and costs less to replace than stainless. Yes carbon steel needs more care, but it is still a superior product.Enough ranting; what I like is this items simplicity, durability, and its quaint old fashioned look. Its an item that, with proper care, will last several generations. This grinder gets the job done, thats it, a no frills, no gimmicks product that is beautifully executed.What I don't is like the vice. Its small, and doesn't leave many choices as to where you can secure this device. Even though it is difficult to find a securing point the vice is well made, just small, the rest of this product is superb.In conclusion, if you are an artisan cook, a traditional home butcher, a hunter, or a budding culinarian then this is a device for you. If you're a person who needs everything spelled out for you and spoon fed to you, maybe you should just stick to supermarket sausage and ground meats.

Not much to say about this grinder. The basic idea here is that, if you can't--or you just don't want to--take out a second mortgage on your home to buy a motorized #32 grinder, this is the only game in town. If you can maintain the required upper body strength and stamina to use this grinder, then save yourself the $700 a full-fledged butcher's #32 will cost you. I just bolted this grinder to a couple of pieces of cedar 4X4, with four stainless carriage bolts and wing nuts. This set-up works well.Good reasons to buy this grinder:* size #32, which makes grinding very fast (after basic set-up, I can grind about ten pounds in just a few minutes)* safer than motorized grinders* simplicity = durability* low-cost solution to processing more than a few pounds of meat at a time--MUCH LOWER COST* cleanup is simple (just remember to towel-dry the aluminum parts to keep them shiny; the knife and plates will rust if not kept dry after cleaning, maybe with a thin coat of oil)* functions just fine as a sausage stuffer with the addition of stuffing tubes and a stuffing plateJust remember that this thing requires quite a bit of strength and stamina for the first grind, so word to the wise. If you can hack it, then this little gem is the only way to go.

As far as #10s go it's fine but the price? You can get two #32s for that.I have a lot of experience with meat grinders. From the Soviet-made #10s that cut well and last forever (best) to the Kitchen-aid attachment and electric #10s (worst). Gigantic commercial ones that will rip your hand off if you're not careful take too much space and waste too much meat per grind and the #32 I have packed away needs to be bolted on and I am not currently setup for that.I don't like #10s because they require the meat to be cut too finely and they don't give much torque so things tend to get mushed (not in the Soviet ones for whatever reason, go figure). But, I thought maybe an expensive #10 would be a good compromise. Indeed the knife design is a bit different perhaps it cuts better? It does not.The grinder makes a (ahem) a grinding noise when turned empty. Absolutely unacceptable; the turn needs to be smooth and uniform, it is not. It can be muscled but that works the grinder free from the attachment surface and it has to be realigned periodically. The busing had flash on it; I cut it off but, come on, at this price? The inside surfaces are not smooth; the metal coating is bumpy. Again, not a big deal but what exactly am I paying for? The knife cuts ok. No better than the standard kind.It's fine and returning thing is a hassle (by design no doubt) so I will keep it but it's really not worth the price. The stuffer attachments are going straight in the trash and are worth 5 bucks at the most. Don't be like me. Don't buy this grinder.

I use this little meat grinder every single day. It has saved so much money on our grocery bill; it's already paid for itself. It is truthfully foolproof. Assemble the five easy pieces, bolt it to a counter, put the meat in the top and turn the crank. Out comes perfect, fresh ground meat every time. I know what went into the grinder so I know what my family is eating. Many years ago these kinds of grinders were standard equipment in every kitchen. The potential uses are only limited by your imagination. Blend various kinds of meat with fresh onion and garlic and make the best burgers you've ever had. Grind pork and chicken together for pasta dishes. Freezer burned meat can easy be salvaged: just grind and turn it into burritos or chili. Nothing goes to waste in my house. This little grinder is a very wise investment.