Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Food, Cooking, and Game Preparation Meat Grinder Recommendation?

When I had a moose permit in 2005 we picked up Cabela's largest model commercial style grinder... It was wonderful.. Haven't used it much since that moose.. Lots in life has changed, and haven't done my own stuff since that time.. I sure would look at that model.. But I am sure there are many others out there that are just as good..

I like the grinder- Have thought about it my self- By the way, I grew up in "O" town of you're talking Ogden.

I've got a #8 hand crank model as a back up for the northern tool electric. I used it for a few years, and it isn't that bad if you're just doing one deer at a time. I'm sure I could get through an elk with it, but I'd rather not. Pretty sure mine was under $20.

I was actually looking for a venison chili recipe w/ fresh roasted green chili's, but I use a food processor for burger. I take out a small roast, cut it up into cubes when half frozen, drop that in the processor with the blade, add some olive oil and let 'er rip. I just grind what I need at the time (but I also cook for one or two, sometimes a crowd). So far, this works fine for deer and elk.

That is perfect! What a great little set up!

Where'd you source the hardware for the pillow block and the motor?

looks like a great set-up but that open pulley concerns me a little maybe a shield or cover could be made for it..........

UtahLefty;
Thanks for the link on the grinder specs sir and of course top of the morning to you and your fine family.

We went a bit of a different route when we fabricated power to our manual #22 grinder in that we drive it with a Browning or Lovejoy type coupler from directly behind it.

That does mean another shaft needs to be mounted and the unit size increased so that might be a factor.

The reason we went that route instead of installing a pulley directly onto the grinder shaft is that it eliminates side loading of the shaft.

Admittedly I tend towards overbuilding the stuff I fabricate, but my concern was inducing wear into the grinder housing as there's no bushing in ours - just the grinder shaft running in the cast grinder housing.

One could ream the grinder housing and install a bushing sleeve I suppose too - we did consider that route as well.

Anyway, whether one is doing a direct drive or pulley as you've done, I'd strongly recommend liberally lubricating the shaft/grinder housing with petroleum jelly to reduce friction/wear. Now that I think about it, plain old lard or vegetable shortening might work OK as a lube too, but we've never tried it.

Finally I'd second the poster who suggested a pulley guard since it seems that "stuff" happens to me - especially if I'm tired.

Hopefully that was useful information to you or someone out there this morning Matt.

All the best to you folks and good luck on your remaining hunts this fall.

Dwayne

Shields are always a good thing.
I only takes the one time.

Hi Dwayne-

I'm guessing you are still using the pulleys to reduce RPM? Are you using a second pillow block to hold the flywheel directly behind the grinder shaft?

A garage door opener seems like a good fit for this type of project!

I use # 32 hand grinder good for 2 deer a year. With grand sons its quick by myself juat a little longer.Make hamburger and pan sausage. Works great