To users of LEM meat grinders... LEM came out with a new grinder feature called a "big bite" that has an auger with a bigger gap at the intake. What it does is pulls the meat in easier than bouncing it. Makes it faster and let you put down larger pieces.

Anyone ever run one?

Work as advertised?

Yep. I have a 3/4 HP big bite. Love it. I honestly can't tell a huge difference between the big bite and a conventional auger - maybe on the second grind.

Slemer,

Im looking at the .35 hp or #8 neck one. Yours is the #12. Do you think the #8 is fine for the one or 2 deer person who may experiment with bratwuurst or just stuff burger bags?

I think you'd be fine for what you're describing. Mine is probably a little more than I NEED, but I like the power and speed.

I have the#5 with big bite . Its all the grinder i need and i sometimes grind 150 lbs at a time.

Found #8 and #12 lems on sale and bought... The #8.

The 12 was tempting, but the extra $100 was a bit much for my level of processing.

Hope to try it out over thanksgiving when I process my deer.

Bad move not buying the #12.

1/3hp V 3/4hp ? Do the math.

Love my LEM #12.

Well I can always return it if it bothers you that much...

I didnt have my motor amp draw charts with me to see if the 3/4 HP would draw more than the typical 15 amp circuits or need 20 amp circuits plus...

I looked at 6# per min grind rate on the #8 and 11# per min on the #12 and determined one or two deer a year... I cant feed it that fast...

And the review on a #5 was good so split the gap.

I'll keep you updated...

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ,........(yawn)

I bought a LEM #12 as well. Works great.

The #12 will run on 15amp circuit no problem. The extra size and power may not be needed now, but you never know what you may need in the future. I stepped up to a #12 a few years back and would never go smaller now.

I'm sensing a pattern here...

Well guys... I may have to finish the job with my dad's old Klien Kleen Kut (big german two man lift circuit popping monster)and decide on the keeping the #8 or upgrading to the #12.

What intrigues me about the lem big bites is its supposed to stop the "bounce" and minimize stomping. I have yet to find a video of before & after comparing it.

I think you're overthinking it. If you can get a screaming deal on the older model, I'd say go for it the differences between the older and newer probably aren't that big. The LEM have always gotten good reviews, so even if the big bite are better, it's probably not that big of an improvement where someone owning the older model should sell it to get the new model.

Link to LEM #12 refurb

There are other #12 grinders that are also very nice. Gander, Cabelas, Weston, Bass Pro has a house labeled LEM, etc.

Or, just use the #8 you bought and be done with it.

Correct. Try to keep up.




Had my #12 for a few years and never saw it "bounce".

However, if'n yer feeding live deer into it said "bouncing" may occur.

You think Im one of those mafia types that feed people into the grinder???

Were up in the north country where "Fargo" was filmed. We use wood chippers!

I been researching grinders most of this year and finally need to buy it since we now have a couple of deer in the freezer. Decided to go with the Cabelas Carnivore .75 HP model.
Great reviews, decent price ($399) and it has a lifetime warranty. The warranty is what sealed the deal. I plan on having it by the first of Dec then will grind up our first two deer.

????

This link says Five-year limited warranty.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/CARNIVORE-HP-GRINDER/2122105.uts

Hate to see ya get stuck. Nice looking machine

Guess we are both correct. I copied this from the Product Research tab:

Cabela's Carnivore Commercial-Grade 0.75hp Grinder

Cabela's Brand Lifetime Guarantee


Neck opening for 1.5 HP is 2 7/8, the neck opening for the
1.75 is 4 3/4.
All the gears are made from (AISI 1045 Grade) H/D Steel.
All Grinder's comes with Multiple Grind Plates #8 through
#32 has 4.5mm/10mm #42 has 7.0mm /10mm.
Parts that come with unit: Grinder, Grinding Head with ring
nut, Meat Tray, Auger, Auger Puller, Cutting Knife, Sausage
Stuffing Star, Funnel Flange, 23,29,39 Stuffing Tube, High
Speed Stuffing Auger ( Plastic ) Stomper, and 1 Cool Tek Ic
Pack.
The Internal Differences between the Carnivore, and the
Commercial model's is the air flow, and the way it cool's
the motor.
Warranty: Cabela's Brand Lifetime Guarantee

I did contact Cabelas and they verified it was a lifetime warranty.

Thumbs up !

I'm about to buy my first grinder. I'm in the 1-2 deer a year crowd. A LEM #8 is what I was looking at getting for about $279. If I could get the #12 for that price, then I would do that.

Who has the lowest price for these grinders?

Now that's funny. My #12 LEM has never bounced either. It does grind the hell out of deer and elk though...

What happens when Bass Pro buys them out and Cabela's no longer exists?????

My guess is they cover it. My money says the Cabelas name will be around for a long time. Would of, could of, should of. Not worth worrying about.

Minnesota chain mills fleet farm sells the lem 8 on sale for $259 and 12 for $359 to give you an idea. Lem foes seem to have discounts when you contact them, but the shipping can get you if you don't get the free shipping di
scount.
I think mills got bought by academy sports recently.

What about my Cabelas points? I bought a browning citori with them once!!!

You'll probably have to bump up your budget a touch if you want a #12.

LEM has refurbs on their site (see my link above), and they are constantly having sales. Sign up for their emails. I bought my #12 from Gander Mountain. They were on sale, and Gander also had additional discounts so I got it for around $300 shipped. I've been happy with the Gander grinder.

BTW - LEM has a 10% off and free shipping sale that ends Thursday. The code is EVENT16.

Now I really don't know what grinder to purchase!

He's an enabler.

Stay on the fire long enough and your gunsafe seems to fill up too.

Just tried to apply the code. 10% off but they still wanted to charge me almost $40 shipping for cheapest way.

I ordered the Cabelas Carnivore .75 hp grinder and it should be here by the end of next week.

Gander Mountain has the LEM # 8 big bite for $249 and free shipping. I had a coupon and was able to get it for $227 with free shipping. I hope to get to try it out soon.