Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire LEM Meat Grinder

A friend bought a 1 hp Cabelas grinder at a yard sale for $15. Nearly new and all parts were there. Why can't I find a deal like that?

Got the grinder in today and tried it out. Definitely a good investment. It's hard to keep that thing fed.

The cuber/slicer attachment works fantastic and the foot pedal controller is definitely worth the money when stuffing.

Helpful tip, if you don't already know. Run a couple pieces of bread through it when finished, followed by some crackers. Makes for much easier cleaning.

Saltines or Ritz?

Ice!

Just looked at the LEM range of grinders. Pretty impressive. Actually, I have an old commercial "Butcher Boy" grinder (it weighs a ton) that I bought used from a restaurant supply company. I've had it for over 20 years ... and it just "keeps on a truckin' ". If it ever dies, I'll certainly look at LEM.

The only problem I can see with my LEM grinder is the throat is just too small. The first grind works really great, but the second grind is a bear to get the already ground meat stuffed down that two inch hole. The tube is long enough you could not find a way to get your fingers into the screw so why they don't use a bigger tube on the dang thing?
Bill

use the plunger

I have been keeping my eyes open for a Hobart for several years now, no substitute will do.

Even with the plunger it is a royal pain. Idon't think you could do it without the plunger.
Bill

Stuffing the second grind down the throat with the plunger does suck. Try what I do- drop in chunks that are small enough to make it all the way down to the auger without using the plunger. It's faster than dealing with a throat full of ground meat and the plunger.

I think my Lem is a # 22 has that big bite feature. I never used anything else other than a old small hand grind so my new one seems like a dream come true. It does take longer to run that second grind but with the large tray and plunger it isnt too bad.

I flat freeze the ground meat after the first grind and tear off chunks of it for the second grind. I hate using the plunger because it really slows down the process.

If anyone else is looking at buying one, Academy Sports has their LEM stuff on sale. The grinders were about 30% off.

do all the lem grinders have metal drive gears ?

Ed

The heavy duty so called "big bite" models do but you need to ask/check on the other ones before you buy. I see that Bass Pro also has them on sale.

Own both the meat grinder and the cuber. Lem also makes a set of knives that fits in the cuber for making jerky. While you are it also get yourself either a Lem or a comparable vacuum packer to go along with the grinder and cuber.