A friend and I pay over a $1,000 a year for deer processing fees. We are thinking about buying a good quality meat grinder that can make quick work of a deer.

Do you all hav any recomendations? What are some of the more popular brand names and options such as a sausage stuffer, cuber and the like. Just getting started with my research on this but would like to hear what you think would be a good bet. We will be grinding 20-30 deer a year for family and friends.

Dan

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...at-grinder-need-suggestions#Post13247841

Ive had a LEM for several years with no problems

You gotta be shlttin me

Thanks Bama for posting that link. What are the chances?

My Son and Son in law both have the older model cabelas 3/4hp unit(#12 neck). Those things will eat a deer in no time. We even butchered an angus bull with a broken leg (weighed over a ton on the hoof) and put the whole thing through the Son in laws. Took a little while but it did the job.
I've got the same model in the 1 hp version(#22 neck), it was in the bargain cave at a good discount. Wish I had the smaller 3/4hp unit. I have a hard time keeping up with this one, it takes cubes of meat as fast as I can feed it double handed. Heavier to carry into the house and setup for an old timer.
Whatever you get, buy a sausage press/bag stuffer instead of trying to use the grinder to fill the burger bags or sausage casings. Works much better, the grinder tends to bog down once you get some back pressure on the stuffing tube.

I also have a 3/4hp Cabelas model and it’s paid for itself after the first season. It’s got many elk and deer through it along with all the other assorted meats. It does a great job stuffing pepperoni casings all the way up to summer sausage. I’ve been extremely happy with it and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone. After using mine my hunting partners got the same one. I’d get the foot control attachment for one man simplicity. From hoof to table there’s much pride to be taken in doing it yourself from beginning to end.

Good luck. 👍

PS...I find it very easy to clean or throw some parts in the dishwasher which is always nice after tackling an elk and processing it from start to finish.

Invest in a good friend that has one so you don't have to worry about what one to get.

Ha! I was gonna tag the other thread anyway.

Plainsman has the right idea. I've borrowed my buddies grinder for years. Always try and return it on ice with beer and burger.

This

I also have the 3/4 HP Cabelas Carnivore and agree with this. It grinds them faster than I can feed it. I do think sausage stuffer is a good idea if you are going to do a bunch of those.

I have burned up [ literally -up in smoke] 2 half HP cheapies. I now have a 3/4 hp gander mtn. guide in ohio and a 3/4hp cabelas in Arkansas. we stuff em like crazy and they take it.

if you can wait they are always on sale after Christmas!

Have the 3/4 hp cabelas. 3years 3 elk 16 deer just eats them up.

Yep - I have a cabelas 1hp... it’s amazing how fast I can do a deer.

The nice part, when making sausage or doing multiple deer, the meat doesn’t have time to defrost ... and that makes the problem of putting fat in anything a heck of a lot easier.

+1

Cabelas 3/4 hp.

Fast and quiet.

1/2-3/4 grinder,weston,lem,cabelas

foot switch for the grinder

10lb stuffer min

cuber attachment for the grinder

large meat pans/tubs

large cutting boards

good knives

counter space

good vacuum sealer

I buy bulk bag rolls from vacuum sealers unlimited

big frig


good setup will cost more than last years processor fees

If he has a boat thats even better.

that's exactly what I thought!

Passing along a heads-up for those considering the purchase of a LEM Big Bite grinder, I just got an e-mail that they're offering 25% off the purchase of a Big Bite grinder. See LEM's website for details and the promotional code.

https://www.lemproducts.com/category/big-bite-sale/a?r=EmailGRIND18&src=EBLASTS&p=GRIND18&ajs_uid=null&ajs_trait_wc_user_id=GwAAAAAAAADeDCmMLpFUCaPCyfZcmb2tDUonT1ycUz07skn1G3hMbAKvsGxhIIkhalLDAWt3c/I%3D&&utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+This+Weekend+Only+%E2%80%93+Grinders,+Stuffers,+Sealers,+%26+More+25%25+Off&utm_content=25%25+Off+Our+Best+Big+Bite+Products&utm_campaign=EmailGrind18&_bta_tid=12464637225476425471711764192342093519148994469139449225628283825134140724705137457693589358703999828744&_bta_c=fb7r19xklw81pdbjf3g20drpclpuw

Thanks Wizard, I will check that out.

That is one hell of a lot of work. Obviously you two or someone is going to have to bone out all that meat but you have to consider also that you have to trim as much silverskin off of it that you can because even if you buy the biggest most baddest ass grinder on the market that stuff tends to wrap around the cutting blade and gum up the works....not to mention the quality of the finished product. If you are going to add fat to your ground meat, that has to be acquired prepped as well. Obviously, it all has to be packaged. Hopefully those family and friends are planning to help out with some of that and bring meat to you ready to just run through the machine that they then take home and package. You have to have a place to work.

The biggest reason I process my own deer is because I have control over everything and always get my own meat and I am all for it. After you look at your time, investment in equipment, etc., I don't look at it as saving money. I feel like I am EARNING the fee I would pay a processor and then some, even though I think processing is enjoyable work.....its still work. You also have to consider that the time you spend on the process is time that you could be hunting.

So I guess I am saying its not a panacea and there is more to it than just buying a nice grinder.

Anyway I would recommend you get a #32 LEM or Weston for what you have planned. IMO, you might be better off 10 or 15 years down the road getting parts for a major brand vs getting something connected to any one retailer. Something from Hobart would be awesome but probably cost prohibitive even if you find something used but might be worth looking for.

Gourmia has 3 heavy duty stainless steel blades for fine, medium and rough cuts that I think can be used to mince any bone and meat. You can easily make minced meat, sausages, and kibbeh at home. I have not tried other brands, but the electric meat grinder will be a better choice for you if you don't want your hands to get tired.

Cut and paste into your browser,

meat grider site:https://www.24hourcampfire.com/

Look for a used Hobart Commercial. You can sometimes get a deal on them and never look back.

The Weston units look good too. Cabelas used to be made by Weston in the previous version, then they shopped it out to a lower bidder for the "Carnivore" series. Now made by Blue Sky innovation.

The Cabela's lifetime warranty is now kaput, even if you bought an older one with the warranty. Thank Bass Pro for that.

The new Cabelas ones have a 5 year limited.warranty through the manufacturer only. Most quality brands will have that, at least.

no problems with my Cabelas grinder.

you grind 30 deer a year that machine?

Or just one every 5 years

This ^^^

Good information Thanks

I have the 3/4 cabelas grinder and it has worked great for 8 years. This year it was really cold in Missouri and I had a problem getting it started. It kept throwing the breaker when I pushed the power button. Turns out, the cold made the grease inside stiffen up. Once I got it warmed up by putting it inside by the heating vent, it started right up. Just FYI if you ever run into that problem. Mine paid for itself by the second hunting season. No more wondering if I am getting “my deer” or worrying about the quality of the processors work. No more lead fragments in my burger either. I can’t recommend enough, the benefit of having your own grinder and separate stuffer.

So....one deer every 10 years?

I've put about 10-15 deer a year through my 3/4 Cabelas carnivore grinder since I bought it about 4 years ago. Plus an occasional mountain goat or moose. Works great.

My 3/4 HP Cabelas works great, had it 7 years. It's done 40+ deer and 4 elk and going strong.

Been looking at a Cabelas grinder.


Are they good enough to not justify a LEM??

LEM 1hp has worked well for me. Plenty of power and metal gears. Had a cheap 1/2hp grinder from Sportsman's Warehouse that had plastic gears that blew up half way thought a processing session. Bought the LEM and have no regrets.

Cabelas Carnivore like others have suggested. We have the 1/2 hp and you can't bog it down. It grinds as fast as you can feed it. If I did it over I'd do the 3/4 hp just for the feed dimension.

I have a LEM #22 1hp big bite. Grinds up meat as fast or faster than I can feed it. Had it for about four years. I use it for a few deer a year and sausage through out the year. I cant say I work the heck out of it. No issues. Heavy as all get out. I would suggest waiting for a sale. I bought this one on a 40% sale. Seems like they have a big sale every year. Im satified with my grinder purchase but cheaped out and got a 5 lb stuffer. What a PIA. Ok for small batches but for 25lb runs its to small. You do more loading than stuffing.

Grab a one horse power on sale.