Grinding your own meat

buzd504 said:

JohnInCarolina said:

buzd504 said:

I like to get a whole brisket and grind and package the flat, and then smoke the point for chili.

Just don’t tell @lousubcap about this!

He can cry all he wants - at 2.99/lb, it's cheaper and better than buying ground meat at the store, and I get a lovely bowl of beans along with it.

No crying here.  At that price point you can grind all you want as it is likely better purposed in that role than trying to convince someone to spend half a day smoking it as brisket.  

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Botch said:

caliking said:

The KA grinder attachment is decent for small batches. There are a number of all- metal grinder attachments available, that do a better job. 

Agreed.  Also as a note to the OP, there are some grinding disks available on Amazoid with bigger holes that give you a better grind, I don't have the link or even brand name anymore.  I do know the KA disk with the smallest holes I was never able to make work at all.  

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kitchen+aid+meat+grinder+discs&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Hope this helps.

caliking said:

The KA grinder attachment is decent for small batches. There are a number of all- metal grinder attachments available, that do a better job. 

I’m wondering if KA deliberately avoid making all metal attachments because they don’t want to turn the plastic gearbox into the weakest link.

Canugghead said:

caliking said:

The KA grinder attachment is decent for small batches. There are a number of all- metal grinder attachments available, that do a better job. 

I’m wondering if KA deliberately avoid making all metal attachments because they don’t want to turn the plastic gearbox into the weakest link.

Could be. But, its likely because cost to produce all-metal attachments was higher, and not a lot of folks buy them. 

I think the tilt head models have plastic gears (and at least a nylon gear, that is meant to be a fail-safe mechanism i.e. it strips before you can damage the motor), and the bowl lift models have metal gears (or, at least, the Professional series models do). 

@WeberWho is the resident KA expert, so, maybe he can weigh in on this.  

There is nothing wrong with plastic gears if they are designed properly. 

If I remember correctly, KA manual says to use small hole attachment for cheese, large for meat.   Never tried cheese, like to keep it for meat.

Long story, but nearly 4 years after a popular old style,  small “ slaughterhouse”  which could process 10:to 14 head of beef or pork per day plus an active seasonal deer processing service burnt to the ground. Arson was never suspected as the place was OLD! 

it was rebuilt in grandiose style half a mile away and today we went to their “soft” reopening meaning they aren’t still up full production, but getting there! We spent $100:as we were glad to see them back in business! 

RRP said:

 I guess protestors need something to protest whenever they can go find something to go protest! 

There's probably a lot of truth to that, Ron.  

Glad to hear the small business was able to reopen.  

caliking said:

Canugghead said:

caliking said:

The KA grinder attachment is decent for small batches. There are a number of all- metal grinder attachments available, that do a better job. 

I’m wondering if KA deliberately avoid making all metal attachments because they don’t want to turn the plastic gearbox into the weakest link.

Could be. But, its likely because cost to produce all-metal attachments was higher, and not a lot of folks buy them. 

I think the tilt head models have plastic gears (and at least a nylon gear, that is meant to be a fail-safe mechanism i.e. it strips before you can damage the motor), and the bowl lift models have metal gears (or, at least, the Professional series models do). 

@WeberWho is the resident KA expert, so, maybe he can weigh in on this.  

I missed the tag. Sorry about that. I don't have any experience when it comes to grinding with the KitchenAid. I wouldn't personally use any grinding attachments with any of their entry level mixers. You might burn up the motor and the nylon gearing isn't going to last. Even mixing dough can be a struggle on the lower end models. 

You best bet for grinding with the KitchenAid mixer is their Professional series or their older Hobart versions. There's a good chance you have nylon gearing if it's a tilt head (Excluding when built by Hobart and a few years after when Whirlpool bought them out) but that also goes for the same for the lift bowl models. I wouldn't chance it unless it's the older stronger Hobart mixers with all steel gearing or their new Professional series. I'm not saying it can't be done but that's a lot of wear and tear on a simple entry level mixer. KitchenAid would be more than happy to sell you a grinder kit for it though. They're even more happy when your KitchenAid mixer motor burns up or gearing goes. Just some extra green for them when you're out buying their Professional series. 

RRP said:

Long story, but nearly 4 years after a popular old style,  small “ slaughterhouse”  which could process 10:to 14 head of beef or pork per day plus an active seasonal deer processing service burnt to the ground. Arson was never suspected as the place was OLD! 

it was rebuilt in grandiose style half a mile away and today we went to their “soft” reopening meaning they aren’t still up full production, but getting there! We spent $100:as we were glad to see them back in business! 

Much to my surprise there was a band protestors! It was a band of 6 or 7 college age folk I’m sure from the college up the road plus at least 4 old gals who i recognized as frequent protestors at a local abortion clinic…

They had a few signs protesting against “slaughterhouse” and homemade PETA signs.

It just never crossed my mind that beef and pork, and seasonal deer processing was on the same level as human abortion - but I guess protestors need something to protest whenever they can go find something to go protest! 

  

I hope none of the protesters were wearing leather shoes or gloves. Hope they didn’t get in a smart car with leather seats. Maybe some beauty products made with byproducts? Nah, I’m sure they were all decked out in homemade hemp clothes and shoes. 🙄

great to hear you got a local place back. 👍🏻