Food Grinder / Chopper: Who Has One?

[Big Daddy's House]

How many of you own a food grinder or food chopper?

This comes in many forms. One is an accessory for a stand mixer, one is a hand crank manual unit that clamps to the side of the table, one is a separate electric unit and the other on is the food processor.

I own both the separate electric unit and the food processor. They are both powerful machines. But the separate electric unit gives you more of that authentic uniform butcher-shop-style grind, while the food processor gives you a somewhat roughly chop style. You'll have to use the pulse button on the FP to prevent over prosessing the meat, or you'll end up with mush.

But I still like them both! I like to grind my own meat for burgers, meatballs, meat loaf and spaghetti sauces for pasta and lasagna.

[Semigourmet]

I used to have the manual clamp onto the counter Food grinder. But now use my Kitchen aid food processor.

[Big Daddy's House]

I once had the food grinder attacthment for the K'Aid Stand Mixer, but I sent it back to Cooking.com after it almost killed the mixer!

That's when I decided to get the Waring Pro electric food grinder instead. Haven't had any trouble with it. Works like a charm!!

[Liketobake]

All we have is a blender, nothing else for grinding food...

[mcnerd]

I have the grinder attachment to my Oster Kitchen Center (same as K/A), 3 food processors of various sizes, 2 blenders, 1 immersion blender, and maybe even something else lurking in the back of the pantry.

[Big Daddy's House]

Yeah, I remember that one.

It DID come in handy when it came to grinding meat for burgers, spaghetti sauce and meat loaf! I used it a lot.

The K'Aid food grinder attachment is ALL PLASTIC!! Even the hopper, worm and pusher!!
The only things that aren't plastic are the cutter blade and extrusion plates.

What a shame that some of the accessories for the K'Aid Stand Mixers have been reduced to being made from cheap and flimsy plastic materials!!

Even though their stand mixers are pretty well-made and have done very well, the quality with most of their attachments that was once there, just ISN'T THERE ANY MORE!

[cezzz]

I like food grinder more than the chopper.. It's much useful for me especially when there's an occasion we're using it in grinding meat, and some ingredients to enhance the taste of each foods.

[Big Daddy's House]

I find that my food processor is a lot more versatile for chopping and slicing veggies for salads, soups, stews, stir-frys, sauces and casseroles.

And for mincing things like garlic, small onions and herbs.

[mcnerd]

I don't see how one can compare a Grinder with a Food Processor. The names itself show they are for totally different uses.

If I'm ground meat or making a relish, I use a Grinder to get a nice consistently even pieces, which you cannot achieve with a food processor.

[Drama Queen]

I have the grinder attachment for my KitchenAid stand mixer and use it often. I love it. I grind my own beef because I want to control the type of meat I use (chuck always) and the amount of fat. And I know what's in it. I can grind my own lamb and pork too for the same reason.

My mom and mother in law had one of those crank jobs that attaches to the counter. I think they did a great job of grinding and if I remember correctly, the meat came out kind of shredded just like you see in the meat counters.

And a grinder and food processor are two different appliances. You really can't grind meat in a food processor. It comes out gummy. Says so right in the manual.

[Big Daddy's House]

I did not have good luck with that attachment.

Sent it back to Cooking.com and bought a separate electric grinder which works niecly!

The K'Aid grinder attachement almost killed my mixer! Rather then take any more chances with it, I decided to just get rid of it and try an electric one.

[Drama Queen]

Bently, I'm curious. How did the grinder "almost kill your mixer"? What happened to it?

[Big Daddy's House]

The mixer began to labor very badly while using the grinder attachment - almost to the point where it was going to stop working altogether and die.

Found out that liquid from the meat that I was grinding had backflowed and leaked into the mixer's machinery (transmission). Luckily, it didn't touch the motor since it's way in the back of the motor head!

The transmission began to seized and when I turn up the speed, the mixer would slow down and make a wierd noise. Was faced with about a $125.00 repair bill!

But in the weeks ahead, the mixer seemed to be repairing itself and day by day, it eventually came back from the dead and repaired itself. It came back up to normal operating speed and is working fine now.

But before I used that ill-fated grinder, there were no problems with the machine at all.
I will NEVER trust that ill-fated attachment ever again!! :mad:

[cezz]

We don't use mixer, grinder is much useful to us.

[Big Daddy's House]

i just can't imagine life without one!

[kitchenblitz]

I was thinking about using a food grinder for my baby now 3 months old when she is old enough to eat baby food, what brand is best and what are the pros and cons of using one rather than canned?

[Atomizer]

We had the old screw on under the counter or table and crank the handle type when growing up. I found a complete on like it at a swap meat for $6 and brought it home. My mom used it for making sandwich spread and it was wonderful. Just grind the left over roast beef and add mayo and you have a spread.

[Catlady]

I have a separate Food Grinder with sausage attachments.

[Big Daddy's House]

I have a separate Food Grinder with sausage attachments.



Me too, and I like it a lot!

It replaces that ill-fated grinder attachment for my K'Aid stand mixers.

[Drama Queen]

The mixer began to labor very badly while using the grinder attachment - almost to the point where it was going to stop working altogether and die.

Found out that liquid from the meat that I was grinding had backflowed and leaked into the mixer's machinery (transmission). Luckily, it didn't touch the motor since it's way in the back of the motor head!

The transmission began to seized and when I turn up the speed, the mixer would slow down and make a wierd noise. Was faced with about a $125.00 repair bill!

But in the weeks ahead, the mixer seemed to be repairing itself and day by day, it eventually came back from the dead and repaired itself. It came back up to normal operating speed and is working fine now.

But before I used that ill-fated grinder, there were no problems with the machine at all.
I will NEVER trust that ill-fated attachment ever again!! :mad:

Sorry Bentley, but the fault was NOT with your grinder attachment. I don't mean to beat you over the head but the user's manual clearly states that meat with a lot of moisture (or any meat for that matter) should be ground while slightly frozen. The liquid freezes and the meat is somewhat solid. No problems. EVER. Can't blame the attachment, It stands to reason that you are "sqeezing" the moisture out of the meat when you grind it. Gotta read your manual. :)

[Big Daddy's House]

For the instructions in the manual that came with the K'Aid K-45SS Stand Mixer, it DOES state that when grinding foods with high moisture, to let the grinder push out any excess moisture & liquid before continuing on.

But there is no mention of making sure that the meat is partially frozen before grinding.

Why did it work well with the K-45SS and not with the K-5SS, which I began the process with? Anyway, I've long since sent the thing back to Cooking.com for a refund, then I ordered and received the Waring Pro Electric Grinder.

I've used it quite a few times, there was no problem processing any meat that was ground.

Also, the guy who I spoke to on the phone at the K'Aid service shop did say that moisture or liquid had backed up into the mixer's machinery, slowing it down and possibly having stripped the transmission's drive gears. The transmission however, didn't break or strip.

But the machine is ok now and it seems to have repaired itself. That grinder attachment is mostly all plastic anyway!! Only the cutting blade & disks are metal.

The Waring Pro's hopper, blade, worm, cap, tray & cabinet are all metal. Only the pusher and sausage stuffer are plastic.

[Drama Queen]

Well, Bentley, I have no idea why your manual doesn't state to partially freeze the meat. Mine does, I took another look yesterday. HOWEVER, something bizarre transpired last night and I want to tell you about it.
I have leftover ham from Easter so I wanted to grind some along with onion, celery, and walnuts for a ham salad. My grinder FELL OFF!!! I have no idea what happened since I've been grinding my own meat for 3 years without a problem, but I can't keep in it the mixer, it keeps twisting and falling out.

So I got on Amazon.com and looked at meat grinders. I saw the Waring that you mentioned and I might give it a try. There are several brands and Target has a nice one. All metal too. Wish me luck, this is really bizarre![/I]

[mcnerd]

My attachment has to snap in a final 1/4" or so before it is seated, then it also has a bolt that screws in the side to keep it in place.

[Drama Queen]

My attachment has to snap in a final 1/4" or so before it is seated, then it also has a bolt that screws in the side to keep it in place.

Mine too. Forgot to mention that in trying to keep the grinder in place, I tightened the bolt too much and it split. Now I have to send away for new bolt.

[Big Daddy's House]

Well, Bentley, I have no idea why your manual doesn't state to partially freeze the meat. Mine does, I took another look yesterday. HOWEVER, something bizarre transpired last night and I want to tell you about it.
I have leftover ham from Easter so I wanted to grind some along with onion, celery, and walnuts for a ham salad. My grinder FELL OFF!!! I have no idea what happened since I've been grinding my own meat for 3 years without a problem, but I can't keep in it the mixer, it keeps twisting and falling out.

So I got on Amazon.com and looked at meat grinders. I saw the Waring that you mentioned and I might give it a try. There are several brands and Target has a nice one. All metal too. Wish me luck, this is really bizarre![/I]



Here's what mine looks like. Go here;

http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=210321 .

I also BOUGHT it from Cooking.com. But I didn't pay that price for it, as I used earned points from buying things there to get it for about $124.00. And it works very well. A bit noisy, but I don't care.

It also has a reverse function on the toggle switch that you activate if the food becomes dislodged and starts to stall or back up. Just press the toggle switch for a second and release it to redirect the food to the cutting blades.

This feature repositions, redistributes the load and redirects it in the path of the cutting blades and extruding plate so that no liquid backs up into the machery / mechanism. Great feature to help get you out of many jams!!

As long as it works good! It's all-metal except for the pusher and the saussage stuffer.

On the K'Aid grinder attachment, the place where I read the instructions is in the manual that came with my K'Aid K45SS when I purchased it over 22 years ago. Guess things have changed since then. Also, I don't remember reading the manual that came with the K'Aid grinder.

I can't believe it though, but then again, I can! But yeah, you're right, that IS VERY bizarre!! After 3 years of faithful service, now yours is now acting up!! Stop using that ill-fated attachment. I wouldn't want it to damage your mixer.

In the meantime, if you have a food processor that is powerful enough, I think it will suffice until you are able to get a separate electric grinder like I did. Good luck, and I hope you make out good.

[Big Daddy's House]

Mine too. Forgot to mention that in trying to keep the grinder in place, I tightened the bolt too much and it split. Now I have to send away for new bolt.



The grinder attachment is probably no good as well. The plastic shell might be split also. Unless you're talking about the tightening screw that came on the mixer that you use to hold the attachments in place.

Try http://www.smallappliance.com for that part. They usually deliver in less than a week or so.

It's a shame though! All of those accessories except for two, are flimsily made with breakable plastic. :eek:

The only two other attachments that are still made with metal, is the can opener and the grain mill. I also even bought a separate electric grain mill! :)

[jenniferlee]

Blender, mixer, is that what you mean?

[Big Daddy's House]

A blender can chop soft stuff, but only in small quantities without any liquid, such as making soft breadcrumbs. It WILL NOT chop raw meat, however!

But if you want to chop stuff in larger quantities such as raw meat, then a food processor or a food grinder is the best choice for this purpose.

Because they have stronger more powerful motors, the food processors and grinders are more capable of handling this task very well with less of a chance of staining, bogging down and getting stuck, causing the thermal overload swith to kick in on some of them.

[Drama Queen]

The grinder attachment is probably no good as well. The plastic shell might be split also. Unless you're talking about the tightening screw that came on the mixer that you use to hold the attachments in place.

Try http://www.smallappliance.com for that part. They usually deliver in less than a week or so.

It's a shame though! All of those accessories except for two, are flimsily made with breakable plastic. :eek:

The only two other attachments that are still made with metal, is the can opener and the grain mill. I also even bought a separate electric grain mill! :)

Ahhh, Bentley, you're a sweetheart. Thanks for the link. It was just the screw cap that split, the grinder attachment is fine. I guess plastic is what makes the world go round, it's lightweight, cheap and ships for less.

[Big Daddy's House]

Thank you.

At that rate, maybe you should have gotten 2 in case that happens again. You'll have a backup. First time that I heard of the screw cap breaking.

Yeah, I've ordered the beater-scraper blades from that website for both of my K'Aid stand mixers and the chopper attatchment for the K'Aid stick blender.

[Drama Queen]

Okay I've had it. For some unknown reason my grinder keeps twisting then falling out of the KA mixer. Soooo I went to Amazon and bought this one. $139.00.

[Big Daddy's House]

Yep, I had to do that.

Looks like a commercial-type unit. But I hope that it works out well for you.

Please let us know when you've used it for the first time. Gook luck and happy chopping!