If you’re grinding meat for commercial use, you’ll need a huge machine to meet the needs of all your customers. For home use, the best manual meat grinder is a better option. These little models do the same job on a much smaller scale, plus are compact, easy to use, and budget-friendly. They also don’t need any electricity to run, so you can use them at home, at a barbecue, or even on a hunting or camping trip.
Though there are several manual grinders on the market, we’ve chosen the top six to review here. The Kitchen Basics 3 N 1 Manual Meat and Vegetable Grinder received our highest rating, due to its low price, heavy-duty plastic and stainless-steel parts, and numerous accessories. We also included both plastic and metal models in our reviews, with varying ways to secure them, like suction bases, clamps, or screws. They also vary in their uses, some grinders including pieces for making sausage, cookies, or pasta, so you can get exactly what you need in your new machine.
If you’re unsure what to look for in the best manual meat grinder, there are a few features to consider. The construction material is very important since some materials are much stronger than others. The dimensions of the machine will tell you how much space it will take up on your counter or in your cupboard. You should also look at the warranty, just in case there are any issues with your new grinder. To help you choose the right one for your home, we’ve created a comparison table with in-depth reviews and added a buying guide at the end covering these features and much more.
More features: creates two pasta types – rigatoni and spaghetti
If you’re looking for the best rated manual meat grinder on the market, the Kitchen Basics 3 N 1 Manual Meat and Vegetable Grinder is a great choice. It has a reasonable price that fits into any budget, plus it is compact and lightweight for easy storage and portability.
This handy device is made of durable plastic, with a transparent hopper that accepts small chunks of meat. The blades are stainless steel, which allows them to cut easily through the meat. There are also two stainless steel screens included, giving you the choice between coarse and fine grinds.
In the package, you’ll also find a sausage funnel and three different tube sizes, so you can make your favorite links using all of your favorite meats and spices. You can also replace the blades and sausage-making pieces with the pasta attachment that comes with this grinder, which allows you to make either rigatoni or spaghetti. All you need to do is put the dough in and turn the crank for fresh homemade pasta to impress each and every member of your family.
To hold this manual grinder to your countertop, there is a sturdy suction base. Turn the knob to lock it in place on a smooth surface, then unlock it again when you’re done your grinding. A handy bowl is also included to catch whatever you’re putting through the machine.
Some tight areas need a small brush to clean after you take the unit apart, but all the pieces are dishwasher safe for added convenience.
More features: self-sharpening stainless-steel knife; 2 carbon steel cutting blades
If you only use your manual meat grinder once in a while, it will likely spend as much time in storage as it does on your countertop. For those who use this tool every day, the best manual screw-down meat grinder may be more useful, with a dedicated space in your home just for preparing your ground meats.
This model has four screw holes in the legs, holding it firmly where you want it at all times. It does make it a bit trickier to clean once installed, but luckily, all of the pieces can be removed from the base, which has a wide opening for rinsing after you’re done using it.
The Victoria Manual Meat Grinder is made of quality materials, including cast iron with double-tin plating to help resist rust and stains. This also makes this grinder quite durable, so it will last for years.
For grinding your meat, there is a self-sharpening blade cutting knife with two carbon steel cutting plates, so you can choose either a thick or a fine grind for your meats.
You can also use this handy manual meat grinder to make sausage, using the sausage star and one of the three sausage stuffers included with the device. This allows you to mix your meats as you see fit to make your favorite flavors or try out some new blends right in your kitchen.
More features: comes with a cookie/dough shaper
If you’re looking for one of the best manual meat grinders for the money which combines quality and affordability, the LHS Manual Meat Grinder is a great choice. It has a budget-friendly price and a compact size, though still boasts some great features.
First, this meat grinder is made of heavy-duty plastic for added durability. The arm is metal, with an ergonomic handle that fits nicely in your hand as you turn it. This arm is pretty long, so you do need to keep the grinder right on the edge of your table or counter to keep from bumping your hand, though this does require less work in the long run.
There is a powerful suction base that holds this machine to the counter, though this won’t work on all types of countertops. They need to be dry and smooth for the best hold or your grinder may shift or slide as you use it.
The transparent hopper is large, so you can fit more meat or veggies in there at a time than some of the other models on the market. It includes a pusher as well, so you don’t have to put your hand in there to press the meat down as you grind it.
Two stainless steel plates are included with this grinder, allowing you to make both coarse and fine grinds. There is also a plastic piece with four cookie cutter shapes on it for some tasty treats.
More features: fully enclosed blades; meat pusher
The Simple Being Manual Meat Grinder is the cheapest model on our list but it still has a lot to offer. It is lightweight and compact, so you can store it easily when you’re not using it or take it to a cabin or on a weekend hunting trip to help make some tasty meals away from home.
This manual meat grinder is made of heavy-duty plastic for most of its parts, which will hold up well, even with daily use. You do need to cut the meat into small chunks, though, to ensure they fit instead of jamming inside the unit.
The plastic blades are fully enclosed, so you don’t need to worry about injuries as you grind up your meat. There is also a meat pusher included, so you don’t even need to touch the meat with your hands once it goes into the machine, preventing injuries.
There is a suction base that can be secured to any flat surface using the handy knob beneath the grinder part of the unit. Once it is in place, you can add your meat and start turning the stainless-steel handle.
The Simple Being grinder is dishwasher safe, though you may want to clean out any crevices before putting in your dishwasher to be sure of a thorough clean. Taking it apart to wash it and assembling it again before its next use is a breeze, too, with only a few parts to deal with.
More features: dishwasher safe; comes with a meat pusher
The Gideon Hand Crank Manual Meat Grinder is a lightweight, compact model that comes with a great low price. Though it won’t do huge quantities at a time, it will be a great addition to your family meals.
This little unit is made of mostly plastic, though is still durable enough to handle regular use. The hopper is transparent, so you can watch the meat go through it and locate any jams that happen as you grind. The handle is a bit short, so you will need to make a lot of turns with it to get the job done, although you won’t injure your hand on the counter in the process.
The blades are fully enclosed, so you won’t need to worry about cutting yourself on them. They are made of stainless steel, as are the two screens included with the grinder. You can use one for fine grinds and the other for thicker, coarser grinds, depending on what you plan to do with the meat. There is also a meat pusher to keep your hands safe after the meat is put in the machine. A suction base secures this manual grinder to any smooth, clean surface.
The entire unit is easy to disassemble when you’re finished using it. All of the pieces are dishwasher safe for fast cleanup. This also makes it easy to store or take with you wherever you need it.
More features: rust-resistant; includes 3 stuffing tubes
The best manual meat grinder for deer, hamburger, chicken, and all your favorite meats needs to be durable enough to handle everything you like to eat. The LEM Products #10 Hand Grinder is made entirely of stainless steel, so it is a heavy-duty model that can take on anything you put into it. The steel is also highly polished, so it resists rust and is easy to clean, though it is not dishwasher safe, so it must be washed by hand.
There is a stainless-steel cutting knife in this little unit, with two stainless steel plates that allow you to choose either a coarse or a fine grind, depending on what type of meat you’re using and what you plan to do with it.
For the sausage lovers in your home, there is also a stuffing star and three stuffing tubes, sized ½-inch, ¾-inch, and 7/8-inch, included with this manual grinder. This lets you make your favorite sausage right in the comfort of your home at a fraction of the cost of store-bought sausage.
To secure this manual grinder to the surface you’re using it on, there is a clamp on the bottom, which opens up to 1-¼ inches wide. This may not be wide enough to fit many of the thicker countertops, though it will likely fit a table if needed. This means you do need to choose your grinding area carefully or find another way to secure it where you want it.
Manual meat grinders are handy machines that are small, lightweight, and budget-friendly, making the cooking process even more convenient. They are also portable since they don’t require electricity, so you can use them anywhere. If you’re still not sure if these devices are right for you, check out their advantages and features below.
There are several advantages to choosing a manual meat grinder over an electric one. Electric models are large, heavy, and need to be near an electrical outlet to run. The manual models are smaller, so they don’t take up a ton of space on your counter as you use them. They are also much easier to store when you’re finished with them. Their compact size and lighter weight make them much more portable than the electric models, too.
Manual models have an arm with a handle that you turn to grind the meat in the machine, so no electricity is needed to run them. Not only does this mean that it will be silent as you use it, but it also means that you can use them anywhere, even if there isn’t an electrical outlet for miles.
Though the electric models are great for large quantities of meat, they are a bit much for making a few burgers for your family dinner. A smaller model is best for home use since they make only what you need at the time. They are also durable enough to make some extra ground meat that you can store in the freezer for later use.
These smaller machines are also just as versatile as the larger models. A few of the models on our list include the pieces needed to make sausage. The Kitchen Basics 3 N 1 Manual Meat and Vegetable Grinder can also be used to make pasta and the LHS Manual Meat Grinder includes a cookie shaper with four shape options to choose from. Though you’ll be hard-pressed to find a manual meat grinder for bones, you can do just about anything else with these handy machines.
Manual meat grinders don’t have a ton of features, but you should still know what to look for when buying one, especially for the first time. The following sections break down those features, so you know exactly why each one is important.
Even though these manual meat grinders have a low cost, they should still be made of quality materials to ensure they won’t break the first time you use one. Most of the models on our list are made of plastic for the grinder, with stainless steel on the blades, plates, and sometimes even the turning arm.
Though these plastic models shouldn’t break down if you’re using them correctly, there are more durable materials out there. For instance, the Victoria Manual Meat Grinder uses cast-iron with double-tin plating for the body and turning arm instead. This material won’t bend or break, so it will last for a long time. You do need to clean and oil it properly, though, to prevent rust and stains that could otherwise ruin a great unit. The metal models are also more expensive, so keep this in mind when choosing your favorite grinder.
The dimensions of a manual meat grinder tell you how big each of these machines is. This is important for a few reasons. The first reason to look at the dimensions is to know exactly how much space it will take up on your counter or table while you’re using it. With a small area, you won’t have a lot of space for the grinder, the unground meat, and a bowl to catch the meat coming out of the machine, so a compact model is handy for limited space.
Another reason to check out the dimensions is for storage. The smaller the model is, the easier it is to pack it away when you’re not using it. The smaller models are also easier to transport, so you can take them with you on a hunting trip, a camping trip, or to a barbecue at a friend’s house.
Every one of the manual meat grinders in our reviews comes with the grinder, a cutting blade, and two plates for fine and coarse grinding. Some of them also come with a few extras accessories that make them a little more worthwhile. The Kitchen Basics 3 N 1 Manual Meat and Vegetable Grinder includes a sausage funnel and three different tube sizes for making your favorite sausage at home. This unit also comes with another piece that allows you to make two different types of pasta, plus it has a handy bowl to catch everything coming out of the grinder. The LHS Manual Meat Grinder includes a handy cookie shaper, with a few different shapes on it that give you some variety in the type of cookie you can make.
How the unit mounts is one of the most important features it has. There are a few options to choose from, so you need to think carefully before you decide which manual meat grinder to buy. A few of the models that we’ve reviewed have a suction base, which usually includes a knob that you turn to attach it securely. Though these have a decent hold, they can only be used on smooth counters. If your counter is not perfectly smooth, you’ll need to use these models on a table or choose one with a different type of mount.
The LEM Products #10 Hand Grinder has a clamp on the bottom that secures it to your counter. This gives you a tight hold on any type of counter or table but you do need to see how far it opens and measure the countertop you plan to use it on to make sure that they will fit together.
The last mounting option is a screw-down mount, like the one on the Victoria Manual Meat Grinder. This gives you the most secure hold of all of them but you likely won’t want to use this model on your dining room table or kitchen counters since it will be a permanent piece. You’ll need to find a space in your home that you can dedicate to meat grinding to use this handy machine.
Every product you buy needs to have a decent warranty, just in case there are any issues with it in terms of defects with the parts or the manufacturing process. If the unit isn’t working as it’s supposed to, you shouldn’t have to pay for any repairs or buy a new one out of your own pocket. Unfortunately, three of the models in our reviews do not have a specified warranty, so if you’re considering one of these grinders, you may want to contact the manufacturer to find out the warranty information before you buy one.
Of course, all warranties are not identical. For instance, the Simple Being Manual Meat Grinder has a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is fine if the issues with the unit show up right away. If there is a faulty piece that doesn’t fail until after the 30 days are up, you’ll have to pay for a new model yourself.
The LEM Products #10 Hand Grinder is a bit better with a one-year limited warranty, which allows you to get it repaired or replaced if any defects show up during this time. The best warranty is the lifetime warranty offered by the Victoria Manual Meat Grinder, which covers you for the entire time you own the product.
There are a few extra features that make these manual meat grinders even more convenient to use in your home. The first is how easy it is to clean. You should be able to take it apart with very little effort and wash out all the small areas with your hands or a small brush. The models that are dishwasher safe make cleaning it even easier, so you only need to disassemble it and pop the pieces in your dishwasher with the rest of your dishes.
The main purpose of these units is to grind meat, but they could have a few other uses as well. Some people like to use their grinder to cut up vegetables or mince garlic, which saves a lot of time and effort. You can even grind cooked meat to make your own baby food. As we described above, extra pieces for making sausage, pasta, and cookies give you a much more versatile machine that you can use almost daily in your home.
If you’re not careful, you can injure yourself using your manual meat grinder. The following tips will help prevent any accidents while you’re preparing your favorite meals.
The best manual meat grinder can be a handy addition to your home, allowing you to grind all types of meat, adding your favorite spices and blends at the same time. These machines are also versatile, grinding veggies, spices, herbs, and even making sausage, pasta, and cookies, all with one handy machine. We do have a few favorite models, though.
Our top choice is the Kitchen Basics 3 N 1 Manual Meat and Vegetable Grinder, which is small, lightweight, and budget-friendly. This model is made of heavy-duty plastic and stainless steel, with multiple accessories, including three sausage tubes, a pasta piece, and a handy bowl. It is also dishwasher safe for added convenience.
The Victoria Manual Meat Grinder is made of cast iron and double tin-plating, so it is durable and rust-resistant. This piece screws down and includes self-sharpening blades, two plates, and sausage making parts. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
The LHS Manual Meat Grinder is also made of plastic and stainless steel and has a decent price. This model has a suction base, a transparent hopper, fully-enclosed blades, a meat pusher, and comes with a cookie shaper with four shapes to choose from for some tasty treats.
