I wanted to grind a really large amount of meat that I’d picked up on sale at my local butcher’s a couple of years ago, but I didn’t want to spend all day doing the task.
Since my current meat electric meat grinder wasn’t working its best, it was time to upgrade to a much more powerful commercial meat grinder.
Buying the best commercial meat grinder can be a bit overwhelming, given the myriad options available. But here’s what to look for when on the shopping trail to ease your decision.
Table of Contents
- 1 How are Commercial Meat Grinders Different from Home Meat Grinders?
- 2 Types of Commercial Meat Grinders
- 3 Best Commercial/Industrial Meat Grinders of 2021
- 3.1 1. Ensue Commercial 1100W Electric Meat Grinder
- 3.2 2. Happybuy Commercial Meat Grinder
- 3.3 3. Zica #22 Commercial Meat Grinder
- 3.4 4. VBENLEM Commercial Meat Grinder
- 3.5 5. American Eagle Food Machinery Commercial Meat Grinder
- 3.6 6. PRO-CUT Commercial Meat Grinder
- 3.7 7. Chef’s Choice Commercial Meat Grinder
- 3.8 8. Tangkula Commercial Meat Grinder
- 4 Purchasing Considerations
- 5 How to Use a Commercial Meat Grinder?
- 6 Can an Industrial Meat Grinder Grind Bones?
- 7 How Does an Industrial Meat Grinder Work?
- 8 How do You Sanitize/Clean a Commercial Meat Grinder?
- 9 Can You Use a Home Electric meat Grinder Instead of a Commercial Meat Grinder?
- 10 Can Commercial Meat Grinders Grind Bone?
How are Commercial Meat Grinders Different from Home Meat Grinders?
There are several differences between commercial meat grinders and home meat grinders, most notably:
Rate of grinding
Commercial meat grinders are mostly electric models that are powered by extremely robust motors, hence can grind a large amount of meat per hour compared to home meat grinders.
If you grind meat in large quantities or grind meat regularly, then choosing a commercial meat grinder will prove highly beneficial.
Construction Material
Commercial meat grinders are designed to be highly durable, which is why you will find most models made from heavy-duty stainless steel or other metals.
There are a few cheap commercial meat grinders that are made from plastic, but still do a good job at grinding most types of meat, since the grinder head components such as the blade and grinder plates are made from metal.
Size
When it comes to commercial meat grinders, size does matter! One way to tell the difference between a commercial meat grinder and a home meat grinder is by looking at the size of the hopper—the food tray that you load with the meat to grind.
The size of a commercial meat grinder also refers to the size of the grinding plate, where the higher the number, the more spacious the feeding tube will be.
Home meat grinders come in #5, #8 and #12 sizes, whereas commercial meat grinders are generally #12, #22 and #32 in size.
Safety
Most, if not all commercial meat grinders come with extra safety features such as a circuit breaker to prevent burnout of the motor.
Accessories
With commercial meat grinders, you get several accessories in the box including many different size grinding plates, and a couple of blades, so you won’t have to buy anything separately.
Warranty
Since commercial meat grinders are priced higher than home meat grinders, the manufacturer warranty period is also longer.
Types of Commercial Meat Grinders
Commercial meat grinders are available in two common types—manual and electric models.
Manual Commercial Meat Grinders
Manual meat grinders however aren’t a popular or preferred choice for commercial settings, as they take much longer to grind meat, and needless to say, require a fair bit of elbow grease in turning the hand crank.
Electric Commercial Meat Grinders
Electric meat grinders are a joy to use, and basically entail loading up the food tray with meat, and pressing the “On” button.
There are also industrial meat grinders available that are used in factories, and manufacturing plants to process tons of meat.
Best Commercial/Industrial Meat Grinders of 2021
1. Ensue Commercial 1100W Electric Meat Grinder
The blade of this size #12 meat grinder sprints at 220 rotations per minute, so you can grind tough meats such as venison quickly.
Adding to this, the Ensure commercial meat grinder measures 18″(L) x 10-1/2″(W) x 14-3/4″(H), and tips the scales at just 44 lbs, making it easy to move around and store.
It uses a standard 110/60Hz power source, and features an offset grinder head design for low noise operation.
The Ensue meat grinder can be used in several different environments including restaurants and home kitchens, and is made from food-grade T-304 stainless steel, so you can expect nothing less than superior durability.
This meat grinder model from the Ensue hangar is FDA certified, and comes with everything you need to start grinding right out of the box including two different size cutting plates, a meat pusher, and two replacement blades.
Pros:
- Grinds 396 lbs of meat per hour
- Powerful 1100 watts (1HP) motor
- Low noise operation
- Made from food-grade T-304 stainless steel
- Includes 2 grinding plates, food pusher, and 2 blades
Cons:
- Limited to 1 color option
2. Happybuy Commercial Meat Grinder
It is equipped with a 2200-watt, all-copper motor that gives it the power to spin at the rate of 170 rotations per minute, and grinds 770 lbs of meat per hour.
Furthermore, the Happybuy meat grinder is easy to operate with its onsite rotary knob that allows you to change the grinding direction.
In terms of safety, the Happybuy meat grinder doesn’t disappoint with its integrated safety lock for enhanced security when changing its grinding head.
The Happybuy commercial electric meat grinder is an ideal choice for home and butcher shops, and comes with 6mm/0.24″ and 8mm/0.31″ grinding heads.
The grinding head, feeding tray and funnel can be detached for easy cleaning. The Happybuy commercial meat grinder measures 24.8 x 17.7 x 25.2 inches, and comes with a meat pusher for smooth processing.
Pros:
- 2200-watt, all-copper motor
- Grinds 770 lbs of meat per hour
- Rotary knob to change grinding direction
- Safety lock
- Includes 6mm/0.24″ and 8mm/0.31″ grinding heads and meat pusher
- Measures 24.8 x 17.7 x 25.2 inches
Cons:
- A little heavy at 110 lbs
3. Zica #22 Commercial Meat Grinder
It can grind an astounding 485 lbs of meat per hour, and features a high-quality stainless-steel auger, grinding head, and meat pan.
Adding to this, the Zica #22 size commercial meat grinder comes with a large 15.2″×10″×2.7″ food tray to grind more meat at one time, and is both waterproof and rust-proof.
The Zica commercial-style meat grinder features an over turn switch, which when engaged unclogs the meat grinder by changing the blade direction.
It is ETL and UL certified, and is equipped with a micro switch for safe use. The Zica meat grinder comes with stainless steel coarse (3/8″) and fine (3/16″) grinding plates, and features a storage drawer right under the appliance.
Pros:
- 1.5 HP (1100W) copper motor
- Stainless steel gear-driven mechanism
- Grinds 485 lbs of meat per hour
- Large 15.2″×10″×2.7″ food tray
- Over turn switch to unclog grinder head
- 2 grinding plates included
- Storage drawer
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with sausage stuffing plate
4. VBENLEM Commercial Meat Grinder
It can be ordered in a choice of two grinding speeds—550 lbs per hour and 660 lbs per hour, and is made entirely of solid, food-grade 304 stainless steel.
The VBENLEM commercial meat grinder is fitted with an 850-watt copper motor that spins the blade at 170 rotations per minute for quick grinding.
It is equipped with a waterproof touch switch for easy operation, and a baffle plate for safety when feeding the meat into the grinder.
The VBENLEM commercial meat grinder comes with two grinding heads— 6mm/0.24″ and 8mm/0.31″, an extra blade, two blades, a meat pusher, meat platter to catch the ground meat, and a filling nozzle.
It measures 16.9 x 16.9 x 16.1 inches, and can be used in home, as well as commercial settings.
Pros:
- 2 variants available
- Grinds 550 lbs of meat per hour
- Made from solid, food-grade 304 stainless steel
- 850-watt copper motor
- Baffle plate for safety
- 6mm/0.24″ and 8mm/0.31″ grinding plates included
Cons:
- Not compatible with the VBENLEM commercial meat tenderizer attachment
5. American Eagle Food Machinery Commercial Meat Grinder
Adding to this, it is a great choice for commercial kitchens, as well as home countertops, and comes with pure stainless-steel parts including the auger, food chamber, motor housing, grinder plates and knife.
The American Eagle Food Machinery commercial meat grinder is fitted with a 1HP air-cooled motor, and meat gear driven transmission, which allows it to grind the toughest meats with a smile.
All the internal gears and worms are precision machined from heat-treated alloys for long service life.
This commercial meat grinder by American Eagle Food Machinery features an integrated circuit breaker that prevents damage to the motor.
To top things off, the American Eagle Food Machinery commercial meat grinder is backed by a one-year warranty against any manufacturer defects.
Pros:
- Comes with several accessories
- All parts made from stainless steel
- 1HP air-cooled motor, and meat gear-driven transmission
- Integrated circuit breaker
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Maybe a bit challenging to take apart
6. PRO-CUT Commercial Meat Grinder
It is powered by a 1HP motor, coupled with a lubricated transmission for unsurpassed performance.
The Pro-Cut meat grinder comes with an onsite stainless-steel cabinet, and a removable headstock for easy cleaning.
It features an extra-large food tray, and is both NSF and UL certified. The Pro-Cut commercial meat grinder is backed by washer-less technology, which as the name suggests eliminates the use of washers for lower maintenance costs.
It can be plugged into any household electrical outlet, and comes with a 3/16″ plate, stomper and grinding knife.
Pros:
- 1,700 lbs meat per hour
- 1HP motor
- Stainless steel cabinet
- Removable headstock for easy cleaning
- Washer-less technology
- Includes 3/16″ plate, stomper, and grinding knife
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Only 1 grinding plate included (others sold separately)
7. Chef’s Choice Commercial Meat Grinder
It boasts a fairly compact footprint of 9 3/4″L x 7″ D x 14″ H, so it will fit snugly on your countertop, and features a rugged, cast iron metal construction.
The Chef’s Choice commercial meat grinder comes with a large capacity hopper made from die-cast metal, and an easy-to-use three-way control switch that provides grinding, stuffing, and reverse functionality.
Adding to this, the Chef’s Choice commercial meat grinder comes with overload protection to prevent burnout, and a built-in handle to transport the appliance easily across spaces.
In the box, you get three stainless steel grinding plates—coarse, medium and fine, a forged grinding and sausage stuffing kit, and a one-year manufacturer warranty card.
Pros:
- High torque gear drive system/400-watt motor
- Measures 9 3/4″L x 7″ D x 14″ H
- 3-way control switch including a reverse function
- Overload protection and built-in handle
- 2 grinding plates and sausage stuffing kit
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Parts are not dishwasher safe
8. Tangkula Commercial Meat Grinder
The body of this commercial meat grinder is constructed from precision-engineered solid steel, and is corrosion-resistant, so you can expect long-term durability.
It features a steel-driven mechanism design, and can grind tough meats, as well as small chicken and fish bones.
The Tangkula commercial meat grinder is equipped with a single on/off button, and features reverse functionality to unclog the appliance.
It weighs just 49 lbs, and features an integrated vent to keep it cool during use, and prevent overheating of its motor.
The Tangkula commercial meat grinder comes with 6mm and 8mm grinding plates, a spiral cutting head, sausage maker and a food pusher. All the parts of the Tangkula commercial meat grinder can be removed for easy cleaning.
Pros:
- Grinds 515.5 lbs meat per hour
- Made from precision-engineered solid steel/corrosion resistant
- Steel-driven mechanism design/integrated vent
- Can grind small chicken and fish bones
- 2 grinding plates, spiral cutting head, sausage maker, and food pusher
- On/off switch with reverse function
Cons:
- Sausage tubes are made from plastic, not metal
Purchasing Considerations
Commercial meat grinders can be big-ticket purchases, therefore here are a few factors to consider to ensure you buy the right one for your needs.
Type of commercial meat grinder
When selecting the best commercial meat grinder, you’ve ideally got two options—manual and electric models.
However, it’s best to steer clear of manual commercial meat grinders, because you will be grinding large amounts of meat, and will have to break a sweat performing this task.
Electric meat grinders are powered by robust motors, and can grind a lot of meat quickly per minute.
Material used in the construction
Most, if not all of the best commercial meat grinders are made from solid metal, but there are some cheap meat commercial meat grinders that are made from a mix of plastic and stainless steel.
Again, since commercial meat grinders are priced a bit higher than home meat grinders, you want to choose a model that boasts a sturdy build quality, and one that is made entirely from metal.
Output of the meat grinder
Some meat grinders can grind more meat per hour than others, hence will also cost a bit more. Determine the amount of meat you will be grinding, and choose a commercial meat grinder to match.
Safety
Commercial meat grinders have really sharp blades, therefore, it is imperative to check a respective model’s safety features.
Accessories
You’re already going to be spending a serious amount of cash on a commercial meat grinder, so the last thing you want to do is spend more on accessories such as grinder plates.
The best commercial meat grinders come with at least one or two grinding plates and blades, but you always have the option to buy more compatible accessories for your professional grinding needs.
How to Use a Commercial Meat Grinder?
- The first, most important thing to do when before using a commercial meat grinder is washing, rinsing, and sanitizing all the parts.
- Chill the parts in your refrigerator for half-hour for smooth grinding.
- Next, make sure the power cord of the meat grinder is disconnected from the electrical outlet before assembling your commercial meat grinder.
- Since commercial meat grinder models vary across manufacturers, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on assembling the meat grinder.
This typically entails installing the parts in the grinder head such as the grinder blade, making sure the flat side is facing out, and plates, tightening the locking screw, and installing the food tray.
- You now have to prep the meat before running it through the meat grinder by removing the skin, bones, and silver skin. Cut the meat into small cubes the same size as the grinder feeding hole.
- Chill the meat in the refrigerator for half an hour.
- After you’ve ground the meat, disconnect the meat grinder from the electric source.
- Wash, rinse and sanitize all the parts after use, and let them air dry.
Can an Industrial Meat Grinder Grind Bones?
Industrial meat grinders can grind literally anything you throw at them including bones. These extremely powerful machines can grind all types of animal bones including tough and large venison bones as seen in the video below.
How Does an Industrial Meat Grinder Work?
Industrial meat grinders are engineered to grind large bucketloads of meat at a single time. The meat to be ground is first loaded into large industrial grade cans, and set right beside the meat grinding machine.
The meat is then checked for the temperature to ensure it is safe for consumption. Next, the meat grinder is turned on, and automatically raises each bin of meat with its integrated lift system, and flips it into the industrial grinder hopper.
The meat is then processed by the grinder blades and cutting plate, and pushed through the output terminal in minced form into large bins.
Due to a large amount of meat being ground at one time, mined meat, often in large quantities gets stuck in the output terminal.
The output terminal is then dissembled completely including the grinder blade and plates, and cleaned thoroughly.
How do You Sanitize/Clean a Commercial Meat Grinder?
It’s a good practice to clean and sanitize your commercial meat grinder before and after use. To do this, grab a large bucket with soap water, and soak the parts in there for 15 minutes.
Next, remove the parts from the buckets, and wash them under warm water and air dry. Get a damp cloth, and wipe down the grinder machine body. To prevent blade damage, sharpen or replace the blade when needed.
Can You Use a Home Electric meat Grinder Instead of a Commercial Meat Grinder?
This depends on what type of meat and the amount of meat you’re grinding. If you’re grinding small amounts of meat, somewhere between 50 – 100 lbs, you can use a home meat grinder, but anything more than this number will take you a lot longer, and affect its motor, so it’s best to use a commercial meat grinder.
Can Commercial Meat Grinders Grind Bone?
Most commercial meat grinder manufacturers do not recommend grinding bones in their machines, but separate the bones from the meat prior to loading the food tray.
Adding to this, you should cut the meat into half-inch cubes and chill along with the meat grinder head, blades, and plates in your refrigerator prior to grinding to prevent smearing.
