Cast iron or aluminum meat grinder - which is better?

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In the modern world, many people are switching to electric meat grinders, because they are much easier to use and require minimal physical effort. And the process of grinding products occurs much faster. However, manual meat grinders are still popular among buyers. This is due to the fact that they have a number of advantages over their electric counterparts:

• Mechanical meat grinders are generally much cheaper.
• They are compact and do not require much storage space.
• The operation of the device does not depend on the availability of electrical energy.
• Manual meat grinders are almost silent.
• This device is durable, there is practically nothing to break, so it can last more than one generation in the family.

Basically, all manual meat grinders consist of the following parts:

• Body with meat receiver.
• An auger is a working shaft that is twisted in a spiral and is designed to move the product towards the knife.
• Knife – chops the pieces before passing them through the grate.
• The grille is a metal disc with many holes.
• The handle is designed to operate the entire mechanism.
• Upper and lower shoe with a clamping screw - for fixing the device on the edge of the table.

Some manufacturers supplement the devices with special attachments, for example, for making cookies or sausages.

We present the rating of manual meat grinders 2021. The best 6 models that were selected by our experts based on user reviews and ratings.

The best models of mechanical meat grinders

The top best handmade models include those that are most in demand among modern housewives. According to reviews, you can buy a reliable and powerful assistant quite inexpensively. To do this, you need to study the models in our rating and choose the one that suits you in terms of price, technical characteristics and functional features.

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Bradex "Ekman" TK 0068

The average price is 3500 rubles.

Dimensions (W×D×H) – 13×21×17 cm

The mechanical meat grinder Bradex “Ekman” TK 0068 is designed for quick and easy grinding of products with different densities. The housing with a silicone suction cup is securely attached to the surface. Additional grates and attachments will help you prepare coarse and fine minced meat, dough for pasta and baking.

meat grinder Bradex “Ekman” TK 0068

Thanks to high-quality plastic, the meat grinder is both lightweight and durable.

Advantages

• comfortable ergonomic handle;
• reliable fastening to the table;
• light;
• simple and easy to use;
• design.

Flaws

• does not scroll the meat all the way through;
• There is a lot of meat left in the grates.

Vitesse VS-1911

The average price is 4000 rubles.

Dimensions (W×D×H) – 20.5×15×23 cm

This model cannot be considered a budget option, but it fully justifies its cost. All parts, knives, housing, screw shaft are made of stainless steel.

This allows you to grind food quickly and efficiently, and wash it in the dishwasher. It is attached to the table using a vacuum suction cup, so it can be placed anywhere on the table.

meat grinder Vitesse VS-1911

A wide neck with a diameter of 9.5 cm allows you to place food in large portions.

Advantages

• convenient to store;
• reliable;
• metal components;
• design.

Flaws

• attaches only to a perfectly smooth surface;
• Difficulty in caring for a glossy surface.

Endever HG-006

The average price is 880 rubles.

Dimensions (W×D×H) – 14.5×28×22.2 cm

Very simple and easy to use. Easy to assemble, disassemble and wash. Fixed to the table using a rubber bottom. Can be used to prepare minced meat and fish, vegetable puree, pate.

There is a nozzle for stuffing sausages, 2 steel grates with holes of different diameters. Dishwasher safe.

meat grinder Endever HG-006

Transparent parts of the meat grinder allow you to see all the processes happening inside.

Advantages

• light;
• compact;
• sharp knives;
• design.

Flaws

• attaches only to a perfectly smooth surface;
• fragile plastic.

Motor Sich 1 MA-S (aluminum)

The average price is 1100 rubles.

Dimensions (W×D×H) – 23×24.8×10.5 cm

The model is convenient to use in the country, easy to wash and store. High productivity, up to 32 kg/h, is achieved due to the correct geometric design of the screw blade.

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The meat grinder is equipped with a rubberized screw with a claw, which will protect your countertop from damage and give stability to the device.

meat grinder Motor Sich 1 MA-S (aluminum)

The meat grinder can easily be converted into a juicer using a special attachment.

Advantages

• lighter than analogues;
• no attachments included;
• compact;
• price;
• silent.

Flaws

• knives become dull quickly;
• design.

Tescoma Handy

The average price is 4100 rubles.

Dimensions (W×D×H) – 14×27×19 cm

Despite the plastic body, pusher, tray and auger, it easily copes with its functions. The blade and grinding discs are made of high quality stainless steel. Cannot be washed in the dishwasher.

meat grinder Tescoma Handy

The grinding method is regulated by large and fine nozzles.

Advantages

• design;
• light;
• compact.

Flaws

• the handle comes off;
• price;
• It does not attach well to the table; you have to buy an additional silicone stand.

Uralochka MA-S (aluminum)

The average price is 800 rubles.

Dimensions (W×D×H) – 10×23.5×25.5 cm

The best budget option among mechanical aluminum meat grinders. Traditional model from the Soviet period for processing meat, fish, vegetables and fruits.

Additional attachments will help you prepare minced meat products, shape cookies, and stuff sausages.

meat grinder Uralochka MA-S (aluminum)

Has the function of self-sharpening knives.

Advantages

• price;
• equipment;
• rubber pads for fastening;
• compact.

Flaws

• weight;
• it is inconvenient to tighten the screw;
• knives become dull.

What is a manual meat grinder

A manual meat grinder is a mechanical device that is necessary for grinding meat or fish for minced meat. The device is used for processing other products used in the production of noodles, spaghetti, juice, and cookies. The main advantage is the price, the ability to quickly assemble, chop, disassemble, and clean. The only negative is that it is a very labor-intensive process when working with meat, requiring the use of little physical force.

There are several types of devices for grinding meat. They differ in their operating principle:

1. Manual or mechanical. The process of processing products by hand, made of cast iron, aluminum, plastic, stainless steel.
2. Universal. They resemble a food processor, equipped with many functions and modes. Ideal for squeezing juices, making cookies, noodles. Safe.
3. Combine harvesters. There is no auger (torque shaft) familiar to users. A special knife (impeller) turns all products into a homogeneous mass.

Based on the manufacturing materials, devices for mechanical grinding of products are made of cast iron, aluminum, plastic, and stainless steel. Peculiarities:

1. Cast iron is considered durable. The disadvantage is that if there is a sharp fall, there are splits in the case.
2. Aluminum depends on the composition. A device with added silicon is considered durable and can withstand impacts. Aluminum-magnesium alloy is very brittle.
3. Plastic models are lightweight, equipped with a press for pushing meat, a vacuum mount that can be easily held even in the middle of the table.
4. Stainless steel meat grinders are practical.

The choice of many housewives falls on mechanical models of devices. This is explained:

1. Low cost.
2. It is believed that minced meat processed using a manual device is much tastier than using an electric meat grinder.
3. Independence from the power grid. You can work in any conditions, for example, in the country.
4. Durability, the ability to quickly and cheaply replace parts if necessary. If the knives become dull, they can be sharpened; if the attachments are lost, they are always on sale.
5. Compact size.
6. Silent operation.
7. Easy to assemble and use.

Device

The design of the device includes several components. The entire mechanism will only work if it is assembled correctly. Classic set of mechanical meat grinder - 7 parts. This:

• frame;
• meat receiver bell;
• Archimedes shaft or auger, which feeds the meat to the knife;
• wing or disk knife;
• nozzles;
• grinding grid;
• fastening in the form of a clamping nut for a knife;
• pens;
• screw or suction cups.

The composition of the parts included in a mechanical device for processing products is similar to an electrical one, but there are still differences. Each of them has its own purpose. Characteristics:

• metal or plastic body - a cast container with a meat receiver (a tube-socket that expands upward);
• spiral shaft - pushes the meat towards the incisors;
• knives – cross-shaped or disc-shaped;
• a grid with holes of different diameters to regulate the degree of grinding;
• the clamping cap is shaped like a large nut;
• handle - attached to the rear on the protruding part of the shaft, secured with gaskets and a screw;
• clamp – secures the device to the table.

The first thing you need to consider when assembling this household appliance is that all the parts fit snugly together. The quality of minced meat is affected by the density of contact between the knife and the grid. The classic version of the incisors is four-blade. As for the grates, they have different slots, but the smaller the holes, the more tender the meat will be. The kit includes additional parts in the form of metal (plastic) attachments of different sizes and shapes, which are intended for making cookies, purees, chopping vegetables and fruits.

How to assemble correctly

To assemble a manual meat grinder, you need to follow a certain algorithm. The sequence is:

1. Take the body, the largest part with three holes.
2. In the large round slot, place a shaft (helical-shaped) designed to push the contents towards the incisors.
3. Attach the knife for a manual meat grinder with the concave part to the shaft (this position grinds the food).
4. Install the grid, fit tightly to the flat side of the knife. You need to make it so that the cut (groove) on the part sits on the protrusion of the body. This will secure the grille.

After all the parts are installed, the next step is fastening. This is done in this way:

1. Everything is fixed with a large ring (clamp cap), which is threaded onto the body.
2. The handle is attached to the reverse side using two spacers and a screw.
3. The final stage is to place the device on a flat surface. To do this, you need to install the meat grinder on the edge of the table, using the screw located at the bottom of the case, screw it into the tabletop using the principle of a vice.

The operating principle of such a device is to supply ingredients for grinding into the meat receiver. It is not recommended to take very large pieces because they may get stuck, causing the work to stop. You will have to disassemble the device and remove the meat. A spiral shaft pushes the meat towards the knives, which cut it into pieces (depending on the type of cutter). They go to the grate, the holes in which grind them to the desired state. The resulting minced meat comes out of the nozzle and falls into a bowl, which must first be placed on the side of the clamping lid.

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Selection rules

Despite the low price, a good “manual” model must be chosen based on its technical characteristics and the wishes of the owner.

What parameters and features should you pay attention to when choosing a mechanical meat grinder:

1. Features of installation (mounting).

There are two main ways to mount the device:

Using a suction cup. Just one click on the side lever is enough, and the suction cup will allow the kitchen appliance to be firmly fixed in any part of the table. This type of fastening is not suitable for rough surfaces. Also, over time, the rubberized base stretches, and it does not secure the device well.

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Using a clamping screw. The base of the meat grinder is installed on the edge of the tabletop and secured with a screw. Can be used on all types of surfaces, the clamping force is adjustable. There is a risk of damage to the tabletop using a fixing support without pads. To avoid this, it is recommended to use a wooden (cutting) board.

Meat grinders with a pressure screw are a time-tested classic; with a suction cup, they are a modern and convenient option.

1. Case material.

Most often for the manufacture of hand models they use:

• cast iron;
• aluminum;
• stainless steel;
• plastic.

Cast iron is a heavy, durable, but fragile option. It will withstand frequent use and is not afraid of time and heavy loads. But when dropped it cracks. Cast iron models weigh 2-3 kg, so before purchasing, consider who will use it and provide ways to store the kitchen appliance.

Aluminum meat grinder models are lightweight, weighing about 1-1.5 kg. Withstands frequent use, but may become deformed if dropped. When washed in a dishwasher, aluminum under the influence of hot water and detergents oxidizes (blackens) and breaks down. When ingested, this metal negatively affects internal organs. Therefore, it is better to clean the meat grinder manually.

The stainless steel meat grinder is practical, durable and dishwasher safe. The downside is the high cost.

Plastic models are made of high-quality material, have a stylish design, are lightweight, and multifunctional. Used for processing any ingredients.

1. Length and material of the screw shaft. The longer the shaft, the better it grinds food. The preferred option for the auger is stainless steel. Plastic is only suitable for processing soft products.
2. Neck. The best option is wide and slightly beveled. Then the pieces of semi-finished products are better captured and crushed faster. To eliminate the possibility of touching the auger shaft and getting injured, you should choose a neck length longer than the length of your fingers.
3. Screw material for fastening. Depending on the model, there are all-metal ones and those with a plastic head. When tightening the screw, there is a risk of tearing off the plastic element, so a solid option is preferable.
4. Additional attachments. The meat grinder may include:

• grater and shredder;
• juicer;
• nozzles for stuffing sausages;
• kebbe attachment;
• nozzle for shaped cookies;
• coffee grinder

The greater the choice of attachments, the more possibilities the meat grinder has.

Features of cast iron and aluminum meat grinder

The most important advantage of a mechanical meat grinder is durability and reliability. It can last a long time due to the fact that it does not simply fail or break. What can break in a meat grinder made entirely of cast iron or aluminum? After all, she can handle even the toughest meat. The only thing that can happen is that the knife may become dull. This problem is very easy to deal with - you just need to sharpen it with an abrasive or take it to a workshop for sharpening. Mechanical meat grinders can be either aluminum or cast iron.

aluminum manual meat grinder

A cast iron meat grinder is a fairly heavy kitchen tool. She is considered a long-term assistant. The material from which this meat grinder is made is harmless to health, except that it is very heavy.

An aluminum meat grinder is a very light weight kitchen tool. The material from which it is made causes certain harm to health. Aluminum is a neurotoxic element. Thus, when it enters the human body, it increases the risk of developing various diseases, in particular, it can accelerate the aging process.

What power should the best meat grinder have?

Which electric meat grinder will be better is the one that has higher power. This is one of the main characteristics of the device and an important selection criterion. It is worth paying special attention to, power is distinguished:

• nominal;
• maximum.

The figure indicated on the box is the maximum possible. But you shouldn’t rely only on this threshold when deciding which meat grinder will be the best for your home. This power indicates how many watts will be spent on chopping meat that is not thoroughly prepared (cut into large pieces, with cartilage and veins). But for a good product, even the minimum possible power of the device will be enough. The device achieves higher performance when the product has difficulty passing through the auger. This fact is worth keeping in mind when choosing which meat grinder to choose for your home.

The minimum power must be at least 450 W, the maximum threshold will not exceed 1500 W - which is more than enough for home use. Again, the choice depends on individual needs and how often you plan to use the device and for what purposes. Understanding this, first of all, will help you save money, as well as determine what a suitable meat grinder should be for comfortable use for everyone personally. If you use the device once a month to grind minced meat for cutlets, then purchasing the most powerful meat grinder will not make sense. Whereas, if you need to grind tough meat every day, you should think about a model with maximum performance. They are capable of processing 2-4 kg per minute. Devices in the medium power range, 800-1100 W, grind up to 1.5 kg, but significantly benefit in price.

Therefore, when deciding which meat grinder is the best, you should look at the power. The simplest model, grinding only 1 kg, cannot be called such.