Are you looking for the best manual meat grinder that is hand cranked, super affordable, yet still reliable? The Weston #10 grinder might just be what you’re looking for. In this manual meat grinder reviews I will look at what makes it good and what could potentially make it bad, so you can decide if it’s the right one for you.
What Makes a Good Hand Cranked Meat Grinder
First things first. Let’s take a look at the questions you need to ask if you want to determine if it’s a good manual meat grinder. In this review, we’ll go through each question and answer them.
- Will actually it grind meat?
- Is the cost reasonable?
- What’s it made of and how long will it last?
- Is the clamp wide enough to fit your counter top?
- Is clean up easy?
Will it Grind Meat?
Yes, this thing will grind meat. There’s no problems here at all. Most of the time you spend grinding meat will actually be spent preparing. The Weston is very fast for a hand grinder. You can grind up a few pounds of beef for some juicy burgers, or meat loaf in just minutes. If you’d like to grind more than just a few pounds once in a while, it’s better to pay a little more for an electric meat grinder instead. Your arms will thank you and you’ll appreciate the time saved.
Is the Cost Reasonable?
The best thing about the Weston that qualifies it as the best manual meat grinder under $50 is its price. The #10 (Weston’s most popular manual meat grinder) usually retails for much less than the $50 limit we set, and you can often find even more amazing deals for them if you look around. I recommend checking Amazon.com to find the best deals and to check the current price.
What’s it Made of and How Long Will it Last?
Knowing what the meat grinder is made of is important. Depending on the material the blades, etc. are made from, how you care for them will vary. Certain materials are also more preferable to others as well, that’s why it’s important to know.
Tinned cast iron body
There’s no doubt the body is durable. It’s made of solid cast iron, so it’ll definitely be able to take some beatings. The only problem with cast-iron is it rusts easily if not taken care of properly. Good thing for us Weston has already taken care of that potential problem, so that concern isn’t much of a concern anymore. They protected the entire body with a food safe tin plating–which is rust proof.
Everything is good then right? You won’t have to worry about rust thanks to the tin plating, but the plating raises a small concern for me. There is that small chance the plating might chip off due to improper care, or accidental damage. Even though Weston says it’s food safe, I just don’t like the idea of having tin plating mixed in with my meat.
What happens when the plating starts to chip off? Once the plating begins chipping, it’s probably best to just get a new one. Fortunately, getting a new one is cheap as heck. If it happens within a year of your purchase date then it’s covered under Weston’s warranty. You’re guaranteed to get at least a year out of it with its one year warranty. But I’m sure it’ll last much longer if you take care of it according to Weston’s instructions.
If the tin plating just doesn’t seem very appealing no matter how you look at it, you might want to consider paying a little more and get stainless steel instead by buying the LEM.
Carbon steel blades and plates
Both the cutting blades and plates are made of carbon steel. That makes them a little more susceptible to rust, but that can be avoided with a little care. Considering that they are sharper and cheaper to replace, they’re way better than the duller and more expensive stainless steel blades.
Is the Clamp Good Enough?
The clamp to hold the grinder down to your work surface opens up to about 1 ½”. If you are planning to clamp this on to the counter, you need to make sure that you measure your counter first. There really is no way to force the clamp to open up any wider than 1 ½”.
Clean Up
Clean up is very easy. It just takes a little bit of time just like with any cleaning. Just take the few pieces apart and wash them thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Make sure you dry everything thoroughly after washing. The non-tinned parts like the crank handle and the screws have a higher chance of rusting, so it’s important they are dry before you store the unit away. The blades and plates should be coated with a small amount of oil, or food silicone and stored in a zip lock bag.
Avoid the dishwasher because according to the manufacturer, this isn’t dishwasher safe. Some people have reported that they’ve washed it in the dishwasher without any problems. I say follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prolong the life of your purchase and to maintain its warranty.
Should You Buy It?
Buy the Weston if you’re looking for something that is simple, works, and is so affordable you can buy 3 of them for the price of one. This is the best manual meat grinder that is hand cranked and can be purchased for lower than the $50 mark. Make sure to check Amazon.com to find some great deals and to check the current price. I hope this manual meat grinder reviews was able to answer your questions and help you decide to buy one. Come back after you buy it and let us know what you think of it.
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