What You Need to Know About Buying a Commercial Meat Grinder

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If you are considering purchasing a commercial grade meat grinder for your small business, there are a few significant factors you will need to take into account that differ quite a bit from the requirements for a home use grinder. Here are the most important questions you should ask so that you can make sure you’re getting the best equipment for your operation.

Is It Powerful Enough?

Power is always going to be a top concern for any piece of commercial equipment, as it directly impacts your productivity, output, and ultimately your bottom line. Meat grinders are no different, though the measurements for power might seem a bit foreign compared to other tools. The power ratings for commercial meat grinders have to do with their motors, with the most common measurements being the number of watts that it can utilize. A higher number means that it can deliver more power, which translates into faster grind times and the ability to work through tougher cuts or meat with bones still in it.

Most businesses are going to want a grinder with at least a 1000 watt motor, though some heavy duty products feature 2000 watt or 3000 watt motors. You might also see models that list the motor’s horsepower, though this is not always the easiest measurement as most are going to be well under 1 horsepower. An easy way to tell if a model is powerful enough is to look for the number of pounds it can grind in an hour. The further over 100 pounds, the higher its capacity and faster its speed.

Is It Strong Enough?

Every business wants to have the sturdiest equipment, because it means less money spent on maintenance and less of a chance that the unit will need to be replaced before it’s really earned its keep. Some electric meat grinders are going to have a plastic body, which won’t be suitable for anything but the smallest of commercial settings. Hard metal is ideal, with cast aluminum being among the best in terms of durability and strength. Cast aluminum is made in a process similar to that of cast iron, so you can trust that it can handle a few knocks here and there without batting an eyelash, so to speak.

Is it Big Enough?

Size does matter when it comes to commercial meat grinders, specifically the size of its hopper, which is the tray that holds the meat at the top, and the feed tube, which is the chute through which the meat travels to reach the actual cutting blades. You should know the size of meat you are going to be grinding most frequently, as well as the amount you will need to grind during each use in order to meet whatever goals you have for your business. When you know this, you can determine if the capacity of the grinder is big enough to handle your needs, such as being able to load large pieces of venison to grind without having to chop all of it up into tiny cubes first.

Is It Safe Enough?

Safety should always be a top priority for any business, especially one that involves the use of a meat grinder. There should not be any exposed areas around the cutting blades, to avoid any accidental cuts. Since you’re likely going to have a very powerful motor in your unit, try to find one with a built-in circuit breaker. This will help protect you, and the machine, from damage in the case of overheating or any kind of electrical issue. Also, make sure you can easily clean the machine, so that you can keep it sanitary and prevent causing any sickness to your customers.

Answering All the Questions

It’s always a good idea to answer every one of your questions about a meat grinder before you commit to a purchase. In some cases, manufacturers may have support teams that can help you understand the full capabilities of a model. Another option is to locate the manual on the manufacturer’s website and read about all of the grinder’s functions there.