You don’t need to search a lot of meat mixer reviews online to choose the best one, just need to know some key factors. But worry not, because this article will cover everything, from materials to warranty. Also, there are five meat mixer reviews included of the more popular buyer’s choices. Need help deciding? Keep reading, there will be a winner announced at the end! Now join me if you will, on this new journey to know more about the best meat mixers on the market.
Buyer’s Guide: Things to consider before buying a meat mixer
Like all cooking appliances, there are certain aspects one should pay attention to. If you wanna find out the best option, these are the things you should focus on.
Material
It doesn’t matter if you are cooking for yourself, or preparing a big meal in a restaurant. Always take the necessary measures to ensure a safe handling of the ingredients. Especially if raw meat is one of them, cross-contamination is a big risk in any kitchen. One of the best ways to avoid it is by using a food grade safe, easy to clean material.
Stainless Steel
A stainless steel mixer is going to be the best choice for the material. But why is that? Besides being easy to clean, stainless steel doesn’t absorb moisture. It is nonporous, which is of extreme importance when working with meat cuts that can carry bits of blood. It is also durable, strong and resistant to corrosion. Plus, it is non-toxic, so every flavour will remain unaltered.
Hard plastic
It is also possible to find that some of the parts of the meat mixer are made of hard plastic. Mostly the cover, handle (in a manual meat mixer), knobs or non-slipping pads. Any other part that it is not made from stainless steel would not be safe for the meat mixing process. A few hard plastic parts are fine, and even makes the meat mixer a bit more affordable.
Avoid Aluminum Alloy
Stay away from aluminum grinders or mixers! Aluminum alloy is a reactive material. Acidic foods like tomatoes, citric fruits and vinegar will ruin it. It can also alter flavors and appearances. They might be cheaper but not entirely worth it.
Capacity
Meat mixers come in a variety of sizes. A small meat mixer can hold about 17 pounds of capacity. However, industrial mixers can have up to 100 pounds containers or more. Normally, for the day-to-day user the choice will fall on the smaller size of the scale. A range between 20 to 50 pounds will get most of our mixing needs covered, depending on how much usage it will have.
Warranty
Another important subject to consider when purchasing a meat mixer is warranty. Meat mixers are devices that are going to be under regular stress and internal movement. They need to be resilient to resist the force applied to them to get a proper mixing. Nonetheless, It should always have a certification of warranty in case something fails. Generally speaking, manufacturers offer a 1 or 2 year warranty from the buying date. A card or certificate is issued with the receipt, so make sure to store them in a safe place. In a possible case of submission the company could demand both of them. Damage due to shipping isn’t usually the responsibility of the manufacturer. So always handle the meat mixer with care when transporting it. And of course, never use it for anything other than its intended purpose.
Speed
Now the question is, how much faster can a proper meat mixer be, if we compare it with our hands or a homemade meat mixer? Remember, working with raw meat has its limitations. Handling it for a stretched period of time, could lead to bacterial growth and food poisoning. If an electric meat mixer is used, pay close attention. The meat could change its state with the movement of the internal blades. Some of these machines have up to 3 horsepower! To get good results, the mixing must be uniform, steady, without any tracings of unwanted lumps.
Versatility
Meat mixers are very versatiles, if you know how to use them. They can effectively mix almost every ingredient, not just meat. So vegans and vegetarians can also take advantage of this machine. Mix nuts, grains, potatoes and seeds to create delicious hamburgers or vegan sausages. That’s why the material is so important. The mixer should perform well in any condition and with all sorts of meats. Not only with grass-fed beef from a farm but also a tough piece of meat from an exotic wild animal.
Benefits Of Getting A Meat Mixer
Artificial flavored fast-food can be tiring. But there is nothing like a good occasional burger, right? Then you should get a meat mixer. It will save you time and energy, and you won’t get any cold fingers! Using this kind of appliance also results in a more hygienic preparation. The flavors will be better mixed and evenly distributed (plus homemade, without additives). They are fairly simple to use and can prepare large batches in a short amount of time. Use it not only for burgers but as a sausage mixer too. A must-have in the kitchen of any meat lover!
Types Of Meat Mixers
There are many different models of mixers. But after reading a couple of meat mixer reviews, one can find two specific types. These are the hand-operated or electric mixers. Both are pretty much the same, and work in a similar way. First, there is a mixing tub where the meat goes in. Then, a couple of paddles take care of the mixing process by folding the mixture of ingredients.
Now, here is the main distinction. Manual mixers operate with a handle attached to a shaft, and that shaft to the paddles. Cranking the handles makes the paddles switch and turn. Electric mixers rely on a small motor that makes the work for us. They are more common in professional kitchens and delis, since a motor unit comes with a larger tub. Therefore handling bigger batches doesn’t become a time-consuming job.
There is also another type of meat mixer that everyone has at home: hands! Hands are the first tools humanity developed. If you are going to use your hands to mix ground beef, always take the necessary measures to ensure a safe meal. Trim your nails and wash your hands with soap, then dry them with a paper napkin. Meat needs to be at a certain degree of coldness, so cooking gloves is a good option. In comparison with a meat mixer, you probably won’t get a very fine result. If you are a meat enthusiast, getting a mixer is a must.
Top 5 Meat Mixer Reviews
1.Hakka 20-Liter Stainless Steel Manual Mixer
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The Hakka 20 liter mixer is easy to use and can hold up to 30 pounds of meat. It has a sensible gearbox, which means you will simply have to turn the handle without much effort to get a good mix. It is 17.7” wide, 15.7” long and 9.8” tall. Its handle is covered in plastic for a good grip, and it also has four rubber legs. So placing this bad-boy on the counter is no problem.
Pros
- Strong build, feels sturdy.
- Made from polished stainless steel
- Effortless mixing and easy to assemble
Cons
- The lid seems a little bit flimsy and can’t quite fit all the way
- Some of the welds can be janky, and food could get stuck in them
- Careful with the edges, they are sharp
2.LEM Stainless Steel Manual Mixer
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With a 20 pound capacity, the LEM meat mixer is a compact and robust device. The tub is 8.3” wide, 11” long and also tall. One great thing about this mixer is the plexiglass cover. That alouds to safely check the meat while mixing it. LEM has a solid reputation and it shows here. The stainless steel walls on the mixer are thick, well built and the dimensions make it easy to clean.
Pros
- Four mixing paddles for optimum mixture.
- Rubber feet grips perfect on any table
- Two year warranty from LEM company
Cons
- It always needs to be close to the edge for the handle to turn
- While the LEM brand has many other meat related products, you cannot hook it up any of them to this mixer, so no grinder attachments.
- Sometimes, turning the handle in reverse could make the paddles get loose
3. Chard MM-102 Meat Mixer
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The next item on these meat mixer reviews is the Chard mixer. It has a 20-pound hopper capacity, and like the LEM meat mixer, also includes a see through plastic lid. You can safely mix meat and add spices thanks to the handy slot on the cover. A bit taller than the rest with 12.75” tall, this appliance is 12” wide and almost 9” long. The handle is made from a poly and it’s removable. However, the crank is built from die cast metal, not stainless steel. All and all, the Chard mixer gets the job done thanks to their specially designed handles to fold the mix into itself.
Pros:
- Good cost-effective option
- Mixes evenly
- Very easy to clean thanks to its removable parts.
Cons
- Some internal parts are made from brass (not optimal to be in contact with food)
- Sharp edges on the exterior
- The lid needs to be held in place
4. Sportman 4-Gallon Meat Mixer
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Sportsman presents a 4 gallon meat mixer. With a 17 pound capacity hopper, this mixer can manage any type of meat or game. Bulkier than all others with 12” wide, 15” long and 13.5” tall. Its four gallon stainless steel tank is robust and durable. The mixing blades will make a uniform and even mix. It also has a clear lid with an opening for adding season on the fly. It is easy to operate and maybe the best device for beginners.
Pros
- The mixing process continues breaking the meat into smaller pieces, getting a really good homogenous end result
- The paddles are removable
- With the proper care, it will last a lifetime
Cons
- Rough finish, not polished
- Need a large area for storing it
- The device is welded from the outside, therefore the mix could get stuck on the inside joints.
5. Weston Stainless Steel Meat Mixer
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This last mixer on this list belongs to the Weston mixer. Its standar hopper can be filled with up to 20 to 22 pounds of ground meat. It has an aluminum handle with 2 sets of screws for holding it in place. It is 12.3” wide, 14” long and tall (a pretty tall tub). Perfect for all kinds of meats, this mixer won’t have any issues with tougher cuts. Just make sure to check every edge for filings or rough corners. Sometimes steel cutting machines aren’t too sharp. Final tip, remove the paddles before getting all the meat out first, it will save you quite some time.
Pros
- Mixes meat effortlessly, thanks to its stainless steel blades
- Rubber non-slip feets
- Good post-sale customer service
Cons
- Kinda wobbly, you need to use your hands to add stability.
- Could be a bit hard to take apart for cleaning
- Cannot lock the paddles into place, so they tend to move from side to side
Final Thoughts
The world of delicatessen, homemade sausages and minced meat is vast and full of recipes. Meat mixers exist to make our lives easier and our recipes to taste better. After many meat mixer reviews, it is safe to say there aren’t many differences between them. Each one has its positive attributes.
The is a good choice, with a decent size, fit for almost every kitchen. make great batches. All flavors will be present and blended together. If you are just getting started, an entry-level product will be best. In that case, will be your ally.
But now, as promised, the winning mixer is finally here, say congrats to the Not only has a great name (hey, that’s important), it is also well built and strong. There is a big enough space for many batches of your favorite custom preparations. Plus the gearbox will make mixing an easy process.
Now that you know read these meat mixer reviews know everything there is about meat mixers, and choosing one should be a piece of cake!!