How To Choose Between a Manual or Electric Meat Grinder
Meat grinders are an essential appliance that is utilized in most commercial kitchens. With a commercial meat grinder, you are able to produce high quality, ground meats in a quick and efficient manner. Today we are going to take a look at the difference between manual and electric meat grinders.
PROS & CONS OF MANUAL MEAT GRINDERS
Manual meat grinders are used by turning a crank to drive the internal grinding mechanism. While electric grinders require less manual labor, there are significant differences between using a manual and electric meat grinder. Here are the pros and cons of using a manual meat grinder.
Pros of Manual Meat Grinders
• Because manual grinders have a simple design and have fewer moving parts, they are less likely to break down
• Repairing a manual meat grinder is easier, thank to the simplistic design and availability of parts
• Manual meat grinders can be moved just about anywhere within the commercial kitchen with the clamp-on mounting mechanism
• Manual meat grinders are the more affordable option, as they require less upkeep and do not require a power source to operate
Cons of Manual Meat Grinders
• If your intended use it to grind large batches of meats, a manual grinder can be quite exhausting to operate
• In order to mount a manual meat grinder, you need open counterspace with a countertop edge to secure the unit
• Manual meat grinders are not as sanitary as electric grinders, because the internal mechanism has to be cleaned and sterilized after each use
• Manual meat grinders have a higher safety risk, with the potential of trapping fingers or clothing
• It's challenging to maintain consistency while using a manual grinder, in order to do so you must turn the handle at the exact same rate each time
PROS & CONS OF ELECTRIC MEAT GRINDERS
Electric meat grinders are powered by a motor that drives the internal grinding mechanism. Here are the Pros and Cons of using electric meat grinders.
PROs of electric meat grinders
• The weight of the electric motor provides greater stability while in operation
• An electric motor means more power, which allows you to grind larger and thicker cuts of meat
• Because electric units have increased power, the griding capacity per minute is significantly higher than manual units
• Electric meat grinders are ideal for grinding consistent, mass quantities of meats in minutes
CONS of electric meat grinders
• Electric meat grinders cost more and require parts and upkeep the longer you own it
• Since electric meat grinders operate with electricity, this means the unit cannot be placed anywhere within the kitchen
• Electric grinders are heavier and can require two people to move the unit safely
CHOOSING THE BEST MEAT GRINDER FOR YOUR KITCHEN
You will want to keep the following in mind when purchasing a new meat grinder, budget, brand, and the needs of your kitchen. Depending on how much meat you need to grind daily will help you choose between a manual and an electric model. For operations that require large portions of ground meat, an electric meat grinder is your best option. Choosing a high-quality brand and model, like Hobart’s 4812-36 grinder will ensure that you produce high quality and consistent results each time.
At Cook’s we have a wide selection of food preparation equipment, in-stock and available for same day shipping. If you have any questions regarding the purchase of new foodservice equipment, we are happy to help.
