Author Topic: New Toy  (Read 6024 times)

old sarge

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New Toy
« on: January 10, 2018, 08:00:37 PM »
Over the holidays I decided that I needed (wanted?) a meat grinder. Ordered it today.

https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/lem-8-big-bite-grinder-0-5-hp/0000000286358;jsessionid=-xLinVdAB8rQBSrD55ffAS25x_L_H7bHN1PpHz8tISkI-mqMrTCz!1780984844?bc=LEM&brandCrumb=4164077436&bn=lem
David from Arizona
US Army 70 - 95
SI 3D & Big Red Controller
CS 066
Lodge Sportsman Grill
Weber Kettle
Ducane Meridian 42 inch Grill
LEM MaxVac 1088A
LEM Big Bite #8 Grinder
Chef's Choice 665 and Rival Slicers
Old Hickory Knives
InstantPot Duo80 Plus

TX Gent

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Re: New Toy
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2018, 05:59:38 AM »
Looks like a very capable grinder of meats old sarge. Sausages soon?
John ... Smokin #2  South of "Hells' Half Acre" and along ol' Deer Creek

old sarge

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Re: New Toy
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2018, 10:22:41 AM »
Not sure yet. We use a lot of ground beef, pork, chicken, lamb and with pre packaged one never knows if it came from the same critter or several. Been using the food processor for small batches as we cook but wanted to go larger and vac seal and freeze. I am sure sausage will be in there at some point.
David from Arizona
US Army 70 - 95
SI 3D & Big Red Controller
CS 066
Lodge Sportsman Grill
Weber Kettle
Ducane Meridian 42 inch Grill
LEM MaxVac 1088A
LEM Big Bite #8 Grinder
Chef's Choice 665 and Rival Slicers
Old Hickory Knives
InstantPot Duo80 Plus

NDKoze

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  • Gregg - Fargo, ND
Re: New Toy
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2018, 02:35:36 PM »
Congrats Old Sarge!

You are going to love your new LEM grinder. I wish I had the Big Bite Auger on mine, but my 12-year-old LEM #12 grinder is still plugging along, so no need for a new one yet.
Gregg - Fargo, ND
Smokin-It #3 (purchased in 2014) that replaced a Masterbuilt XL (ugh) and a 10+ Year-Old Big Chief (still used for fish), and few others over the years, along with variety of Weber Gas/Charcoal Grills, Anova Sous Vide, etc. devices.

old sarge

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Re: New Toy
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2018, 09:24:44 PM »
I wanted a 12 Greg but could not resist the price of the 8.  Is there any chance that the BigBite auger would fit your older grinder?
David from Arizona
US Army 70 - 95
SI 3D & Big Red Controller
CS 066
Lodge Sportsman Grill
Weber Kettle
Ducane Meridian 42 inch Grill
LEM MaxVac 1088A
LEM Big Bite #8 Grinder
Chef's Choice 665 and Rival Slicers
Old Hickory Knives
InstantPot Duo80 Plus

azbohunter

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Re: New Toy
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2018, 10:40:13 PM »
They have a great reputation, I am sure you're set nicely for a while Sarge!
Glendale, AZ 8 months of the year and then 4 months where ever the fish are biting best, usually along the Columbia River in Oregon.
I eat, therefore I hunt and fish! Hopefully I will learn to smoke some of it!

NDKoze

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  • Gregg - Fargo, ND
Re: New Toy
« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2018, 10:58:09 PM »
I wanted a 12 Greg but could not resist the price of the 8.  Is there any chance that the BigBite auger would fit your older grinder?

I as thinking the same thing Surge. Unfortunately, according to LEM they are not compatible. :(
Gregg - Fargo, ND
Smokin-It #3 (purchased in 2014) that replaced a Masterbuilt XL (ugh) and a 10+ Year-Old Big Chief (still used for fish), and few others over the years, along with variety of Weber Gas/Charcoal Grills, Anova Sous Vide, etc. devices.

SconnieQ

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Re: New Toy
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2018, 02:17:44 AM »
Thank you for buying from a Wisconsin company. :) One of my favorite stores!
Kari from Madison WI "77 Square Miles Surrounded by Reality"
Singing the praises of small and simple. SI Model #1 with "Libby the dog" poultry skin eating accessory.
Weber Smokey Mountain (are we still friends?), Weber Kettle Grill (stop complaining WSM, I still have a chance)
Anova WiFi Sous Vide

old sarge

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Re: New Toy
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2018, 12:47:05 PM »
Kari - I could not believe the low price. I honestly believed it was an error or that it was an older model or a refurb. But the folks I talked with did some checking and called me back to let me know that it was new so I ordered.  Should prove to be a good investment.
David from Arizona
US Army 70 - 95
SI 3D & Big Red Controller
CS 066
Lodge Sportsman Grill
Weber Kettle
Ducane Meridian 42 inch Grill
LEM MaxVac 1088A
LEM Big Bite #8 Grinder
Chef's Choice 665 and Rival Slicers
Old Hickory Knives
InstantPot Duo80 Plus

BedouinBob

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Re: New Toy
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2018, 03:55:35 PM »
I have a LEM Big Bite 8 and I think it is really well made and works like a champ.
Bob - Colorado Springs
NRA & USN

Lonzinomaker

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Re: New Toy
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2018, 08:20:28 PM »
I bought a new in box #5 for $150. Love it. It grinds as fast as I can feed 15-20 lbs of semi frozen pork in. Double grinding for bratwurst is easy too.
Dave
Smokin-It #3 main smoker.
1400 Smokin Tex (same size as #2) for Snowbird time.
Smokin-It #1 for camping trips.
Big Chief with mailbox mod for cheese smoking
Blackstone 22in griddle with Bakerstone pizza oven
Spokane, WA

old sarge

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Re: New Toy
« Reply #11 on: January 15, 2018, 10:17:01 PM »
I looked at a lot of different brands - Weston, Cabela's, Thunderbird, Kitchener, Guide Gear, and watched a load of videos. Decided the LEM was the machine for me.  Should be here in a few days.

« Last Edit: January 17, 2018, 09:22:32 PM by old sarge »
David from Arizona
US Army 70 - 95
SI 3D & Big Red Controller
CS 066
Lodge Sportsman Grill
Weber Kettle
Ducane Meridian 42 inch Grill
LEM MaxVac 1088A
LEM Big Bite #8 Grinder
Chef's Choice 665 and Rival Slicers
Old Hickory Knives
InstantPot Duo80 Plus

old sarge

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Re: New Toy
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2018, 09:22:41 PM »
UPDATE:  The grinder arrived today.  I am impressed and pretty much glad that I did not get a #12.  The #8 is plenty large, more than enough for my needs. It will be a while before I put it to use but definitely looking forward to putting it through it's paces.
David from Arizona
US Army 70 - 95
SI 3D & Big Red Controller
CS 066
Lodge Sportsman Grill
Weber Kettle
Ducane Meridian 42 inch Grill
LEM MaxVac 1088A
LEM Big Bite #8 Grinder
Chef's Choice 665 and Rival Slicers
Old Hickory Knives
InstantPot Duo80 Plus

BedouinBob

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Re: New Toy
« Reply #13 on: January 17, 2018, 10:16:00 PM »
You won’t be disappointed David. 😊
Bob - Colorado Springs
NRA & USN

Lonzinomaker

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Re: New Toy
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2018, 01:02:59 PM »
Here's my "processing center". I do lots of bacon, so I watched Craigslist for a couple of months until I found a decent commercial 10 in meat slicer for a reasonable $250 price.  You can see my grinder on the bottom shelf. I use the mixing bowls with ice between them when grinding meat. Keeps the meat and fat from getting to soft after grinding. Only thing I couldn't fit on the shelving is my 10#sausage stuffer.
« Last Edit: January 20, 2018, 01:04:56 PM by Lonzinomaker »
Dave
Smokin-It #3 main smoker.
1400 Smokin Tex (same size as #2) for Snowbird time.
Smokin-It #1 for camping trips.
Big Chief with mailbox mod for cheese smoking
Blackstone 22in griddle with Bakerstone pizza oven
Spokane, WA