Meat Grinder Problems And How To Fix Them

It’s simple to use and maintain a meat grinder. However, many users encounter frequent meat grinder difficulties. If you’re thinking about buying one or currently own one, you should be aware of the issues.

Today, We will share with you some common meat grinder problems and how to solve them. Let’s read on to discover!

Common Meat Grinder Problems And How To Solve

The malfunction may happen to a specific part of your meat grinder. There are more problems for the electric meat grinders than the manual ones because the electric versions include more elements.

Here are some of the most frequent issues you have with the grinder.

Head problem

The grinder head might break down from time to time. When you grind meat, it won’t end up the way you would like it to. The issue may ruin the ground meat texture because the consistency gets lost.

Also, getting one hunk of meat through the meat grinder may take a long time. This problem may occur due to the head being blocked with tiny pieces of fats or ground meat.

Another scenario is that you run it mistakenly. As a result, pushing in the meat and processing becomes hard. 

How to fix it?

The grinder head issues affect the smooth grinding process of your grinder. Here are some steps to solve it:

• Turn the meat grinder off and remove the head.
• Carefully clean it.
• Repair the head correctly when it has dried.
• The head will recover to its former condition of peak performance.

The head affects meat texture

Blade problem

When you use the meat grinder regularly, there must be some wear and tear, especially when dealing with bones. 

Indeed, certain electric meat grinders can handle bones and frozen meat. After a long time of use, the blade loses its sharpness. You will have a difficult time running the grinder as a result.

How to fix it?

You need to replace the blade if it has broken down. On the other hand, the blade is just dull. You can sharpen it to enhance its performance. You can learn some tips via this video:

There are several methods to do it:

Sandpaper

To sharpen the meat grinder’s blades with sandpaper, you need to:

• Press the blade against the sandpaper at a 45° angle. It would be best if you did it in a circular motion on the surface. This step will show how you evenly hone the blades’ sides.
• Repeat this process about ten times or until you get the desired sharpness.
• Get a moist towel and clean out the accumulated particles throughout the previous stages after you’ve finished this procedure.

Sharpening stone

Choosing a fine gritstone is critical for honing the meat grinder’s cutting blade. To get a mirror finish on your blade, employ a 600 gritstone and repeat the scrubbing operation. Here are detailed instructions:

• Place the sharpening stone on a firm surface.
• Hone the blades by moving them back and forth. 
• Repeat this procedure ten times or until you get the desired level of sharpness.

You need some tools to sharpen the blade

Friction problem

Then there’s the issue of friction. Grinding meat becomes a hardworking task whenever there is friction, even if you are using an electric meat grinder. The lack of lubrication might be the source of this issue.

How to solve it?

To prevent the friction problem, follow these steps:

• Lubricate the grinder components with a lubricant. The tool will come into touch with the meat. Hence, the lubricant should be edible oil, such as olive oil.
• Rub all of the components carefully enough to eliminate the friction.
• Wait for about thirty minutes before grinding.

Switching problem

Manual grinders do not have such issues. Yet, if you are using an electric grinder, you may run into problems like these. Typically, these issues occur due to a malfunction with the power supply, source cable, or motor.

How to solve it?

You can tackle the problem with these tips:

• Double-check that you’re using the correct plug for your meat grinder. Different grinders demand different voltages.
• The power supply may have cracked, worn out, or distorted. You should examine and replace it if necessary.
• If there’s a fault with the grinder motor, you’ll have to contact experts.

Check the outlet before using the grinder

Clogging problem

Meat grinder clogging is another common issue. It might happen out of nowhere, leaving you with a bit of time to recover.

The clogging of meat arises mainly as a result of fat or tendon accumulation.

How to solve it?

If you have any of these problems, you have to clean your meat grinder. The procedures described below can help:

• Disassemble your meat grinder.
• Separate all of the pieces, including the blades and cutting plates.
• Clean them carefully. 
• To avoid clogging, you need to clean your meat grinder thoroughly after every use.

Clean the grinder to solve the clogging issue

How To Clean The Meat Grinder?

Most problems you face result from careless maintenance and cleaning. You can simply prevent bad things from happening by cleaning your meat grinder carefully.

If you use a manual meat grinder, the cleaning process is simpler. Otherwise, the meat grinder needs you to unplug it first. 

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Then, try out these steps:

• Start by removing the detachable elements such as the screws, cutting blade, plates, and blade cover. 
• The metal components of these devices are sensitive. It would be best to clean them by hand. Dishwashers are still fine, although they may dull the blades quickly.
• Soak the detachable pieces in soapy water for about 15 minutes. Soaking will make it possible to clear away residue from the parts without difficulty.
• After soaking for 15 minutes, wipe each part with a sponge.
• Use a brush to clean the feeding tube, plate, and hopper, as well as any other hard-to-reach spots.
• Clean the grinder’s motor casing with a damp rag, but don’t submerge the bottom in water.
• After you’ve finished cleaning, dry each item with a towel to eliminate rusting. 

Cleaning the grinder regularly is the best way to prevent all problems

The Bottom Line

Not all meat grinders are perfect, especially when you use them for a long time. But don’t worry! You can totally fix most of the common meat grinder problems. 

Hopefully, you will find this article helpful. If you need any further information about meat grinders, please feel free to ask. Thank you for reading!