It's very frustrating if you have a meat grinder that keeps clogging and you don't know why. What could be the cause, and how can you fix it? We understand your concern, so we did research to bring you an answer.
A meat grinder can clog due to worn-out blades or because you're trying to grind tough, fibrous meat. The following are the things you can do to fix the issue:
- Disassemble the meat grinder.
- Remove the meat stuck in the machine.
- Soak the pieces of the grinder in warm water.
- Clean thoroughly with baking soda.
These are the things you can do to fix a clogged meat grinder. Keep reading as we discuss them in greater detail. We will also discuss how to prevent your meat grinder from clogging for future use.
Why Does My Meat Grinder Keep Clogging?
Owning a meat grinder is a great way to have complete control over cutting and grinding your meat. However, a grinder can become inconvenient if it gets clogged all the time.
There are a few reasons why your meat grinder keeps clogging. The first reason is that you are trying to grind tough, fibrous, and fatty meat, which can lead to fatty build-up and eventually clog the machine.
The other possibility is that the machine blade is dull. As a result, it will be more difficult to grind the meat and make the grinder more likely to clog. Thankfully, there are ways you can fix this issue.
Unclogging Your Meat Grinder
Follow these instructions to get your machine get back up and running if you run into a clog while grinding your meat:
1. Disassemble The Meat Grinder
You need to disassemble the machine parts to enable you to access the clogged components. If you are not sure how to do this, then refer to the manufacturer's guide.
If you're working with an electrical meat grinder, ensure the motor has stopped completely. Don't forget to unplug the device from the power outlet.
2. Remove The Meat Stuck On The Machine
Remove all the meat that is stuck inside the machine. You can use a soft brush to reach the areas too small to access with your hands. If there are still small bits of meat stuck on the grinder, you can proceed to the next step.
3. Soak In Warm Water
Soak the parts of your meat grinder in warm water for 30-45 minutes. When the meat has softened, you will then be able to clean the machine.
4. Clean Thoroughly With Baking Soda
Take out your sponge and pour baking soda to clean your meat grinder thoroughly. Be careful in scrubbing the blades.
Applying baking soda can help remove any excess fat the meat may have left behind. Allow all the parts to fully dry after cleaning them and before reassembly to prevent the formation of fungus. If you want to dry it completely, place it in a bag of rice for the night.
Can You Lubricate A Meat Grinder?
In general, you can lubricate a meat grinder. However, you should use a food-grade lubricant. There are a lot of lubricants for different devices, so consult the manufacturer's manual if you're not familiar with them.
Carefully apply the lubricant to the moving parts of your meat grinder. Lubricating a meat grinder will lower the force required to rotate the handle for an efficient grind. This ensures a longer lifespan for the machine.
Click here to see this food-grade lubricant on Amazon.
Should You Freeze Your Meat And Meat Grinder?
One key to achieving a more efficient performance of the meat grinder is to put its parts in the freezer. Before grinding, freeze all equipment for 1-2 hours.
If your meat grinder is electric, avoid storing the motor section in the freezer because doing so can damage the machine.
Chilled meats will retain their shape and stay firm, which will make them easier to grind. The fat and connective tissues of meat will spread at room temperature instead of cutting it.
Do not chill the meat to the point that it forms ice crystals. If the meat is icy, it can have a mushy texture. So it is best to freeze the meat and the equipment before grinding.
Is Grinding Your Own Meat Healthier?
Grinding meat seems to be time-consuming work. However, there are advantages to grinding your meat at home. You don't need to be an expert to do it.
Grinding your meat means that you're the boss of the ingredients. You can customize your recipe without sacrificing the quality of the meat. Moreover, grinding your meat can reduce the risk of food contamination by E. coli.
Is It Cheaper To Grind Your Meat?
With inflation continually growing, you're probably looking for ways to save money without compromising quality. And your kitchen is one priority.
However, grinding your meat is not necessarily cheaper than buying ground meat at the store. The whole cost increases even more when you take into account the price of the kitchen equipment needed to grind your meat.
But, compared to grinding your meat, store-bought ground meat may be less expensive—but only if you want a lower-quality cut.
What Type Of Meat Grinder Should I Get?
There are two types of meat grinders you can choose from, depending on your needs and budget. Each type comes with different pros and cons.
Manual meat grinders
Manual grinders are cheaper and perfect for the everyday use of smaller quantities of meat. They are also smaller than the other type and are simpler to operate.
They have no electric components, which makes them handy and advantageous to use when there is a power interruption.
Click here to see this manual meat grinder on Amazon.
However, the main drawback of manual meat grinders is that they are quite difficult to use because they have no motor. They can also be time-consuming, especially when your task is to grind a large amount of meat.
Electric meat grinders
An electric meat grinder, on the other hand, is very easy to use. You only need to plug it in, put the meat in, turn it on, and let it do its magic. Some heavy-duty electric meat grinders can grind bones and tough meats.
Despite the convenience the electric grinder provides, there are still cons to this type. Some models are loud. They can also be large and take up a large amount of space on the countertop.
Click here to see this electric meat grinder on Amazon.
How To Keep Your Meat Grinder From Clogging
If your machine clogs frequently, and you don't want to disassemble it to unclog it, make sure to follow these instructions to reduce clogging:
- Before putting the meat in the grinder, make sure to trim off any excess fat and sinew. These meat parts cause the machine to clog. However, these steps are unnecessary if you use an electric meat grinder.
- Cutting your meat into smaller pieces is a life-changer. It will make it easier for the meat grinder to grind your meats. This will not only reduce clogging but will also help your machine to grind more efficiently.
- Remove bones from the meat before grinding. If you need to grind bones to feed your pets, then you should use a heavy-duty grinder. Although basic meat grinders can grind bones, they will leave you with a clogged grinder or—worse—a damaged one.
- The blades are the primary parts of your grinder responsible for cutting the meat into smaller pieces. The blades can become dull with frequent use, leading to clogging. This is why you need to sharpen the grinder blades from time to time.
- It is also important to keep the blades clean and dry when not in use. Keeping them dry will prevent corrosion and the formation of rust, mold, and mildew.
Final Thoughts
If you frequently use your meat grinder, then you should expect that clogging can happen from time to time. However, you don't need to be an expert to unclog a meat grinder.
You just need to follow the steps to unclog it as explained above and keep in mind the things you need to do to prevent it from clogging in the future.
If you found this article helpful, check out these other informative posts:
Can You Grind Cooked Meat In A Meat Grinder Or Blender?
Can I Use A Meat Grinder To Grind Grains [Inc. Corn] – And How To?
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