Grinding burger meat at home
Best Meat Grinders for Burgers (2026)
Best meat grinders for burgers ranked by plate range and cold fat handling, with coarse and medium grinds for family batches or a few pounds at a time.
Our top picks at a glance
STX International Turboforce 3000
Home burger and sausage grinding in regular batches
KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment KSMMGA
KitchenAid owners grinding small batches without a second motor
LEM Products Mighty Bite No. 8 Grinder
Regular home grinding with metal-gear durability below Big Bite cost
The short answer
For regular burger batches, choose the STX Turboforce 3000. For a few pounds at a time with a KitchenAid mixer, choose the KSMMGA metal attachment.
The picks, ranked
| Pick | Grinder Size | Power | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1STX International Turboforce 3000Best for Burger Batches | Size No. 12 neck | 3000 watts peak, 800 to 1200 watts working | Large aluminum meat tray | Check price |
| 2KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment KSMMGABest for Small Burger Batches | Mixer attachment, power hub drive | Driven by KitchenAid stand mixer | Removable food tray, batch feed | Check price |
| 3LEM Products Mighty Bite No. 8 GrinderBest Regular Burger Grinder | No. 8 aluminum head | 575 watts | Rated about 4 lbs per minute | Check price |
| 4Cuisinart Electric Meat Grinder MG-100Best Tidy Burger Pick | Home grinder head, die-cast | 300 watts | Rated about 3 lbs per minute | Check price |
| 5Sunmile Electric Meat Grinder SM-G50Best Starter for Burgers | Compact home grinder head | 1000 watts max, 350 watts rated | Rated about 2.2 lbs per minute | Check price |
Best for Burger Batches
STX International Turboforce 3000
A high-output home grinder with multiple plates and sausage tubes.
Multiple plates let you run a coarse first grind and a medium second grind for classic burger texture, with throughput for family batches.
Strengths
- Listed peak output up to 3000 watts with a strong working grinding rate for home use
- Includes multiple grinding plates, cutting blades, and sausage stuffing tubes
- Large meat tray and sturdy housing for batch work
- Reverse function helps clear minor jams
Limitations
- Peak watt listing is not continuous horsepower like commercial grinders
- Not rated for bones or heavy commercial duty cycles
- Aluminum parts are hand-wash only to protect finish
| Grinder Size | Size No. 12 neck |
|---|---|
| Power | 3000 watts peak, 800 to 1200 watts working |
| Capacity | Large aluminum meat tray |
| Weight | 12 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 year limited |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Grinds beef and pork quickly for burger nights
- Plate selection covers coarse to fine well
- Sausage tubes make a first sausage batch approachable
- Good value compared with stainless commercial units
Common complaints
- Plastic pusher and some fittings feel light next to metal rivals
- Grinding very warm meat smears fat, technique matters
- Hand washing the parts takes time after fatty batches
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: STX International official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published kitchen gear reviews
Best for: Home burger and sausage grinding in regular batches
Skip if: You process large game animals in a single session
Best for Small Burger Batches
KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment KSMMGA
A metal mixer attachment for KitchenAid owners who grind occasionally.
Chilled metal parts keep a few pounds of chuck firm and cleanly ground, with no extra motor to store.
Strengths
- Metal housing, auger, and plates chill well for cleaner grinding
- Attaches to the KitchenAid power hub you already own
- Includes fine, medium, and coarse plates plus sausage stuffer tubes
- Includes a storage case and removable food tray system
Limitations
- Grinding speed depends on your mixer motor and duty guidance
- Throat size limits large or high-volume sessions
- Mixer must be rested per its manual during heavy grinding
| Grinder Size | Mixer attachment, power hub drive |
|---|---|
| Power | Driven by KitchenAid stand mixer |
| Capacity | Removable food tray, batch feed |
| Weight | 4.4 lbs attachment |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Metal parts go in the freezer and keep fat firm
- Perfect for a few pounds of burger meat at a time
- No extra motor to store in the kitchen
- Case keeps plates and tubes organized
Common complaints
- Slow for more than a few pounds in one session
- Mixer head can strain on sinew-heavy cuts
- All metal parts are hand-wash and dry carefully
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: KitchenAid official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published kitchen gear reviews
Best for: KitchenAid owners grinding small batches without a second motor
Skip if: You do not own a KitchenAid stand mixer
Best Regular Burger Grinder
LEM Products Mighty Bite No. 8 Grinder
A lighter LEM No. 8 with metal gears for regular home grinding.
Metal gears and a No. 8 head suit a weekly burger routine that outgrows budget plastic-gear units.
Strengths
- Metal gears and a 575-watt class motor for home duty
- No. 8 aluminum head keeps weight manageable
- Three stainless plates cover coarse to fine home needs
- LEM ecosystem of plates, knives, and stuffers fits the unit
Limitations
- Aluminum head versus stainless on Big Bite models
- Feeding is slower than Big Bite auger models
- Hand-wash guidance for aluminum parts
| Grinder Size | No. 8 aluminum head |
|---|---|
| Power | 575 watts |
| Capacity | Rated about 4 lbs per minute |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 year limited |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Noticeably sturdier than budget plastic-gear grinders
- Right size for weekly burger and sausage batches
- LEM support and parts are easy to source
- Stores more easily than No. 12 units
Common complaints
- Owners who upgrade later cite feeding speed
- Aluminum needs prompt drying to stay bright
- Sausage stuffing is workable but not fast
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: LEM Products official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published kitchen gear reviews
Best for: Regular home grinding with metal-gear durability below Big Bite cost
Skip if: You want the fastest Big Bite auger feeding
Best Tidy Burger Pick
Cuisinart Electric Meat Grinder MG-100
A brushed stainless home grinder with two plates and sausage attachments.
Two plates cover medium and coarse burger grinds in a compact, counter-friendly unit for couples.
Strengths
- 300-watt motor sized for home burger and sausage batches
- Two cutting plates for medium and coarse grinds
- Two sausage attachments for different casing sizes
- Reverse function and brushed stainless housing wipe clean
Limitations
- Throughput is modest for bulk sessions
- Only two plates included limits fine grinding options
- Aluminum die-cast parts need hand washing
| Grinder Size | Home grinder head, die-cast |
|---|---|
| Power | 300 watts |
| Capacity | Rated about 3 lbs per minute |
| Weight | 9 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 year limited |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Looks tidy enough to leave on the counter
- Handles chuck and pork shoulder well in small batches
- Assembly and cleaning are straightforward
- Good first dedicated grinder for couples
Common complaints
- Slows on large, sinewy batches
- Some owners buy extra plates for fine grinds
- Tray size means frequent refilling on big jobs
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Cuisinart official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published kitchen gear reviews
Best for: Neat countertop grinding for burgers and small sausage batches
Skip if: You need a No. 12 throat or continuous game duty
Best Starter for Burgers
Sunmile Electric Meat Grinder SM-G50
A budget electric grinder with three plates and a sausage kit.
Three plates and a low cost make a first burger grind, brisket blend included, an easy experiment.
Strengths
- 1000-watt max listed power covers basic beef and pork grinding
- Three stainless plates for coarse, medium, and fine textures
- Includes sausage attachment and kubbe maker in many kits
- Compact storage compared with No. 12 and No. 22 units
Limitations
- Duty cycle is short, batches need rest breaks
- Plastic gears and fittings limit heavy use
- Smaller throat requires thinner meat strips
| Grinder Size | Compact home grinder head |
|---|---|
| Power | 1000 watts max, 350 watts rated |
| Capacity | Rated about 2.2 lbs per minute |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Low cost makes a first grinder an easy decision
- Fine for a few pounds of burgers at a time
- Easy assembly for beginners
- Plates cover the textures most home cooks use
Common complaints
- Motor needs cooling rests on larger batches
- Sinew wraps the knife and needs cleaning mid-batch
- Not suited to bones or very tough trim
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Sunmile official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published kitchen gear reviews
Best for: First-time grinding and small burger batches on a budget
Skip if: You process game or grind weekly in large volumes
FAQ
Questions, answered straight
What plate size is best for burgers?
A coarse plate around 7 to 8 mm for the first pass and a medium plate around 4.5 to 5 mm for the second is a common burger approach. Single medium grinds also work.
What fat ratio should I grind for burgers?
An 80 to 20 lean to fat ratio is the classic burger target. Grinding your own lets you set it with chuck and added brisket or short rib fat.
Should I grind meat twice?
Twice gives a more uniform mix of lean and fat. Keep the meat cold between passes and handle it minimally afterward.