KitchenAid Metal vs Plastic Grinder (2026)

The KSMMGA is all-metal at 4.2 lbs and can be freezer-chilled so fat stays firm through long sessions. The KSMFGA uses a plastic housing at 1.4 lbs that warms faster, softening fat and smearing texture on extended grinds.

For short, small batches the gap narrows. For multi-pound sessions it defines the result.

The metal grinder includes fine, medium, and coarse plates plus two sausage stuffer tubes, a larger tray, a storage case, and a cleaning brush. The KSMFGA includes fine and coarse plates only, with sausage stuffing left to a separate accessory, and its smaller tray needs more frequent refills.

Mixer power limits both, so plate choice and meat temperature matter more than body material for a single small batch.

Both carry KitchenAid's 1-year warranty with the same first-party parts channels and owner knowledge base, so support is not the divider here. The divider is service life under load: the metal housing and drive tolerate years of weekly sessions, while the plastic housing is built for occasional use and costs far less to replace.

That durability gap, plus cold retention, is what the metal premium actually buys.

Handling separates the two before grinding even starts. The metal grinder measures 12.4 by 5 by 8.5 inches at 4.2 lbs, with a large tray that handles batch sessions, so it feels like a workbench tool to lift, wash, and store. The plastic grinder measures 7.6 by 4.5 by 8 inches at 1.4 lbs, which owners praise for quick setup and cleanup, though its small tray means frequent refills on bigger batches.