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Contents
Are Weston Meat Grinders Better Than Lem Meat Grinders? Weston meat grinders aren’t necessarily better than LEM meat grinders and vice versa, they both have their pros and cons.
In order to make the choice of which is better, you have to first consider some factors, such as; What do you need the meat grinder for? Restaurant or home use?— also, your budget is an important factor to consider.
Differences between Weston and Lem meat grinders
Now we have reviewed a product line of each of the brands (Do well to check the review down this post), the next step would be to check out their differences to determine which has a definitive edge over the other.
Power
When you compare all the individual meat grinder models with their matching set or “numbers” on both the brands.
The Weston #8 edges the LEM in terms of power, where Weston has a power output of 0.75HP and the LEM has a power output of 0.5HP. This trend continues through the models, we see that the Weston meat grinder is more powerful than the LEM in that term.
Reverse Function
For the reverse function which is used to move the gears of the meat grinder in the opposite direction in case there is a clog in the tube, we noticed that just the Weston meat grinder has this feature.
This is an important feature because the fat and connective tissues from the meat tend to get tangled in the gears a lot and cause it to clog, therefore, if you like this feature, then it’s the Weston meat grinder for you.
Continuous feed
The Continuous Feed is a feature that allows you to grind meat for long periods of time without having to use the meat stomper to push down the meat, the gears automatically pull the chunks of meat into the tube and grind it.
Unlike the Weston meat grinder where you have to keep pushing the meat as you stuff the feed tube, the LEM has this continuous feed feature that makes grinding meat super easy and faster. This feature is what excuses the lack of “reverse” in the LEM meat grinders.
Bone Grinding
If you need to grind bones for any reason, maybe you just want to make some super juicy and rich bone broth.
The Weston and LEM meat grinders can be used to grind bones, however, it has to be soft bones that can easily be broken down. I’m talking Chicken, Rabbit and Maybe Ribs (Pork and Beef).
Not all the models can be used to grind bones however, for Weston, according to the manufacturer’s guide, the #22 and #32 can get the job done. While the LEM has three models that can grind bones, #12, #22 and #32.
Price
For all the models, individually through the models. The LEM is very much the most expensive of the two, if you have a budget constraint then the Weston should be the ideal choice. If you can afford the LEM then look through the models and figure out the one that best works for you.
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Similarities between Weston and Lem meat grinders
Since we have gone through some of the differences between the brands, it’s only fair to see some of the similarities as well to make the options clearer.
Longevity
Both the Weston and LEM brands of meat grinders boast of long shelf life and are made to be incredibly sturdy. They are made with quality materials, all the metal parts are made with stainless steel that doesn’t rust.
Easy to purchase
You can find them easy to purchase online, just go online to Amazon in the links above and place your order as soon as possible. No hassle, you’ll have your new meat grinder on your doorstep in a couple of days.
Range of choices
Both the Weston and LEM have a wide range of choices depending on the level of meat processing you want to carry out, the Weston has 4 models in its Pro series while LEM has 5 models in its “Big Bite” series. That’s a great spread of meat grinders for your choosing.
American brands
I don’t know if this counts for much to you, both the brands operate out of the United States of America. If you are into homemade products, then these meat grinders should be your speed.
At the end of the day, it boils down to personal preferences. To make the decision easier for you, I’m going to review a few of the meat grinders made by Weston brand and LEM. Stick with me for a moment —
Weston meat grinders
For the sake of this review, we are going to be focusing on just a line of meat grinder products from the Weston brand, which is the Pro Series.
In the Pro Series line of meat grinders, there are 4 different meat grinders which are identified by the number that is assigned to them, they are the #8, #12, #22 and #32. What are the differences you ask? I’m going to tell you in a moment.
Weston pro series #8 meat grinder
This is the first product in this line of meat grinder, it is also the least expensive amongst the 4 in the series, it can be used to grind most kinds of meat and it’s powered by electricity.
Features
- It is permanently lubricated, you don’t need to oil it at any point while you own it.
- Power: 0.75HP/560 Watts.
- You can grind as much as 3-6 pounds of meat with this grinder.
- It has a non-slip rubber underneath, so it doesn’t slide off the table while you’re using it.
- It is embedded with a “knife sharpener” in case your knives get dull.
- Comes with a sausage stuffing kit.
Weston pro series #12 meat grinder
This is a bit more powerful than the #8 and it gets more work done faster too, it is basically an upgrade from the previous model, also more expensive by the way.
Features
- It is permanently lubricated.
- Power: 1HP/750 Watts.
- It grinds about 6-10 pounds of meat in a minute.
- Comes with a 5-year warranty.
- It comes with 2 stainless steel grinding plates, coarse and medium.
- Sausage stuffing kit.
Weston pro series #22 meat grinder
The pattern should be obvious by now, as the model number increases, it just means there are upgrades to the line of products. This product is significantly different from the previous version, the efficiency is top-notch and is worth every penny for the level of work it does.
- Permanently lubricated for smooth functionality.
- Power: 1.5HP/1120 Watts.
- Can grind up to 15 pounds of meat in a minute.
- Ultra Quiet.
- Reverse Mode.
- Sausage stuffing kit.
Weston pro series #32 meat grinder
This is the final product of the pro series meat grinder, and also the most powerful of the 4. This can be used to grind meat on a large scale, it comes highly recommended for restaurateurs. Although it’s a bit pricey, trust me. It’s going to be worth every buck you spend on it.
Features
- Power: 2HP/1500 Watts.
- Ultra Quiet while working.
- Sausage stuffing kit.
- Grinds up to 21 pounds of meat in a minute.
- Can grind bones (soft bones like Chicken).
LEM Meat Grinders
The line of meat grinder that is similar to the pro series which we just reviewed would be the “Big Bite”, this line of products are about 5 in the series. And like the Weston, they are also identified by numbers, they are the #5, #8, #12, #22 and #32.
LEM Big Bite #5 Meat Grinder
This is the first of the series, it is super compact and portable. It is made for kitchen tops in homes, it grinds on a small scale but it gets the job done super quick and efficiently.
Features
- Power: 0.35 HP.
- Permanently lubricated motor.
- Stainless steel knife sharpener.
- Built-in circuit breaker for power surges.
- Tray for placing meat.
- Grinds up to 4 pounds of meat in a minute.
LEM Big Bite #8 Meat Grinder
An upgraded and slightly larger design to the #5, this meat grinder is a lot more efficient than the previous model. It is also embedded with ultra-quiet gears that make the grinder run smoothly without much disturbance.
Features
- Power: 0.5HP.
- Ultra Quiet Gears.
- Storage drawer underneath the grinder head.
- Large pan for meat.
- Permanently lubricated motor.
- Grinds up to 5-8 pounds of meat in a minute.
LEM Big Bite #12 Meat Grinder
In terms of grinding power, this is a significant step up, size-wise however, it retains its dimensions and it’s eerily similar to the previous model.
Features
- Grinds up to 11 pounds of meat in a minute.
- Power: 0.75HP.
- Sausage stuffing kit.
- Quieter gears for smoother operation.
- Larger throat diameter from the #8.
- Meat stomper.
LEM Big Bite #22 Meat Grinder
With some expansion here and there to accommodate some of the upgrades, this is very efficient for grinding meat on a larger scale compared to the previous models. Although way more expensive than the rest of them.
Features
- Power: 1HP.
- 3 grinding blades; coarse, fine and medium.
- Larger meat pan.
- Knife sharpening station.
- Meat stomper.
- Sausage stuffing kit.
LEM Big Bite #32 Meat Grinder
This is the final and most powerful meat grinder in this series, it can be used in a restaurant to grind meat on a large scale because of how efficient it is. Very expensive but worth every penny.
Features
- Power: 1.5HP.
- The meat pan has a hand guard, so your meat doesn’t end up as part of the kitchen floor.
- Ultra-quiet grinding gears.
- Permanently lubricated motor.
- Meat stomper.
- Sausage stuffing tube and kit.
- 5-year warranty.
FAQs
Are LEM meat grinders good?
Yea, LEM meat grinders are good. They can be used to grind all kinds of meat efficiently without stress.
LEM meat grinders are incredible for grinding meat, they have a wide variety of products that provide a range of grinding capabilities.
There is a meat grinder for everyone, no matter what your budget is or the scale of grinding you want to be doing with your meat grinder, with LEM, your options are limitless.
Can you grind bones with a meat grinder?
Yes, you can grind bones with a powerful meat grinder. For example, as mentioned above, you can use both the Weston and LEM meat grinders to grind bones. If you need to grind bones, then spend quite a sum to get the most powerful one you can.
Most of the meat grinders you find including the Weston and LEM can serve you for years with proper maintenance.
Which other appliances do LEM and Weston brands make?
LEM brand sells Vacuum sealers and Kitchen tools, they also sell food products like Sausage and Jerky (Meat basically).
Weston brand has a wider range of inventory than LEM, they produce almost every kitchen utensils and appliance you can think of, Blenders, Deep fryer, Dehydrators, Juicers etc. See what I mean? Whatever tool you need for your kitchen, The Weston brand has got it.
Where are LEM and Weston Products made?
Weston brand operates out of Southern Pines, North Carolina, while the LEM are based in West Chester, Ohio. Both companies are American companies through and through.
Are Weston Meat Grinders Better Than Lem Meat Grinders – Conclusion
Some features provided by the Weston brand meat grinders are better than the LEM’s, and vice versa, while the LEM is a lot more expensive than the Weston comparatively. The decision on which is better overall than the other all boils down to personal preference and taste.
You need to first work out what you need your meat grinder for (besides the obvious, which is grinding meat). When you figure out what you need it for, you can work in the parameters and figure which of the brands best suits you and your activities.
Whichever brand you end up choosing, all I can say is that you would have made an excellent choice because they are both amazing brands that are super sturdy and durable. Happy trails!
