"I did a great deal of research before selecting this grinder. Suffice it to say, this is a great product at a great price and I have found no others that come close in quality in this price range. My Grinder/Sausage Stuffer came with 3 stuffing tubes while the product specs listed only one ( pleasant surprise). I use it primarily for grinding and stuffing all types of sausage. It is a superior product with all metal food contact parts. The "ON" switch can also be "pulsed" by pushing it in partway, an important feature when stuffing sausage. All the critical parts can be easily removed for cleaning (and boiling) if you sterilize the unit after using (which you should).
The only improvement that could possibly be made is not with the product, but with the instruction manual. The manual instructs you to remove the grinder plate and cutter when installing the stuffing tube for stuffing sausage. This will not work as the grinder plate also serves as the front bearing surface for the auger. When removed, the auger is not supported at the front and will work its way out from the motor housing connection socket. (no big deal as it comes out for cleaning anyway, but you can't stuff sauges in this configuration). So, I put the grinder plate and blade back in, then put on the stuffing tube and "wala", it worked like a charm. So if you choose, grind and stuff in one operation. If you choose not to do it this way, put in the larger grinding plate when you get ready to stuff so you don't get a "double grind" that is finer than you desire!
I can't say enough good about this machine. It is heavier duty than any I have found in this price range, has a powerful motor and the grinding disks (3 sizes come with the machine) and cutter blade appear to be made from tool steel. The auger, collar, auger housing, and meat tray are all cast aluminum. It has built in cord storage and wieghs more than you would expect. Kudos to Northern Tool, they scored a winner with this product!"
What is your level of technical expertise? Home Handyman
