What size meat grinder do I need for deer?

Match your batch and plate needs to the model. LEM rates 1158 at 4 to 5 pounds per minute; Cuisinart rates MG-100 at up to 3. These separate maker claims do not establish equal-condition speed or cabinet size.

Can a meat grinder make sausage?

Yes. LEM includes three stuffing tubes and a stuffing plate with the MightyBite #8, and Cuisinart includes two sausage attachments with the MG-100.

Home / Food preserving

Electric meat grinders: match the grinder to how much meat you process

By the Plain Prepper editors. Updated 2026-10-17.

We research products from makers' specs, manuals and safety agencies; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.

Quick answer

For grinding venison or bulk cuts at home, pick by how much meat you process. LEM rates the MightyBite #8 for 4 to 5 pounds a minute with metal gears, fine and coarse plates and three stuffing tubes, and its current product page advertises a two year warranty. The cited June 2014 model 1158 manual instead says one year with registration conditions; confirm the applicable terms before ordering. Cuisinart's MG-100 has a 300-watt motor and is rated for up to 3 pounds a minute, with a reverse switch, two plates, two sausage attachments and a 3-year limited warranty. Whichever you choose, keep meat cold: USDA says to store ground beef at 40 degrees F or below and cook it to 160 degrees F.

Our picks at a glance

Game and bulk batches: LEM MightyBite #8 (1158). Best for: Hunters and bulk buyers grinding a lot at once. See options on Amazon
Family batches: Cuisinart Electric Meat Grinder MG-100. Best for: Burger, meatballs and sausage in smaller amounts. See options on Amazon

Compare the picks and what to watch out for

Two electric meat grinders compared

Spec	LEM #8	Cuisinart MG-100
Speed	4 to 5 lb per minute	Up to 3 lb per minute
Plates	Fine 4.5 mm, coarse 10 mm, stuffing	Medium, coarse
Sausage	3 stuffing tubes	2 attachments
Warranty	Current page: 2 years; older manual: 1 year. Confirm terms.	3 years limited

From LEM's and Cuisinart's product pages, read October 17, 2026. LEM lists metal gears; Cuisinart lists a 300-watt motor and a reverse feature.

Why a grinder belongs in a food-storage plan

If you hunt, buy half a hog or beef, or stock up when cuts are on sale, a grinder lets you turn trim and tougher cuts into burger and sausage, then portion and freeze it in the amounts you use. Grinding at home also means you know exactly what cuts went in.

It does add a food-safety step. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service says grinding exposes more of the meat's surface to bacteria and mixes any surface bacteria throughout the meat. Cold meat, clean parts and quick freezing matter more for ground meat than for whole cuts.

Size and speed: how much meat will you grind?

LEM publishes 4 to 5 pounds per minute for the MightyBite #8; Cuisinart publishes up to 3 pounds per minute for the MG-100. These are separate maker ratings, not a measured comparison under identical meat, plate and feeding conditions. Choose around your batch size and the plate you need; no physical-size ranking is established here.

LEM lists metal gears and says the MightyBite is not compatible with its grinder attachments. Check accessory compatibility for model 1158 rather than buying by the number 8 alone.

Plates, knives and sausage tubes

The plate sets the texture. LEM includes a fine 4.5 mm plate, a coarse 10 mm plate and a stuffing plate, with a one-way stainless knife, three plastic stuffing tubes of 1/2, 1 and 1-3/8 inch outer diameter and a meat stomper. Cuisinart includes medium and coarse cutting plates and two sausage attachments, one for breakfast links and one for regular sausage.

Current model-specific replacement knife and plate availability was not verified for both makers. Confirm exact part numbers and stock with the maker before choosing a grinder for repeated seasonal use.

Keep the meat cold and the parts clean

USDA says bacteria multiply rapidly in the Danger Zone between 40 and 140 degrees F. It says to store ground beef at 40 degrees F or below and use it within 2 days, or freeze it, and to cook ground beef to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees F, checked with a food thermometer.

In practice, work with meat straight from the refrigerator in small batches, put ground meat back in the cold right away, and wash every part that touched raw meat after each session.

Model-specific feeding, jams and cleaning

The LEM 1158 manual requires the motor off and plug removed before cleaning, assembly or disassembly; it forbids pushing meat with fingers and provides a meat stomper. It calls for hand washing removable grinder parts in warm soapy water, no soaking and no dishwasher. Keep the motor housing out of water and handle the sharp knife and plates carefully.

The MG-100 manual likewise forbids fingers near the feed chute during operation and requires unplugging before cleaning or removing parts. It describes stopping and using reverse for a jam; if the jam returns, switch off, unplug and disassemble to clean as instructed. Metal parts are not dishwasher safe; the pusher alone is top-rack dishwasher safe. Dry washed parts thoroughly. These limits make cleanup a manual cleanup task for either selection; read the complete supplied manual before operating.

Check the warranty, listing and model number

LEM's current MightyBite page advertises a two year factory warranty for SKU 1158. The separate model 1158 manual is dated June 2014 and says one year for the original purchaser, reduced to 90 days with proof of purchase if its warranty card is not returned. Those are conflicting terms, not a settled two year promise for the delivered unit. Confirm the applicable coverage and registration requirements with LEM before ordering.

LEM's current warranty page requires proof of purchase and registration for retail purchases. The older manual excludes misuse, neglect, unauthorized repairs and damage outside material or workmanship defects. Cuisinart advertises a three year limited household use warranty for MG-100; retain the receipt and read its manual exclusions. These warranty terms are separate from a seller's return window.

LEM's page identifies SKU 1158 and UPC 734494011586. The selected Amazon listings identify 1158 and MG-100; both showed New, in stock offers sold by Amazon when checked October 17, 2026. Recheck model and seller before ordering.

Where it fits with your other food storage gear

A grinder pairs with a vacuum sealer for freezer packs that resist freezer burn and with a dehydrator for jerky made from ground meat. If you plan to store meat long term, your freezer capacity and a backup power plan matter as much as the grinder itself.

What to look for when you buy

Game and bulk batches: LEM MightyBite #8 (1158)

Best for: Hunters and bulk buyers grinding a lot at once

LEM lists 4 to 5 pounds per minute, metal gears, fine and coarse plates, three stuffing tubes, a meat stomper and a current two year warranty advertisement. Its older manual conflicts on the warranty period.

Watch out: Not compatible with LEM grinder attachments. Current two year warranty wording conflicts with the June 2014 manual: one year, or 90 days without its returned card. Confirm applicable terms.

See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)

Family batches: Cuisinart Electric Meat Grinder MG-100

Best for: Burger, meatballs and sausage in smaller amounts

Cuisinart lists a 300-watt motor, up to 3 pounds per minute, medium and coarse plates, two sausage attachments, a reverse feature and a 3-year limited warranty.

Watch out: No fine plate listed. Its throughput is a separate maker rating, not a controlled speed comparison.