A deer does not come in one-pound packs. After the backstraps and roasts are cut, a whitetail can leave a large pile of trim, neck and shank meat for grinding, and it all needs to be ground and chilled while it is still cold. That is a different job from grinding a pork shoulder for chorizo on a Sunday, and it calls for a different machine: a bigger head, a motor rated for long runs, and a maker that sells replacement plates and knives.
This guide covers seven heavy-duty electric grinders for venison and other game, from #8 and #12 machines for one deer a season to #22 and #32 grinders for hunting camps and families who process several animals. We compared what LEM, MEAT! Your Maker, Weston, STX International and VEVOR state about motor, head size, output, plates and warranty, and we explain which of those numbers matter at the cutting table.
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Quick verdict: which deer grinder to buy
The best deer meat grinder for most hunters who process one or two deer a year is the LEM BigBite #12: a 0.75 HP motor LEM rates at up to 11 pounds a minute, a stainless build, three plates and a five-year factory warranty. If you grind a whole deer or more at a time, step up to the MEAT! 1 HP #22, rated at 11 to 14 pounds a minute. For the most motor here with reverse, choose the Weston Pro Series 1.5 HP. On a tighter budget, the STX Turboforce II 4000 brings a #12 head and a foot pedal.
Only grinding a few pounds of beef or pork at a time? Our guide to the best electric meat grinder covers smaller kitchen machines, and the one on the best hand meat grinder covers crank models.
Five game grinders at a glance
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of hunter, with the motor, head size and warranty each maker states. All seven grinders are reviewed in full below.
| Deer grinder | Best for | Motor (as stated) | Head and output | Warranty | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LEM BigBite #12 Electric Meat GrinderBest overall
|
One or two deer a season | 0.75 HP | #12; up to 11 lb/min | 5 years | View on Amazon |
MEAT! 1 HP #22 Pro-Grade Meat GrinderBest for a whole deer
|
Big trim piles in one session | 1 HP | #22; 11–14 lb/min | Limited lifetime | View on Amazon |
| Long runs, sinewy cuts | 1.5 HP, 1,120 W | #22; 14 lb/min | Limited 5 years | View on Amazon | |
| A first game grinder | 2,000 W locked | #12; 220–260 lb/hr | 3 years | View on Amazon | |
MEAT! 1.5 HP #32 Pro-Grade Meat GrinderBest for camps
|
Several deer or elk | 1.5 HP | #32; up to 18 lb/min | Limited lifetime | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Specifications are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best deer meat grinder
These seven grinders are all built for volume: #8, #12, #22 and #32 heads, motors rated in horsepower rather than peak watts, and makers that publish warranty terms. Each entry lists the motor and output the maker states, the plates in the box, whether reverse is mentioned, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. LEM BigBite #12 Electric Meat Grinder – Five-Year Warranty, Steady Output
LEM sells processing gear aimed at hunters, and the BigBite #12 is the size most single-deer households grow into. LEM pairs a 0.75 HP motor with a #12 head and rates it at up to 11 pounds of meat a minute, which is quick work for a cooler of chilled trim. LEM names venison in its list of meats and says the grinder is meant for hunters who process their own game.
The build is stainless steel, and LEM says the motor is permanently lubricated and uses a noise-dampening design. In the box you get three plates, a knife, a stomper and stuffing tubes, so the same machine handles a coarse first grind, a fine second grind and summer sausage or snack sticks later. LEM says the grinder takes apart easily for cleaning, which matters when you are washing fat off the parts at the end of a long evening.
The reason it sits at the top is the backing. LEM gives a five-year factory warranty, offers lifetime customer support and says it stocks replacement parts for current and past products. Plates and knives wear with use, and being able to buy the right #12 parts years from now is worth more than an extra plate in the box today.
Why we like it
- LEM rates it at up to 11 pounds a minute
- Stainless steel build and a permanently lubricated motor
- Three plates, knife, stomper and stuffing tubes included
- Five-year factory warranty and replacement parts, per LEM
Key specifications
| Model | 17801 |
|---|---|
| Head size | #12 |
| Motor (as stated) | 0.75 HP |
| Stated output | Up to 11 lb per minute |
| Plates included | 3 (sizes not stated in listing) |
| Reverse | Not stated in listing |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Warranty | 5-year factory warranty |
Why we recommend it
Hunters who process one or two deer a season at home and want a grinder that will still be supported, with parts available, years from now.
Skip it if you regularly grind several animals in one weekend; a #22 head moves more meat per minute and tires the operator less.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Longest stated factory warranty among the #12 picks
- Replacement parts sold by LEM
- Quieter design, per LEM
Cons
- Plate sizes not given in the listing
- Reverse not mentioned in the listing
- Smaller head than the #22 and #32 picks
2. MEAT! 1 HP #22 Pro-Grade Meat Grinder – Big Head, Lifetime Warranty
MEAT! Your Maker sells processing equipment aimed squarely at hunters, and its 1 HP grinder with a #22 head is the step up for anyone who grinds an entire deer’s trim in one session. MEAT! rates it at 11 to 14 pounds of ground meat a minute. The bigger head takes larger chunks, so there is less cutting before you grind and less pushing once you start.
The listing describes all-stainless construction “down to the last bolt”, with a coarse and a fine grinding plate, plus a stainless stuffing plate and tubes for sausage. MEAT! lists the product weight at 57 pounds on its own site, so this is a machine you set up on a sturdy table in the garage or shop, not one you lift off a kitchen shelf. It works with the MEAT! foot pedal switch, sold separately, which frees both hands to feed meat.
The warranty is the other draw. MEAT! states a limited lifetime warranty on its products against defects in materials and workmanship for the original owner, with proof of purchase or registration. The terms exclude commercial use and normal wear, and require purchase new from MEAT! or an authorized retailer, so keep your receipt.
Why we like it
- #22 head, rated at 11 to 14 pounds a minute
- All-stainless construction, per the listing
- Coarse and fine plates plus stuffing plate and tubes
- Limited lifetime warranty, per MEAT!
Key specifications
| Model | 1159179 |
|---|---|
| Head size | #22 |
| Motor (as stated) | 1 HP |
| Stated output | 11–14 lb per minute |
| Plates included | Coarse and fine, plus stuffing plate |
| Reverse | Not stated |
| Weight | 57 lb (MEAT!) |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime (MEAT! terms) |
Why we recommend it
Hunters who grind a whole deer or more in a day and want a bigger head and a warranty that does not run out.
Skip it if you have nowhere to store a 57-pound machine; the LEM #12 does one deer at a time in a smaller body.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large head means less cutting before you grind
- Stainless throughout, per the listing
- Foot pedal compatible
Cons
- Heavy at 57 pounds
- Only two grinding plates in the box
- Foot pedal sold separately
3. Weston Pro Series 1.5 HP Electric Meat Grinder – Reverse and a Built-In Sharpener
The Weston Pro Series 1.5 HP has the biggest motor rating on this list alongside the MEAT! #32: Weston states 1.5 HP and 1,120 watts, air cooled and permanently lubricated, built to grind large volumes continuously. Weston rates it at 14 pounds of meat a minute. Retailers list it as Weston’s #22 Pro Series model.
Two features suit venison in particular. Deer trim carries a lot of silver skin and connective tissue, and Weston includes a forward-reverse mode it says is useful for tougher meats and meat with connective tissue, so you can back sinew off the knife instead of stopping to take the head apart. Weston also says the rifled head and tapered throat feed meat fast enough that no tray guard is needed, and the patented stomper grabs the auger to push meat down.
The kit includes a storage tray with cover, coarse (7 mm) and fine (4.5 mm) stainless plates, a knife, a sausage stuffer kit with four funnels, and a built-in knife sharpener for touching up your boning knife between cuts. Weston gives a limited five-year warranty. Retail listings put the weight at around 66 pounds, so plan a permanent spot for it.
Why we like it
- 1.5 HP, 1,120-watt air-cooled motor, per Weston
- Forward-reverse for sinew and connective tissue
- Coarse and fine plates plus a four-funnel sausage kit
- Limited five-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 10-2201-W |
|---|---|
| Head size | #22 (retailer listings) |
| Motor (as stated) | 1.5 HP, 1,120 W |
| Stated output | 14 lb per minute |
| Plates included | Coarse 7 mm, fine 4.5 mm |
| Reverse | Yes, forward-reverse |
| Weight | About 66 lb (retailer listing) |
| Warranty | Limited 5 years |
Why we recommend it
Hunters who grind sinewy trim from several animals and want reverse and the strongest stated motor in a #22 head.
Skip it if you grind one deer a year; this is a lot of motor and weight for that job.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Reverse is stated, unlike most picks here
- Built for continuous grinding, per Weston
- Knife sharpener and storage tray included
Cons
- Very heavy
- Only two grinding plates
- Head size given by retailers, not the listing
4. STX Turboforce II 4000 #12 Electric Meat Grinder – Foot Pedal in the Box
STX International is a brand of Mercantile Station 2, a U.S. company, according to the listing, and the Turboforce II 4000 is the STX grinder that names small game among its uses. It has a #12 head and a hopper STX says holds over 3 pounds of meat, and STX rates it at 220 to 260 pounds an hour depending on the plate and the meat. Unlike most grinders at this level, it comes with a foot pedal, so you can feed with both hands and stop the motor without reaching for the switch.
Read the power claim carefully. STX states a locked-motor wattage of 2,000 watts, which is what the motor draws when stalled, not what it uses while grinding; the listing does not give a running figure. Compare it on the stated hourly output instead. STX says it can grind soft bones such as chicken, rabbit, squirrel and quail, which is useful for small game but does not cover deer bone.
The kit is the largest here: five grinding plates, a sausage stuffing plate, three stainless steel blades, three stuffing tubes, a kubbe attachment, a meat pusher, meat claws and a burger press. The grinding head and tray are polished aluminum, so hand wash and dry them. STX gives a three-year guarantee for buyers in the lower 48 states.
Why we like it
- Foot pedal included
- Five grinding plates plus a stuffing plate
- STX states 220 to 260 pounds an hour
- Three-year guarantee, per STX
Key specifications
| Model | STX-4000-TB2-PD-BL |
|---|---|
| Head size | #12 |
| Motor (as stated) | 2,000 W locked (running not stated) |
| Stated output | 220–260 lb per hour |
| Plates included | 5 grinding plates + 1 stuffing plate |
| Reverse | Not stated in listing |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Warranty | 3 years (lower 48 states) |
Why we recommend it
A hunter buying a first grinder for a deer or two a year who wants a #12 head, plenty of plates and a foot pedal without stepping up to a #22.
Skip it if you want a stated running power and a stainless head; the LEM #12 gives both.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most accessories of any pick
- Foot pedal for hands-free work
- Handles soft small-game bones, per STX
Cons
- Power given only as a locked-motor figure
- Aluminum head needs hand washing
- Warranty void outside the lower 48 states
5. MEAT! 1.5 HP #32 Pro-Grade Meat Grinder – Up to 18 Pounds a Minute
MEAT! calls this its strongest grinder, and the numbers back that up: a 1.5 HP motor, a #32 head and a stated output of 14 to 18 pounds a minute on the MEAT! site, or up to 1,080 pounds an hour. This is the grinder for a hunting camp, a family that pools several deer, or anyone who also processes elk, where the trim pile is measured in coolers rather than bowls.
Like the #22, it is all stainless steel according to the listing, with coarse and fine grinding plates, a stainless stuffing plate and three stuffing tubes. MEAT! adds a safety filter over the loading chute, meant to keep hands out of the throat. The weight, 70.5 pounds by MEAT!’s figure, is the price of that size: you will want two people to move it and a table that does not flex.
The MEAT! limited lifetime warranty applies here too, with the same conditions: original owner, proof of purchase, bought new from MEAT! or an authorized retailer, and no commercial use.
Why we like it
- Highest stated output on this list
- #32 head takes large chunks of trim
- Safety filter over the loading chute
- Limited lifetime warranty, per MEAT!
Key specifications
| Model | 1117074 |
|---|---|
| Head size | #32 |
| Motor (as stated) | 1.5 HP |
| Stated output | Up to 18 lb per minute |
| Plates included | Coarse and fine, plus stuffing plate |
| Reverse | Not stated |
| Weight | 70.5 lb (MEAT!) |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime (MEAT! terms) |
Why we recommend it
Groups and families who process several deer, or larger game, in one weekend and want the fastest machine here.
Skip it if you process one deer a year; it is far more grinder, and weight, than that needs.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fastest stated grind rate
- Stainless construction, per the listing
- Stuffing plate and three tubes included
Cons
- 70.5 pounds
- Reverse not mentioned
- Overkill for a single deer
6. Weston Pro Series 0.75 HP Electric Meat Grinder – Pro Build in a Smaller Body
The smaller Weston Pro Series grinder keeps much of what makes the 1.5 HP model appealing at a size that is easier to live with. Weston states a 0.75 HP, 560-watt motor, air cooled and permanently lubricated for continuous grinding, and rates it at 4 to 6 pounds a minute. Retailers list it with a #8 hub, smaller than the #12 picks, so cut trim into narrower strips before feeding it.
The accessory list matches its big brother: the auger-grabbing stomper, a storage tray with cover, coarse (7 mm) and fine (4.5 mm) stainless plates, a knife, and a sausage stuffer kit with funnels from 10 to 40 mm, small enough for snack sticks and large enough for summer sausage. Weston says it is engineered for quiet running and for processing hundreds of pounds of meat.
Weston gives a five-year warranty. Retail listings put the weight at about 38.5 pounds, roughly half the #32 MEAT!, which makes it a more realistic choice if the grinder lives in a kitchen cabinet between seasons.
Why we like it
- Air-cooled, permanently lubricated motor, per Weston
- Sausage funnels from 10 to 40 mm
- Coarse 7 mm and fine 4.5 mm plates
- Five-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 10-0801-W |
|---|---|
| Head size | #8 (retailer listings) |
| Motor (as stated) | 0.75 HP, 560 W |
| Stated output | 4–6 lb per minute |
| Plates included | Coarse 7 mm, fine 4.5 mm |
| Reverse | Not stated in listing |
| Weight | About 38.5 lb (retailer listing) |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Why we recommend it
Hunters who want a pro-series motor and a full sausage kit but grind modest amounts and need a grinder that stores more easily.
Skip it if speed matters most; at 4 to 6 pounds a minute it is the slowest grinder here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Built for continuous runs, per Weston
- Full sausage funnel set
- Lighter than the #22 and #32 picks
Cons
- Smallest head on this list
- Slowest stated output
- Reverse not mentioned in the listing
7. VEVOR #12 1 HP Electric Meat Grinder – Dishwasher-Safe Parts
VEVOR pitches this #12 grinder at home kitchens and restaurants alike, and it is built more like a small commercial unit than a kitchen appliance. VEVOR states a 750-watt, 1 HP motor and an output of up to 552 pounds an hour, with a three-stage auger, a cold-air cooling system and anti-vibration feet. A locking knob holds the grinding head in place.
Its strongest point for deer season is cleanup. VEVOR says every removable part, including the blades, plates, tubes, grinding head, auger and meat pan, is dishwasher-safe; only the motor housing needs a wipe with a dry cloth. After grinding a batch of fatty trim, that saves a lot of time at the sink.
The kit is smaller than STX’s: two cross blades, a 6 mm and an 8 mm plate, a kibbe kit, three stuffing tubes and a pusher. There is no fine plate for a second grind. VEVOR says it is not for bones or frozen meat, which is normal, and the listing does not state a warranty term, so check the seller’s terms before you buy.
Why we like it
- All removable parts are dishwasher-safe, per VEVOR
- 1 HP motor with a #12 head
- Stated output up to 552 pounds an hour
- ETL listed, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | HC-12D |
|---|---|
| Head size | #12 |
| Motor (as stated) | 750 W, 1 HP |
| Stated output | Up to 552 lb per hour |
| Plates included | 6 mm and 8 mm |
| Reverse | Not stated |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated in listing |
Why we recommend it
Hunters who dread cleanup and want a #12 head with parts that can go straight into the dishwasher.
Skip it if you want a fine plate for a second grind or a published warranty; LEM and Weston state both plates and terms.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe removable parts
- Locking knob for the head
- Anti-vibration feet
Cons
- No fine plate included
- Warranty not stated
- Not for frozen meat, per VEVOR
Grinding venison safely, from cooler to freezer
Ground meat needs more care than whole cuts, and game is no exception. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) explains that grinding mixes bacteria from the surface of the meat throughout the batch, which is why ground meat is cooked through rather than seared on the outside. Its safe minimum internal temperature chart lists ground meats at 160°F, measured with a food thermometer; our guide to the best meat thermometer covers instant-read models.
Temperature matters before the meat ever reaches the pan. FSIS says bacteria multiply fastest between 40°F and 140°F, and that ground beef should be kept at 40°F or below and used within a day or two, or frozen. For venison, the National Center for Home Food Preservation at the University of Georgia advises cooling the meat to 35 to 40°F as quickly as possible, never aging it at room temperature, and trimming the fat because deer fat goes rancid quickly. It recommends freezing at 0°F or below in portions of about a pound, wrapped or vacuum sealed and dated.
In practice that means a few habits at the grinder:
- Keep everything cold. Grind meat straight from the refrigerator or cooler, and chill the head, auger, knife and plates in the freezer before you start. Cold fat cuts cleanly instead of smearing.
- Trim first. Remove silver skin, tendons and the hard white deer fat. Sinew is what wraps around a knife and stalls a grinder.
- Cut to fit. Cut trim into strips or cubes a little smaller than the throat of your head.
- Grind coarse, then fine. A coarse first pass followed by a fine second pass gives an even texture for burgers and sausage.
- Clean right away. Wash every part in hot, soapy water as soon as you finish, and dry aluminum and carbon steel parts at once so they do not discolor or rust.
Because venison is so lean, many hunters mix in beef or pork fat at grinding time for burgers and sausage. How much is a matter of taste and recipe; keep the added fat as cold as the venison. Once the meat is ground, portion it flat and freeze it; a vacuum sealer and a chest freezer make a season’s worth of ground venison much easier to manage.
How to choose a grinder for deer and other game
1. Head size decides how fast the pile shrinks
Grinder heads are numbered #5, #8, #12, #22 and #32, and the number tracks the size of the plate and throat. A bigger head takes bigger chunks and moves more meat per minute. For one deer a season, a #12 is plenty. If you process the whole family’s deer or larger animals, a #22 or #32 saves real time, but adds weight.
2. Horsepower beats peak watts
Game trim is tougher than a pork shoulder, and a motor that bogs down on sinew is frustrating. LEM, MEAT! and Weston rate their motors in horsepower, which describes running power. Some listings lead with a locked-motor or peak figure instead, the power drawn when the motor is stalled; STX’s 2,000 watts is that kind of number. Compare horsepower or a stated pounds-per-minute figure.
3. Reverse helps with sinew
Even well-trimmed venison will occasionally wrap a strand of connective tissue around the knife. Reverse backs it out without taking the head apart. Of the picks here, Weston states it clearly on the 1.5 HP Pro Series; for the others, check the manual or ask the maker before you rely on it.
4. Plates for a second grind
A coarse plate is for the first pass, chili meat and sausage; a fine plate is for a smoother second grind and burgers. Weston’s, for example, are 7 mm and 4.5 mm. Make sure the grinder comes with both or that the maker sells them in your head size.
5. Weight, storage and warranty
Big grinders are heavy: MEAT! lists its #22 at 57 pounds and its #32 at 70.5 pounds. Decide where it will live for the other eleven months. Then look at the warranty and parts: LEM, Weston and MEAT! publish their terms and sell replacement plates and knives, which matters for a tool you will use hard once a year.
How we compared these seven grinders
We did not test these grinders. We compared what each maker states on its Amazon listing and, where the listing was thin, on its own website or in retailer listings, which we name: motor, head size, stated output, plates, reverse, weight and warranty. We checked that every grinder was in stock on Amazon when we wrote this, and we searched the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database for LEM, Weston, MEAT!, STX and VEVOR and found no recall listed for these meat grinders. We left out unbranded grinders with near-identical listings, models shown as scarce on Amazon, and the grinders already covered in our electric, hand and stand mixer grinder guides.
Deer grinder questions, answered
What is the best meat grinder for deer?
For one or two deer a season, the LEM BigBite #12: 0.75 HP, up to 11 pounds a minute by LEM’s figure and a five-year warranty. For a whole deer or more in one go, a #22 such as the MEAT! 1 HP or the Weston Pro Series 1.5 HP.
What size grinder do I need to process a deer?
A #12 head handles a single deer comfortably. A #22 is worth it if you grind several animals a season or want to finish in one evening. A #32 is for camps and groups.
Can a meat grinder grind deer bones?
Not these. STX says the Turboforce II handles soft bones from chicken, rabbit, squirrel and quail, and LEM says the BigBite handles raw chicken bones, but none of the makers lists deer bone. VEVOR says its grinder is not for bones at all. Bone out the meat before grinding.
Should I add fat to ground venison?
Many hunters do, using beef or pork fat, because venison is very lean and deer fat goes rancid quickly. The amount is a matter of recipe. Keep the added fat cold and grind it with the venison.
How long does ground venison keep?
FSIS advises keeping ground meat at 40°F or below and using it within a day or two, or freezing it. The National Center for Home Food Preservation says venison frozen at 0°F or below can be stored for 9 to 12 months.
Our pick for deer season
Buy the LEM BigBite #12 if you process one or two deer a season and want a grinder with a long warranty and parts you can still order years from now. Step up to the MEAT! 1 HP #22 or the Weston Pro Series 1.5 HP for a whole deer in one session, choose the MEAT! #32 for a camp’s worth of meat, and take the STX Turboforce II if you want a #12 head and a foot pedal for less.
Ground venison makes good picadillo, chili and tamale filling. If you want the cutting done right first, see our guide to the best boning knife. And if you would rather someone else did the cooking tonight, see the menu or call to order.