The BARF diet, or "bones and raw food," has gained popularity among dog owners seeking to provide their furry friends with highly nutritious yet affordable meals. While it may sound unappealing, dogs on the BARF diet enjoy healthy lives by consuming ground-up animal parts that would otherwise go to waste.
But here's the catch: you need a meat grinder that can handle bones. Regular meat grinders won't cut it and may even break when faced with larger animal bones. Boiling the bones to soften them is not a practical solution for those who regularly grind a lot of dog food.
This is where a specially designed meat grinder comes in. You need a machine with raw horsepower, all-metal gearing, and a strong auger that can crunch through bones. Don't be fooled by manufacturers' specs; look for real user testimonials to gauge a grinder's effectiveness.
The Best Meat Grinder For Bones
I have selected four powerful and durable models that can handle the task at hand. These grinders may be big, expensive, and noisy, but they get the job done efficiently. They have been thoroughly vetted and can process chicken bones with minimal preparation. If you're looking to process large amounts of boned meat quickly, these are the perfect tools for the job.
A Note On Cabelas Meat Grinders
Before we dive into the recommendations, it's worth mentioning that this list does not include Cabelas meat grinders. Although they are powerful, at the time of writing, Cabelas grinders are considerably more expensive than other brands. By choosing the grinders recommended here, you can save a significant amount of money.
* The Best Chicken Grinder
The STX-3000 is an excellent option for grinding chicken bones. While it may not handle bones from larger animals without prior boiling, it is still a highly effective and affordable grinder. With this machine, you can easily process whole Cornish game hens with just a couple of cuts. It's also perfect for grinding your own sausage or hamburger.
If you accidentally feed it a bone that's too tough, don't worry. The grinder has a reverse function that allows you to remove the obstruction without damaging the motor. Users report that this machine comfortably grinds over 2 lbs of food per minute, making it a breeze to prepare pet food recipes.
* The Best Meat And Bone Grinder For Dog Food
For those seeking the absolute best, the Weston Butcher Series #22 is a true powerhouse. While it weighs almost 60 lbs and takes up considerable counter space, it effortlessly powers through large turkey bones. However, if you prefer a slightly smaller and more moderate option, our next two choices are better suited for grinding bones while being more compact than the STX-3000.
The Weston grinder may have less wattage than other models, but its torque is unmatched. It grinds over three times as fast as its competitors, processing up to 700 lbs of meat in an hour. It features extra durable steel gears and comes with multiple grinding plates and three funnels for sausage making. If you want the fastest bone grinder for home use, the Weston Butcher Series #22 is the ultimate choice.
Reasonably Priced Meat And Bone Grinders
* Sunmile Electric Meat Grinder
The Sunmile Electric Meat Grinder may not be as powerful as the Weston grinder, but it can easily crush chicken bones. It's compact and weighs only a fraction of the Weston's weight, making it more convenient for home grinding. With the ability to process up to 200 lbs of chicken in an hour, it's perfect for moderate home use.
* Chef's Choice Professional Meat Grinder
Similar to the Sunmile grinder, the Chef's Choice Professional Meat Grinder performs exceptionally well with chicken bones. It offers overload protection and a reverse switch, ensuring safe and effortless grinding. Its vertical design saves counter space, and its all-metal gear drive provides superior torque for grinding bones. Hand wash the removable parts for easy cleaning.
In conclusion, if you need a machine that can turn large animal discards into chewable pet food, the Weston 22 is the best choice. For those focused specifically on processing whole chickens, the STX-3000, Chef's Choice 720, and Sunmile SM-G50 provide enough power to handle the task effectively. Choose the one that suits your needs and budget, and enjoy the benefits of a high-quality meat grinder.
