Having opted to make your pet happy by grinding the chicken bones you devoured earlier, you now find yourself wondering if your meat grinder is up to the task. There’s no need to worry, though, because I’ll be there to guide you through all you’ll need to know today.
Finally, the crucial query. Can Bones Be Crushed In A Meat Chopper? While certain bones can be processed in a meat grinder, not all bones can.
Bones from particularly soft, cold animals (such as chicken, duck, rabbits, etc.) are the only ones that can be ground in a meat grinder (such an LEM Meat Grinder). You’ll need a high-quality grinder made specifically for grinding hard bones if you plan on preparing meats like turkey or beef.
Investing in a powerful grinder will not only relieve the strain of grinding a large quantity of bones in one go, but it will also guarantee that the bones will be ground to your satisfaction.
Although electric meat grinders are more expensive than manual ones, they are well worth the cost if you plan to use it frequently.
Bone grinders are useful to have around the house even if you don’t plan on using them often; otherwise, you’d need to acquire a second meat grinder to handle the job when a single one would enough.
Importance Of Having Your Own Meat Grinder
Buying a powerful electric meat grinder is only the beginning. Details of which follow in the following section.
1. Healthy
If you’re like me and you’re paranoid about being contaminated when using communal meat grinders, you might want to consider grinding your own meat and bones at home.
2. Saves Cost
Spending a lot of money at the grocery store on previously ground meat/bones can be avoided if you have your own meat grinder at home.
Having a meat grinder at home can save you money compared to purchasing ground meat from a restaurant, where you’ll have to pay not only for the meat itself but also for the process of having it ground.
3. Greater Control
Instead of blindly purchasing grounded meat from the counter, where you can never be sure of what you’re getting, invest in a meat grinder and grind it exactly how and with what kind of flesh you want.
4. Greater Taste
Ground beef that has just been prepared always has a superior flavour than meat that has been stored for a long period. There is a good chance you may get ones that have been there for a long time unless you obtain them directly from the butcher.
When you grind your beef at home, however, you avoid this problem altogether. Not only do you get to pick the kind of meat and the quality of the grounding, but you also get to have a delicious meal.
Things To Note Before Grinding Meat/Bones In A Meat Grinder
It’s not enough to just have a meat grinder; there are other considerations for a good grind. What follows is a short list of items to remember the next time you grind meat or bones.
1. Always Double Ground
Each grinding session should begin with a 3/8-inch hole for crushing meat and bones and end with a 1/8-inch or 3/32-inch hole for a finer grind.
When you double-grind, the huge chunks of meat or bones break down into more manageable sizes. Re-grinding the already tiny particles produces even smaller ones.
2. Ensure That Your Meat/Bones Are Cold
Your mean/bones will be simpler to ground once they have cooled down. Make sure you keep them in the fridge or the freezer for a more consistent grind.
3. Check The Thickness
Always make sure the bones aren’t too thick or long, as this will make them more difficult to ground. This can be done by using one’s thumb as a ruler to gauge the thickness of the bone.
The blades of your grinder can be damaged by bones that are much thicker than your thumb, so avoid grinding them if you find this to be the case.
4. Only Grind Raw Bones
If you’re going to be grinding up bones for your pet’s supper, it’s better to use raw bones that are soft and malleable than cooked bones that are excessively tough. Your pet will benefit most from ground rabbit bones, chicken wing tips, fish bones, rat ribs, and human ribs.
Which Meat Grinder Can Grind Bones?
Many different meat grinder makes and models are available, but only a select number are up to the task of grinding bones.
Quality electric meat grinders are worth the investment if you plan on grinding bones on a regular basis in the comfort of your own home. You may crush turkey necks, chicken wings, and chicken thighs to your heart’s content with the help of this meat crusher’s robust motors.
Learn more about the best electric meat grinder to purchase for chopping meat and bones.
1. LEM Meat Grinder 22
When it comes to meat grinders, LEM is well-known for its efficiency and effectiveness. It’s mind-boggling to imagine that with this meat grinder, you can effortlessly grind meat and bones to your preferred texture and flavour.
Main Features
The Built
The LEM meat grinder is constructed with high-quality, long-lasting materials and is designed to prevent rust and corrosion. Its sturdy stainless steel construction is to thank for that. The machine is also 1 HP, making it ideal for those who need a higher level of output.
The large stainless steel “big bite” auger included with this grinder allows you to quickly process up to 13 lbs. of meat. As its primary material, stainless steel makes this grinder far less of a pain to clean than its predecessor.
This grinder stands apart from the competition in a number of ways, one of which being the relative silence with which it operates. As a matter of fact, this fantastic grinder is worth considering if you’re in the market for a meat grinder that is ideal for household usage and will allow you to grind meat on a regular basis.
Performance
The grinder’s engine is a whopping 750 watts and spins at a truly remarkable 60 hertz. The exceptional frequency and watt on LEM let the grinder to run at rapid speed, making quick work of grinding meat and bones.
Safety
There is a feature on the LEM #22 grinder that prevents the machine from overheating, which is a common problem that can lead to decreased performance and even gear failure.
A built-in circuit breaker shuts off power to the grinder if it becomes too hot. Quite a few grinders lack this particular feature.
Permanent Lubrication
Overheating from prolonged grounding and the occasional need to oil the motor are two hassles that grinder owners may avoid with the LEM #22 electric model.
The motor in an LEM #22 grinder is self-lubricating. Grinding meat and bones will be less of a hassle and more of a smooth experience with a motor that is always well greased.
Assembling/disassembly
After reading the instructions, setting up this grinder is a breeze, unlike other models that can take hours. The convenience of this grinder in terms of both loading and grinding is another feature I appreciate greatly. After each use, give it a good scrub to remove any residue.
2. STX INTERNATIONAL STX-3000-TF Turboforce
STX-3000-TF Another excellent option for grinding meat and bones at home is the Turboforce. The three-speed motor on this grinder is capable of producing 3000 watts (High, Low, and reserve). If you want to know more about this crushing machine, keep reading!
Main Features
The Built
The 304 stainless steel blades in this machine provide for rapid operation, allowing them to process between 180 and 240 pounds of meat and bones each hour. These knives are dishwasher and hand-wash safe.
You can toggle between low and reverse with the push-additional button’s settings. If the machine malfunctions, you can simply flip a switch to turn it off and restart it.
Performance
The high-grade stainless steel tray, which can handle up to 3 lbs. of meat, is another notable aspect of this device. You can grind more than 250 pounds of meat in one hour with the help of this tray and its feeding tube, which measures more than 2 inches in diameter.
Safety
Additionally, a circuit breaker is included in this grinder for your protection. A good meat grinder will include some kind of safety mechanism to prevent accidental injury. As a result of this feature, both the grinder and the user are protected from harm.
Assembling/disassembly
Assembling and disassembling this machine requires no special skills, as it can be put together and taken apart with no effort.
How Do You Grind Bones In A Meat Grinder?
Step 1: Separate Your Bones
If you know what you’re doing, using a meat grinder to break down bones is a breeze. Be sure you’ve already cleaned your meat and discarded the bones before continuing.
Using a pair of kitchen scissors to carefully cut through and remove your bones is the best method. A small percentage of the population possesses the extraordinary talent of deboning. If you want to know how to de-bone a chicken, then watch the video down below.
Step 2: Cut Them Into Smaller Size
Separating the bones from the meat allows you to break them into manageable bits that may be disposed of in the trash. Doing so will allow them to fit in your grinder, after which you may transfer them to a serving bowl.
Step 3: Set Out A Bowl To Catch Ground Bones
You’ll need a dish to collect the ground bones after you’ve properly cut them into smaller pieces. In order to prevent any form of contamination, this dish needs to be spotless.
Step 4: Set-Up Your Grinder
To proceed, place your grinder on a hard, level surface like a countertop. Make sure there’s enough room for your bowl to slide in there smoothly so you can gather the bones without much effort.
Step 5: Feed The Bones Into The Grinder
Now is the time to use extreme caution, as dumping in all the bones at once could damage or jam your grinder. You’ll have to start by hand-feeding them individually. Don’t jam more bones in there until the previous ones have exited the machine.
Step 6: Store Your Ground Bones
Refrigerating the grounded bones is optional but recommended if you don’t want to serve your pet all of them at once. You should seal them in airtight containers before putting them away. Quality might also be diminished by prolonged storage.
How To Care For Your Meat/Bone Grinder
One of the nicest things to do with a meat grinder when you’re done with it is to put bread through it. The bread soaks up the oil and squishes out the residual bits.
Now that you’ve done that, you may take them apart. Wash each component in a sink full of warm, soapy water.
Then, before putting it all together, make sure everything is dry. If you want to speed up the drying process, you can hang them over your kitchen counter.
Can You Grind Bones In A Meat Grinder – FAQ
What Can I Use To Grind Chicken Bones?
To grind chicken bones, an electric grinder is preferable unless you have a strong preference for utilising a manual equipment. Specifically, we need electric crushers that can handle a lot of power (in Watts) and were made for crushing.
I recommend the LEM #22 meat grinder if you need a powerful tool for grinding chicken wings, turkey backs, rib cages, small rodents, and other similar items. When compared to other bone grinders, this one is sure to be a lot more enjoyable to use.
Can Kitchenaid Meat Grinder Grind Bones?
Yes, however I doubt all of them can grind bones save maybe the Pro 6000 KitchenAid grinder, which is especially well-known for its ability to grind the smaller bones of the bird. You can crush up to 80 pounds of chicken bones with this grinder.
How Do You Grind Beef bones?
Cutting beef bones into little pieces before feeding them through your commercial meat grinders, such as the LEM #22 grinders, makes the grinding process much more manageable. For a finer grind, simply grind twice.
Will A Manual Meat Grinder Grind Bones?
To your satisfaction, bones can be pulverised in a manual meat grinder. The main drawback is the effort involved; if you want to grind bones frequently, it’s best to invest in an electric grinder rather than a manual one.
Can You Grind Bones In A Meat Grinder – Conclusion
To pet owners who want to give their pets the best of both worlds, the experience of grinding up bones into a tasty prepared meal is a thrilling adventure.
Though these pursuits are thrilling in and of themselves, they become even more worthwhile when you invest in your own meat grinders (like the LEM #22 Grinder) and prepare nutritious meals for your pet.
That settles the question of whether or not bones can be ground up in a meat grinder. Feel free to ask any follow-up questions in the comments section.