If you perform a lot of chopping and dicing of meat, a meat grinder is an indispensable kitchen tool. If you’re a meat grinder enthusiast like myself, you might be asking how many plate sizes you need.
Therefore, what plate sizes should I look for in a meat grinder? The type and size of grinder plates you need will depend on the intended usage of the plates, thus there is no universally correct response to this topic.
Grinder plates are available in a variety of sizes, each with its own unique hole pattern. Plates with incredibly tiny pores typically provide an excellent grinding surface. For instance, franks and hamburgers can be ground effectively using a grinder with a hole size of 1/8″, 3/16″, or 14″
Those with larger hole sizes, such as 3/8″, 3/4″, and 1/2″, typically produce a coarse to medium ground. This size of hole allows for more substantial cuts of meat. Vegetables, sausage, and other meats can all be ground in a grinder with a sufficiently large hole size, for instance.
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Table of Contents
What Are Grinder Plates, Blades, And How Are They Used?
Like a gas-powered car, a meat grinder won’t go anywhere if you don’t have any meat. Plates for grinding are analogous to gasoline for a meat grinder.
These plates, as you may have guessed, are spherical in shape; they can be made of steel or carbon; they come in a variety of sizes; and they each have their own set of holes.
Steel grinder plates are more resilient and can last up to three times as long as a carbon steel blade. Steel plates are pricey since they last a long time and don’t rust like other materials.
How Are They Used?
Meats are ground into tiny pieces as they are pressed through the plate and sliced by the accompanying grinding blade.
It’s not uncommon for meat to appear mushy and fail to plate well because of this. If this is the case, it’s probably due to dull blades or plate.
That you didn’t put things together properly and they don’t fit where they’re intended to. A better grind can be achieved if the meat is partially frozen first. It can be difficult to grind fresh meat because of how they react in most grinders.
It’s also a good idea to try regaining access to the grinder to double-check the assembly. If you’ve double-checked both of these and you’re still having trouble mincing meat, it’s time to get a new one.
When replacing components like plates or blades, check that the new parts are a proper fit and an exact match for the existing ones. Make sure you alter both of them instead of just one.
How Are Meat Grinder Plates Measured?
Measuring the grinder’s plates is a quick approach to get an idea of the device’s capacity. The diameter of the plates can be measured, and the result compared to a grinder size chart.
Follow these guidelines for a precise measurement of your grinder’s plates.
- An initial tool for this task is a ruler or measuring tape.
- After that, spread out the plates on the ground. If you want to replace the plate in your grinder before purchasing a new one, you’ll need to disassemble it.
- Start by measuring the distance across the middle of the plate using your measuring tape.
- Write down the size of the plate. You’ll need to compare this diameter to the one on the replacement you’re planning to buy.
- As I mentioned before, you can also use this diameter to determine the size of your grinder by comparing it to a standard size chart.
What Are The Different Grinder Plates Hole Sizes For?
If you’re not a complete noob, you realise that grinder plates can have holes of varying diameters. The plates’ holes serve a functional purpose and aren’t there for decoration. Keep reading to find out about grinders plate hole sizes.
Hole Sizes
There are three main applications for the standard hole size found in most grinders’ plates.
- Fine grind
- Medium grind
- Coarse grind
1. Fine Ground
To get a fine, even finish, use a grinder’s plate with a hole size of 1/8 inch or 3/32 inch. The tiny diameter of these holes allows them to provide a delicate, smooth finish. Hamburgers, frankfurters, bologna, beef jerky, and so forth can all be ground with this hole size.
2. Medium Ground
You can trust that a grinder plate with a hole size of 3/16′′ or 5/32′′ will provide an intermediate texture in your meat products. Therefore, you can use this hole size to grind meat for burgers, morning sausage, etc.
3. Coarse Ground
Having a grinder plate with a larger hole size (such as 1/4′′, 5/16′′, and 3/8′′) would almost likely give birth to coarse ground, as the term “coarse” indicates that the object in question is not smooth but rather rough.
Salami, chorizo, hamburger, bratwurst, sausage, etc. can all be ground with a plate that has holes of the following sizes.
In addition, I’d want to discuss the topic of hole size. This size of hole can produce an exceptionally rough surface. Use this hole size for chopping vegetables, meat, etc. into chunks, for making ground meat for stew, and so forth.
What Do The Numbers Mean On Meat Grinders?
For individuals unfamiliar with the use of a meat grinder, this is a valid concern. If you’ve ever purchased a commercial meat grinder before, you know that each one has a special serial number.
The diameter of the plate is indicated by the numbers you see on the grinder’s body, so you know what size grinder you’re getting.
If you want to know if you should buy a smaller grinder for home usage or an industrial one, you need to know the diameter of the plate.
If you don’t run a commercial kitchen, a home grinder is all you need. Now that you know what the numbers on a grinder signify, let’s go right to the various numbers you might see, along with the plate diameters they indicate.
Can I Sharpen A Dull Meat Grinder Plate And Blades?
So, let’s say you discover that your once-sharp meat grinder is now dull and you’d rather not spend the money on a new one. Simply restore factory sharpness to the cutting edges and plate surfaces. But before you can remove the blades and plates from your grinder, you’ll need to disassemble it.
If you’re not sure how to accomplish this, these are the steps to take.
- Find something that can be used to loosen the fastener on the grinder first.
- Pay close attention to how things are (that is, how things are set up in the grinder) so that you may easily return them to their proper positions after you must have sharpened them.
- Separating the blades and plates and labelling them with numbers is a simple way to keep track of everything.
- Make sure there is no grease or grime on the cutting edges or plates.
You should now be able to remove the plates/blades from the grinder and sharpen them with relative ease.
How To Sharpen Meat Grinders Plates And Blades
Sharpening dull knives or dinnerware can be done in a number of different ways. You need only pick the one that best suits your needs in terms of convenience or personal preference.
Here are two of the most effective methods for honing your grinder’s cutting edges:
- Sharpening knives using stones
- Rough material used for sanding
1. Sharpening Stones
When sharpening steel tools, it is recommended to use sharpening stones. These stones vary widely in size, composition, form, and texture, and can be used for a wide variety of applications.
Here’s how you can use stones to sharpen your blades and plates.
- You need to get two ceramic stones (HERE), and then soak them in water for three to five minutes.
- A knife can be sharpened with one stone, and the blades can be sharpened with another.
- First, attach the one with the square hole to the knife, and then use the one with the circular hole to secure the plate.
- Put the stone in the grinder first.
- Carefully tighten the rings, but make sure to leave a little slack.
- Next, turn on your grinder and let it run for around 5 seconds.
- Disconnect it and repeat on both ends.
- When you’re finished, you’ll see a sharp burr on the blades and will need to remove it.
- Rub them on some cardboard to remove the burr.
2. Sand Paper
You can also sharpen your blades using sandpaper. Using sandpaper is a lot more labour intensive than the preceding stage, so you should expect to become dirty in the process.
You’ll need a few things in addition to sandpapers to properly sharpen your blades.
- Sandpapers
- Workman’s gloves
- Wipe paper
- Water
Steps Involved
- It is recommended that you begin by donning protective gloves. Once you’ve completed this, I recommend laying out a sheet of sandpaper on the floor and remembering the ABCs of safety: “always be careful.”
- To finish, hold the blades at a 40-degree angle and, working in a circular motion, run them through the sandpaper for 5 minutes.
- It’s important to keep doing this until you get the outcomes you want.
- Sanding with 600 grit paper will produce the desired smoothness.
- And between each interval, take sure to remove any additional burr.
- When you’re done sharpening, give the blade a quick washing in water to get rid of any leftover debris.
- Dry the blade completely before putting it back together.
Note: Before you sharpen, put the blade through its paces by cutting something (such a piece of paper) to see if it works properly.
Once you’ve accomplished everything, you should do the same. That way you can assess how well you did.
What Meat Grinder Plate Sizes Should I Have -FAQ
What Size Plates Grinds Hamburgers?
You probably already know that meat grinders have plates with holes punched into them to facilitate the grinding process. The texture you obtain from a meat grinder is usually determined by the hole size.
Meats like hamburger, frankfurters, bologna, beef jerky, etc., can be ground to a fine, smooth consistency using a plate with a hole size of 1/8′′ or 3/32′′.
Salami, chorizo, hamburger, bratwurst, sausage, and so on can all be ground to a coarse consistency using a meat grinder with larger holes (about 1/4″, 5/16″, and 3/8″).
What Size Of Plate Do I Need To Grind Venison?
Deer meat can be a little tough to grind if you haven’t done it before. Here, though, is the proper procedure to follow to ensure success.
Use a bigger plate (of 1/4″, 5/16″, or 3/8″) for the initial coarse grinding, then switch to a smaller plate for the final polishing. The meat is more easily broken down when the grinding process is repeated.
How Do I Care For My Meat Grinder Plate?
After each use, give your meat grinder the TLC it deserves. One method for achieving this is to constantly clean and dry the parts before putting them together. It’s also important to store them somewhere dry and cool to avoid rust.
Make sure there is no oil on the cutting boards and knives. After the first use, you should feed bread into the grinder in the same way you did the meat. The bread cube can be used to remove residues like oils and grease from the grinder.
What Meat Grinder Plate Sizes Should I Have – Conclusion
The frequency with which you grind dictates how many different sized plates for your meat grinder you should have. If you’re the grinding sort, then stocking up on a variety of meat grinder plates is a good idea.
What Meat Grinder Plate Sizes Should I Have? Feel free to ask any follow-up questions in the comment section.
