Okay, so I wanted to make some burgers today, and I realized I didn’t have pre-ground beef. I only had a big chunk of chuck roast. No problem, I thought, I’ll just grind it myself! But then… I started thinking about all the different tools I could use. Which one would be best? So I did a little experimenting in my kitchen.
The Contenders
- Food Processor: My trusty food processor. I use it for everything, so why not this?
- Stand Mixer with Grinder Attachment: I have one of these, but I hardly ever use the grinder. Time to dust it off!
- Manual, Hand Crank Grinder I got that hand-crank one at at a yard sale, It’s a classic, old-school vibe.
- Knife skills : If all the above electronic items failed, use knife skill!
The Experiment
First, I cut the chuck roast into smaller, roughly 1-inch cubes. This is important, no matter which tool you use. It helps everything grind evenly and prevents the motor (or your arm!) from overworking. I also put the meat in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes to firm it up a bit. This makes it easier to grind and keeps the fat from getting too soft and smearing.
Food Processor: I pulsed the meat in short bursts. I didn’t want to turn it into mush. It worked pretty well! It was quick, but I had to be careful not to over-process it. The texture was a little finer than I ideally wanted, but definitely usable.
Stand Mixer with Grinder Attachment: This was a bit more involved to set up. I had to find the attachment, assemble it… you know the drill. But once it was going, it was pretty efficient. I fed the meat through, and it came out nicely ground. I could control the texture better with this than with the food processor, using the different grinding plates.
Hand-Crank Grinder: Okay, this was… a workout! It definitely took the longest, and my arm was feeling it by the end. But, I have to say, the texture was great. It was coarse and had that classic “butcher shop” feel. This would be perfect for chili or something where you want a really hearty texture.I cranked, and cranked, and cranked.
Knife Skill:First, I have to sharpened my *, I chopped, and chopped, and chopped, untill I have nothing left to be chopped.
The Verdict
Honestly, they all worked! It just depends on what you’re going for:
- Quick & Easy: Food processor, but be careful!
- Best Control: Stand mixer with grinder attachment.
- Classic Texture & Arm Workout: Hand-crank grinder.
- No Other Choice:Knife.
For my burgers today, I ended up using the stand mixer. I wanted that slightly coarser grind. But next time, I might pull out the hand-crank grinder, just for fun (and the arm workout!).
