Hi everyone, I know this is not exactly about baking, but many folk here know the Kitchenaid mixers well. I have a heavy duty one, and I’m thinking of buying the grinder attachments (meat and veg), but I worry that they are more gimmick than tool. Anyone here make their own sausages and have an opinion about moderate sized/priced mincers?

Hi Helen,
I have owned the grinding attachment for many years and it is definitely not a gimmick. I use it about once a month. As a special treat I like to grind my own hamburger. Meat has to be sliced to fit but once sliced the attachment makes quick work of grinding.
Over the years I have bought all of the attachments for the Kitchenaid. I would not rate any of them at the gimmick level. I use the grinder most frequently. Then the shredder and the pulp separator. I confess I have never used the pasta set. Someday.

Thanks Gene, that’s very helpful. I want to avoid the temptation of deciding that the kitchenaid one is a ‘gimmick’ and talking myself into an enormous sausage maker which I definitely do not need:)

I have the KitchenAid grinder and like it.  I have not made sausage, but I (like Gene) occasionally grind my own ground beef.  (Try it sometime- it’s really good).

I did some research and concluded that the current model of the Kitchenaid meat grinders wasn’t sturdy or versatile enough to be a good investment for me. The older all-metal models would be, but it’s very hard to find a range of grinding plates for them now.

There is an all-metal attachment made by Jupiter/Chef’s Choice that is adapted for the Kitchenaid (they also make them for other mixers.) I found the best price and a better range of grinding plates than you can now get from Kitchenaid at http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/

It’s just arrived and I haven’t used it yet, but it promises good things.

Good luck!

Be careful that you don’t overstress you KitchenAid motor with a grinder.  (Anecdotally, of course) I have read elsewhere that the motor cannot withstand longterm the grinding of grains into flour.

If you just want to make ground beef or sausage, you may be fine.

My husband found the metal meat grinder on EBay and bought it for me as a surprise. He also got what he thought was a coffee grinder, but is a grain mill (also metal). The meat grinder works really well and I like it a lot. I think the older metal attachments are available; I don’t know how much Tom paid for the ones he got me, but it couldn’t have been outrageously expensive, or he wouldn’t have bought them. Mine came with 3 grinding plates, all nice and sharp. I bet you can find one too.