Use a hand grinder since early 50s...We used to grind aprox 1000# a year and that LEM would have been a real asset..if my memory serves me correct it will grind 600# Pork a hour..I would not want to have a contest, hand vs LEM

Been checking Academy website to see when the right LEM grinder goes on sale. Went there today:
http://www.academy.com/shop/browse/hunting/game--food-processing/meat-grinders
Are they phasing the LEMs out? All I can find is the big #22 on sale and the small 575 watt model.

You might have to go to Amazon to find the meat grinder you want, it almost seems Academy keeps in them in full stock year round.

I actually got my LEM on sale at Bed Bath and Beyond 1/2 off, only time I have ever been in there and iirc, was they were removing the LEM products IDK, they also had a bunch of Westons and Cuisinarts

Just left academy with a #12, $303 out the door.

LEM

I bought a 1 HP Browning meat grinder a couple years ago from Academy. I paid $299 for it on sale. This thing is a monster. I have put well over 1000lbs of deer and hog through it since then. It is still like new. It says BROWNING on it, but it was actually made by the RANKAM company. Great Machine if you can find one. Here is a video of it in action.

I use the Kitchen-Aid grinder attachment and have noticed it clogs if the ring holding the hole-plate on isn't tight enough: I think it allows a small gap between the plate and spinning blade so that tough stuff like grissel/silverskin/ligaments don't really get cut. They accumulate there until it clogs completely.

Typically this happens when my wife installs the grinder attachment. If it clogs while she's grinding, I just give the white threaded ring another quarter turn or so while the grinder is still running and it immediately unclogs and continues grinding. I processed four deer and a hog this season with that grinder and that trick worked every time...hope it works for you too!

I will only use the kitchen aid if I have a small amount to do. Anything in large quantities takes too long and is inefficient.

I bought a game winner #12 for $104 dollars. The thing is a beast. I ground up everything my old grinder could do. All in all I think I made 62 pounds of chilli meat in less than an hour.

2x on this.. I suggest at least a 3/4 hp you will not be disapointed

I have the LEM Big Bite #12, 3/4 hp. I wouldn't go any less than that if you're going to do 100-200+ lbs a year. I'm lazy with prep, I just toss it all in and the thing eats it like candy. If I had to trim and cube and do all that it's just not worth it, particularly if you can just spend another $100-200 to never do it again.

I really wanted a #12 Weston, but the LEM has been great and was significantly cheaper. I hear good things about the new models of Cabela's Carnival series.

Didn't bother going to Academy since I haven't seen what I want (LEM) on sale.....weird because it seems they have a clearance every year after the season is over. Anyway, found the #8 LEM version at BPS on sale. (http://www.basspro.com/RedHead-Big-Bite-Electric-Meat-Grinder-by-LEM-Products/product/1506011245/)

Glad I went last night. They only had 2 left at the Round Rock store. Pretty good deal -- regular price is $329 and I got it for $249. It's .35 hp and more than enough for the amount of meat I process every year (typically 1-2 deer and 1-2 hogs). Only bummer is I have to wait several months to use it unless I get a brisket on sale and make hamburger. Sale ends Sunday if anyone needs one.