Manual Meat Grinder?

[Bowhunter57]

I have a manual meat grinder and am considering processing (grinding into burger) my own deer, this fall. I realize that a powered grinder will make this process easier, but the manual grinder is what I have, for now.
This is the size of grinder that I currently own:
http://www.sausage-stuffer.com/w6100...at-grinder.htm

My questions:
* Is there a size to a manual meat grinder that I should use for grinding venison?
* Do I cut the meat into strips or cubes, for grinding?

I'd like to purchase an electric meat grinder, next year. What brand and/or size would you recommend, for processing (grinding into burger) just my own deer?

Your opinions and experiences are appreciated.
Thank you, Bowhunter57

[Sam Dunham]

I use a large size 32 and a 3-16's hole pressure plate. Mine is a motor driven ball beariing grinder.
I cut all sinew and tendons out, cut in strips and stick in the fridge to get cold, grind the meat when it is cold.:)

[mqqse]

For those DIYers, how do you stuff the bags without trapping small pockets of air on the bag? We did some grinding yesterday and thought we packed it pretty tight but still has a few pockets of air.

[falconpro]

The coarse die seem to do just fine for burger grinds. If your going to stuff sausage, then what I find works the best is to coarse grind first, then run it again with the medium die when your going to do the stuffing. That seems to help keep the feeding from getting air pockets as you can just keep shoving pre-ground materials into the hopper nice and uniform.
I think the electric grinder is about the best game processing tool you can buy. It is amazing how much time and effort an electric grinder can save. They will make short work of sinew and just about anything you want to throw in there!! You could no doubt make deer hot dogs if you had a mind to. Even the lips could be ground into patie.. Yum...

[Dick4bows]

mqqse,
Are you packing by hand? I use a Kitchen Aid and the spout is held to the bottom of the bag you are filling. release the bag as it fills but keep the tube tip in the meat. When you pull it out, the cavity formed by the tube will fill. No air. if you still have problems, use a needle to pop the pockets. This is what I do for polish and all fresh sausage. I don't have problems with air pockets in the hamburger. Dick

[mqqse]

No, we were using an electric commercial grinder, feeding it back through a second time into a tube and slipping the bag over the tube (similar to what you're describing). I'll take a little more care next time and see if it helps. Thanks for the tip.

[Sam Dunham]

I bought a large ball bearing #32 on Ebay/has a big 16 inch wheel. I connected to an electric motor and I now have a grinder I can grind like a commercial for less than 100 bucks!

[riffpaul]

I read this and like it very much.

[brentrob]

Very informative link i like it.