Review: Weston Butcher Series Grinder

Some say hunting is a lot of work. Maybe, but it's also a lot of fun. And if you process your own game, the work and the fun continue well after you’ve pulled the trigger. 

After years of cranking away with a manual grinder, I finally borrowed an electric model from a friend—and there was no going back after that. So when I moved 1,000 miles away from said friend, it was time to find my own quality piece of equipment, one that was built to last.

That’s why I was so keen to unbox the Weston Butcher Series #22 after harvesting my first mule deer. With its ability to grind 14 pounds of meat per minute, the process flew by. The powerful 1hp, 750-watt motor is air-cooled and designed to keep running without overheating or slowing down. I was also pleasantly surprised by how quietly it ran; I could keep my podcast on and actually enjoy the work instead of going half-deaf in the process.

There’s nothing worse than a grinder you have to continuously stop to unclog. That’s why my favorite feature of the Butcher #22 is the clog-free forward–reverse mode, which makes grinding tougher cuts and connective tissue a breeze. I try to waste as little as possible when processing an animal, so knowing this grinder can handle it all without getting jammed, including the scraps I save for dog food, makes it even better. 

The grinder also doubles as a sausage-stuffer, and comes with several accessories to expand your horizons. All in all, if you’re looking for a sleek, powerful, reliable, and easy-to-clean grinder that will last, the Weston #22 should be at the top of your list.

Available at weston.com; $700.