Grinding your own meat can be beneficial and rewarding. You have total control over the ingredients and the freshness of them, which in turn affect the overall flavor of your final meal. More importantly, you end up saving money when you do so.
But what grinder should you buy? Should you go manual or electric?
This article will show you why you should buy a manual grinder and things to consider when shopping for one. It’ll also go into details on the benefits of grinding your own meat.
But before that, let me present to you some of the best manual meat grinder.
In A Hurry? The 6 Best Manual Meat Grinder
- Best Overall – LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Hand Grinder Clamp-on
- Best Runner Up – Weston #10 Tinned Cast Iron Manual Meat Grinder (36-1001-W)
- Best Budget – Bellemain Manual Meat Grinder, With Meat Pusher, Suction Cup Base
- Best All-In-One – Kitchen Basics 3 In 1 Hand Meat & Vegetable Grinder, Pasta Maker
- Best Meat Grinder For Italian Pasta – Norpro Manual Meat Grinder, 5 Pasta Types
- Best Bolted Down Manual Meat Grinder – Weston #32 Tinned Cast Iron Hand Meat Mincer (36-3201-W)
Notice: The links above will direct you to either Amazon, BBQ Guys or Home Depot for more details and the latest information on the products.
What Is The Best Manual Meat Grinder?
Best Overall – LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Hand Grinder Clamp-on
Specifications
- Type Of Meat – all types (beef, pork, game meat, etc.) and even soft chicken bones
- Material – stainless steel and wood
- Mounting Option – clamp (1.25” width) with rubber pads
- Size & Dimensions – #10, 11.5” x 8.3” x 5.3”
- Weight – around 8 lbs
- Included Attachments
- 1 stainless steel knife
- 1 stainless steel stuffing star
- 2 stainless steel discs (fine: 0.19”, coarse: 0.38”)
- 3 sausage stuffing tubes (0.5”, 0.75”, 0.88”)
Features & Benefits
This size #10 manual meat grinder from LEM is made of stainless steel. That means it’s rust-resistant and long-lasting.
Besides, the shiny and smooth exterior, along with a wooden handle, really makes this model attractive to look at. The inside of the feeding tube, however, isn’t as polished so food particles can potentially get trapped there.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have a lot of moving parts so cleaning is painless. One thing to keep in mind that these parts aren’t dishwasher-safe so hand-washing with hot soapy water is the way to go.
This meat grinder uses a clamp-on mounting system for better stability when grinding. The clamp also has rubber pads underneath to further protect your countertop. It’s also easy to remove if you prefer some mobility.
One complaint is that the clamp isn’t wide enough (only 1.25” thick) so you might need to adjust your work surface. The mouth, where the ground meat comes out, is also low over the countertop so you might need to use a tray instead of a bowl under there.
Other than that, this meat grinder does a decent job of grinding meat and fat. With its size, it can grind about 5 lbs of meat with little effort. The handle turns smooth. The knife and disc cut well, even with tough cuts of meat or soft bones (chicken thigh).
It also comes with extra sausage tubes in 3 sizes. So that offers you some versatility. Also a 1-year warranty from LEM.
Although it’s the most expensive among all the models in this review, the #10 LEM is the best manual meat grinder for home use. It strikes a balance between durability, portability and performance. It works for any types of meat, from deer, fish chum, to even pet foods.
GOOD
- Durable and long-lasting stainless steel
- Ease of cleaning
- Clamp mounting for stability and mobility
- Grind 5lbs of meat with little effort
- 3 different sizes sausage funnels
- Works for any types of meat, even soft bones
- Smooth cranking handle
BAD
- Interior of feeding tube has sharp edges
- Clamp too narrow
- Very low over the countertop
Best Runner Up – Weston #10 Tinned Cast Iron Manual Meat Grinder (36-1001-W)
Specifications
- Type Of Meat – all types, even soft bones
- Material – tinned cast iron and wood
- Mounting Option – clamp (1.5” width) with rubber pads
- Size & Dimensions – #10, 10.25” x 8” x 11”
- Weight – 9 lbs
- Included Attachments
- 1 extra camouflage storage bag
- 2 steel plates (fine: 0.18”, coarse: 0.39”)
- 3 sausage tubes (0.5”, 0.75”, 0.94”)
Features & Benefits
The next manual meat grinder is made of cast iron. This material is durable and tough. However, it will corrode if you don’t take care of it. It’s also heavier than other materials.
Weston actually puts a tin coat on the whole grinder, making it shiny while protecting the cast iron inside. Though the surface of the grinder still has some lumpy and uneven spots.
Similar to the LEM grinder above, this one features a clamp-on anchor but with a bigger opening (1.5” vs 1.25”). The clamp also has rubber pads to protect your worktop. And the screw that tightens the clamp altogether turns smooth and works really well.
Regarding maintenance, this whole unit is easy to clean. Yet, you have to make sure that all the components are completely dried before putting them back together. Otherwise, they’re prone to rust.
The size of this Weston meat grinder is perfect for a home kitchen or even a cabin (comes with a camouflage storage bag). It isn’t too big but not too small either. It’s capable of grinding out any type of meat, especially tough game meat due to the heavy-duty cast iron. It also comes with sausage attachment in 3 sizes so you can make some yourself.
Overall, this unit is very similar to the LEM #10 above in terms of performance. However, it comes with a bigger clamp, more durable cast iron material, and at a lower, more affordable price.
GOOD
- Tough cast iron construction
- Tinned coat for extra protection and ease of cleaning
- Bigger opening for clamp
- Ergonomic cranking handle
- Perfect for home use and cabin (hunting and camping)
- 3 sausage attachments
- More affordable
BAD
- Heavier
- Prone to corrosion if not cared for properly
- Lumpy, rough spots on the surface
Best Budget – Bellemain Manual Meat Grinder, With Meat Pusher, Suction Cup Base
Specifications
- Type Of Meat – lightweight meat (no bones or tough cuts of meat)
- Material – plastic and stainless steel
- Mounting Option – suction base with locking lever
- Size & Dimensions – 9.9” x 6.3” x 5.5”
- Weight – 2.3lbs
- Included Attachments
- 1 meat pusher
- 2 stainless steel discs (fine: 0.13”, coarse: 0.25”)
Features & Benefits
The Bellemain meat grinder is made mostly from plastic, with the exception of the blade and 2 discs being stainless steel. The whole unit is solid and seems to be good quality. However, it’s questionable if it can withstand repeated use over time.
Unlike the 2 previous models, this unit has a suction base with a locking lever. It holds fast and well but only works on smooth surfaces. Otherwise, it’s unstable during grinding.
It doesn’t have a lot of components. All of them are dishwasher safe so cleaning is easy and effortless. This meat grinder also has an extra meat pusher, which comes in handy when you want to minimize physical contact with the meat.
Furthermore, it includes two sizes of grinder disc for versatility. However, it doesn’t come with any extra attachments such as sausage tubes. In terms of size, this grinder is small and compact, making it easy to store if you have a limited kitchen.
Overall, this whole unit is simple yet functional. If you’re a single or couple that only grinds light-weight food or meat occasionally, this is the grinder for you. I wouldn’t recommend this one if you hunt and want to grind tougher meats.
Price-wise, the Bellemain is very low-cost, making it a solid choice for people who are buying on a budget as well.
GOOD
- Simple yet functional with not many accessories
- Good quality plastic
- Suction base holds fast and well
- Dish-washer safe for all parts, making cleaning easy
- Small and lightweight
- Easy for storage
- Perfect for budget buyers or occasional meat grinding
- Meat pusher included
BAD
- Doesn’t come with many accessories
- Can’t grind tough meat
- Suction base won’t work on all surfaces
- Can’t withstand repeated use
Best All-In-One – Kitchen Basics 3 In 1 Hand Meat & Vegetable Grinder, Pasta Maker
Specifications
- Type Of Food – lightweight meat (no bones or tough cuts of meat), vegetables, spices, and pasta
- Material – plastic and stainless steel
- Mounting Option – suction base with locking lever
- Size & Dimensions – 7.8” x 5.59” x 5.39”
- Weight – 1.9lbs
- Included Attachments
- 2 stainless steel discs (fine and coarse)
- 3 sausage attachment tubes (0.5”, 0.63”, 0.75”)
Features & Benefits
If you’re looking for a meat grinder that can grind meat, vegetables and spices, with extra accessories for making sausages and pasta, the Kitchen Basic 3 in 1 is the best choice for you.
This entire modern unit is made from white plastic with rust-resistant stainless steel blades and discs. It has a suction base with a lever knob. Switch it to LOCK and you can seal the whole thing tight to your countertop.
It’s easy to take apart this Kitchen Basics grinder. There aren’t a lot of parts so cleaning doesn’t take long. However, meat and fat can accumulate inside the plastic feeding tube and auger, making it difficult to clean without using a proper brush.
That said, the grinder is lightweight and small, which is good for bringing it on camping trips or for storage. Furthermore, you can grind pretty much anything, except for bones and tough meats with a lot of sinews. It comes with sausage attachments and you can also make two pasta types – spaghetti and rigatoni.
All in all, this model does it all. It’s also quite cheap. This Kitchen Basics is an affordable yet functional all-in-one manual meat grinder. Perfect for a small family.
GOOD
- Rust-resistant stainless steel grinding parts
- Locking lever for better suction
- Cleaning doesn’t take long due to small number of parts
- Compact and light
- All in one meat grinder, from meat, vegetables to sausages and pasta (2 types)
- Affordable
BAD
- Hard to clean if meat and fat accumulate inside the grinder
- Plastic quality won’t last as long as other materials
- No meat pushed included
- Handle feels flimsy
Best Meat Grinder For Italian Pasta – Norpro Manual Meat Grinder, 5 Pasta Types
Specifications
- Type Of Food – meat, vegetables, and pasta
- Material – plastic and stainless steel
- Mounting Option – suction base with locking lever
- Size & Dimensions – 8” x 5” x 5”
- Weight – 1.95lbs
- Included Attachments
- 1 sausage tube
- 2 stainless steel plates (fine and coarse)
- 5 pasta attachments (penne, tagliatelle/fettuccine, fusilli/spiral, rigatoni, and spaghetti)
Features & Benefits
Similar to the Kitchen Basics grinder above, this Norpro one is also made from plastic with the exception of the grinding plates, blades, and handle. The plates and blades are stainless steel while the handle is metal.
It also has a suction base with a lever knob, which works great on smooth and flat surfaces. It’s also quick to clean due to the ease of disassembling the parts. Keep in mind that they’re dishwasher safe but be sure to remove all the remaining meat before washing.
Now, the one thing that makes this unit standout is its 5 attachments for pasta. You can make penne, tagliatelle/fettuccine, fusilli/spiral, rigatoni, and spaghetti. If you’re looking to enjoy homemade Italian pasta alongside grinding your own meat, this grinder is the one for you.
Besides the pasta attachments, this model also has 1 sausage tube included, which expands your cooking options further. Lightweight and portable, the Norpro meat grinder is perfect for a small kitchen. You can grind meat and make pasta in one machine.
GOOD
- 5 pasta attachments
- Meat pusher included
- Light and compact for easy storage
- Durable stainless steel grinding parts
- Dishwasher safe for all parts
BAD
- Plastic feeding tube and auger
- Cranking handle isn’t strong
Best Bolted Down Manual Meat Grinder – Weston #32 Tinned Cast Iron Hand Meat Mincer (36-3201-W)
Specifications
- Type Of Meat – all meat, even soft bones
- Material – tinned cast iron and wood
- Mounting Option – suctions cups or bolted down
- Size & Dimensions – #32, 10.5” x 13” x 13”
- Weight – 19.2 lbs
- Included Attachments
- 2 steel discs (fine: 0.18”, coarse: 0.39”)
- 3 sausage tubes (0.5”, 0.75”, 0.94”)
Features & Benefits
The last entry to this product roundup review is the Weston #32. Similar to any Weston manual meat grinder, it’s made from tinned cast iron with that classic, old school look. This material is tough and durable but will rust away if you don’t take care of it properly.
This meat grinder is size #32, meaning that it’s the biggest (and heaviest, at 19.2lbs) among all models listed here. Because of its size, its power and capacity also increase. The grinder can handle more meat at one time and chew them up real fast. It also means that your arms will have one hell of a workout though.
With this Weston #32, you have two mounting options. You can use 4 suction cups (not included) to anchor it or bolt the whole unit down permanently. Because of this, I’d recommend this unit if you hunt and have a cabin. That way, you can have a stable and powerful grinder for your hard-earned deer meat along with some soft bones for your dog. Besides, #32 is quite big for home use.
Like any Weston, this comes with 2 steel grinding plates and 3 sausage stuffing tubes. If you’re looking for the best rated 32 manual meat grinder, this one might be worth checking out.
GOOD
- Can handle large amount of meat
- Old school classic look with tinned cast iron
- Bolted down for stable yet permanent base
- Suction cups for mobility
- Can grind all sorts of meat along with some soft bones
BAD
- Heavy
- Easy to rust if not cared for properly
Reasons Why You Should Grind Your Own Meat
Just like anything, DIY or grinding your own meat is always better. There are several reasons why you should do so.
Control Over Ingredients
You see, ground meat from your supermarket comes from many animals. Keep in mind that it’s not from the nicest cuts of meat either.
By grinding your own meat, you know exactly what goes into the mix. You also have the option of experimenting with different (and better quality) meat blends. Things like regular pork or beef with some wild game meat.
You also control the meat and fat ratio. Fat is what gives your meat flavor. Usually, 80% meat with 20% fat is what most butchers have on their shelves. You can always switch to 75/25 for a tastier mix. Or even 90/10 if you want to cut down on your fat consumption. Whatever the case, you’re in full control of the whole process.
Tip: You can always ask your butcher for any leftover fat that they have. They sometimes give it for free or sell it at a reasonable price. You can also save any fat that you’ve trimmed off. Freeze then add it to your next mix.
Freshness
Another thing about supermarket ground meat is that it isn’t ground at the store. It is ground at the factory first. Then being transferred and packaged at the store.
Over there, it sits for hours on end, if not days or weeks, in its packaging. The longer it sits, the more chance it becomes oxidized, allowing bacteria to grow and slowly altering its texture and taste.
When grinding your own meat, you know when you buy or hunt for that meat. As a result, it always comes out nice and fresh. Not to mention less chance of cross contamination if you only grind one type of meat on your own grinder.
Better Flavor
Combining high quality and fresher ingredients, you end up with meals with better flavor. That means tastier sausages, juicer burgers and just more umami in general.
To further improve the taste, you can try adding salt or any seasonings while grinding. That way, these ingredients penetrate deeper into the meat, creating a richer flavor. Another addition would be vegetables and/or fruit for various taste profiles.
You can also play around with different sizes of the grinder. Either thinner or coarser. Doing so will change the texture of the end product, letting you know which one you like better.
Save Money
Last but not least, you save money in the long run.
To put it into perspective, the ground version of any meat is always more expensive than the original cut at any supermarket. The price difference is the labor fee for someone to put that meat through the grinder. So why not grind that meat yourself?
You can also buy any meat on sale or those less common cuts to grind. They’re always cheaper but taste just as good as the popular ones. Furthermore, any leftover meat that you have can be ground so you don’t waste anything at all.
Different Parts Of A Meat Grinder
Now that we understand the benefits of grinding your own meat, let’s switch gears and focus on the meat grinder itself. There are two types of meat grinder – manual and electric.
They’re pretty much the same in terms of operation. In regards to the components, the only difference is that manual meat grinder has a grinding handle while electric meat grinder has a motor instead. Other than that, all remaining parts are the same.
Now, please keep in mind that this article focuses solely on the manual meat grinder. So here is the list of the components in one.
- Handle – this is where you start the grinder. Turning the handle will rotate the auger inside the feeding tube
- Feeding tube – a.k.a body, hopper, or head. This is where the food enters. The handle is attached to the feeding tube. It also contains the auger, blade, and plate.
- Auger – a.k.a worm or screw. This is the main working component of the whole grinder. It pushes the food further down the feeding tube towards the blade and plate for grinding.
- Blade – a.k.a knife. The blade has a star shape with two edges. One is round and the other one is sharp. The sharp edge always goes toward and rotates against the plate to cut through the meat.
- Plate – a.k.a disc. This is a flat and round piece of metal with a lot of holes on it. When the meat gets pushed through these holes, the size of them decides the texture of final ground meat (thin or coarse). The plate diameter tells you the overall size of the grinder (usually has a # symbol before it, e.g. #10 or #32). There are also two types of plate. One is hubless while the other one is with the hub. The hub is there to keep the plate in place. The hubless plate is sharp on both sides. So you can turn it over for longer use.
- Cover – this is a cap that holds the blade and plate together. It’s also the end of the grinder where the meat comes out.
I tried to find a good Youtube video showing different parts of a manual meat grinder, however I could only find this one. The quality isn’t so great but it still shows you what you need to know.

In the next section, we’ll go through each type of meat grinder with its pros and cons. The purpose is to compare the manual meat grinder against the electric one. That way, we can see which aspects of the manual grinder are better.
Electric Meat Grinder Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy to use – it doesn’t require a lot of physical strength to use an electric meat grinder. Plug it in and you’re ready to use it. It also comes with a meat pusher for added convenience.
- Faster grind – because of its motor, electric grinders cut through meat (bones included) quicker than manual ones. It also means bacteria is less likely to develop because meat is processed faster.
- Larger capacity – because it grinds meat quickly, you can also grind more as a result. Therefore, an electric grinder is a good choice for people who grind meat often.
- Less hand contact – since you just need to push a button and the machine does the rest, there’s less contact with the meat. As a result, it’s a safer and cleaner grind.
Cons
- Portability – electric meat grinders require a power outlet to function. That limits it to home use so it’s not good for hunting or camping. They’re also heavier and take up more space so it’s hard to carry them around.
- More costly – you need to pay quite a bit for a decent electric meat grinder compared to a manual one.
- Motor – since the motor works hard to grind the meat, it can get loud and sometimes overheat. And if it breaks, it can be an expensive repair.
- Careful when cleaning – you need to be sure that water can’t get inside the motor. Because of that, you have to be extra careful when cleaning the grinder.
Manual Meat Grinder Pros & Cons
Pros
- Durability – since some manual meat grinders are made from hard metal, they can endure abuse. However, some modern ones are made from plastic so they’re less likely to last long.
- Portability – manual meat grinders don’t require any outlets. Thus they’re good for hunting or camping cabins. They’re also compact and light so that you can move them around easily. Good for small kitchens with limited workspace.
- Ease to clean – they don’t have many parts and they’re simple to disassemble. As a result, it’s easier to clean manual meat grinders. You also don’t have to worry about ruining electric parts or anything.
- Affordable – they’re generally less expensive than electric meat grinders. You also save money since there is no extra electrical bill if you grind meat often.
Cons
- Requires effort – because there is no motor, you have to turn the handle yourself. And that requires some physical effort.
- Laborious – if you have a lot of meat, a manual meat grinder isn’t a good choice. Your arms will be sore after one session of meat grinding. A manual meat grinder is better if you just want to try grinding your own meat or only do it occasionally.
- Health issues – due to the time-consuming nature of using a manual grinder, meat can sit outside for too long. If that happens, bacteria starts to grow which leads to bad meat eventually. Therefore, it’s advisable that you grind meat in small batches with a manual grinder.
- Mounting options – old school manual meat grinder has clamp or bolted down mounting system. They provide a more stable base for the grinder. That said, some clamps have a small opening which doesn’t work with some countertop thickness. Modern manual meat grinder has a rubber suction base. Although it mounts fast, it tends to let loose over time, which is unsafe when grinding.
Things To Pay Attention To When Buying
As you can see, the manual meat grinder is better than the electric one in regards to cost, ease of cleaning, and portability. With that in mind, what things should you look for when buying one?
Types Of Food, How Much & How Often?
Pay attention to the types of meat you’re planning to grind. If you plan to grind tough meat (with a lot of connective tissues), you might need to consider a heavy duty model with sharper blades and grinding discs. Not to mention the ability to process bones in case you want to make food for your pets.
Also think about whether or not you want to make sausage, veggies, pasta, and nuts. Most manual meat grinders come with an extra sausage funnel. Some come with various grinding discs so you can have different finenesses. Some even have extra attachments for veggies and pasta.
Next is how much and how often you want to grind. Obviously, the more meat/food you want to grind, the bigger the grinder. The larger the size, the more food it can load in one go. Also consider if you want to go through all the manual grinding yourself.
If you plan to grind a lot of meat twice a week, you might as well get an electric grinder. If you only grind once in a while and in smaller quantities, consider a simpler, plastic manual grinder instead.
Types Of Material
With manual meat grinders, there are two common materials – metal and plastic.
For those classic, old school grinders, companies use metal, either cast iron or stainless steel, to make them. They’re generally more durable and efficient. They can cut through meat better than the plastic ones. They also won’t jam or clog that often. The only downside is that they will corrode if you don’t take care of them.
On the other hand, plastic manual grinders are more of a recent innovation. They’re lighter thus more portable. Some models feature durable plastic, which is also food-grade and BPA-free. They’re easy to disassemble with all of their parts being dishwasher safe, therefore make them simple to clean. The one drawback is that they can’t withstand constant use and can break easily.
Also keep in mind that your meat is better if it stays cold during the whole grinding process. You can freeze the metal components beforehand and they stay like that, which ends up keeping the meat cool.
Plastic parts, however, can’t retain the chill so they end up warming the meat. Therefore you might need to grind in smaller quantities.
Metal grinders are better if you grind meat often while plastic ones are suitable for occasional grinds.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Next is to check if the grinder has any special care requirements. Most metal grinder components can’t go into the dishwasher while most plastic parts can. Also see how easy it is to disassemble the grinder for later cleaning.
Size & Weight
The diameter of the grinding plate determines the size of the grinder. The larger the size, the more meat the grinder can handle. Also think about the space in your kitchen. Do you have a lot of working surfaces or your kitchen is limited (in a cabin)? If you don’t have a lot of space, maybe consider a smaller and compact version instead.
Also pay attention to the weight of the grinder. Metal is heavier than plastic. Can your countertop handle the extra weight? A heavy grinder might not be a good idea to carry around with you.
Mounting Options
Mounting is important because your grinder needs to be stable during the entire grinding process. Otherwise, you risk injuring yourself.
Old manual meat grinders have either bolted-down or clamp-on mounting systems. Bolted provides the most security and stability. However, you can’t move it anywhere else and it will be a permanent modification on your kitchen counter.
Clamp-on is the next in line in terms of stability. They’re also cheaper than the bolted option. You can move the grinder around and attach it to any surface, assuming that surface isn’t thicker than the clamp’s opening.
Last mounting system is the suction base. You find this in most plastic grinders. It’s the cheapest among all the mounting options. It’s quick and easy to attach. You also don’t have to change anything on your countertop.
However, it only works well on flat and smooth surfaces. You can still attach it to rough and uneven ones but the risk of it coming loose mid grind is high.
Add-ons & Attachments
You can find attachments and add-ons that come with many manual grinders.
Different grinding discs and sausage tubes are often included in both metal and plastic grinders. Some plastic ones even have their own pasta and cookie plates. Though they’re not as good as a dedicated device.
That said, these accessories offer options and versatility, making the whole prepping experience complete.
Cost
If you plan to grind your own game or make dog food, consider your meat grinder as an investment. Pick one that is heavy duty and long lasting. That means it will be made of metal. It’s also going to cost you more. However, you end up saving money in the long term.
On the other hand, if you just want to try meat grinding or only do it once in a while, consider an inexpensive plastic grinder. It won’t last as long as metal but still gets the job done.
Either way, set a budget and stick with it. Also don’t forget to consider if the grinder has any add-ons or you have to purchase them separately.
Warranty
Just like anything, there is a small chance that something will break. That’s why you need to pay attention to the warranty that comes with the grinder. Most come with a 1-year warranty.
Also see what sorts of parts fall under the warranty? And if the brand you buy from has any replacement parts. While you’re at it, find out if they’re going to ship them for free.
Summary
There you have it, everything you need to know about manual meat grinders and how to pick the best one.
They’re not much different from electric grinders, except for one’s run by a motor while the other is run by human strength. Manual grinders are less expensive. They’re also easy to clean and more portable than electric grinders.
When shopping for a manual meat grinder, consider what types of meat you’re planning to grind, along with the quantity and frequency. Also pay attention to the grinder’s material, ease of cleaning, size, weight, and mounting system. The last few things to look for are the cost, warranty, and any extra accessories.
That concludes my article for the best manual meat grinder. I hope you find it helpful. Let me know if you have any questions down below.
Happy grinding!
1 thought on “Best Manual Meat Grinder – Top Choices For Home & Cabin Use”
Some people enjoy the process of getting their food cooked the old fashioned way, while others prefer the ease and reliability of a machine. Again, your own personal preferences are going to dictate which of the many meat slicers you can choose from.