Nesco FG-400PR Professional 380-Watt Cast-Aluminum Food Grinder

Nesco FG-400PR Professional 380-Watt Cast-Aluminum Food Grinder

Close, but not quite
My first impression on getting this unit was that it was a good quality machine. A nice step up from the stand mixer attachment. I started noticing a couple of short falls when I used it for the first time. The food pusher can be a bit tricky to keep from pulling the lid off if the meat gets a bit sticky in the grinder.

The smallest sausage stuffer tube is too large for breakfast links or other small sausages. I also found out (after quite a bit of difficulty in contacting the manufacturer) that this is not a standard size grinder. It is very close to a standard #8 grinder, but not quite, so you can't purchase additional sausage stuffing tubes, grinder plates, or replacement blades when the originals wear down.

Bottom line is that the unit seems solid and adequate for a basic grinder if you don't expect to use it much, or have a need/desire to purchase additional attachments. If you plan to do much grinding or sausage making, however, I would go for one of...

Awesome Grinder/Stuffer
Bought this to replace a cheaper 200 watt grinder that the plates and blade always rusted. This one was advertised as stainless steel on all parts for grinding. I am not disappointed and very impressed with the performance of this appliance. Feeding meat into this is so much easier than my last grinder since it has a larger opening. This little beast will grind faster than I can feed it and works very well as a stuffer too. When I'm done I rinse everything off and place in dishwasher. Absolutely no rust. Been using for 9 months.

Highly recommend.

keep looking
I have been doing part time meat processor for over 25 years and I have to say this is probably the loudest grinder I have ever been around, get some ear plugs if you decide to buy this. Also, the gear are plastic, if you break them you can not buy replacement part!!!! The cost to have a $15-$20 (per customer sevice) part repaired would end up costing more than a new machine because you have to ship it back to NESCO, but they will not sell the part seperate. Please take my advise and spend a little more for a grinder that has metal gears and is represented by better customer service. I feel like such a rookie for having been deceived into thinking this was a good machine.

Delivering enough power to grind up to 2-8/9 pounds of meat per minute, this 380-watt professional food grinder works great for making sausages, appetizers, pates, relishes, sandwich spreads, hamburger, and other ground meat. The appliance features die-cast aluminum housing and an over-sized die-cast hopper that can hold up to 5 pounds of meat, which eliminates the need to stop and fill as frequently as with other grinders. For added convenience, the appliance provides a motor-reverse safety switch, which reverses the auger rotation to dislodge blocked food, and it disassembles for easy cleaning. Three sintered stainless-steel plates for fine, medium, and coarse grinding come included, plus two different-sized sausage tubes. The food grinder measures 10-1/4 by 10-5/8 by 14-7/8 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

From the Manufacturer

Professional 380-Watt Cast-Aluminum Food Grinder

Cast-aluminum grinder with powerful 380-watt motor.

Dependable performance with the power to grind, shred, and fill sausage casings. An oversized die-cast hopper holds up to 5 pounds. Perfect for processing venison and other wild game into sausage, hamburger and other ground meat. The powerful 380-watt motor grinds 5 pounds per minute. Works great for making jerky or your own sandwich spread, relish and appetizers.

Die-cast aluminum construction and stainless-steel blade.

Features:

• Two different-sized sausage tubes
• Die-cast aluminum housing
• Die-cast metal auger and feed tube
• Easy to clean

Grinds up to 5 pounds of meat per minute.

Highlights:

Powerful 380-watt motor: Processes up to 5 pounds of meat per minute.

Oversized aluminum hopper holds up to 5 pounds of meat: Works more efficiently with less need to stop and fill hopper.

On/off switch with reverse feature: Easy-to-operate reverse function allows for safe removal of blocked food.

Stainless-steel blade and three sintered stainless-steel grinding plates: Use for fine, medium, and coarse grinding and shredding.

Perfect for: ground meat, ground poultry, sausage, pates, appetizers, salads, relishes, and more.