LEM BigBite #32 Meat Grinder Reviews: Worth It?

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If you process deer, whole hog shares or bulk packs by the case, the LEM BigBite #32 is worth a serious look. We recommend this grinder for hunters and bulk buyers grinding substantial batches, because LEM’s page lists a 1.5 HP motor and up to 17 lb of meat per minute. If you grind a few pounds a month, a smaller machine will serve you better.

SaltRail did not use this grinder. We read LEM’s #32 product page and the manual for models 1781 and 1782, then Amazon’s own review summary. Where the page and the manual disagree with each other or with Amazon, we say which is which.

A full processing day asks a lot of any home grinder. A Bass Pro Shops venison guide stresses keeping everything below 40°F, with the meat and the grinder’s auger, knife and neck chilled in the freezer first. Warm meat smears; see our guide to freezing meat before grinding.

LEM BigBite #32 Meat Grinder Reviews and Overview

The LEM BigBite #32 is a 1.5 HP stainless steel electric meat grinder built for people who process meat in large batches, such as hunters, bulk buyers, and sausage makers. It weighs 57.32 lb and needs a dedicated storage spot.

Investing in a high-capacity LEM Big Bite meat grinder makes sense if your seasonal meat processing involves quartered game or bulk primals.

Two points decide whether it fits your kitchen: how much meat you grind per session, and what LEM lists for size, power and support.

Who Needs a #32 Grinder?

If you grind a few pounds a month, this 57-pound machine is more than you need. If you want to grind bones for pet food, LEM’s manual for this model says not to. If you want a stuffer, LEM’s manual says a stuffer is the better tool. If you have no counter or shelf for something 24 inches long, look at a smaller BigBite.

Good fits include:

• Hunters breaking down one or more deer a season
• Families buying beef or pork in bulk
• Sausage makers running long stuffing sessions

LEM’s specifications

These figures come from LEM’s #32 product page and manual. When LEM’s own page and Amazon’s table differ, we use LEM’s. The 17 lb per minute figure is the maker’s claim.

LEM #32 specs, LEM versus Amazon

When LEM’s own page and Amazon’s table differ, we use LEM’s.

How Do the 1.5 HP Motor and BigBite Feed Work?

The BigBite feed system pairs a wide throat with an auger that grabs large chunks from the pan, while a rifled head pushes them through the knife and plate quickly. The 1.5 HP motor supplies the force behind that feed.

Amazon’s review summary quotes customers making “25 pounds of sausage in no time” and “whole chickens in about 60 seconds”, and one customer grinding “up to 100lbs of meat”.

What the design changes for you:

• Less pushing, so less hand fatigue on long days
• Faster passes, so meat spends less time warming up
• A noise-dampening design LEM says runs quieter than typical electric grinders

What Comes with the Grinding and Sausage Setup?

The LEM BigBite #32 ships with a stainless knife, head and auger, a large meat pan, coarse and fine plates, a stuffing plate, three stuffing tubes and a plastic stomper. A drawer under the head holds plates and tubes.

Durable stainless steel grinding plates let you grind coarse for chili, go fine for burgers, then switch to the stuffing plate for links.

LEM’s manual says grinders can stuff, but their primary use is grinding, a sausage stuffer is the best tool, and stuffing with a grinder is a two-person job. See our LEM vs Weston guide for stuffing setups.

Pros and Cons

The LEM BigBite #32’s main strengths are fast feeding, a five-year warranty and lifetime support, while its main costs are weight, footprint and a price that only pays off with volume. Strengths center on speed, build and support; drawbacks center on size and fit.

Pros

Speed and strength lead the list: LEM lists up to 17 lb per minute.

• Listed by LEM at up to 17 lb per minute
• Stainless motor housing and knife (LEM’s page)
• Backing by a 5-year warranty and stocked replacement parts
• Storage drawer keeps plates and tubes together
• Noise-dampening design, per LEM

Cons

Size is the biggest drawback. At 57.32 lb, it is heavy to lift onto a counter and needs real shelf space.

• Overkill for a few pounds a month
• Stuffing through a grinder is slower than a dedicated stuffer
• LEM’s manual says not to grind bones

What Owners Report

Amazon’s review summary describes customers making “25 pounds of sausage in no time” and “whole chickens in about 60 seconds”, one customer grinding “up to 100lbs of meat”, easy cleaning and heavy-duty fittings. Customers “expect it to last many years”; that is an expectation, not a long-term report.

Durability and Warranty Experiences

Amazon’s review snippets include a breaker tripping on first use. LEM backs the #32 with a five-year warranty and lifetime support.

Confirm current coverage terms with LEM before buying.

How Does It Compare with Smaller LEM Grinders?

The LEM BigBite #32 suits large, frequent batches, while LEM’s smaller BigBite sizes, such as the #8 and #12, suit occasional or small-batch grinding with less weight and storage demand. The plate number reflects head size, so a higher number means a bigger throat.

LEM’s pages list up to 7 lb per minute for the #8, up to 11 for the #12 and up to 17 for the #32. For sizing, see our LEM vs Weston guide and best meat grinder for deer guide.

How Should You Clean It and Handle Meat Safely?

Cleaning the LEM BigBite #32 means breaking down the head, auger, knife and plates after every session, while safe handling means keeping meat at 40°F or below, the limit USDA FSIS sets for refrigerated storage. Cleaning steps and cold-chain steps each need their own routine.

Cleaning the Head and Accessories

Disassemble right after grinding. Dried fat and protein are much harder to remove.

1. Unplug the grinder.
2. Remove the ring, plate, knife, auger and head.
3. Wash parts in hot, soapy water and scrub plate holes with a brush.
4. Dry every part fully so steel does not spot or rust.
5. Wipe the body with a damp cloth; keep water away from the motor.
6. Store plates in the drawer.

LEM’s manual says the parts are not dishwasher safe (discoloration may occur). See our guide to cleaning a meat grinder.

Keeping Meat Cold During Processing

Cold meat grinds cleaner. Warm fat smears and clogs the plate.

1. Chill the head, auger, knife and plate in the freezer first (SaltRail’s practice).
2. Chill the meat to 40°F or colder, not frozen (LEM manual).
3. Grind in batches, returning trays to the refrigerator between runs.
4. Keep cold food at or below 40°F (FSIS). USDA also cautions against grinding beef at home; store ground beef at 40°F or below and use it within 2 days, or freeze it.
5. Ground meats should reach 160°F and ground poultry 165°F, measured with a food thermometer (FSIS chart).

Related guides

Best meat grinders · LEM vs Weston · Best meat grinder for deer · Meat grinder size guide · Grinding bones in a meat grinder · How long to freeze meat before grinding

Conclusion

The LEM BigBite #32 is built for big jobs, up to 17 lb per minute per LEM, for people who grind tens of pounds per session and have space for a 57.32 lb machine. Small-batch users should look at a smaller BigBite.

Before you buy, check these four points:

• LEM lists 18.90 in high and 24.49 in long, so measure your shelf and counter before buying
• Batch size large enough to use the 17 lb per minute rating
• Who will lift it onto the counter each time
• LEM’s current warranty terms and replacement part stock

If all four fit, the LEM BigBite #32 is built for the job. Check today’s price.

LEM BigBite #32 Meat Grinder Reviews: Frequently Asked Questions