Weston Pro Series vs LEM BigBite Commercial Grinders: Throughput and Parts Compared

meat grinders wild game processing equipment  · 

Published specs side by side: HP, watts and lbs per minute

Both brands name their grinders by head size (#12, #22, #32) and publish a motor rating plus a rated pounds-per-minute figure. The numbers below come from the manufacturers’ own product pages or from retailer listings that repeat the manufacturer’s copy. Confirm them on the current page before you buy, because models get revised.

Weston also lists a Pro Series #32 (10-3201-W). Pull its current motor and throughput figures from Weston’s page rather than assuming they follow the #22.

Why the HP numbers do not line up size for size

A Weston #12 is rated at 1 HP and a LEM #12 at 0.75 HP, yet LEM’s #12 carries the higher throughput figure. Horsepower on a corded countertop grinder is a marketing rating. It tells you less than the head design, the auger (worm) pitch, the gear train and the plate hole pattern. Weston’s own #22 at 1.5 HP is rated 14 lbs per minute, and LEM’s 1 HP #22 is rated up to 13. That is a one-pound gap despite a half-horsepower difference on paper.

Use HP to sort grinders into rough classes, then read the lbs-per-minute line and the head description. A rifled head grips the meat and pulls it toward the plate, which helps on second grinds and when stuffing without the stomper. LEM lists a rifled head on the BigBite #22, and Weston’s retail copy for the Pro Series #22 mentions one too.

What lbs per minute means on lean, cold venison

A rated figure is a ceiling. It assumes meat that feeds freely through the throat and a plate that does not choke. Venison, elk and bear trim are lean. Sinew and silverskin wrap the knife and can clog the plate holes. Meat that has warmed up smears instead of cutting cleanly, and the grinder slows down.

The plate you choose changes output more than the badge on the motor does. A coarse first-grind plate moves meat faster than a 4.5 mm fine plate. A second pass through a fine plate costs time on top of the first. Plan on chilled cubes, not frozen blocks and not room-temperature trim.

If you grind 100 lbs in a session, the arithmetic is simple. At the rated 13 lbs per minute, one pass is about eight minutes of grinder time. At the low end of the Weston #12 range it is closer to 14 or 16 minutes. In practice, trimming, cubing and chilling take far longer than the grinding. A bigger head matters most when you run several batches back to back and the grinder has to keep going without stalling.

Head size: #12, #22 or #32 for deer versus elk, moose and bear

Head size sets the throat opening, the plate diameter and how much meat is in the auger at once. A #12 head suits a single deer or a few deer per season. Hunters who butcher several animals a year, or who regularly process elk, moose or bear, usually move to #22. The #32 class is for volume that would keep a #22 running for hours.

Choose the head before you compare brands. Plates and knives are sized to the head, and a #22 plate will not seat in a #12 head. If you already own plates, a hub-mounted knife or a stuffing tube, check that they match the size you are buying. For a deeper look at the two common plate sizes, see the #12 vs #22 comparison elsewhere on this site.

Parts and accessories: what ships in the box and what to verify

The LEM DualGrind #22 listing names four stainless steel plates: a first-grind plate, a 4.5 mm fine plate, a 10 mm coarse plate and a stuffing plate. It also lists a meat stomper and a dual-blade knife. LEM’s standard BigBite pages describe a storage drawer under the head, a built-in circuit breaker and reverse for clearing jams. Weston’s Pro Series copy lists an air-cooled motor and bonus features aimed at prep and cleanup, such as storage space and a knife sharpener.

Never assume plates, knives or stuffing tubes swap between LEM and Weston. A matching size number is not proof of fit. Check the plate outer diameter, the hub or keyed knife drive and the retaining ring thread against the manufacturer’s parts list or manual. If a seller’s description does not state compatibility for a specific model, ask or look at the manual. A wrong-fit plate wobbles against the knife, which dulls the blade faster and can smear meat.

Power draw, cords and ownership upkeep

A 1.5 HP Weston #22 is listed at 1120 W. Dividing by a 120 V supply gives a floor of roughly 9 amps before startup surge. On a shared 15-amp household circuit with a vacuum sealer or a space heater, that is how breakers trip mid-batch. Plug the grinder into its own circuit and keep any extension cord short and heavy-gauge to limit voltage drop.

After grinding, take the head apart. Wash the plates, knife and auger and dry them immediately. Carbon-steel plates and knives rust, while stainless parts resist it. Wipe any bare steel with food-safe oil before storage. Metal gears cost more to build than plastic ones, but they tolerate sinew-heavy loads better, so check the manufacturer’s description of the gear train. Sharpen or replace the knife when it starts pulling and smearing rather than cutting.

Which one fits a high-volume hunter

Pick by size class first. If you process one to three deer a year, a #12 from either brand covers it. If you regularly run elk, moose or bear, the choice is between a #22 and a #32. Within a size, LEM’s pages emphasize the rifled head, the storage drawer and a dual-grind option that does two passes without reloading. Weston emphasizes higher motor ratings at each head size and a rifled-head #22 rated at 14 lbs per minute.

Look at what you will actually buy again. If you expect to add a fine plate, a stuffing tube or a replacement knife, confirm that the model you choose has those parts in stock and listed for that exact model number. Read the current manufacturer page for motor rating, throughput, plate sizes and warranty terms before committing.

FAQ

Is a Weston Pro Series #22 faster than a LEM BigBite #22?

On published figures, Weston lists its Pro Series #22 at 14 lbs per minute and 1.5 HP. LEM lists the BigBite #22 at up to 13 lbs per minute and 1 HP. The difference is small, and real speed depends on plate size, how cold the meat is and how much sinew is in the trim.

Can I use LEM plates and knives on a Weston grinder?

Do not assume so. A shared #12 or #22 number does not prove that the plate diameter, knife drive and ring thread match. Check each manufacturer’s manual or parts list for the exact model before buying plates or blades.

Do I need a #32 grinder to process elk or moose?

Not necessarily. A #22 can handle large game if you cube the meat, keep it cold and trim the sinew. The #32 class is mainly a time-saver for large batches. LEM’s #32 is rated up to 17 lbs per minute at 1.5 HP, so it makes sense if you grind large volumes.