Can I Use Meat Grinder to Grind Grains? [Explained]

A meat grinder is a lifesaver in the right situations. You can have freshly ground meat ready in seconds for you and your loved ones to enjoy!

However, meat grinding is somewhat different from grain grinding.

Grains have a tougher coating and texture that is more challenging to break. Turning grains into finely grounded flour will take a considerable amount of time.

When you don’t have a grain mill around and must get your grains ground immediately, you probably wondered, “Can I use a meat grinder to grind grains?”.

Well, we are here to answer that precisely!

Can I Use Meat Grinder to Grind Grains?

The answer largely depends on what meat grinder you’re planning to use. Using your meat grinder as a grain mill is generally not advised. Many meat grinders do not have the potential to grind grains into fine powder. Grain mills, for example, have more powerful motors and better speed controllers.

Grain mills have features that meat grinders lack. So, grinding grains in meat grinders is not always the best idea.

However, there are some ways you can manipulate your meat grinder to get the job done, provided that you’re up for some extra work!

I’ve answered your question briefly, but there is more you need to know.

After reading this article, all your doubts regarding grinding grains in meat grinders will vanish! What are you waiting for? Continue reading to learn more!

Grinding Grains in A Meat Grinder – Is It a Good Idea?

Meat grinders do not have the same capacity as grain mills to grind grains. As I mentioned earlier, grinding grains is not advised, but this doesn’t mean you can’t use some tricks up your sleeve!

There are specific ways to manipulate or modify your meat grinder to grind grains.

You can make certain adjustments to make your meat grinder work like a grain mill. Please continue reading to find out what they are!

Motor Power

The power of your meat grinder’s motor affects its grinding capacity. High motor power will make grinding grains a piece of cake!

By adjusting your meat grinder’s horsepower, you can achieve the result you desire.

Suppose you’re considering buying a meat grinder that can grind grains too, purchase one with 1 horsepower.

A motorized meat grinder is super helpful as well. You can conveniently use it as a grain mill with a bit of attachment.

Speed Control

Grain mills have a great speed controller feature. A robust and efficient speed controller helps you achieve a satisfactory texture of the powdered grain.

Meat grinders do not have such an accurate or skilled speed controller feature for grain mill-quality jobs.  

Having a competent speed controller is essential to get the fine or coarse texture you desire.

Therefore, having a meat grinder with an excellent speed controller will do the job! 

Downside Of Grinding Grains in Meat Grinders

At the end of the day, meat grinders are to grind meat and some vegetables. Grinding grains in meat grinders isn’t always the best idea.

For a better understanding, I have listed some reasons to tell you why:

• Grinding grains in your meat grinder can have a sticky consistency, especially if the grains have high moisture levels.
• If you continue grinding grains in your meat grinder, it could damage its hardware in the long run.
• You have to spend some time repeatedly grinding your grains to reach a fine texture. This means you must have the time, energy, and patience! 
• You may lose some volume of the grains after grinding them in a meat grinder. It can lead to significant wastage.

Nevertheless, you can use your meat grinder to grind grains in emergencies. I listed these disadvantages for you to understand what the consequences might be.

Should I Grind Flour on My Own?

Most of us only buy store-bought flour because, well, it’s easy. But have you ever considered making your flour? Well, if you haven’t, you should! 

It may sound like too much of a task but hear me out. Preparing your own flour has its share of advantages, making it all worth it. Read further to find out what they are!

High Nutritional Content

Store-bought flour undergoes much processing before its finely ground. While it’s great for the texture, it strips away many nutrients. 

Without its protective outer layer, we don’t know how long these grains were exposed. So, we cannot guarantee how nutritious the flour is. 

If you grind your flour, you can preserve nutrients from the grains more. It can reduce the risk of heart conditions, regulate blood pressure, and keep your weight in check.

Budget-friendly

Most of the time, packaged foods are more expensive than making your product. Similarly, grinding fresh flour is a cheaper option.

You don’t have to pay extra for the packaging and service they charge you. 

Better taste

Besides being more nutritional and cheaper, grinding your flour enhances the taste. How you ask?

Old, grounded flour loses its taste. Grinding your flour fresh is always tastier than buying packaged flour. 

Can I Grind Corn in My Meat Grinder?

Have you got some corn to grind and need to find a shortcut to having it done ASAP? Well, your meat grinder can surely help you with that!

You can grind the corn through a meat grinder multiple times to get the desired texture.

One tip is to ensure that the corn, or any grain for that matter, is moisture-free. Moist grains can result in a sticky consistency.

If you notice that your corn is moist, leave it out in the sun for a couple of days before grinding it.

Grinding grains can be a tedious task. So, we recommend going for an electrically operated grinder rather than a manual one. With automatic grinders, all you need to do is hit a button!

Therefore, your meat grinder is an excellent option if you have some corn to crack. You can have grounded flour of your desired texture ready for your pets!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use my meat grinder to grind potatoes?

Yes, you can grind potatoes in meat grinders. Please boil and peel your potatoes for the best results. You can grind many other vegetables in meat grinders, such as tomatoes, onions, and carrots. You can decide the fine or coarse texture level per your need.

How else can I use my meat grinder?

Meat grinders have more uses than just grinding meat. While you can make delicious burgers, falafels, and minced meat-based dishes, you can also grind various vegetables. 

Meat grinders can effectively grind tomatoes, onions, peppers, cilantro, and garlic. You can grind cucumbers if you’re okay with a relatively coarser texture. 

Can I grind corn in a grain mill?

Yes, you can grind corn in grain mills. Today’s market has come out with various grain mills designed for grinding corn as well. These mills can be manual or electric, along with grinding wheels of stone or metal. 

Can I grind grains in a coffee grinder?

Yes, you can grind grains such as wheat in a coffee grinder. Grinding wheat in a coffee grinder is an excellent idea as it is efficient and pocket friendly. Here are two tips that will help you grind wheat in coffee grinders:

• Please sift the flour after grinding the wheat to ensure that it is fully fine
• Only grind small amounts of wheat at a time in your coffee grinder. Otherwise, your coffee grinder may get jammed.

Can I grind grains without a mill?

Yes, you can grind grains without a mill. One technique is putting your grains in a Ziploc or plastic bag. Then, you can use a solid object to beat the flat surface of the bag. You can also run a rolling pin across the surface. 

This only works if you urgently need a small number of grains ground. However, it requires a lot of energy and patience. So, if you’re up for a challenge, go ahead and try it out!

Conclusion

We’ve reached the end of this post! For all of you contemplating whether grinding grains in a meat grinder is a good idea, I hope you’ve got a clearer idea.

So, can you grind grains in meat grinders? The answer is yes! While it is not the ideal choice, there are certain adjustments you can tweak to grind grains. Please ensure that your meat grinder is capable of such adjustments and if it can handle grinding grains.

We recommend using electrically operated meat grinders to make this chore less exhausting.

Please remember that grinding grains in your meat grinder can damage its hardware in the long run.

It also helps to grind moisture-free grains to avoid a sticky consistency.

Thank you for reading!