corah75•11d agoProlific Poster

That $200 commercial grinder I got off Craigslist still runs like new after 15 years

I picked up a used Hobart grinder back in 2009 for $200 from a retiring butcher in Mobile. Guy said it had been sitting in his barn for a few years, but I cleaned it up and replaced the blades and plates for another $80. That thing has gone through hundreds of pounds of pork shoulder and beef chuck without a single hiccup. Meanwhile, I saw a coworker drop $600 on a brand new electric grinder from a big box store, and it burned out after 18 months. Makes me wonder how many of those shiny new machines are really built to last like the old stuff. Anyone else sticking with older equipment and getting better results?

3 comments

3 Comments

gavin_kim11d ago

Nitpick: most old Hobarts are 3/4 HP not 1 HP. Still a great deal though.

stella2211d ago

Question the torque difference though, is that 3/4 HP actually gonna struggle with heavy dough compared to the 1 HP ones? Just curious if the smaller motor really holds up over time.

wade_kelly7711d ago

Yeah I've run both side by side. That 3/4 HP will handle most stuff fine but if you're doing thick bagel dough or stiff bread every day it'll bog down a bit. The 1 HP just plows through without slowing. Over time the smaller one gets hotter too if you're pushing it hard.