Using a meat grinder, you can quickly and easily get minced meat.
Only a meat grinder can chop meat into minced meat. And although technology is now taking its toll, putting electronic appliances on the shelves of our kitchens, the good old manual meat grinder is still used to this day. Unlike an electric meat grinder, a mechanical one is driven by manual effort. I'll tell you how to assemble it correctly.
How to properly insert a knife into a manual meat grinder
Despite the different principles of operation of a meat grinder, it is necessary to carefully study the assembly instructions for any device, since the efficiency of its operation depends on the correct composition
. It is especially important to know how the knife should be positioned in a meat grinder. This is the most important element of any type of device
The mechanical importance of the assembly is no less than the electrical one. The quality of the prepared dish will depend on how you insert a knife into a manual meat grinder.
And also the durability of the device. To sequentially assemble the parts of a manual meat grinder, you need to know what it consists of:
- The main body of the meat grinder into which all parts are attached. Often it is made of cast iron, but there are also examples made of aluminum.
- Spiral shaft for scrolling contents. It is also known by another name - auger.
- Cross knife.
- Grid plate - for adjusting the degree of grinding of meat and other products in the device.
- Fixer of all parts.
- The handle that sets the meat grinder in motion.
To assemble a manual meat grinder, you must first insert the auger into the device body. Then put a knife on top of it
Particular attention should be paid to which side to insert the knife into the meat grinder - this is very important. If the tip of the part is sharpened only on one side, then the sharp part is installed on the shaft side for a softer movement when grinding. If the knife is double-edged, then it doesn't matter which side you put it on.
If the knife is double-edged, then it doesn't matter which side you put it on.
After installing the cutting part according to the grooves, the grid is installed and the structure is secured with a union nut
It is very important to install the grid as tightly as possible to the cutting part.
The last thing to attach is the moving handle.
There are third-party sounds
If you hear that there are extraneous sounds when the motor is running: creaking or grinding, the bearings have most likely scattered. The device will have to be disassembled, new parts purchased and replaced with failed ones.
In some cases, you simply need to lubricate the device.
Information about the main malfunctions of electric meat grinders will help determine whether it is worth going to a workshop or even repairing the equipment yourself.
The electric assistant today is very popular and in high demand among Russian buyers. Despite high-quality manufacturing and high operational reliability, electrical appliances tend to break down over time. Many breakdowns can be fixed at home, so we will tell you in detail about repairing an electric meat grinder, which you can easily do yourself.
How to assemble a meat grinder correctly
The assembly principle is quite simple - you can figure it out without any problems if you have assembled a conventional manual meat grinder of an old modification at least once.
For clarity, I will give you a photo with a diagram of how to assemble a meat grinder:
How to properly assemble a meat grinder - instructions:
First, connect the gearbox housing to the auger housing, its end should be immersed in the gearbox groove. Once the parts are in the desired position, turn the auger clockwise until you hear a click. If you installed the parts incorrectly, you will not be able to turn the auger. When you put the auger in place, make sure that the protrusion coincides with the hole in the housing
Otherwise the shaft will not work. You need to put a blade and a grid on the other end of the auger so that all the holes and protrusions match, and it is important to install the knife with the correct side of the blade. The photo shows how to correctly place a knife in an electric meat grinder.
Now the structure can be fixed with a clamping nut. Install the loading tray and check the build quality
If you hear uncharacteristic knocking or clinking noises during operation, disassemble the meat grinder and try again.
Main types of malfunctions of electric meat grinders
Most often, meat grinders of this type break due to improper use. Only a small part of devices fail due to the fault of the manufacturer. It is important to use the meat grinder only for its intended purpose, following the attached instructions.
Housewives are faced with problems such as:
- The device does not turn on at all.
- The device does not grind the product.
- While the meat grinder is operating, there is a smell of burning and smoke.
- There are extraneous sounds when the engine is running.
- The drive does not gain enough revolutions.
Don’t rush to take the electric meat grinder to the workshop. Try to eliminate the cause of the breakdown yourself.
What does a meat grinder consist of and what is the purpose of the parts?
What does a classic hand-held device consist of:
- Building: A. Meat receiving area; B. Fastening clamp;
- Lever;
- Auger with left-hand thread;
- Bearing bushing;
- Cutting knife with 4 blades;
- Lattice;
- Union nut;
- Eye bolt for attaching the handle
Meat grinder disassembled
The device can also be supplied with additional grates with different hole diameters, knives, attachments for making sausages, frankfurters and freshly squeezed juice.
The attachments must be sharpened regularly and should not be used for cutting too hard or stringy semi-finished meat products.
The screw shaft is an important and basic part. It has the appearance of a spiral, which during operation grinds excess meat, moving it towards the nozzles with knives. It is this mechanism that requires the use of durable metal.
Screw shaft - conductor of products inside the device
Knife and special cutting attachments. They do all the work of grinding, cutting and crushing meat or any other products. It is made mainly from stainless materials. It is necessary to sharpen knives for better and high-quality work, even though the steel is sharpened on the grate during rotation.
The knife must be installed correctly, otherwise the device may jam
The structure of the knife and its shape affect the grinding of the product. For example, if a knife has a curved blade, it means that it will easily chop the veins and fibers of meat, while preventing the auger shaft from clogging.
The grid has three types of hole diameters:
- Very large - 12 mm. Grille with three or four holes. Used for stuffing sausages. Not always included.
- Large holes - 8 mm. This rack is ideal for preparing sausage mince.
- The middle holes are 4-4.5 mm. Universal grid. Suitable for preparing minced meat for cutlets. Included.
- Small holes - 3 mm. Pate lattice. It is ideal for making pate or puree.
Using these grates you can get coarse or finely ground minced meat. It all depends on your preferences
The nut (fixing ring) clamps and secures the grid, knife and auger shaft. Sometimes it can be difficult to unscrew it after finishing work. But this problem can easily be solved with the help of ordinary cloth thrown over the nut. So, the hand does not slip, and the part can be easily unscrewed.
A manual cast iron or aluminum meat grinder, especially from Soviet times, is attached to the work surface using a threaded device (foot). And therefore, in order to prevent the device from moving on the table, you need to place something under the metal base. This can be a newspaper folded several times. In modern models, the mounting base is plastic or rubber, and therefore the device is attached to the table much more securely.
Operating rules
To ensure that the meat grinder lasts as long as possible, pay close attention to the features of its operation and the preparation of products before placing them in the tray.
- Prepare the meat thoroughly before grinding. Cut the fillet into small pieces and remove bones and veins.
- Make sure that the knife is always sharp. If you follow this rule, the device will quickly grind various products.
- To ensure that products pass smoothly inside the device, lubricate all components with sunflower oil.
- Always disassemble and wash all components after using the meat grinder.
- Store the meat grinder unassembled.
On the Internet you can find recommendations for cleaning the assembled meat grinder using lump sugar. In reality, such a process will not bring a guaranteed result. The device will still have to be disassembled and washed in the usual way.
Design
Before assembling a meat grinder, you need to study its design. Since the times of the USSR, we were well aware of the old, but very reliable Soviet design - a manual version that still helps users in the kitchen today. Then its analogues began to appear, but only with an electric drive, but the main details remained the same.
- The one-piece body was made of cast iron, then they switched to various alloys based on light and durable aluminum. In the upper part of it there is the neck of the meat receiver, where processed products are placed.
- An auger is a specially shaped shaft that, when rotated, propels products toward the exit of the product.
- At its end, a knife is put on, which performs the grinding - it can be disk or with wings.
- The grid regulates the degree of grinding of products; instead, shaped devices are inserted into the meat grinder when working with dough.
- A round-shaped clamping device is used to securely fix all elements in the housing. There are special protrusions on it for easy fastening.
- A handle is attached to the rear of the shaft with a special wing screw to rotate the entire mechanism.
In electric meat grinders, the set of main parts is identical, they must be assembled in exactly the same way, the only difference is in the drive and the housing, which is made of hard plastic. Such a device is controlled using keys located on a special panel, and rotation is carried out by an electric motor.
Important! The manual version of the product is installed on the edge of the table and secured using a special threaded device. Material must be placed under the metal base to prevent the product from moving on the table
Main types of malfunctions of electric meat grinders
Most often, meat grinders of this type break due to improper use. Only a small part of devices fail due to the fault of the manufacturer. It is important to use the meat grinder only for its intended purpose, following the attached instructions.
Housewives are faced with problems such as:
- The device does not turn on at all.
- The device does not grind the product.
- While the meat grinder is operating, there is a smell of burning and smoke.
- There are extraneous sounds when the engine is running.
- The drive does not gain enough revolutions.
Don’t rush to take the electric meat grinder to the workshop. Try to eliminate the cause of the breakdown yourself.
Operating principle of a manual meat grinder
One of the main elements and functional parts of the meat grinder is the screw shaft; it moves pieces of meat to special knives, which are fixed at the end of the shaft on special attachments. Thus, slowly but surely the raw material reaches the grinding and forming mesh. It comes in different shapes and hole sizes so that you can choose the desired consistency of the future minced meat.
All elements of a manual meat grinder are standard; they may differ only in the set of additional accessories
When purchasing a manual meat grinder, pay attention to the quality of the material from which the body and main parts are made. Even in a plastic meat grinder, knives and grids must be metal
Otherwise, such a meat grinder can simply be handed over to a toy store.
Even in a plastic meat grinder, the knives and grids must be metal. Otherwise, such a meat grinder can simply be handed over to a toy store.
Unlike older models, some modern variations are equipped with siphons for squeezing juices or are used instead of a grater. Most of these devices, of course, are produced for electric drive, but you can also find manual and mechanical models.
Meat grinder does not grind meat
If the device turns on, but does not grind the meat, then the bearings are most likely faulty.
Disassemble the relay and check the integrity of the parts. It is quite possible that the problem is in the gears. Manufacturers often make them from plastic. They wear out quickly.
If a faulty part is noted, it will have to be replaced with a new one. Contact services. Experts will tell you what part is needed for your model.
Replace the faulty element. Reassemble the grinder and continue grinding.
Types of meat grinders
Since meat grinders have been around for a very long time, there are many types of them. In addition, they tried to replace them with combines and blenders. And the manufacturers of meat grinders had to come up with as many interesting functions and “tricks” for them so that they would not lose their necessity. They are equipped with a huge number of knives and attachments, which give the devices incredible functionality and ease of use. With them you can turn meat into minced meat, make sausages and pasta. In addition, they can be used to prepare homemade sausage and even juices and purees. But in order not to get confused in the many types of these devices, we will consider two global and main types of these devices.
These are manual and electrical appliances. It is the latter that are now super popular among most people. In order to twist the meat with them, you do not need to exert much physical effort to stuff the sausage and twist it. Just press the “Start” button and watch the process of preparing minced meat. True, they also have a number of disadvantages. For example, if you missed a bone, the device will definitely be damaged because it will not be able to cope with it. Besides, if the lights in the house suddenly turn off, you won’t be able to make minced meat. And sometimes the motor in the devices burns out, and then you just need to buy a new one.
For many, mechanical Soviet models (knowing how to assemble them correctly is very important) are antiquities that it’s time to forget. However, they are incredibly reliable and durable.
This has been proven in practice. And it is almost impossible to break them. The only thing that can become faulty is the knives. But you can sharpen them yourself at home. And they will last for a very long time.
As a rule, their body material is cast iron, stainless steel or durable plastic. However, some can be made from aluminum. Cast iron devices are almost impossible to break. They are practically eternal. And many people love them and consider them much better than their electric counterparts. But they are very heavy. And they can be a little tricky to install. You may even have to ask a man for help every time you install and remove it. Although maybe this is better. But modern aluminum devices are much lighter. Here you no longer have to put in additional physical effort. At the same time, they can serve you just as long as steel or cast iron and do their job with the highest quality.
As for plastic models, they are lightweight and functional. But at the same time, they are very fragile, they must be handled with extreme care, and they must be avoided from falling or sharp blows.
Devices also differ in power
It is important to know how much meat you plan to process. For example, if the power of the device is 1000 W, then you can grind up to 1.3 kg of meat without fear that something will break
Each device has a power reserve, which will be needed if veins or cartilage get into pieces of meat. In this case, the device goes to maximum operation. This is very harmful for him. So try to avoid this.
Devices are also divided into household and professional. The latter have much greater power. They are needed so that the kitchens of restaurants and cafes can quickly process orders and prepare dishes. But the first ones are not so powerful, they are much smaller in size, but are ideal for use in the home. Moreover, you don’t need any huge power in everyday life; you won’t be doing too much work.
Also, some models are equipped with a reverse system. It allows the screw in the meat grinder to rotate in the opposite direction. This helps a lot if veins accidentally get into pieces of meat. The device slows down, and you can get them out.
Meat grinder does not grind meat
If the device turns on, but does not grind the meat, then the bearings are most likely faulty.
Disassemble the relay and check the integrity of the parts. It is quite possible that the problem is in the gears. Manufacturers often make them from plastic. They wear out quickly.
If a faulty part is noted, it will have to be replaced with a new one. Contact services. Experts will tell you what part is needed for your model.
Replace the faulty element. Reassemble the grinder and continue grinding.
What is the working principle of the mechanism
A manual cast iron meat grinder is a common household item found in every kitchen, where a woman is used to preparing all kinds of dishes herself.
When disassembled, the manual meat grinder consists of six parts that must be correctly assembled into a single whole so that it can be used to obtain minced meat.
All parts except the handle and the clamping nut, necessary for firmly fastening the mesh, are inserted one by one into the round hole of the all-metal body.
We also recommend our article How to choose the right electric meat grinder for your home?
There are three holes in the body, by looking at which you can answer the question of how to assemble a manual meat grinder.
- A meat receiver where products that require processing are loaded.
- The rear large exit of the auger shaft is intended for a handle that will rotate it. To ensure that it sits firmly, manufacturers can equip the meat grinder with a special nut. Some housewives remove it because it interferes with their work. Therefore, it is sometimes missing on old meat grinders.
- The front outlet is for the thin end of the shaft on which the knife and mesh are attached.
At the bottom of the housing is equipped with a special device, with the help of which the unit is tightly attached to the kitchen table for work.
What is included in the set of kitchen unit parts:
- The screw shaft is a large spiral necessary for delivering processed products to the knife.
- A knife in the form of a disk or a four-wing propeller, properly positioned, is capable of grinding many products.
- The grate is a flat disc with a large number of holes, which determines how well the final product is crushed.
- A clamping nut that is screwed on top and secures the grid and knife to the shaft.
- Handle attached on the opposite side. It can be freely installed on the outgoing end of the screw shaft or attached to it with a special screw.
Having dealt with all the details, you can learn how to assemble a manual meat grinder.
Read also our article Useful kitchen appliances.
Varieties and functionality
On the display case you can find many different types of meat grinders - from simple ones to the most intricate ones. Each of the models will belong to one of two categories - mechanical or electrical. Mechanical is also called manual, but this does not change the essence.
Regardless of how exactly the meat grinder is driven - through physical effort or using electricity, it perfectly performs its main function - it crushes food, turning it into minced meat. It doesn’t have to be meat: you can use it to grind almost anything, for example, candied fruits or nuts.
How does a meat grinder work?
A meat grinder is a universal device that will not be replaced by any new gadgets. With its help, not only excellent homogeneous minced meat is made, but also other dishes: the utensil is used for preparing homemade sausages and frankfurters, pates, various purees, original cookies and even pasta. A meat grinder replaces a juicer, blender, grater and other mechanisms, if you show your imagination and stock up on special attachments.
Many people are familiar with the mechanical design of a cast iron meat grinder from the times of the USSR. The device has undergone many modifications over time, becoming more aesthetic and functional, but the essence of its structure has hardly changed. Therefore, the rules for assembly and maintenance of the mechanical and electrical versions are almost identical.
What does a mechanical meat grinder consist of, all the details:
- A housing with a connector for introducing meat or other products (sometimes the meat receiver is inserted into the housing separately).
- Handle and screw - attached to the body to rotate the mechanism.
- The auger is a spiral-shaped element that is inserted into the housing and ensures the movement of products to the knives of the meat grinder.
- A knife is a four-blade or disk-shaped small element responsible for slicing.
- The grid is a round disc with holes, it can be regular or shaped and is needed to control the degree of grinding and the shape of the minced meat/dough that comes out.
- Round clamping piece for integrity of the entire structure.
Electronic versions are equipped with a drive and a special push-button control panel or on/off toggle switch. Pressing a button replaces the process of manually grinding food. Also, in modern small-format meat grinders, the body is made of special food-grade plastic.
The models are lighter and prettier, unlike the old ones, but otherwise they are identical. More powerful devices are usually closed with a steel case. In any case, due to the motor, such a device weighs more and is larger in size than the Soviet model. In principle, the versions work identically.
The advantage of mechanical models is independence from the network, a longer service life, but working manually with large volumes of products and veins is difficult. This is where the automatic analogue comes to the rescue.
Improved models of meat grinders from Redmond, Aksion, Polaris, Scarlet, Bosch, etc. also include additional elements for preparing homemade sausages and other dishes. These are conical nozzles on the body and special washers instead of a grid and four-bladed knives.
For sausages, racks with three or four holes of 12 mm in diameter are sold; for minced sausage, buy racks with 8 mm connectors. Pate lattices are the smallest, their diameter is 3 mm. The standard part of the kit has a hole diameter of 4-4.5 mm.
How to make a sausage attachment from a plastic bottle
If you don’t have a special attachment for making sausages, you can make it yourself.
Manufacturing
You can make such a nozzle in a few minutes:
- Cut off the cylindrical part of the bottle from the neck.
- Place the mesh inside and install it perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bottle.
- Use a marker to mark the point of contact between the mesh and the bottle.
- Use scissors to cut the bottle along the line.
To prepare thin sausages, insert a 20 ml syringe with a cut off end into the bottle.
Any plastic bottle is suitable for making this device, but it is better to choose one with a long, thin neck. This makes it easier to put the gut on it.
Sausage attachment from a plastic bottle
How to put it on a meat grinder
This device is put on and used in the same way as a conventional device:
- Unscrew the nut that secures the grille.
- Place the bottleneck inside it.
- Screw the nut into place without applying any physical force.
Using this device you can prepare all types of sausages, including raw smoked and dry-cured sausages. The calorie content of raw smoked sausage is high enough to replace heavier stew and perishable boiled sausage on a hike.
Homemade sausage attachment from a bottle
Assembly
No matter how careful you are during disassembly, you may still get confused when you decide to put your manual meat grinder back together. And it also happens that you receive only a pile of parts, neatly folded in a box, and there are no instructions. And here begins the passing of the standard on how to properly assemble a meat grinder. Do it in this order:
- Install the auger shaft inside the housing. Be careful: it has a thick part on one side and a thinner finger for the knife and grate on the other. This thickening should come out on the side where the handle is attached. Happened? Place a handle on it and secure it with a screw.
- On the back side of the unit, install a knife on the shaft pin. Your attention will be required again. Examine the knife. On one side it is convex, on the other it is flat. When installed, it is the flat side that should look outward and fit snugly against the grille, which will need to be put on the rod finger immediately after the knife. And if the knife is a circular one, position it so that the cutting edges again face outward. During assembly, this is one of the most important points, because the correct placement of the knife determines whether the meat grinder will cut meat or simply crush it.
- When you insert the grid into the meat grinder, be sure to place the notch on the small bump located on the body of the machine. Otherwise, you will not be able to tighten the clamping nut tightly.
- Secure the entire assembled structure with a clamping nut, rotating it clockwise.
One more nuance. Try to use original knives, that is, those included in the kit. Knives may not always fit perfectly into another model.
How to assemble a meat grinder, not a manual one, but an electric one? Follow the same pattern. There are, however, some features:
- First, connect the unit housing to the gearbox housing. Insert it into the groove of the cover, and to secure it, turn it counterclockwise.
- Insert the auger shaft into the housing so that the protrusion of the shank fits into the hole in the drive output shaft.
- And you already know how to insert a knife, grid, and clamping nut into a meat grinder.
- The final touch is to install the loading bowl into the neck of the housing.
Hooray! The meat grinder is not just assembled, but assembled correctly! There is an opportunity to fry juicy cutlets for dinner!
In order for the item to fully function, you need to familiarize yourself with its structure and understand how to assemble a meat grinder. Then she will not “chew” the minced meat and you will definitely get a soft, homogeneous mass.
Typical faults
It doesn’t matter what kind of meat grinder you have - Kenwood, Zelmer or Mulinex, each of them has its own nuances, but the malfunctions of all are quite typical. Electric meat grinder repair specialists have compiled the following list of the main problems encountered in these products:
- violation of various contacts of the electrical circuit;
- engine rotor deformation;
- breakage of gear teeth of the gearbox - occurs due to increased load;
- electric motor malfunctions, extreme wear of brushes;
- wear of the cutting tool due to processing too stringy meat, small bones falling due to user oversight;
- breakdown of keys and safety devices;
- damage to insulation, power cord;
- replacing the motor or rewinding its windings.
Many failures of reliable equipment occur due to violations of operating conditions, and only a few are due to factory defects or human error during assembly.
How to properly assemble an electric meat grinder?
If you have already encountered assembling a manual meat grinder, then assembling an electric product will not bring any difficulties. As a rule, the assembly process is described precisely and in detail in the instructions for a particular model, and depending on different manufacturers, some nuances may vary slightly.
Algorithm for assembling an electric meat grinder:
The first step is to connect the gearbox housing to the metal housing of the auger. The end of the auger must be immersed in the plastic groove of the gearbox. After that, you need to smoothly turn it counterclockwise until you hear a characteristic click. If the parts are not connected tightly, the motor simply will not be able to turn the auger during operation.
When inserting the auger, pay special attention to ensure that the protrusion clearly coincides with the hole on the body
Otherwise, the screw shaft simply may not work.
It is necessary to put a blade and a grid on the other end of the auger, paying attention to the coincidence of the protrusions and holes. At this stage, it is important to place the knife blade with the correct side.
Secure all parts with a clamping nut, as if using a manual meat grinder.
Install the loading bowl, after which you can begin working directly with the device.
According to the principle of operation, a manual and electric meat grinder are almost identical. And if you have experience in mechanical assembly, then the modern version of this technique will not cause problems at all.
Common causes of breakdown
Among the obvious visible and technical reasons why a meat grinder does not spin meat, there are those that can be eliminated on your own:
- The most common cause of malfunctions is incorrect assembly. It would seem that what is so difficult about connecting several parts? In fact, you need to take into account several subtleties and follow the instructions, firmly attaching each one. Most often, the problem lies in the knife. When installing, its wide part should be on the outside.
- The knives and grill are tangled. With such a defect, the meat grinder will continue to work, but the meat will not be twisted, but compressed and torn. In this situation, it is easier to take the parts to a workshop where they will be sharpened by professionals. But if you have the necessary skills, you can try it at home. Don’t forget to lubricate the parts with oil when finished; regular sunflower oil will do.
- The knife is not in tight contact with the mesh. In this case, turn the meat grinder on its side and you will notice that some part is loose. With the help of a properly selected washer, you can easily seal the structure. Place it between the knife and the auger.
- It's the meat itself, not the machine. If the product contains too many veins, veins, and cartilage, this complicates the whole process. They do not twist, but only wind around the spiral, thereby clogging the passage. If you have this type of meat, you will need to stop and clean the grinder often.
ADVICE! To make your task easier, use underfed defrosted meat, then the pieces will be a little tougher and it will be easier to grind them.
How to disassemble a meat grinder? A similar question arises only when problems arise in its functioning. Sometimes it is more convenient and faster to try to fix the problem yourself than to contact a service center. The meat grinder VT-1677 from Vitek is often found on sale and, according to customer reviews, has a low price and is of good quality. But nothing lasts forever, and any equipment can break. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to know how to disassemble a meat grinder with your own hands. Moreover, this process is not particularly difficult. And after simple manipulations, the cause of the improper functioning of kitchen appliances can be found and eliminated independently.
Before moving on to the description of disassembling the meat grinder, you should talk about blocking from overheating. If you work for a long time or have a heavy load, it may work. You will simply hear a click and the kitchen appliance will turn off. And as a result, the meat grinder does not turn on during further attempts to start it. But as soon as you click on this button below, everything works again. Sometimes this problem even leads to a service center. And how surprised people are when the master simply presses a button and gives the meat grinder back!
How to disassemble the VITEK VT-1677 meat grinder Often, disassembling a meat grinder involves finding the starting point for this event. You can turn the device in your hands for a long time, but you won’t be able to understand it right away. So let's start with this. The first thing to do is turn the meat grinder upside down.
Below you can see four rubber feet inserted into a plastic case. We remove them by picking them out with a screwdriver. The case mounting screws will appear under the two removed legs. Unscrew them with a Phillips screwdriver.
There are also two deeply recessed screws in the center on different sides. They also need to be unscrewed, otherwise disassembling the meat grinder will not be successful. But the problem is that the length of the screwdriver must be at least 30 cm. Why they did this is unclear! It looks like it's going to create a problem for home craftsmen. The screws are ordinary Phillips screws. In this case, an electrode sharpened for a screwdriver is used.
So, when these four screws are unscrewed, turn the meat grinder over with its legs down. We take a screwdriver and, as shown in the photo, carefully pry out the joint of the housing element.
Pry a little and the silver front part should come out of the latches. Now with our left hand we take this part from below and try to lift it up, as it were. With your right hand at this time we press on the back from above.
There's a big latch there. At some point, the latch will release and, lifting the silver part up, it should rise along with the gearbox.
We put it to the side and here in front of you is the inside of this device.
Now you know how to disassemble the VITEK VT-1677 meat grinder. After eliminating the malfunction, we assemble the device in the reverse order. And once again we remind you about thermal protection, which may cause the meat grinder not to turn on.
A meat grinder helps you prepare minced meat or fish in a matter of moments. Equipment breakdown is a nuisance that can happen at any time. But the owners don’t even imagine that they can fix it themselves.
Device Features
Today the market offers two options for devices for rolling meat:
- electric meat grinders;
- manual models.
The general design of such a device is quite simple, and its main function is the processing of meat products to a homogeneous soft mass.
Electrical and mechanical devices are found in every kitchen.
The principle of operation of a mechanical meat grinder and differences from the electric model
The diagram of a manually driven device is clear even to a child
Before you figure out the differences between an electric and manual meat grinder and how to properly assemble the meat grinder immediately before use, you should first pay attention to some points
It is important to understand the operating principle and have an idea of the appearance of the parts, and only then will it not be difficult to assemble an electric meat grinder or its manual equivalent
It is important to understand the operating principle and have an idea of the appearance of the parts, and only then will it not be difficult to assemble an electric meat grinder or its manual equivalent. What does a manual meat grinder consist of:
What does a manual meat grinder consist of:
Image | Manual meat grinder parts |
Metal body Usually this is a whole cast container with a meat receiver in the form of a wide tube extending upward. | |
Spiral Shaft This screw shaft serves as a pushing device to feed the meat to the chopping knives. | |
Knife Can be in the form of a cross-shaped or disk-shaped part with sharp edges and a hole in the middle. | |
Disc-shaped grille with holes. Some meat grinders may have several such grates, and the diameter of the holes in them allows you to adjust the degree of minced meat grinding. | |
Clamping cover in the form of a wide nut It allows you to tightly press the shaft, insert knife and grid, avoiding play. | |
Pen It is put on the part of the auger shaft protruding from the housing and secured with a special clamp. It is the movement of the handle that ensures the rotation of the spiral inside the body and this is how the meat is minced. | |
Clamp It allows you to secure the device to the work surface. |
The main difference between an electric device and a manual one is how the screw shaft is driven. Unlike its mechanical counterpart, an electric meat grinder has a special electric motor installed, which rotates the shaft. It is enough to turn on the device and press the button, placing meat in the receiver in a timely manner.
The manual unit is attached to the working surface using a special clamp
Step-by-step assembly of a hand-held device
Assembling a manual meat grinder may seem complicated, but after the first time this procedure will take a matter of seconds and seem elementary.
How to properly and quickly assemble a manual meat grinder? The table describes each action in detail, and the photos attached to each step will allow you to clearly navigate and perform all the steps correctly:
Image | Instructions |
Step 1 The spiral (screw shaft) is installed inside the housing so that it is completely inside. The shaft part for attaching the handle should easily fit into the special hole in the housing. | |
Step 2 Now it's time to install the knife and grill. The blades should be installed on the shaft so that the flat surface of the knife faces the grate. This will be the answer to the question of how to properly place a knife in a meat grinder. | |
Step 3 When the blade has taken its rightful place, the grate is placed nearby. All that remains is to secure the mechanism with a screw-on cap in the form of a large nut. | |
Step 4 The handle is attached and screwed on the opposite side of the meat grinder. | |
Step 5 There is nothing complicated about the question of how to install a meat grinder on a work surface. It is enough to secure the unit on a flat and durable table using a special screw. By making rotating movements of the screw, we set in motion the clamp, which firmly fixes the meat grinder. |
Conclusion
Using a manual or electric model is a purely individual choice. The purchase of a particular device is influenced by both the planned frequency of use and the price factor. For example, the price of an electric meat grinder is several times higher. But, as practice shows, a reliable and inexpensive way to process meat into minced meat is a grinding device with a manual mechanism.
The video in this article clearly shows how to assemble a meat grinder in just two minutes, demonstrating in detail each of the stages. Once you understand the structure of the device, its assembly will take a minimum of time and will not present any difficulty.
If you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them in the comments!
Assembly and operation of a manual meat grinder
Before starting the main work, it is necessary to thoroughly wipe all components. Carrying out such actions will increase the service life of the device. Moisture and food residues will cause rust to appear on the body.
How to properly assemble a manual meat grinder
Now we’ll find out how to assemble a manual meat grinder step by step:
- We take the auger and insert it into the housing. The wide part of this device should be located near the handle, the narrow part - in the place where the knife is secured.
- We insert the handle into the ledge of the auger and fix its position using a special screw.
- In another part of the auger we install a cross-shaped knife, its flat part should face outward. The disc-type cutting element must be in contact with the grate with its edges.
- After the knife is installed, put on a metal round mesh (the protrusions on the body and the mesh must match).
At the final stage of work, we tighten the fixing round nut and check the functionality of the equipment by several rotations of the handle.
How to properly place a knife in a meat grinder
Previously, we got acquainted with the process of assembling a manual meat grinder, now we will learn how to correctly insert a knife into a meat grinder. You can find two main types of knives in stores, with a single-sided or double-sided blade. When the auger is installed, a part with a one-sided blade is fixed to the device so that the cutting part slides along the surface of the grate. If secured incorrectly, meat or other foods will squash but not shred. Elements with a double-sided blade are installed on either side.
How to use a manual meat grinder
The device in question has a manual drive. The principle of its operation is based on the pressure created by the screw. The meat from the loading hopper falls onto the auger, which presses the product against the body and moves it towards the outlet. When moving along the shaft, part of the meat falls under the knife, which cuts off small fragments from the piece and pushes the product through the grate into a substitute container.
The reason for improper operation of the device is most often the winding of meat films around the cutting part. In this case, you need to disassemble the meat grinder, clean the knife from stuck parts and put it back together. It is recommended to disassemble the device after each chopping of meat or other products. This will increase the service life of the device.
How to unscrew a meat grinder
There are times when it is very difficult to unscrew the clamping washer of a meat grinder. This occurs due to the dullness of the knife, which leads to accumulation of meat near the cutting part. In such a situation, proceed as follows:
- Turn the device over and place it in a container of hot water for about 10 minutes.
- We take a small hammer and make light taps in the center of the grille, as well as on the ribs of the clamping nut.
- We unscrew the part, after the manipulations it should quickly give in.
If you have an assistant nearby, you can try to unscrew the meat grinder together. In this case, one person holds the device, and the second unscrews it.
Causes and methods of eliminating them
If any malfunction occurs, it is necessary to immediately carry out diagnostics to find out the cause and localize the breakdown. The mechanical part of the product is inspected visually, and the electrical circuits are checked with special instruments. If a visual inspection of all parts of the mechanical part does not give a positive result, then you need to dismantle the product and inspect the gearbox and electric motor. It is possible that the lubricant of the rubbing parts is clogged, the bearings are not working correctly and need to be replaced.
Timely diagnostics allows you to identify and eliminate faults at an early stage of their development, which significantly extends the service life of the entire product.
Let us consider in detail the malfunctions of the meat grinder and methods for correcting them.
- The engine does not reach the specified speed - the reason may be a breakdown of the switch or the engine itself. Replace worn mechanisms or electric motor.
- Interruptions in the operation of the drive were noticed - extreme wear of the graphite brushes; new ones need to be installed.
In the latter option, there are several reasons for the occurrence of such an unusual failure: incorrect assembly of the gearbox, rotation of the engine shaft, broken teeth of the drive gear, and very rarely, licking of the connection by the auger shaft (erasure of the hexagon).
On a note! The mismatch between the metal of the part leads to its failure under extreme load.
If the hexagonal receiver into which the auger shaft is inserted is made by mistake from a softer metal, then during operation it will quickly flare out, or its edges will grind off, and tight contact will be broken. The same thing can happen with the tip of the auger. It is difficult to repair a meat grinder with such problems yourself; the help of professional repairmen of similar equipment is required.
Installing additional equipment on a meat grinder
Many appliances also come with attachments for preparing sausages, cookies, or grills of various sizes. They can also be purchased separately. Depending on what accessory is used, the assembly sequence of the meat grinder may differ from the standard one. This information is in the user manual for each specific device.
The attachment for forming sausages and shaped attachments for cookies are attached to the end of the auger instead of a knife and grid, and is also secured with a clamping nut.
Kebbe attachment for forming sausages from minced meat
Some models have juice making equipment. It usually comes assembled and is simply installed on the meat grinder body.
What they advise on the forums
1. If you choose an electric model, give preference to the Mulinex brand . No other option has so many positive reviews.
Guest:
Moulinex! All my friends who have it cannot praise it enough, it’s an impenetrable thing (in the sense of high-quality and durable). And the main production and assembly is in France.
Source © Woman.ru
2. Manual meat grinders are almost eternal . They last for decades and do not require repair or replacement of parts.
Guest:
We have an old simple meat grinder, my grandchildren will probably get it too
Source © Woman.ru