KitchenAid Meat Grinder Metal vs Plastic: Which Is Better? (November 2026)

On this page (7 sections)

1. Metal vs plastic KitchenAid meat grinder attachments at a glance
2. Does a metal body last longer than plastic?
3. Which grinder gives you more control over the grind?
4. Which attachment stuffs sausage better?
5. How do you clean and maintain each attachment?
6. Who should buy which?
7. Which metal KitchenAid grinder should you buy?

Pick a metal KitchenAid meat grinder attachment over plastic for most home kitchens. In the kitchenaid meat grinder metal vs plastic choice, the metal version wins on strength, grinding plates and sausage gear.

The GVODE metal attachment is the best overall pick here, with the FOKIEE all-metal model close behind for easy cleanup.

A plastic grinder body flexes under the pressure of a stand mixer and wears at the hub and threads. Metal takes that load better and keeps its shape through repeated grinding.

Here's how the two metal attachments stack up against the plastic option you might be considering.

Metal vs plastic KitchenAid meat grinder attachments at a glance

Metal attachments are the sturdier choice; plastic models only make sense on a tight budget. The difference shows up in the body, the grinding plates and how well the attachment holds its shape.

A plastic KitchenAid grinder is usually a light shell with plastic or thin metal plates. The metal models here use an aluminum body with stainless steel plates and blades.

That matters when you push cold meat and fat through the auger.

The table sums up the trade. A plastic grinder saves money up front, while a metal one keeps grinding without cracking or stripping at the hub.

What the GVODE metal attachment includes

GVODE's set arrives with a removable food tray, 4 grinding plates, 2 grinding blades and 3 sausage stuffer tubes. The body is diecast aluminum and the plate, blade and tube parts are stainless steel.

It fits all KitchenAid stand mixer models and carries a 1-year warranty. GVODE says it grinds 2 pounds of raw meat in about 1 minute.

What the FOKIEE metal attachment includes

FOKIEE builds its attachment from aluminum alloy as well. The box has fine, medium and coarse grinding plates, a sausage stuffing holder and 3 stuffer tubes.

A cleaning brush comes with it. FOKIEE says the attachment fits KitchenAid stand mixers of all models, and it has 3 plates where GVODE has 4.

Does a metal body last longer than plastic?

Yes. A metal body holds up better to the torque of a stand mixer.

Plastic shells flex each time you feed meat in, and that flex works the hub and threads loose. The GVODE body is diecast aluminum, and GVODE says this makes it sturdier and more durable than the plastic model.

FOKIEE's all-metal aluminum alloy design makes the same case for strength. Between the two metal options, the GVODE body is diecast aluminum rather than aluminum alloy, which fits its stronger overall claim and its 1-year warranty.

A plastic grinder isn't useless. It's fine for light, occasional work.

But if you plan to grind regularly, metal is the part that won't let you down. The stand mixer does the hard turning, and the attachment has to hold the plate and cutter steady while it does, so a shell that gives a little under load makes the whole grind less stable.

Where the flex actually hurts a plastic grinder

The weak spots are the hub that meets the mixer and the collar that holds the plate. Both take the push from the auger.

Plastic can round out at the drive or crack at the collar over time, while metal spreads that load without giving. That matters most with cold meat and fat, which resist the auger more than warm meat does.

A metal body stays rigid, so the plate sits flat and the cutter keeps its edge against it. GVODE's precision-machined parts and designed grinding worm are built around that steady fit, and a plastic body that flexes can let the plate shift slightly, which is when grinding gets slow and uneven.

Which grinder gives you more control over the grind?

The GVODE set gives you more choices, with 4 grinding plates and 2 blades. More plates mean more texture options for sausage, burgers and ground meat dishes.

GVODE's 4 plates and 2 cutting blades cover a wider spread from fine to coarse. FOKIEE's fine, medium and coarse plates still handle the usual jobs, and for most cooks 3 plates are enough.

For anyone who switches textures often, the extra plate tips toward GVODE.

The size of the grind matters as much as the plate. If you're new to this, our guide to types of meat grinders explains how plate size and grinder style work together.

And if you're deciding between a smaller and larger machine, the #8 vs #12 meat grinder comparison covers how size changes speed and batch size.

What the plates are used for

A fine plate is the usual pick for meatballs, meatloaf and sausage fillings that need a smooth mix. A medium plate suits burgers and general ground meat.

A coarse plate leaves texture for chili, stews and rustic sausage. GVODE's extra plate adds one more step in that range, so you can move between a fine grind and a coarse one without buying a plate separately.

The cutter matters as much as the plate. GVODE includes 2 grinding blades, and the blade has to face the right way for the grind to work.

The manual covers the direction, and getting it wrong is the most common reason a grinder seems to clog.

Both brands include the cutting parts you need in the box.

Capacity and speed in real terms

GVODE rates its attachment at 2 pounds of raw meat in about 1 minute. That is the brand's figure, and it depends on the meat, how cold it is and how steadily you feed it in.

The GVODE attachment's 2-pound capacity and the grinding speed figure line up with the batch sizes most home cooks work with. FOKIEE describes its attachment as handling meat, fruits, vegetables, hard cheeses and breadcrumbs.

If you want a stated capacity to plan batches around, GVODE gives you one. If you grind in small amounts and value cleanup over throughput, the GVODE figure may matter less to you.

Which attachment stuffs sausage better?

Both metal sets include 3 sausage stuffer tubes; the extra plate and the stuffing holder are the tie-breakers. Three tube sizes let you make thin links, medium bratwurst and larger summer sausage.

GVODE says its tubes are designed to improve stuffing efficiency. It lists boudin, Italian sausage, summer sausage, bratwurst and chorizo as examples.

FOKIEE adds a dedicated sausage stuffing holder to steady the casing as you fill it. If sausage making is a big part of your plans, weigh a dedicated stuffer against grinder tubes, and our comparison of a sausage stuffer vs meat grinder covers which does the job better.

If you also compare brands, the Weston vs LEM meat grinder piece looks at two standalone machines.

How the tube sizes change what you can make

The three tube sizes map to different casing widths. The small tube suits thin links like breakfast sausage and boudin.

The medium tube handles everyday bratwurst and Italian sausage. The large tube is the one for summer sausage and other thick links.

GVODE names those sausage styles directly in its product data, so its set is sold as a sausage-making kit as well as a grinder. FOKIEE's 3 tubes are listed the same way, and its stuffing holder is the extra part.

A holder keeps the casing from sliding off the tube end as you fill, which is the usual snag when stuffing by hand. That is a small convenience, but it saves a lot of frustration on a long stuffing day.

A quick note on stuffing with grinder tubes

Tubes work best when the meat is well chilled and the grind is coarse. Run the auger slowly and keep the casing from bunching.

A stuffing holder like FOKIEE's helps keep the casing aligned. GVODE's installation notes say the same thing about fit: install the tube the same way as the other parts, watch the cutter orientation, and don't overtighten the retaining knob.

If you stuff often, a dedicated stuffer gives you more control over fill rate. For occasional batches, the tubes in either set do the job.

How do you clean and maintain each attachment?

Hand wash both. The GVODE grinder body must not go in the dishwasher, while its stainless parts can.

FOKIEE ships a cleaning brush to reach the plate holes and tube interiors.

GVODE's parts detach for cleaning. Wash them by hand in soap and warm water under 122°F, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

GVODE's warning is clear: the grinder body isn't dishwasher safe, though the other stainless steel parts are.

FOKIEE's warning is the same on temperature. FOKIEE recommends hand washing in warm water no hotter than 122°F or 50°C, and the included brush simplifies the job.

For either model, dry the metal promptly so water doesn't sit on the aluminum.

Why drying matters more with aluminum

Aluminum can show water spots and surface marks if left wet. A quick towel dry after each wash keeps the body looking clean.

That's a small habit that helps the attachment last. Stainless steel plates and cutters handle moisture better, but drying them too keeps the cutting edges and holes free of buildup.

Which is easier to wash after a grind

The FOKIEE set has the edge on cleanup because of the brush. Plate holes and the insides of stuffer tubes are the hardest parts to reach, and a brush made for the job does it faster than a sponge.

The GVODE set has more parts to wash, since it includes 4 plates and 2 blades. That is more coverage in the box and more pieces in the sink.

The dishwasher rule in one line

Neither grinder body belongs in the dishwasher. GVODE's stainless steel parts can go in the machine, but the aluminum body has to be washed by hand.

Treat FOKIEE's all-metal body the same way and you avoid the wear that heat and detergent cause to aluminum.

Who should buy which?

Buy the GVODE attachment if you grind meat and make sausage regularly. The 4-plate set, 2 blades and 1-year warranty suit a kitchen that works through meat in steady batches.

It also gives you more grind textures to choose from when a recipe calls for fine ground meat for meatballs or a coarse grind for chili. GVODE's stated 2 pounds per minute figure helps you plan how much meat to chill and cut before you start.

Buy the FOKIEE attachment if easy cleanup matters most to you. The cleaning brush, the stuffing holder and the all-metal body make it a good fit for cooks who stuff sausage now and then and want the wash-up to be quick.

It also fits every KitchenAid stand mixer model, so it's a safe choice if you're unsure of your mixer's model or plan to upgrade the mixer later.

What neither metal attachment gives you

Neither is a standalone grinder. Both run off the stand mixer's power hub, so the mixer does the turning.

That means the grind speed depends on your mixer's setting, and you need a KitchenAid stand mixer with a front attachment hub to use either one. A plastic attachment has the same requirement.

Neither set comes with a dedicated sausage stuffer, only tubes. If sausage making is your main goal rather than a side job, a standalone stuffer is worth a look.

The case for sticking with metal

The metal bodies here take the torque of the mixer without the flex a plastic shell shows. Both brands sell their metal build as more durable than the plastic model.

The stainless steel plates and cutters also keep their shape and edge better than plastic or thin metal plates. If you only grind once or twice a year, a plastic attachment may be enough, but if you grind monthly or more, the metal attachment is the one that holds up.

That is the whole metal vs plastic argument in a sentence.

Which metal KitchenAid grinder should you buy?

The GVODE metal attachment is the best pick for most readers. Its diecast aluminum body, stainless steel plates and blades, and 4-plate set give you more grinding options, and the 1-year warranty backs the build.

If you want the metal-vs-plastic upgrade with the widest range of grind textures, that's the one.

The FOKIEE all-metal attachment is the better buy for easy cleanup. The included cleaning brush reaches the plate holes and tube interiors, and FOKIEE says it fits every KitchenAid mixer model.

Pick it if scrubbing fiddly parts is your least favorite job. Either way, skip plastic for regular use.

The kitchenaid meat grinder metal vs plastic verdict is simple: metal costs more, but it grinds longer and takes the stand mixer's torque without flexing. A plastic shell may be fine for rare jobs, but a metal attachment is what you'll keep reaching for.

Between the two metal models, GVODE wins on plates, blades and warranty, while FOKIEE wins on cleanup and the stuffing holder.

Frequently asked questions

Will a metal meat grinder attachment fit my KitchenAid stand mixer?

Both the GVODE and FOKIEE attachments fit KitchenAid stand mixers of all models, so either one mounts on the mixer's power hub. Check that your mixer has the front attachment hub before you order.

Can I put a metal meat grinder attachment in the dishwasher?

No. The GVODE grinder body must be hand washed in warm water under 122°F, though its stainless steel parts are dishwasher safe.

Wash and dry the metal parts promptly to keep them in good shape.

How fast does a metal KitchenAid grinder work?

GVODE says its attachment grinds 2 pounds of raw meat in about 1 minute when the cutting blade is fitted the right way and the retaining knob isn't overtightened. Speed depends on the meat cut, how cold it is and how much you feed in at once.