LEM vs Cabela's Meat Grinder: Which to Buy? (November 2026)
The LEM BigBite #32 wins for most people who grind in volume, because its 1.5 HP motor handles up to 17 lb of meat per minute and takes raw chicken bones. Pick a smaller LEM or another brand only if your batches are modest.
On this page (8 sections)
The LEM BigBite #32 is the better buy for most people who grind in volume, because its 1.5 HP motor pushes up to 17 lb of meat per minute and it takes raw chicken bones. The LEM meat grinders vs Cabela's meat grinder question really comes down to whether you want a known model lineup with a five-year factory warranty or you are matching a specific Cabela's unit.
Cabela's sells grinders under its own brand, and the models and terms shift over time. That makes a straight spec comparison hard unless you have the exact Cabela's model in front of you.
So this comparison sets the LEM BigBite line against the wider field of home grinders you will meet at the same price tier. That gives you a clear decision you can act on.
LEM vs Cabela's meat grinder: the quick verdict
Buy the LEM BigBite #32 if you process deer, bulk beef or chicken bones; buy the LEM #8 if your batches are small. The #32 is the top pick overall here, and the #8 is the sensible smaller LEM for a normal kitchen.
The #32's 1.5 HP motor and 17 lb per minute throughput put it in commercial-leaning territory for a home unit. It weighs 64.8 lb, so it wants a permanent spot or sturdy storage.
The #8 drops to a 0.5 HP motor and about 7 lb per minute. At 32.6 lb it is easier to move and store, but LEM says it is not for bones.
If neither LEM fits your counter or your budget, the STX Turboforce II 4000 and the CHEFFANO cover the middle and entry ends. Both are honest alternatives, and each wins on a specific need.
How the two LEM models compare side by side
| Feature | LEM BigBite #32 | LEM BigBite #8 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | 1.5 HP | 0.5 HP |
| Throughput | Up to 17 lb/min | About 7 lb/min |
| Bone handling | Raw chicken bones | Not for bones |
| Weight | 64.8 lb | 32.6 lb |
| Accessories | Three plates, knife, stomper, stuffing tubes | Three plates, knife, stomper, stuffing tubes |
| Warranty | Five-year factory warranty | Five-year factory warranty |
The table shows the real split. The #32 is about 2.4 times faster on paper, and only the #32 takes raw chicken bones.
Everything else, including the five-year factory warranty and the accessory set, is the same.
LEM's BigBite design uses an auger that grabs large bites from the pan and pulls them through a large-diameter throat, then a rifled head that feeds meat forward faster. That design is shared across both models, so the speed gap comes from motor power and head size rather than a different feeding concept.
The #32 also has a storage drawer under the head for plates and accessories, which keeps the loose parts together between sessions.
Grinding power and batch size decide this
Motor size and throughput are the first thing to check, because they set how long a grinding session takes. A slow grinder turns a two-hour job into an all-day one.
The #32 runs a 1.5 HP motor and processes up to 17 lb of meat per minute. For a hunter with a whole deer or a household splitting a side of beef, that speed matters.
The #8 runs a 0.5 HP motor at about 7 lb per minute. That is fine for a few pounds of burgers or a batch of sausage, and it is less machine to store.
If you are still unsure which size class suits your kitchen, our guide to the #8 vs #12 meat grinder explains how throat size and motor size work together. It helps you avoid buying a grinder that stalls halfway through a big cut.
When a #12 sits in the middle
The STX Turboforce II 4000 is a #12 grinder with a 2000 maximum watt motor. STX says it grinds 220 to 260 lb of meat per hour, depending on the plate and the meat.
That rate is slower than even the LEM #8 on throughput. The #12 throat does handle larger pieces than a #8, which cuts down on trimming time.
STX lists a 2-inch diameter feed tube and a 2-1/2 inch diameter output for the ground meat. For a household that grinds a few times a month but wants headroom, a #12 is a reasonable middle path.
It won't match the #32's bone handling, though.
The CHEFFANO sits at the other end. Its motor is rated at 350W with a 2800W peak, and it runs about 3 lb per minute.
That is fine for a pound or two at a time and not much more.
Bone handling changes the shortlist
Only the LEM #32 and the STX handle bones, and the LEM takes raw chicken bones while the STX is rated for soft bones. If bone grinding is in your plan, the #8 is out.
The #32's ability to process raw chicken bones matters for people making pet food or whole-bird sausage. LEM lists beef, pork, poultry, lamb and venison alongside raw chicken bones for this model.
The STX handles soft bones such as chicken, rabbit, squirrel and quail. That covers small-game work but not the heavier raw chicken bone load the LEM claims.
The #8 is not for bones. That is not a flaw for burger and sausage work, but it rules the model out for anyone feeding a raw pet diet or grinding whole birds.
The CHEFFANO does not list bone handling, so treat it as a meat-only machine. For light grinding of trimmed meat it is fine; for anything with bone in it, look elsewhere.
Sausage stuffing and included accessories
Both LEM models ship with stuffing tubes, so you can stuff sausage without a separate machine. That is a real convenience if sausage is part of your plan.
The #32 and #8 each include three plates, a knife, a stomper and stuffing tubes. The #32 also has a storage drawer under the head for plates and accessories.
LEM lists a coarse plate and a fine plate plus a stuffing plate among the included parts, so you can move from grinding to stuffing without buying extra pieces.
The STX goes further on accessories, with six plates, three blades, three sausage tube sizes, a kubbe kit, a burger press, meat claws and a foot pedal. Its sausage tubes come in 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch and 3/4 inch sizes.
If you want a full kit in one box, it is the stronger bundle.
The CHEFFANO includes three plates measuring 2mm, 5mm and 7mm, two blades, a food pusher, and kubbe and sausage attachments. That is a lighter kit than the STX but enough for basic sausage and burger work.
If you are weighing a dedicated stuffer against grinder tubes, our comparison of a sausage stuffer vs meat grinder covers which stuffs better and when the tubes are enough. For occasional sausage, the included tubes do the job.
Build, weight and where it lives
The #32 is a heavy countertop machine; the #8 is the one you can move and store without help. Plan your space before you order either.
The #32 weighs 64.8 lb and measures 21.25 x 19.25 x 17.75 inches. That needs a dedicated counter spot or a sturdy shelf.
The #8 weighs 32.6 lb and measures 20.24 x 9.13 x 15.98 inches. Its narrower footprint fits more kitchens and is easier to lift out for a session.
Both are stainless steel with permanently lubricated motors. LEM also says both have a noise-dampening design for quieter running than typical electric grinders.
The STX weighs 13 lb and measures 19 x 8 x 14 inches, so it lifts easily. Its build mixes high impact polystyrene, polished cast aluminum and tempered steel and stainless steel parts.
That aluminum head needs prompt drying after washing to avoid spotting.
The CHEFFANO is the smallest of the group and is not dishwasher safe. Its attachments should be washed by hand under 122°F and dried with a towel.
If you move your grinder in and out of a cabinet each time, weight and cleaning routine are deciding factors.
Warranty and support
LEM backs both BigBite models with a five-year factory warranty plus lifetime customer support. LEM also keeps replacement parts for a wide range of past and present products.
LEM lists five years of spare part availability, which matters if you plan to keep the grinder for a decade.
The STX carries a three-year guarantee, with the first 30 days covered by a money-back or replacement term. After that, the remaining period is a free repair guarantee with parts and labor included, though shipping is on the buyer.
Note that the STX guarantee is valid only in the 48 continental states.
The CHEFFANO offers free replacement of attachments and technical support. That is a lighter commitment than a full machine warranty, so weigh it against the lower entry cost.
For long-term ownership, the five-year LEM warranty is the strongest term in this group. That matters most on the #32, which is the machine you are most likely to keep for years.
Who should buy which
Buy the LEM #32 for bulk meat, game and bones; buy the #8 for everyday home batches in a small kitchen. The STX suits accessory hunters and the CHEFFANO suits light, budget-minded use.
Pick the LEM BigBite #32 if you process in volume
This is the grinder for a hunter with a freezer full of venison or a household that buys beef by the quarter. The 17 lb per minute rate and raw chicken bone handling are the reasons.
The five-year factory warranty and replacement parts support make it a long-hold purchase. Just clear a permanent spot for its 64.8 lb frame.
Pick the LEM BigBite #8 if your batches are small
Choose the #8 for burgers, meatloaf, sausage and small game if you don't need bone grinding. Its 32.6 lb weight and narrower footprint make it the friendlier kitchen machine.
You still get the same three plates, stuffing tubes and five-year warranty as the #32. The trade is throughput and bone capability.
Pick the STX Turboforce II 4000 for accessories and a foot pedal
The STX wins when you want a #12 grinder with everything in the box and hands-free control. The foot pedal is genuinely useful when you are feeding meat and guiding casings at the same time.
It takes soft bones and grinds 220 to 260 lb per hour. The shorter three-year warranty is the main compromise.
Pick the CHEFFANO for light, budget-friendly grinding
The CHEFFANO is the entry point. At about 3 lb per minute it suits a few pounds of meat at a time, not bulk sessions.
Its 180 lb capacity figure reflects that light-duty intent.
It has ETL safety certification and a REV button for clearing jams. It is not for bones and its attachments are hand wash only.
How LEM compares with Cabela's store-brand grinders
LEM publishes a clear model lineup with motor size, throughput and a five-year factory warranty, which makes it easy to compare and buy with confidence. Cabela's grinder specs and warranty terms change between models, so check the exact unit before you commit.
When you compare LEM meat grinders vs Cabela's meat grinder options, look at four numbers on the Cabela's model. Motor wattage, grinder size, throughput and warranty length are the ones that decide the buy.
A Cabela's grinder may match LEM on wattage for a similar size class. The warranty term and the availability of replacement parts are where LEM tends to hold its edge on the BigBite line.
LEM's stated five-year spare part availability is the kind of detail worth checking on any store brand too.
If a Cabela's model offers a longer warranty or a larger throat at the same size class, that can tip the decision. Otherwise the LEM #32 remains the safer long-term pick.
If you are also comparing LEM against another major brand, our Weston vs LEM meat grinder breakdown covers the differences in build and support. It helps you place LEM in the wider market before you buy.
Which grinder should you buy?
Buy the LEM BigBite #32 if you want one grinder for bulk meat and bones; buy the LEM #8 if you grind small batches and don't need bone handling. That is the decision rule for most readers.
The #32 earns the top score here because it combines high throughput, bone handling and a five-year warranty in one machine. Its weight and footprint are the price you pay for that capability.
The #8 is the same grinder idea scaled down. It suits a normal kitchen and everyday batches, and it costs less in space and lifting effort.
If you want a #12 with a full accessory kit and a foot pedal, the STX is the pick. If you want the lowest entry point for light grinding, the CHEFFANO covers it.
For most people asking about LEM meat grinders vs Cabela's meat grinder, the LEM #32 is the clear answer when volume and bones matter. Match the Cabela's model's warranty and parts support against that before you switch.
Frequently asked questions
Is LEM better than Cabela's for a home meat grinder?
LEM offers a clear model lineup with published motor sizes, throughput and a five-year factory warranty on the BigBite grinders. Compare the exact Cabela's model's wattage, plate sizes and warranty before deciding, since store-brand grinder specs and terms change between models.
What size meat grinder do I need for deer processing?
A #12 or larger grinder is the practical choice for whole deer, since a #8 slows down on big volumes. The LEM #32 is the strongest option here at 17 lb per minute.
For a single deer and occasional use, the STX #12 covers it.
Can the LEM BigBite grind chicken bones?
The LEM #32 BigBite processes raw chicken bones, according to LEM. The LEM #8 BigBite is not for bones.
If bone grinding is part of your plan, choose the #32 rather than assuming any BigBite model handles it.
How long is the LEM BigBite warranty?
LEM backs the BigBite #32 and #8 grinders with a five-year factory warranty and lifetime customer support. The STX Turboforce II carries a three-year guarantee, and CHEFFANO offers free replacement of attachments with technical support.
Which grinder is easiest to clean?
The LEM grinders disassemble easily for cleaning and use stainless steel parts. The CHEFFANO attachments are not dishwasher safe and should be washed by hand under 122°F.
The STX has a polished aluminum grinding head that needs prompt drying to avoid spotting.
