Weston #12 Electric Meat Grinder Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The Weston #12 meat grinder suits home cooks who want one machine for grinding and occasional sausage stuffing. Its two speeds, reverse function and included stuffing tools make it a practical Weston option for countertop batches.
On this page (8 sections)
- What does the Weston #12 meat grinder offer?
- Who should choose the Weston #12?
- What do the Weston’s speed settings mean?
- What comes with the Weston #12 grinder?
- How does the Weston compare with other #12 grinders?
- How do you set up and care for the Weston?
- Is the Weston #12 a good choice for sausage?
- Which Weston #12 alternative fits your kitchen?
The Weston #12 meat grinder is a home machine for grinding meat and making occasional sausage batches. This Weston combines two speeds, reverse and a cam action headlock, giving cooks core grinding controls plus a slower setting for stuffing.
Its 15 x 10 x 10 in footprint and 13.5 lb weight make counter and storage space part of the decision. It includes medium and coarse plates, so it is a better fit for cooks who can work with those grind options than for anyone seeking a large plate selection.
What does the Weston #12 meat grinder offer?
The Weston #12 combines a 750 W, 1 HP motor, two speeds, reverse and sausage stuffing accessories. Weston states a grinding rate of 4 to 5 lb per minute.
Weston #12 Electric Meat Grinder: Best for sausage makers
- 750 W, 1 HP motor
- Two speeds and reverse
- Medium and coarse stainless steel plates
- Sausage stuffing funnel and spacer
A #12 grinder with two speeds, reverse, metal gears and sausage stuffing accessories. Its stated grinding rate and included plates suit home batches when you have room for a countertop machine.
Pros
- Two speeds for grinding and stuffing
- Reverse function can help prevent jams
- Metal gears and die-cast aluminum body
- Includes medium and coarse plates
Cons
- Weighs 13.5 lb
- Only two grinding plates are included
- Requires counter and storage space
The die-cast aluminum body and metal gears are useful details for shoppers who expect to grind at home on a regular basis. Its cam action headlock secures the grinding head and makes it faster to connect or disconnect.
The included kit covers basic grinding and stuffing: a cutting blade, medium and coarse stainless steel plates, stomper, sausage funnel and stuffing spacer. If you usually want a fine texture, check whether two plate choices will suit your recipes before buying.
Who should choose the Weston #12?
Choose the Weston if you grind meat at home and want the option to stuff sausage without buying a separate machine. The slower first speed is intended for stuffing, while the faster speed is for grinding.
It is less suitable if you need a lightweight grinder to lift in and out of a cupboard or want many plate sizes. At 13.5 lb, it takes some effort to move, and its plate selection is limited to medium and coarse.
Batch size and frequency should guide your choice. Our meat grinder size guide can help you match a grinder to how much meat you plan to process at a time.
What do the Weston’s speed settings mean?
The two speeds separate faster grinding from slower sausage stuffing. Reverse can help prevent jams, but it does not replace following the manual when meat stops feeding smoothly.
For consistent feeding, prepare meat in manageable pieces and follow the manual’s directions for chilling and loading. Don’t force pieces through the feed opening; stop and check the setup if the machine struggles.
The stated 4 to 5 lb per minute rate can help you compare models, but your own pace will depend on batch preparation and the meat. Build in time to load, clear and clean the grinder.
What comes with the Weston #12 grinder?
The Weston includes the core parts for two grind textures and basic sausage stuffing. Its kit favors common home tasks over a wide range of specialty attachments.
| Included item | What it does |
|---|---|
| Medium stainless steel plate | Produces a medium grind |
| Coarse stainless steel plate | Produces a coarser grind |
| Cutting blade | Cuts meat against the plate |
| Sausage stuffing funnel | Guides meat into casings |
| Stuffing spacer | Supports sausage stuffing setup |
| Stomper | Helps feed meat toward the grinding head |
The Weston has a 5 lb capacity, a 120 V power source and a one year manufacturer warranty. Read the manual and warranty terms for operating limits and coverage details.
If you expect to make sausage often, compare tube size, capacity and setup with a dedicated stuffer. Our guide to best sausage stuffers for home use covers separate equipment for that task.
How does the Weston compare with other #12 grinders?
The Weston is the straightforward choice for two-speed grinding and basic stuffing, while the alternatives add more accessories or a foot pedal. Match those extras to tasks you expect to do, since a larger kit is useful only when you’ll use it.
| Grinder | Standout details | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Weston #12 Electric Meat Grinder | Two speeds, reverse, medium and coarse plates, sausage funnel and spacer | 13.5 lb |
| AAOBOSI #12 Heavy Duty Meat Grinder | Four plates, three sausage tubes, kibbe kit, burger press and storage | 6.36 kg |
| STX Turboforce 3000 6-in-1 Grinder | Five grinding and stuffing plates, three sausage tubes, kibbe attachment and optional foot pedal | 12.5 lb |
| VEVOR #12 1 HP Meat Grinder | 750 W, 1 HP motor, two plates and three stuffing tubes | 36.6 lb |
The AAOBOSI suits cooks who want more tools for burgers, kibbe and sausage, plus built-in accessory storage. The STX adds a foot pedal and five plates; its description specifies household use, not commercial work.
The VEVOR is a heavy machine, so it makes more sense if you can leave it positioned on a worktop. For other home grinder options, see our electric meat grinder guide.
How do you set up and care for the Weston?
Start by checking that the grinder has a stable spot with room for the body, feed tray and a bowl to catch meat. The Weston measures 15 x 10 x 10 in, so measure your counter and storage space before bringing it home.
Use the cam action headlock to secure the grinding head, then fit the blade and plate according to the manual. Keep the plates, blade, funnel and spacer together after cleaning so small parts are easy to find before the next session.
Follow the manual for cleaning and storage, and unplug the machine before handling removable parts. Dry parts fully before storing to help keep them ready for the next batch.
The meat grinder assembly guide explains the general order for fitting a grinder head and its parts.
A common mistake is to choose by motor rating alone and overlook how often the machine must be moved or cleaned. Another is to start stuffing before confirming the funnel and spacer fit the intended casing and recipe.
Is the Weston #12 a good choice for sausage?
The Weston supports occasional sausage making with its slow speed, stuffing funnel and spacer. That makes it a sensible choice for home cooks who want to try links without dedicating counter space to a separate stuffer.
Set up the stuffing parts as directed and use the slower speed. Work in manageable batches, follow your recipe’s guidance for keeping the mixture and tools cold, and avoid filling casings too tightly.
If sausage is your main reason for buying, compare grinder tubes and dedicated stuffer capacity before deciding. Our best meat grinders for sausage making guide focuses on that use.
Which Weston #12 alternative fits your kitchen?
The Weston is the best fit when you want a compact set of core grinding and sausage features rather than a large accessory collection. Its weight is manageable for many home kitchens, but it still needs a planned storage spot.
Pick the AAOBOSI for a varied accessory kit and storage, or the STX if you expect to use its optional foot pedal and extra plates. Consider the VEVOR if you prefer a heavy metal body and can leave the grinder in one place.
The Weston earns a score of 8.8 for combining grinding and stuffing controls with the core accessories for home batches. Compare it with the Weston vs LEM grinder guide if brand choice is your final question.
Choose the Weston #12 meat grinder for regular home grinding and occasional sausage making, especially if medium and coarse plates cover your recipes. Choose another model if you need more plate options, built-in accessory storage or a grinder that can stay permanently on the counter.
Frequently asked questions
How fast does the Weston #12 meat grinder grind?
Weston states a grinding rate of 4 to 5 lb per minute for this 750 W, 1 HP model. Actual pace depends on preparation and the meat being processed, so plan your batch around your recipe and feeding workflow rather than treating the stated rate as a guarantee.
Can the Weston #12 grinder stuff sausage?
Yes. It includes a sausage stuffing funnel and spacer.
Its slower first speed is intended for stuffing.
For frequent sausage work, compare the included tools and workflow with a dedicated stuffer in our sausage stuffer guide.
What plates come with the Weston #12?
The Weston includes two stainless steel grinding plates, one medium and one coarse, plus a cutting blade. Those options cover two textures; if your recipes call for more choices, consider a grinder with additional plates.
Is the Weston #12 a commercial meat grinder?
The Weston is presented as a countertop grinder for home meat preparation. The available details don't specify a commercial duty cycle, so anyone buying for business use should confirm operating limits and service requirements with Weston before choosing it.
