Okay, confession time: I’m a bit of a control freak in the kitchen. Especially when it comes to meat. Store-bought ground beef? Forget about it. I want to know exactly what’s going into my sausages and burgers. That’s why I’ve been through a few food grinders in my day. So, when the NESCO FG-600 showed up, I was itching to see what it could do.
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First impression? This thing looks like it means business. It’s not winning any beauty contests, maybe, but the solid silver finish and hefty weight give you confidence. You just know there’s a powerful motor lurking inside, ready to tackle whatever you throw at it.
The Nitty-Gritty (Specs That Matter):
- Power Plant: 750-watt motor – bring on the tough cuts!
- Grind Capacity: Up to 2.5 lbs a minute – that’s a LOT of sausage.
- Grinding Options: Medium and Coarse plates – perfect for dialing in your texture.
- Built Tough: Aluminum grinding head – seems like it’ll hold up to years of use.
- Bonus Goodies: Sausage stuffing attachments, food pusher, and even a plate cleaning pad!
Time to Get Grinding!
First up: Italian sausage. This is where a grinder either shines or fails miserably. I had about two pounds of pork shoulder, nicely cubed and seasoned with my secret blend of herbs and spices. The NESCO FG-600 claims it can grind 2.5 pounds a minute, and honestly? It wasn’t far off. It chewed through that pork like it was nothing, spitting out a beautifully consistent grind in no time. I went with the coarse plate for that classic, rustic sausage texture. Chef’s kiss.
But the real magic happened when I switched to the “stuff” setting. Some grinders make sausage stuffing a nightmare – a jerky, uneven mess. Not this one. The NESCO delivered a smooth, steady flow of meat, making the whole process surprisingly…dare I say…enjoyable?
Next on the agenda: burgers. I’m a firm believer in grinding your own burger meat. It’s the only way to achieve true burger perfection. I opted for a blend of chuck and brisket (trust me on this one). Again, the NESCO FG-600 rose to the occasion. The medium grinding plate gave me that perfect, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes a burger sing.
And can we talk about the reverse function? Seriously, this is a game-changer. I’ve wrestled with grinders that get clogged with tough bits of meat, forcing me to disassemble the whole thing mid-grind. The reverse function on the NESCO cleared those jams in seconds. Genius!
The Upsides:
- Serious Power: That 750-watt motor laughs in the face of tough cuts of meat.
- Grinds Like a Champ: 2.5 lbs per minute is no joke – this thing is efficient.
- Reverse is Your Friend: Say goodbye to frustrating clogs.
- Sausage Lovers Rejoice! The stuffing attachments are a huge win.
- Cleanup Isn’t a Nightmare: The removable grinder head makes things much easier.
- Smart Storage: The integrated parts carrier is a nice touch for keeping everything organized.
A Few Minor Gripes:
- Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel: Some folks might prefer stainless steel for the grinder head, purely for hygiene reasons.
- A Little Noisy: It’s not exactly whisper-quiet, but hey, it’s a powerful motor. You can’t have everything.
The Bottom Line:
So, is the NESCO FG-600 worth it? Absolutely. For home cooks who are serious about grinding their own meat, this thing is a workhorse. It’s powerful, efficient, and comes with everything you need to get started. Sure, it might not be the fanciest grinder on the market, but it delivers incredible value for the price. If you’re ready to take your sausages and burgers to the next level, the NESCO FG-600 deserves a spot on your countertop. I’m giving it a solid 4 out of 5 stars. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some sausage to make…