Grinders

[PapaSop]

Just about to fire up my new #22 Butcher series when I read by the switch not to run in reverse more than five seconds at a time. That’s fine when grinding but what about when using the #44 mixer? I know your videos say to run in reverse for one minute intervals during mixing process. Thanks.

[Austin]

PapaSop I’m not seeing the same info on the manual I’m looking at. What page of the manual are you seeing those instructions?
I may not get you a complete answer right now because I will probably need to contact our rep at Weston and get clarification next week, but I’ll see what else I can find in the meantime.

[PapaSop]

Thanks Austin. Just a sticker by the switch on the grinder.

[AndyMan]

PapaSop said in Grinders:

Just about to fire up my new #22 Butcher series when I read by the switch not to run in reverse more than five seconds at a time. That’s fine when grinding but what about when using the #44 mixer? I know your videos say to run in reverse for one minute intervals during mixing process. Thanks.

[Austin]

PapaSop Sorry, I didn’t catch that you said by the switch initially.
I see the same thing now. Weird thing is that the Pro Series also says the same thing. If you couldn’t use any of them for more than 5 seconds in reverse, that would be odd, because then nothing would work well with the meat mixers.
I’m getting some questions sent to the manufacturer. I’ll let you know if they can clarify further.
I’ve used both the Pro and Butcher series grinders with the reverse on for more than 5 seconds, and used them to mix a lot of meat, so my initial thought is that it is fine to do on mixing, but maybe just not when the grinder head, auger, plate/knife, etc. is attached. Meat is the “lubricant” for all that when grinding, so in reverse for too long and the meat not being pushed through everything could cause problems.

[PapaSop]

That makes sense. May also be why the switch does not lock in reverse. Acts more like a pulse switch. I avoided using it with mixer just to be safe. Didn’t want to chance wrecking it. I did grind 20# of venison in less than two minutes. Great piece of equipment! Don’t know why I waited so long to get one. Quiet, smooth and efficient. If you’re able to find out more, please share. Thanks Austin.

[Austin]

PapaSop I have a response from the manufacturer…
They said that they designed the mixer in a way that it would not need to run in reverse for a long time. It should mix efficiently enough in one direction and it was designed to mix in just 1 direction. So, using the grinder in any scenario (grinding or mixing) you should limit the reverse time to approximately 5 seconds at one time.

My own opinion on the mixing is that I wouldn’t mix in just 1 direction though. I think there is still a benefit to going in reverse, even if temporarily, so I think my course of action for the future will probably be to mix 90% of the time in 1 direction, but still do the reverse in the 5 second interval. Probably something like 30 to 60 seconds forward, 5 seconds backward, then another 30 to 60 forward, etc… I think that would get enough benefit of a direction mix cycle, but still limit the reverse action as much as possible.

[PapaSop]

Sounds good. Appreciate you checking that out. I guess there had to be a reason. Perhaps I’m just the a**l one who has to read all those warning stickers…
Thanks again Austin!