Introduction: Your Guide to the Tasin TS-108 Meat Grinder
Are you a raw pet food enthusiast looking for a reliable and efficient way to prepare meals for your furry friends? The Tasin TS-108 meat grinder might just be the workhorse you need. Known for its powerful performance, especially with bones, this heavy-duty grinder has become a favorite in many raw feeding households. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into its specifications, real-world grinding capabilities, durability, and whether it’s the right choice for your kitchen.
Unpacking the Tasin TS-108: First Impressions and Specifications
Upon first glance, the Tasin TS-108 presents itself as a robust and serious piece of equipment. It boasts a powerful 1200W motor, designed to tackle tough grinding tasks with ease. This #12 heavy-duty grinder weighs approximately 16 lbs, signaling its sturdy construction. With an impressive grinding capacity of 200 lbs per hour, it’s clearly built for more than just occasional use. Standard accessories typically include various grinding plates (coarse, medium, fine) and a sausage stuffer attachment, providing versatility right out of the box.
Tasin TS-108 meat grinder disassembled, showing its main components and accessories on a table.
Performance Deep Dive: Grinding Power and Versatility
The true test of any meat grinder lies in its performance, and the Tasin TS-108 truly shines in specific areas.
Bone Grinding: The Tasin TS-108’s Strong Suit
This is where the Tasin TS-108 earns its stellar reputation. It’s highly effective at grinding chicken bones, making it an ideal choice for raw pet food preparation, where incorporating ground bone is crucial for nutritional balance. While it handles most turkey bones well, larger, denser bones like turkey drumsticks might pose a challenge and may require pre-processing or a more industrial-grade machine. Its ability to effortlessly process poultry bones is precisely why it’s so favored by raw pet food enthusiasts.
Meat Grinding: From Coarse to Fine
Beyond bones, the TS-108 delivers solid general performance with various types of meat. Whether you need coarse ground beef for chili or finer ground pork for meatballs, it handles the task efficiently. However, a consideration for users is the potential for “gloop” if meat is re-ground too many times, especially fattier cuts. This can happen with any grinder, but it’s worth noting. The included sausage stuffing capabilities also add another layer of functionality, allowing you to create homemade sausages with ease.
Tasin TS-108 meat grinder processing chicken bones and meat for raw pet food in a kitchen.
Durability, Design, and Maintenance
The Tasin TS-108 features a sturdy build quality, often sporting a chrome finish and primarily metal parts. While this contributes to its heavy-duty feel, it’s important to note the potential for rust if not properly cared for. Many users report excellent longevity, with some machines lasting 10+ years, provided they receive correct assembly and maintenance. A crucial aspect of its performance and longevity is correct assembly; specifically, ensuring the blade is placed correctly is vital to prevent operational issues. To prevent rust and ensure peak performance, thorough cleaning and immediate drying after each use are paramount.
Pros and Cons of the Tasin TS-108
Pros:
- Exceptional bone grinding capabilities for poultry bones.
- Powerful motor for its price point.
- Good grinding capacity (200 lbs/hour).
- Relatively affordable compared to more industrial options.
- Reports of good customer service, even mentioned by users making jerky.
Cons:
- Can produce “gloop” if meat is re-ground excessively.
- Susceptible to user error, particularly with incorrect blade placement.
- Prone to rusting if not meticulously cleaned and dried.
- Can get jammed if not fed meat and bones properly (e.g., too quickly or with too large pieces).
Is the Tasin TS-108 Right for You? (Buying Guide Considerations)
The Tasin TS-108 is an excellent choice for raw pet food makers and home cooks who frequently need to grind meat and bones. It’s particularly suited for budget-conscious users who still demand powerful performance without the high price tag of commercial grinders. While superior grinders like some Weston models exist, the Tasin TS-108 offers significant value, bridging the gap between basic home grinders and professional units, making it a smart budget consideration.
Expert Tips for Maximizing Your Tasin TS-108
- Pre-cutting meat and bones: Always pre-cut meat and bones into smaller, manageable pieces to reduce strain on the motor and prevent jamming.
- Ensuring correct blade and auger assembly: Double-check that the blade and auger are assembled correctly before every use. This is the most common cause of grinding issues.
- Proper feeding technique: Feed ingredients steadily and without forcing them. Let the grinder do the work.
- Immediate cleaning and drying: Clean all parts immediately after use with warm, soapy water and dry them thoroughly to prevent rust, especially for the metal components.
Conclusion
In summary, the Tasin TS-108 stands out as a formidable Meat Grinder, particularly for its ability to handle poultry bones, making it an invaluable tool for raw pet food preparation. Its powerful motor, decent capacity, and affordability offer significant value. While requiring diligent maintenance and careful assembly, its performance for the price makes it a highly recommended option for its target users. If you’re looking for a reliable, heavy-duty grinder that won’t break the bank, the Tasin TS-108 is definitely worth considering for your kitchen arsenal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can the Tasin TS-108 grind deer bones? No, the Tasin TS-108 is generally not designed for large, dense bones like deer bones. Its strength lies in grinding poultry bones (chicken, small turkey bones) and softer beef bones. For larger game bones, an industrial-grade grinder would be necessary.
- How do I clean my Tasin TS-108 to prevent rust? After each use, disassemble all parts, wash them immediately with warm, soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and then dry every component completely with a towel. Storing it in a dry environment further helps prevent rust.
- Is the Tasin TS-108 good for making sausage? Yes, the Tasin TS-108 typically comes with a sausage stuffer attachment and performs well for making homemade sausages after grinding your desired meat mixtures.