Homemade grinding: best meat grinder for bones & raw food

I have to admit. I was a bit shocked at the time I researched what meat grinder for chicken bones should me and Greg get.

A lot of sites seemed to recommend the STX 3000 as a top choice…Despite STX's own manual saying it's not intended for grinding any bones! Go figure!

I really wanted to see a functioning, heavy duty meat and bone grinder for dog food, though. So I did my homework going through pet owner forums, consumer discussions…

It turns out that the STX 1800 is way better. Why?

Because STX actually built it for soft bones: its manual says chicken, rabbit, quail and squirrel bones are fine. This is crucial. Grind bones in a grinder that isn't made for them and you risk investing your money in something that will get broken!

As you can guess, there's a lot of misinformation around the web when it comes to the best meat grinder for bones. I hope to clear things up with this list. Two of the grinders below are made for soft bones, according to their makers; the third is a budget pick for boneless raw food only.

This list was updated in October 2026. The STX 1800 is still made. Weston is running out its size 22 grinders, so LEM's #22 BigBite now takes that spot. The Sunmile stays, but only for boneless meat: Sunmile's own manual says not to grind bones. Every bone statement below is worded the way the maker words it.

If you don't have the time to read it all, my top 3 picks are:

• Best value for price: STX 1800
• Best heavy-duty #22 grinder for bones: LEM #22 BigBite
• Best budget grinder for boneless raw food: Sunmile SM-G50

3 best meat grinders for bones or raw food

1. Personal favorite meat grinder for chicken bones: STX 1800

As I already said, STX made the 1800 for soft bones. Its manual says it's intended for grinding soft bones only: chicken, rabbit, quail or squirrel will be fine, while hard bones like beef, pork or turkey will not work. It's heavy duty enough that you can use it to prepare a lot of raw dog food.

I know, at 1800 watts of peak power it does look weaker than the famous STX 3000 model. However, STX says the 3000 isn't meant for any bones, so at least you don't risk breaking the 1800 due to incompatibility, right?

This is a size #12 grinder. It's not commercial grade (those are usually size 22 or above), but for moderate home use you don't really need more anyways. STX rates it at 125 to 225 lbs of meat per hour, depending on the meat and how well it's prepped.

STX's best meat grinder for bones can accommodate chicken parts pretty easily. Most of the time you can just throw in the drum sticks in their entirety. For thighs, cut them in half for optimal results. STX also asks you to cut chicken necks into smaller sections, and points out that it only grinds soft bones together with meat, not bones on their own.

STX is clear about larger poultry and other big bones: its manual says not to grind turkey, beef, pork, lamb or goat bones, because they will break the grinder. Stick to chicken and other soft bones.

The quality of construction and the durability of the grinding plates is outstanding for the price.

STX includes 5 tempered steel grinding plates (a wagon wheel plate for coarse grinds, plus 4, 8, 10 and 12 mm plates), a sausage stuffing plate, 3 sizes of sausage stuffing tubes and a kubbe attachment. You're set for both raw dog food grinding or other purposes.

For bones, STX recommends a double grind: first with the wagon wheel plate, then with the 8 mm or 10 mm plate. Don't use the 4 mm plate for meat with bones; STX says it creates too much pressure. STX also recommends running it for about 10 to 15 minutes, then letting it rest for 3 to 5 minutes.

What about the dreaded cleaning, though? Good news here too! It's ridiculously easy to take this chicken bone grinder apart and wash it thoroughly.

Fetch a bit of dish soap and pour the hot water, then dry after rinsing it properly. STX says not to wash any of the parts in a dishwasher.

The only drawback is that it can get somewhat noisy. Has to do with the more heavy duty operation, though, you can't escape that. Also, make sure that you don't grind too much chicken (or other) skin.

Size 12 meat grinders for raw food don't have that big of an output and you can clog it if you go overboard with the skin.

STX covers it with a 3-year limited warranty.

Check price on Amazon

2. Best heavy-duty #22 grinder for bones: LEM #22 BigBite

My original pick here was Weston's size 22 grinder. Weston is running out its #22 grinders, so this spot now goes to LEM's #22 BigBite, another heavy-duty size 22. Everything below is what LEM states about it, not our own experience with it.

A #22 is the size to look at if you have a lot of dogs or cats AND you like preparing sausages/meat for your family too. You'll stock up much faster than with a #12.

LEM gives it a 1.0 HP motor and says it grinds up to 13 lbs. of meat per minute. It has a built-in circuit breaker and a storage drawer under the grinder head for the plates and accessories.

On bones, LEM says its #12, #22 and #32 BigBite grinders handle poultry bones like chicken thighs, and even a whole chicken leg. LEM also says the warranty for these BigBite grinders includes grinding chicken bones.

In the box you get a stainless steel knife, head and auger, a large meat pan, 3 stainless steel plates (fine 4.5 mm, coarse 10 mm and a stuffing plate), 3 plastic stuffing tubes and a meat stomper.

For cleaning, LEM suggests soaking the parts in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes, or running chipped ice or stale bread through the grinder to clear out the meat.

LEM backs it with a 5-year warranty.

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3. Best budget grinder for boneless raw food: Sunmile SM-G50

Important: Sunmile's own manual says not to grind hard foods such as bones. I used to list it here as a budget bone grinder, and that was wrong. It's now on this list only as a budget grinder for boneless meat.

Sunmile is an affordable option, though less powerful than the STX 1800. Sunmile lists a 575 W rated motor with 1600 W maximum locked motor wattage. Same as the STX, it's a number 12 meat grinder.

You get 3 cutting plates (fine, medium and coarse), one stainless steel cutting blade, and sausage and kubbe attachments. Not as diverse as the bigger grinders, but then again, this is not a commercial grade grinder.

If you want to prepare raw food from boneless cuts for your cat or dog and don't want to break your bank, it's a reasonable pick. For anything with bones in it, go with one of the two grinders above.

I like how Sunmile have approached the design and storage with this grinder. You can store the cord inside the appliance and there's proper space for storing the attachments too. Saves a bit of space and keeps things neater.

Sunmile builds in a circuit breaker to protect the motor, and its manual says the motor shouldn't run for more than 15 minutes at a time.

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How to grind chicken bones and prepare raw food

Even the best meat grinder for chicken bones and raw food can break if you don't use it properly. Usually, manufacturers clearly outline what you can use raw grinders for and how to do it.

Here are my top tips for grinding meat and bones in a way that will keep your appliances safe.

• Check your grinder's manual before you grind any bones. Some grinders, like the STX 3000 and the Sunmile SM-G50, aren't meant for bones at all.
• Don't put frozen chicken meat inside your grinder. For optimal results, it can be cold or semi-frozen, but never fully frozen.
• Break down bones/meat parts that are too big. It'll make things easier for your grinder's motor.
• For the first chicken bones grind, use the coarse plate.
• Be careful with grinding too much chicken skin. It tends to stick and can clog up your raw grinder. Hence why drumsticks should be grinded in moderation!
• Always keep in mind your bone and meat grinder's power and size. Smaller, weaker motors will struggle with bigger bones (like turkey, for example) and you might compromise them. The usual home use raw meat bones grinder is great for chicken or perhaps rabbit parts, but not more than that.

How to clean your bone grinder

Keeping your meat grinder for poultry bones neat and clean isn't rocket science.

The first thing you want to do is wash it with dish soap and warm/hot water after each use. This also prevents bacteria buildup or foul odor, especially if you live in hotter places.

What a lot of people tend to forget, however, is coating the grinding plates. You need to sprinkle some oil on them (vegetable oil or olive oil is ok usually!)

This will make sure they don't rust and give smooth results for a longer time. Don't stack them too close to each other when you do so, keep them separate.

What to look for in a meat grinder for bones

• The maker's own word on bones. Read the manual. Some grinders are made for soft bones, some forbid bones completely.
• Soft bones only. Even the grinders above are meant for chicken, rabbit and similar soft bones, not turkey, beef or pork.
• Head size. A #12 is fine for moderate home use; a #22 grinds faster and suits bigger batches.
• Plates. A coarse or wagon wheel plate for the first grind with bones, then a medium plate if you want it finer.
• Rest periods. Bones strain the motor. Follow the run and rest times in your manual.
• Warranty. Check whether the warranty covers grinding bones; LEM's does for chicken bones.

FAQ

Can any meat grinder grind chicken bones?

No. Many grinders, including some powerful ones, say in their manuals not to grind bones at all. Only use a grinder whose maker says it handles soft bones like chicken.

Can I grind turkey bones?

Not with the STX 1800: its manual says turkey bones will break the grinder. LEM describes poultry bones like chicken thighs and whole chicken legs for its BigBite grinders and doesn't mention turkey, so stick to chicken unless the maker says otherwise.

What size meat grinder do I need for raw dog food?

A #12 handles moderate home batches. If you grind a lot, or for several pets, a #22 is faster.

Should the meat be frozen before grinding?

Cold or semi-frozen, but never frozen solid. STX's manual, for one, says the meat should be as cold as possible without being frozen solid.

Hope all of this helped! To continue on the healthy meat snacking topic, be sure to also check our review of a popular brand, the Epic Bar meat snacks! We sampled a 9 flavor variety pack in search of the perfect flavor 🙂