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If you love making sausages, burgers, or grinding your own spices, the right food grinder accessories can turn a good kitchen into a great one. From replacement blades and grinding plates to sausage stuffing tubes and cleaning kits, accessories are the small investments that yield big flavor returns. This guide walks you through must-have accessories, trusted brands, and the best U.S. stores to source them—helping you upgrade your setup whether you’re a weekend hobbyist or a home chef with professional ambitions.
Think of your grinder as a car and accessories as the tires, wipers, and maintenance tools. Without the right parts, performance drops, food texture suffers, and cleaning becomes a chore. The correct blades and plates determine grind consistency, stuffing tubes control sausage shape, and quality seals prevent leaks and contamination. Investing in good accessories means safer food, better flavor, and less time dismantling stuck parts.
Blades and plates are the heart of any food grinder. The blade chops while the plate determines final texture. Different combinations yield hearty chili meat, silky pâté, or coarse burger grind—so having options is key.
Plates commonly come in coarse, medium, and fine. Coarse plates usually have holes around 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch and are great for chili or stew meat. Medium plates, roughly 3/16 inch to 1/4 inch, are ideal for sausage and most burger blends. Fine plates, under 1/8 inch, are used for smooth spreads, pâtés, or baby food. Choosing the right hole size changes the mouthfeel entirely—so keep a set on hand.
Most blades are stainless steel for corrosion resistance, but you’ll also find carbon steel options that hold an edge longer yet require more care. Pay attention to the central hole diameter and overall blade diameter in inches to ensure it fits your grinder’s shaft. OEM blades like the Nemco 56511 3.5 blade assembly are built to specific machines and offer guaranteed fit; aftermarket blades can work but always confirm measurements first.
If sausage making is on your radar, stuffing accessories make or break the process. Sausage stuffing funnels and tubes control diameter and smoothness while attachments keep the mince moving without clogging.
Stuffing tubes commonly range from about 3/4 inch to 2 inches in diameter. Breakfast or snack links often use 3/4 to 1 inch tubes, while larger bratwurst or salami-style links use 1 1/4 to 2 inches. A kit with multiple sizes gives you flexibility: think of it as having a set of paintbrushes for different strokes.
Keep casings refrigerated and moist before stuffing, use a steady feed rate, and choose the proper tube size for your casing. A slow, even pressure on the grinder feed prevents bursts and air pockets—practice makes perfect, and the right tube makes that practice easier.
Accessories aren’t just about performance; they’re about longevity. Food grinders need frequent cleaning to avoid rancidity and bacterial growth. The right tools speed this up and keep parts in prime condition.
Pay for brushes sized to reach plates and chamber corners, and use food-safe sanitizers after a hot wash. Plastic or wooden scrapers help remove trapped fat without nicking metal surfaces. Many stores sell cleaning kits designed for specific grinder models—these save time and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Small rubber parts like seals and O-rings wear faster than blades. Replacing them periodically—think every few months with heavy use—prevents leaks and ensures the auger turns smoothly. Keep a spare set in your kitchen toolbox; they’re inexpensive and easy to swap out.
Beyond basic grinding, specialty attachments expand what your grinder can do. Want to make kubbe or kibbeh? There are dedicated attachments for that. Need a pasta or shredder add-on? Many home grinders accept a range of extras that turn your machine into a multi-tool.
Attachments for kubbe shape dough shells with the right cavity and thickness. Pasta makers clip onto the same drive on some brands, turning meat grinders into noodle factories. Jerky kits often include drying racks and seasoning blends, but the grinder attachments help you create the ideal meat texture for long, even drying.
When thinking about accessories, brand matters for fit and longevity. Commercial brands like Nemco and Hobart make parts built for heavy use, while KitchenAid and Cuisinart offer accessories aimed at home cooks. LEM and Weston are favorites among hunters and charcuterie makers thanks to durable construction and widely available parts.
OEM parts are manufactured to match the original specifications of the machine—so a Nemco 56511 3.5 blade assembly will fit the models Nemco designed it for without fuss. Aftermarket parts can be cheaper and sometimes compatible across models, but measure twice and read fit notes carefully. Think of OEM as a tailored suit and aftermarket as off-the-rack—both can look great, but fit can vary.
Several U.S. retailers reliably stock both common and specialty accessories. Here’s a quick run-through of options and what they’re best for.
Big-box stores like Walmart and Target carry common plates, blades, and basic sausage kits. They’re great for quick replacements or starter kits and often have competitive pricing. For basic home use, these stores are convenient and accessible nearly nationwide.
Amazon provides a massive selection—from OEM blades to niche attachments—and fast shipping if you have Prime. For professional-grade parts and hard-to-find pieces, look to specialty retailers like WebstaurantStore, which caters to restaurant equipment, or brand-specific stores for LEM and Weston.
These stores sometimes carry electric grinder units and basic accessories. They’re useful if you want to pick up hardware-style items like replacement screws, mounting brackets, or tools to retrofit an older unit. Ace Hardware often has a more curated selection and helpful staff if you need hands-on advice.
If you prefer premium accessories and brand reliability, look at kitchenware specialty stores. Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table stock higher-end attachments and branded kits, often with demonstration videos or staff who know the products well. Prices can be higher, but the shopping experience is tailored to cooks who care about finish and feel.
Compatibility is the most common pitfall—buying a part that looks right but won’t fit the shaft or housing is frustrating. Use a methodical approach to avoid mistakes.
Measure blade diameter, central shaft hole diameter, and the thickness of the plate in inches. Also measure the feed throat width and the auger’s length if possible. Keep a small ruler handy and note these dimensions before shopping. Store product pages will often list part numbers and inch measurements—match those to your notes.
Look for the grinder’s model number on the device’s plate or manual and search for compatible parts by that model. OEM part numbers like Nemco 56511 are invaluable because they remove guesswork. If you’re unsure, take clear photos of the component and compare before you buy.
Ask yourself how often you’ll use the grinder and for what purpose. A weekend burger maker doesn’t need the same investment as someone producing charcuterie or selling sausages at a market.
Invest in stainless steel plates and blades if you’ll grind frequently or process acidic mixtures. Higher-quality stuffing tubes and gaskets are worth it for frequent sausage makers because replacements can be less disruptive during a long session. If you plan to use the machine for years, premium parts pay off with durability and better food safety.
For occasional use, basic bolt-on kits and aftermarket blades can be perfectly acceptable. Consider purchasing a single multi-hole plate set instead of every single size if space and budget are concerns. Buying used accessories can also be practical—just inspect for rust or excessive wear before use.
Routine care keeps accessories performing well and prevents food safety issues. A few simple habits go a long way.
Immediately after use, disassemble and rinse parts with hot water. Use a brush to remove trapped particles, then air dry or towel dry to prevent rust. For parts exposed to fatty or acidic mixtures, a quick soak in a mild, food-safe sanitizer helps remove residues.
Blades dull with use, which leads to tearing rather than cutting. For small home blades, hand-sharpening with a fine stone or choosing replaceable OEM blades keeps performance sharp. Replace blades if you notice irregular grind texture even after sharpening.
Food grinders are powerful and have sharp parts. Protect yourself and keep the process safe with some easy precautions.
Never use your fingers to push meat into the grinder. A food pusher or stomper minimizes risk, and cut-resistant gloves provide extra protection when handling blades or tight parts. Turn off and unplug the machine before changing plates or cleaning blades.
Too much meat or overly warm meat clogs the auger. Keep meat chilled—ideally around 35°F to 40°F—so fat stays firm and passes cleanly through plates. Feed in manageable batches for even grinding and less stress on motor and parts.
Before you click buy, run through this checklist: measure dimensions in inches, confirm OEM or compatible part numbers, read product reviews for durability, check return options with the retailer, and buy a spare gasket or blade so you’re not stuck mid-project. A small checklist now saves hours of frustration later.
With the right accessories from trusted retailers—whether that’s Walmart for convenience, Amazon for choice, or a specialty store for professional gear—you’ll get more from your grinder and more joy from the kitchen. Accessories are the unsung heroes that turn raw ingredients into consistent, delicious results.
Conclusion: Upgrading your food grinder with the right accessories transforms the way you cook and preserves your investment for years. Whether you’re replacing a worn Nemco blade, trying a new sausage tube size, or adding a specialty attachment, matching parts to your machine and habits is the secret to better texture, flawless sausages, and easier cleanup. Shop smart, measure carefully in inches, and enjoy the boost in quality every time you grind.
| Food Grinder Accessories | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Nemco 56511 3.5 Blade Assembly Genuine Oem Part | $ 101,36 |
