After successfully grinding some chuck for burgers last week, I set my sites on andouille sausage this week. Got all set up last night, got the Kitchen Aid grinder attachment all ready to go, started grinding the pork but... and the mixer failed. Not sure what went wrong - the mixer is about 30 years old, but I have used it sparingly and have never had a problem.
First I noticed something black coming out with the meat. I stopped and took the grinder stuff off and noticed some black residue on the shaft that fits into the body of the mixer. Looked like graphite or something. Cleaned it and put it back together and started over, same thing. I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. Tried it one last time, and the motor went out. It pretty much just died. I heard it strain for a minute, then it stopped. I have never heard of one of these failing, but I guess at 30 years and counting, I can't complain.
I am thinking I will replace it with a dedicated grinder and separate stuffer. We hardly ever used the mixer anyway, so while we were disappointed about the sausage cook scheduled for today (both the better half and I are sausage fans), I will get to satisfy the MCS urge soon.
First I noticed something black coming out with the meat. I stopped and took the grinder stuff off and noticed some black residue on the shaft that fits into the body of the mixer. Looked like graphite or something. Cleaned it and put it back together and started over, same thing. I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. Tried it one last time, and the motor went out. It pretty much just died. I heard it strain for a minute, then it stopped. I have never heard of one of these failing, but I guess at 30 years and counting, I can't complain.
I am thinking I will replace it with a dedicated grinder and separate stuffer. We hardly ever used the mixer anyway, so while we were disappointed about the sausage cook scheduled for today (both the better half and I are sausage fans), I will get to satisfy the MCS urge soon.
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