ALTRA LIFE MG090-S Electric Meat Grinder User Manual

1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing the ALTRA LIFE MG090-S Electric Meat Grinder. This powerful and versatile appliance is designed for efficient meat processing, sausage stuffing, and kubbe making in both home kitchens and commercial settings. With its robust 2800W max locked power motor and durable stainless steel components, it offers reliable performance and ease of use. This manual provides essential information for safe operation, assembly, maintenance, and troubleshooting to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your appliance.

Figure 1.1: The ALTRA LIFE MG090-S Electric Meat Grinder with its various attachments, including grinding plates, blades, and sausage stuffing tubes, alongside freshly ground meat.

2. Important Safety Instructions

Please read all instructions carefully before using the appliance. Failure to follow these instructions may result in electric shock, fire, or serious injury.

• Always ensure the power supply voltage matches the rating on the appliance.
• Do not immerse the motor unit in water or any other liquid. Clean only with a damp cloth.
• Keep hands and utensils away from the feeding tube and grinding mechanism during operation. Always use the food pusher provided.
• Unplug the appliance from the outlet when not in use, before assembling or disassembling parts, and before cleaning.
• Do not operate the appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner.
• This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
• Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on any part of the appliance.
• Ensure all parts are correctly assembled before operation.
• Do not overload the motor. If the motor stalls, press the "REV" button to clear the blockage.
• Allow the motor to cool down after 10 minutes of continuous use to prevent overheating.

3. Package Contents

Carefully unpack all components and check against the list below. If any items are missing or damaged, please contact customer support.

• 1 x Main Motor Unit
• 1 x Food Tray
• 1 x Grinding Head (Auger Housing)
• 1 x Auger (Feeding Screw)
• 2 x Cutting Blades (Stainless Steel)
• 3 x Grinding Plates (Fine, Medium, Coarse)
• 1 x Fixing Ring
• 1 x Food Pusher
• 1 x Sausage Stuffing Kit (includes tube and adapter)
• 1 x Kubbe Attachment Kit (includes two parts)

Figure 3.1: Visual representation of the ALTRA LIFE MG090-S meat grinder's dimensions and a clear display of all included accessories, such as blades, grinding plates, and attachments.

Figure 3.2: A detailed comparison showing the accessories provided with the MG090-S model, including cutting blades, grinding plates, sausage tube, and kubbe set.

4. Product Overview and Components

Familiarize yourself with the main parts of your meat grinder before assembly and operation.

• Motor Unit: The main body containing the powerful copper motor and control buttons.
• Grinding Head: The metal housing where the auger, blade, and plate are inserted.
• Auger: The spiral screw that feeds meat through the grinding mechanism.
• Cutting Blade: Sharp stainless steel blade that cuts the meat against the grinding plate.
• Grinding Plates: Discs with different hole sizes for various grinding textures (fine, medium, or coarse).
• Fixing Ring: Secures the grinding plate and blade to the grinding head.
• Food Tray: Holds meat before it is fed into the grinding head.
• Food Pusher: Used to safely push meat into the grinding head.
• Control Buttons: ON/OFF and REV (Reverse) for operation and clearing blockages.

Figure 4.1: The control panel of the meat grinder, highlighting the ON/OFF switch and the "REV" (Reverse) button, which is used to clear any stuck food.

Figure 4.2: An X-ray view illustrating the powerful 2800W max copper motor and the efficient 3-layer auger system designed for effective food grinding.

5. Assembly and Setup

Follow these steps to assemble your meat grinder for use.

1. Attach the Grinding Head: Insert the grinding head into the motor unit's front opening. Turn it counter-clockwise until it locks securely into place.
2. Insert the Auger: Place the auger (feeding screw) into the grinding head, ensuring the shaft aligns with the motor's drive shaft.
3. Position the Cutting Blade: Place the cutting blade onto the auger shaft with the sharp edges facing outwards, towards the grinding plate.
4. Select and Place Grinding Plate: Choose your desired grinding plate (fine, medium, or coarse) and place it over the cutting blade, aligning the notch on the plate with the tab on the grinding head.
5. Secure with Fixing Ring: Screw the fixing ring onto the grinding head clockwise until it is hand-tight. Do not overtighten.
6. Attach Food Tray: Place the food tray onto the top of the grinding head.
7. Prepare Meat: Cut meat into small pieces (approx. 1-inch cubes) that can easily fit into the feeding tube. Remove any bones, gristle, or tough tendons.

Figure 5.1: Step-by-step visual guide for assembling the meat grinder for its three primary functions: grinding meat, making sausage, and preparing kubbe.

6. Operating Instructions

6.1. Grinding Meat

1. Ensure the grinder is assembled for meat grinding (auger, blade, desired grinding plate, fixing ring).
2. Place a bowl or container under the grinding head to collect the ground meat.
3. Plug the appliance into a suitable power outlet.
4. Press the "ON/OFF" button to turn on the grinder.
5. Place prepared meat pieces onto the food tray and use the food pusher to gently feed them into the grinding head. Never use your fingers or other utensils.
6. After grinding, press the "ON/OFF" button to turn off the appliance and unplug it.

Figure 6.1: The meat grinder demonstrating its versatility for grinding food, attaching the kubbe accessory, and preparing for sausage making.

Figure 6.2: A visual guide to the two stainless steel cutting blades and three different sized grinding plates, allowing for various textures of ground meat.

6.2. Making Sausage

1. Assemble the grinder with the auger, sausage stuffing adapter, and sausage tube. The cutting blade and grinding plate are not used for sausage stuffing.
2. Prepare your seasoned ground meat mixture.
3. Slide the sausage casing onto the sausage tube, gathering it at the end.
4. Turn on the grinder. Feed the ground meat mixture into the food tray and use the food pusher to guide it into the tube.
5. As the casing fills, gently guide it off the tube, forming links as desired.
6. Turn off the appliance and unplug it when finished.

Figure 6.3: The meat grinder actively stuffing sausage into a casing using the dedicated sausage tube, highlighting the ease of homemade sausage production.

6.3. Making Kubbe

1. Assemble the grinder with the auger and the two kubbe attachment parts. The cutting blade and grinding plate are not used for kubbe.
2. Prepare your kubbe mixture.
3. Turn on the grinder. Feed the mixture into the food tray. The kubbe attachment will form hollow tubes.
4. Cut the tubes to your desired length and shape them into traditional kubbe.
5. Turn off the appliance and unplug it when finished.

Figure 6.4: The meat grinder equipped with the kubbe attachment, demonstrating how it forms the hollow shells for traditional Middle Eastern kubbe dishes.

7. Maintenance and Cleaning

Proper cleaning and maintenance will extend the life of your meat grinder.

1. Disassembly: Unplug the appliance. Disassemble all removable parts in reverse order of assembly.
2. Initial Rinse: Rinse all parts under warm running water to remove any large food particles.
3. Hand Washing (Recommended): For best results and to prevent oxidation of aluminum alloy parts, hand wash all components with mild dish soap and warm water. Use a soft brush to remove stubborn meat residue.
4. Dishwasher Safe Parts: The stainless steel blades, grinding plates, and BPA-free plastic accessories (sausage tube, kubbe parts) are dishwasher safe. However, hand washing is generally recommended for all parts to maintain their finish and longevity.
5. Motor Unit Cleaning: Wipe the motor unit with a damp cloth. Never immerse it in water or spray it with liquids.
6. Drying: Thoroughly dry all parts immediately after washing to prevent rust, especially for metal components. A thin layer of vegetable oil can be applied to the cutting knife and grinding plates after drying to prolong their service life.
7. Storage: Store the clean, dry parts in the integrated storage box within the motor unit or in a dry, safe place.

Figure 7.1: A visual guide distinguishing between parts that are safe for dishwasher cleaning (blades, plastic accessories) and those recommended for hand washing (grinder body, food tray, auger, fixing ring).

Figure 7.2: The integrated storage box within the meat grinder, designed to neatly store accessories like blades, cutting plates, and the sausage and kubbe sets, preventing loss and keeping the kitchen tidy.

8. Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues with your meat grinder, refer to the following table for common problems and solutions.

9. Specifications

10. Warranty and Customer Support

ALTRA LIFE stands behind the quality of its products. While specific warranty details are not provided in this manual, please retain your proof of purchase for any warranty claims.

For technical assistance, troubleshooting beyond this guide, or to inquire about warranty service, please contact ALTRA LIFE customer support through the retailer where the product was purchased or visit the official ALTRA LIFE website for contact information.

Manufacturer: ALTRA LIFE

Date First Available: August 31, 2022