- TEXTURIZED SURFACE : One of the sides surface is textured for...
- SMOOTH SIDE INCLUDED : The opposite side of the meat tenderizer...
- ALUMUNUM CONSTRUCTION : Aluminum construction provides a...
- MULTIPLE STORAGE OPTIONS : There is a hole in the ergonomic...
- EASY CARE: Hand wash with warm water and a mild detergent. Rinse...
Are you looking to invest in the Kitchenaid meat tenderizer to cook tough meats, and you are not sure if it's a worthy purchase compared to the other brands in the market? From my experience, this brand makes a versatile yet simple tool that is solely designed to tenderize and flatten meat to perfection and, as a result, lays a good foundation for any recipe you want to try, no matter how demanding it is.
Investing in a worthy meat tenderizer is a great solution for your kitchen because it will help ease your food preparation in the kitchen and get your meat done in less time than usual. Below we have a detailed review of the Kitchenaid meat tenderizer with its advantages and disadvantages and some of the best features it offers.
Design
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KitchenAid has some of the best designs on its appliances like this mixer bowl. Similarly, the meat tenderizer has a good design.
The tenderizer is made of one-piece aluminum construction with an ergonomic soft-grip handle designed for the utmost comfort and grip. Also, because the Kitchenaid tenderizer is made of aluminum, it is less dense than stainless steel. Hence, it is lightweight and durable, though not as much as stainless steel because of the density difference. As much as stainless steel is preferred over aluminum, it still does the job but with extra precautions because the material can change both the taste and appearance of food.
Kitchenaid meat tenderizer tool has the shape of a hammer with one flat and smooth side that helps flatten and pound, and the other is a textured raised surface that works great for maximum use and different meat types. Weighing a mere 0.7 pounds with dimensions of 11 inches long and measuring 3.8 inches by 2.2 inches, how the tool is built gives you confidence in how juicy your meat will turn out.
Besides, this product won't take much of your space in a gadget drawer because it can be hung through the hole in the top that is meant for hanging, and therefore one can hang this tenderizer in a variety of places.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
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Although tenderizing or flattening requires a particular level of expertise, the mallet is easy to use. What is suitable for inexperienced users is the ergonomic handle of the meat tenderizer features, which helps prevent and avoid slips and injuries. Additionally, the tenderizer, apart from being durable quality, and lightweight, guarantees it does not demand a user to apply a lot of effort, making it perfect for tenderizing large amounts of meat.
Maintenance is also easy because the company says that the product is dishwasher safe but insists on its handwashing. According to reviews, it does not work well with the dishwasher. Some say aluminum tools don't generally work properly with the dishwasher because exposing them to chemicals and water for a long time results in unwanted rust buildup discoloration. Therefore, it's safer to hand wash your KitchenAid meat tenderizer to avoid all the problems using a dishwasher.
You can clean the Kitchenaid meat tenderizer using soapy hot water and a brush and make sure to sanitize and clean the tools after every use.
Performance and Versatility of the Kitchenaid Meat Tenderizer
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The kitchen product shines when it comes to performance because it delivers exceptional results by turning tough cuts into butter. Thanks to the medium texture in the tenderizing side of the kitchen product, you are guaranteed that your meat won't be overworked.
Additionally, for performance, it also is versatile as it can be used on all meat types from beef to pork to venison, and to top it up, you can also use it to crush your whole spices.
Kitchenaid Meat Tenderizer Attachments
One of the main benefits of choosing a Kitchenaid brand is that they come with plenty of related tools that might work well together, like the KitchenAid grinder. Several Kitchenaid meat tenderizer attachments come in very handy when using your Kitchenaid products. Some of them include:
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a) The KitchenAid Mixer Attachment Pack
- Designed, engineered, and tested by KitchenAid
- Attaches to power hub of your stand mixer and uses the power of...
- Convenient front pocket
- Food grinder with fine plate for meats & coarse plate for firm...
- Sausage stuffer parts for the food grinder attachment to make...
This is a high-quality meat tenderizer attachment that grinds, slices, and shreds to enable a customer to grind raw meat to make fresh burgers in a matter of minutes. The mixer also shreds cheese and slices several vegetables and fruits into small pieces that you would like using the 3mm slicing blade. The slicing blade is suitable for cutting cucumbers, celery, carrots, and zucchini, while the 4mm cuts firm vegetables and cheese well. The 6mm coarse shredding blade handles the shredding of potatoes and cabbages.
This KitchenAid meat tenderizer attachment has sausage stuffer parts that allow you to make sausages from scratch.
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b) KitchenAid FGA Food Grinder Attachment
- Powered by your KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Fits all Household...
- Fine Plate to grind meats and dried breads.
- Coarse Plate to grind firm fruits, vegetables and cheeses.
- Grinder attachment greatly expands a stand mixer's flexiblity
- Ideal for grinding meats, grating cheese, making bread crumbs and...
Image Source: kitchenaid.com
This food grinder is a quality food grinder powered by the KitchenAid Stand Mixer and includes a fine plate to grind dried beans and meats. It also has a coarse plate to grind firm vegetables, cheeses, and fruit, and the grinder meat tenderizer attachment expands the flexibility of the stand's mixer. The food grinder meat tenderizer attachment also is suitable for grating cheese, combining dips, spreads, and salsas, and making bread crumbs. To sum it up, most parts of this kitchen aid meat tenderizer parts are dishwasher safe and give you an easy cleanup.
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c) Weston Manual Heavy Duty Meat Cuber
- Maximize the effectiveness of marinades to bring out the most...
- The 31 stainless steel blades tenderize even the toughest cuts of...
- The 2 piece housing disassembles for easy clean up
- Two C clamps enable mounting to counters up to 1.5" thick
- Sturdy cast aluminum construction with a heavy duty base and...
This quality heavy-duty meat cuber is the best for bringing out the most delicious flavors by maximizing how effective the marinades of your favorite meats turn out to be. With a dual support-free stand and a 31 stainless steel blade, the Kitchenaid meat tenderizer attachment will tenderize even the toughest meat cuts. Also, it has a two-piece housing that can be disassembled for an easy clean-up process and features two C clamps that enable it to be mounted on countertops of up to 1.5 in thickness.
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The Kitchenaid meat tenderizer attachment is constructed with sturdy cast aluminum, a crank handle, and a heavy-duty base, a compact design for easy storage and food-safe coating. Additionally, the meat tenderizer attachment packs a pair of stainless steel tongs for safe use. The meat tenderizer attachment guarantees a reduction in the cooking time of your favorite meats because you can run steaks through twice for cubed steaks.
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d) 2-in 1 Jerky Slicer and Tenderizer Attachment
- Slice and tenderize meat up to 1-1/4" thick with your grinder;...
- Makes 14 perfect jerky strips sliced and ready for the oven or...
- Body made of durable powder painted aluminum; No tools or...
- Will only attach to LEM Big Bite Stainless Steel Grinders, model...
- Will also attach to LEM older grinders #'s 535, 536, 538, 538A &...
This meat tenderizer attachment usually slices meat of up to 1.75 inches in thickness. It will produce 14 jerky strips that are ready for the dehydrator or oven in seconds. To use the jerky meat tenderizer attachment, remove the easy off the top, replace the slicer shaft using the tenderizer shaft, and cut even the toughest meats using your grinder's power.
Image Source: lemproducts.com
You can easily disassemble it to clean up and easily assemble it without any tools, and also, the products are durable because they are made of powder-painted aluminum.
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e) American Eagle Food Machinery 1HP Commercial Electric Meat Tenderizer Kit Stainless Steel
- Powerful 1HP motor with standard 12 hub design, 100% gear driven...
- 64 heavy duty knives mounted on two stainless steel shafts, dual...
- Easily tenderize tough meat cuts up to 1 inch thick, heavy duty,...
- Knits meat on both sides, perfect for marinade, stir fry, tough...
- Attractive, easy to clean, heavy duty, durable high polished...
This American Eagle Food meat tenderizer attachment comes with 64 heavy-duty knives mounted on two stainless steel shafts and some dual combs that help to feed the meat quickly. This electric meat tenderizer attachment can tenderize meat cuts up to 1 inch thick with no combs or plastic gears and can knit meats on both sides, making it suitable for stir fry, marinades, chicken breast, etc. other tough game meat. Additionally, according to some reviews, it's easy to clean with heavy-duty and high-durability stainless steel construction.
Image Source: americaneaglemachine.com
This meat tenderizer attachment can qualify as an all-in-one machine because you can quickly swap four optional attachments. A reliable and powerful 1HP motor powers it. It is a great additional attachment.
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What to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Kitchen Aid Meat Tenderizer
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1. Value for money
Price should be an important consideration when choosing your ideal kitchen because you need to find the best available one within your budget. Ensure the order you make is practical and offers you the best service and friendly shipping fees.
2. Versatility
Most products nowadays fulfill more than one purpose, and when choosing your products, you should ensure this is applicable to get the best product for your kitchen. For example, Kitchenaid meat tenderizer will act as a meat tenderizer and a product that crushes your spices, making it versatile and worth shopping for.
3. Durability
To get long-lasting products that serve you for a long time without problems, choose one that is durable and sturdy. According to how the Kitchenaid meat tenderizer is rated online, it delivers this function exceptionally and gives you plenty of service from the build.
4. Weight
When you are shopping for the best meat tenderizer, one key feature to consider should be the product's weight. This is because your tool should be heavy enough to help you achieve your desired thickness and texture with minimal effort. However, it should not be too heavy because it might be difficult to control and use to tenderize your meat. Ensure you check how much a product weighs before you make your official purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
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a) What is an alternative if I don’t own a meat tenderizer?
Many recipes will need you to pound meat thinly for faster cooking, and sometimes you don't have the heavy-duty Kitchenaid tenderizer but don't fret. Several household items can be used as alternatives, and they include:
- A rolling pin
- A heavy saucepan or a cast-iron skillet
- An empty wine bottle
- An unbreakable measuring cup
- A heavy novel
However, as much as you can use some household items, it doesn't mean you can use any you see around. For example, you shouldn't use an actual hammer because it has a small surface that will tear or shred the meat and also any canned food as you may end up denting the can or hurting your fingers. Besides, always ensure you wrap your meat in plastic wrap, a zip-top bag, or wax paper and place it on a cutting board before you start to pound on it to ensure tidiness and guarantee no germs get to your meat.
b) How long should you leave a meat tenderizer on?
This depends on the type of meat and which meat tenderizer you are using because, as reviewed, you don't need time after using it for the KitchenAid meat tenderizer, and it's easy to achieve the desired thickness. On the other hand, for others like the powdered meat tenderizer, you should leave it on for around 30 minutes if you use an enzyme to break down the muscle fibers and make the meat soft. However, you should leave the tenderizer on for a few hours if you use citrus fruits or any acidic ingredients, but an ingredient like salt can go up to 24 hours.
c) Is Pepsi or Cola good to tenderize meat?
In 2021, some people are using these two to tenderize meats, and they are not always a guarantee as sometimes they are a hit and other times a miss. However, it's important to note that they enhance your food and marinade flavor because the acid in the Pepsi-Cola will help tenderize your meat. You can add your choice of spices to Pepsi and soak your steak overnight before cooking, and this will make your outcome very flavourful.
The high acidity of the drinks makes your grilling easy, and it could be ready in less than half an hour, and tenderizing with the acidic drinks for 24 hours makes your meat so soft.
d) Is it good to use a meat tenderizer?
A meat tenderizer is good for tenderizing steak physically compared to other methods that might take a while and have an effect on the taste of your meat. A meat tenderizer does not affect a steak except for consistency and tenderness. Additionally, you have a lifetime discount on the cost of preparing tender steak as opposed to other methods where you always have to buy extra ingredients.
e) What methods are used to tender meat?
There are about six methods of tenderizing steak. They include the following;
i) Marinating
The ingredients used in marinating such as wine, citrus, juices, buttermilk, soda, and other ingredients make steak tender even without pounding. These ingredients break down muscle fibers and tissues that would otherwise be hard.
ii) Salting
Instead of using acid-based ingredients, salting is another method for tenderizing steak. By salting steak for about an hour before cooking, you will break down certain proteins that will make the meat tender for your favorite recipe. While salting, you can add other seasonings.
iii) Velveting
Velveting is a method that has been used by the Chinese for a while, where meat is marinated in a cornstarch slurry for some time before cooking. The ingredients of the cornstarch include equal parts of soy sauce, cornstarch, and oil. Flavoring can be added to this marinate as well to make the meat tasty when cooked. Velveting is used mostly in stir-fried recipes.
iv) Enzymatic Application
Enzymatic application is the use of enzymes to break down
meat to make it tender. Certain fruits like pineapples and kiwi have enzymes that can break down meats. The enzyme application is undertaken by adding these fruits into the marinade and is left for less than 12 hours for the meat to tender.
v) Slow Cooking
Slow cooking is a sure way of releasing collagen and breaking down connective tissues. When slow cooking, you can use braising, barbecuing, and cooking in a vacuum back that is immersed in warm water. Slow cooking might take a while but not as long as most methods.
vi) Scoring
Scoring is making cuts on meats, which physically cuts the fibers on meats. Scoring allows heat and other ingredients to seep into meats and make them tender.
f) What is the fastest way to tenderize meat?
The fastest and surest way to tenderize meat is by pounding the meat on a textured surface to make it soft. This method is the cleanest too, and the cheapest because once you buy Kitchenaid meat tenderizer, you are sorted for life.
g) What is the effect of meat tenderizing?
By breaking down the surface of the meat, protein activation is increased, giving the meat a higher yield in terms of nutrients. Some meat tenderizers break down amino acid chains, making it easier to draw out the proteins from the meats.
h) What happens if you tenderize meat for long?
When you tenderize meat for a long, it becomes mushy after cooking. The physical integrity of the meat fibers to hold reduce the more you tenderize it.
Final Thoughts
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Steak and poultry form a lot of recipes that are a favorite to many people across the world. The best and cheapest way to tenderize meat is by getting a tenderizer that features flat and rough surfaces on the opposite side, used to tenderize meat. Using the Kitchenaid meat tenderizer is not only cheap but a lifetime solution to steak tenderizing.
