Meat processing equipment can be divided into five different categories according the the multiple stages involved: slaughtering and primary processing equipment, meat handling and cutting tools, safety and hygiene equipment, weighing and packaging equipment, and storage and preservation equipment.
Here is a list of the most essential meat processing equipment you need, whether you are running a full-scale meat processing business or handling small-scale butchering at home.
What Meat Processing Equipment Do You Need?
1. Slaughter and Primary Processing Equipment
- Killing cone or stunning equipment: Used to immobilize or humanely dispatch livestock or poultry.
- Scalding tank or pot: For loosening feathers on poultry.
- Feather plucker: To remove feathers quickly, thus speeding up the process
- Boning and skinning knives: For removing hides and/or separating meat from bones.
- Meat cleaver: Used for heavy-duty chopping through meat and smaller bones.
- Meat bone saw: It can be manual or electric and is used for cutting through thick bones and large joints.
- Cutting boards or butcher blocks: Clean, sturdy surfaces for cutting the meat.
Slaughter and primary meat processing equipment involve all the equipment you need to turn a live animal into a carcass ready for cutting.
2. Meat Handling and Cutting Tools
- Butcher’s knives: Butcher's knives include boning knives, breaking knives, and trimming knives for different cuts.
- Meat grinder/mincers: To turn meat into ground form for sausages, burgers, or recipes.
- Meat slicers: Used to produce uniform slices for deli meats or steaks.
- Tenderiser: Used to soften meat fibres for better texture and cooking.
- Meat hooks and gambrels: For hanging carcasses during processing.
Once the carcass is ready, meat handling and cutting equipment are used to portion it into saleable or cook-ready cuts.
3. Safety and Hygiene Gear
- Cut-resistant gloves: To protect hands from sharp blades.
- Aprons: For keeping the butcher (s) and workers safe and clean. Can be plastic or chainmail.
- Hairnets and gloves: To maintain hygiene during handling.
- Sanitising stations and brushes: To keep all equipment clean and bacteria-free.
Safety and cleanliness are non-negotiable in meat processing. Safety and hygiene gear helps prevent contamination, maintain hygiene, and protect the butcher.
4. Weighing and Packaging Equipment
- Scales: To ensure accurate portion sizes for customers.
- Vacuum sealer or wrapping machine: Locks in freshness and extends shelf life.
- Freezer paper or vacuum bags: Protects meat during freezing.
- Labelling tools: For product identification and compliance with food safety laws.
Packaging keeps meat fresh and ready for sale or storage:
5. Storage and Preservation Equipment
- Refrigerators and freezers: Maintain safe storage temperatures.
- Cold rooms or chillers: For larger-scale operations needing bulk storage.
- Curing racks: For drying, smoking, or ageing meats.
Proper storage is critical for food safety
From the smallest knife to industrial-grade refrigeration, every piece of meat processing equipment has its role. Investing in the right tools ensures efficiency, product quality, and compliance with health regulations - whether you’re processing meat at home, in a butcher shop, or in a large-scale facility.
Meat Processing Equipment List
| Category | Equipment |
| Slaughter and Primary Processing |
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| Meat Handling and Cutting |
|
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Safety and Hygiene |
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| Weighing and Packaging |
|
|
Storage and Preservation |
|
Affordable Meat Processing Equipment for Sale From Wilprep
1. Commercial Meat Grinders
Commercial meat grinders from Wilprep are specially built to effortlessly handle tough and voluminous meat processing tasks, from tender poultry to hearty beef cuts. They come with powerful motors (at least 300W), customizable, safe, and durable.
Consider the best commercial meat grinders from Wilprep
i. 550W Electric Meat Grinder with Reverse Function
A robust 300W motor, achieving a grinding speed of 176 lb./h. Equipped with two interchangeable grinding plates measuring 0.2 & 0.3 in. (4.5 & 8 mm)
- Includes built-in overload protection and a reverse function to prevent clogging
- Supported by ETL & ETL Sanitation certifications
Robust stainless steel construction for superior corrosion resistance. Its easily detachable parts simplify cleaning, providing a lasting solution for any setting.
ii. More Electric Meat Grinders From Wilprep
This 1100W Electric Meat Grinder boasts a grinding speed of 485 lb./h and is tailored for high-volume meat mincing.
The 1500W electric meat grinder is even larger, and boasts a robust 1500W, achieving a grinding speed of 705.5 lb./h.
Both are equipped with two interchangeable grinding plates measuring 0.2 & 0.3 in. (4.5 & 8 mm), and provide the flexibility to adjust the thickness according to your specific recipe needs.
They also come with overlaid protection, a reverse function, supported by ETL and ETL sanitation certification, and with durable, robust steel construction for longevity.
2. Meat and Bone Saw
This countertop electric meat bandsaw from Wilprep ensures smooth and efficient slicing with its rapid 51.5 ft./s cutting speed and 6 teeth per inch. The built-in scale provides spot-on measurements for your perfect cut every time.
- Its spacious 18x17 in. stainless steel tabletop offers plenty of space for maneuvering different bones and frozen meats.
It comes with safety features, including a blade stabilizer, a safety switch, a push handle, overheat protection, and sturdy nonskid feet, designed to minimize the risk of accidents and ensure safe use.
3. Commercial Meat Slicers
This commercial meat slicer is powered by a robust 150W motor, with a 10" razor-sharp blade that can make up to 40 uniform slices per minute. It is perfect for streamlining your food preparation process for seamless serving.
- With this machine, you can slice up meat at a thickness from 0.008" to 0.5". Its built-in sharpener makes the blade perfect for beautiful, clean cuts.
It is designed to protect against overheating, automatically stopping if it gets too hot (over 221°F) and resuming once it cools down (below 140°F). Its non-slip rubber feet and blade cover make it super easy and safe to use. We recommend using it for 3-4 hours daily for optimal performance.
4. Refrigerators and freezers
Wilprep’s reach-in commercial refrigerators offer a large capacity ( 18.7 - 61cu. ft.), and a temperature range of 32-50°F, letting you properly store large volumes of meat and fresh produce for your business. Each comes with Cubigel compressors and copper evaporators that work together to ensure fast, even cooling and optimal temperature levels, and an auto defrost design prevents frost or ice buildup.
The commercial freezers' temperature range of -11 to 14°F lets you properly store meat, seafood, and more frozen foods for your business.
- Made of stainless steel for durability and adjustable shelves for customized storage.
- A smart door that automatically closes when opened to 90° or less and remains open when opened past 90°.
- LED lights up whenever you open the door, allowing you to empty or stock up your freezer with ease.
- Certified for safety and quality by ETL, ETL Sanitation, and DOE.
Intertek has tested all commercial reach-in refrigerators and freezers, and they meet the applicable requirements of Energy Star and CEC. Make the reliable choice for your business!
