Just received my new grinder and have already used it several times for chicken and ham salad. The grinder is definitely sturdy compared to the plastic one and the hopper on the top is large enough to actually hold some meat.   If you put a piece of bread in last you can. Get the last bit of meat out of the grinder. Clean up is a breeze.  Everything comes apart easily for a quick clean up and stores perfectly I the box.   I haven’t ground fresh meat in it yet but I am sure it will be fine.