Welcome to my KitchenAid Gourmet Meat Tenderizer Review.
I have recently learned the value of tenderizing your meat, not only for making your meat more tender but also for flavor.
And that’s when I came across this tool.
Maybe you, too, are just learning about tenderizing meat and wonder if a “meat hammer” such as this one really works.
Or maybe you know full well how valuable tenderizing “hammers” are, but you are looking to replace the one you have because it broke or wore out.
So, you want to make the best, informed decision.
Whatever your reason for reading this review, I’m glad you’re here.
So, let’s get started.
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Table of Contents
KitchenAid Gourmet Meat Tenderizer Review
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using the links in this article, I receive a small commission.
Product: Meat tenderizer tool
Brand: KitchenAid
Manufacturer: Lifetime Brands Inc
Price: see Amazon
Material: Cast Aluminum
Size: 9.45 (L) x 3.35 (W) x 1.97 (D) inches
Weight: 10.4 ounces
Cleaning: Hand wash only
Made in: China
Warranty: 1-year hassle-free replacement and limited lifetime warranty
Great For: tenderizing and pounding meat
What Is a Gourmet Meat Tenderizer?
A Gourmet Meat Tenderizer is a tool for tenderizing meat that looks similar to a hammer or mallet, and you use it in the same manner. It has two sides, a grooved side for tenderizing and a flat side for pounding. The grooved or textured side is designed to break up connective tissue to make the meat softer, therefore, more tender. In contrast, the flat side pounds the meat thin, enhancing flavor and taking less time to cook.
A Little About the Company
The KitchenAid Company began in 1919 and makes everything from cutlery to coffee makers to cooktops. Additionally, they make kitchen tools and gadgets like the Gourmet Meat Tenderizer.
KitchenAid is a trusted brand throughout the world and one you have most likely heard of.
Years ago, though, Lifetime Brands acquired rights to the kitchen tools and gadgets category of KitchenAid.
So, if you buy a KitchenAid Gourmet Meat Tenderizer, for example, it is the KitchenAid brand but manufactured by Lifetime Brands.
It is not unusual for huge companies to involve third parties to market some of their products.
However, if you have a question about the product and contact KitchenAid, they will redirect or connect you to Lifetime Brands.
Lifetime Brands was founded in 1945 and is a leading global provider of many products used in the home, and one of them is KitchenAid.
You may have heard that KitchenAid makes its products in the USA, and that is true. But, unfortunately, some of its products are made in China, such as the meat tenderizing tool.
Answering Your Questions
Do I pound the meat directly?
It depends on which side of the tenderizer you are using.
For the grooved side, you will hit the meat directly.
On the other hand, cover the meat with plastic wrap or with wax or parchment paper when using the flat side. Start in the middle and work your way around to the edges of the meat.
Regardless of which side you are using, make sure you place your meat on a cutting board to protect both the spikes and the counter.
How do you clean the meat tenderizer?
It’s important to note that this tool is handwash only but is easy to clean. Simply use a small hand brush or cloth to wash the tenderizer tool in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse, and dry immediately.
Why can’t I put it in the dishwasher?
Aluminum is likely to develop a dull finish over time and is subject to scratching or even corrosion.
And using the dishwasher can cause a chemical reaction to turn your aluminum darker due to the high heat, detergent chemicals, and the water’s mineral content.
Additionally, I wouldn’t soak aluminum in water either.
Some aluminum products are deemed dishwasher safe, though, if they have been adonized. Adonizing means the aluminum is covered with a protective oxide layer to make it more resistant to corrosion and wear. But I’m guessing the KitchenAid meat tenderizer is not.
For more information, see Can you put aluminum in the dishwasher?
I will note that several people in the reviews said they did put their meat tenderizer in the dishwasher and had no problems.
Can I use this tool for anything else?
Yes, there are many other things you might use this tenderizing tool for, including but not limited to bagged ice, spices, Oreos, hard candy, crackers, shellfish, peppercorns, and nuts.
Use your imagination.
8 Best Meat Tenderizers 2021
What Others Are Saying
People were generally pleased with this product.
I would say 90% of the reviews centered around how the tenderizer tool felt or was designed and its performance. People liked anywhere from the length of the handle to the product’s weight, size, comfortability, grip, sturdiness, balance, and design.
A few people commented on how they bought more than one or would buy it again. And others said they either had bought it as a gift or would buy it as a gift.
Several people bought it as a replacement for one that broke and loved that it was one piece and they wouldn’t have that concern any longer.
About 25% of the people said it was easy to clean or weren’t bothered that you had to wash it by hand.
And as I said earlier, a few put theirs in the dishwasher anyway and didn’t have any problems.
As far as value or cost, several reviewers thought it was money well-spent and a reasonable price.
There were very few negative comments aside from the ones that said Amazon advertised it as dishwasher safe and they felt deceived when their meat tenderizer arrived, and the package clearly said it was hand wash only.
But it would seem Amazon has corrected their mistake, for they now say “hand wash only” in their product description.
Anyway, aside from those comments, one person thought the tool was too small, and another said it was too heavy. Plus, one person received a defective product.
To be fair, I didn’t read through all the reviews because, at the time of this publication, there were over 12,000.
And the product had a 5-star rating.
In other words, this meat tenderizer rocks, or as one reviewer put it, it’s Thor approved.
What Did I Think?
I’ve only had mine for a couple of weeks, and I’ve used it twice in that time.
Once on my experiment with chuck steak, and another time on pork chops. Both times I was very pleased with how it worked and wondered how I never even knew meat tenderizing tools existed.
So, based on my limited experience and the reviews I read on Amazon and Target, I definitely think this is a good product and one worth buying.
Pros
- KitchenAid is a reputable brand
- The many reviews overwhelmingly gave it a high rating
- Its one-piece construction is preferable to meat tenderizing tools that aren’t
- People like its features, weight, effectiveness, and value
- It has other uses, such as crushing bagged ice
- Offers a 1-year hassle-free replacement policy for defective products
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe according to the package
- Made in China is a negative for many
Final Thoughts
Well, I hope you have enjoyed reading this KitchenAid Gourmet Meat Tenderizer review.
Hopefully, you have learned not only what it is but about its different features and uses.
I attempted to answer some common questions and let you know what others were saying as well as what I thought of this tenderizing tool.
I also wanted you to know that, yes, KitchenAid is a fantastic brand. But because Lifetime Brands is the manufacturer of this particular product, some things might be different, such as where it’s made or who you contact with any issues.
And you can now make an informed decision on whether you would use, buy, or recommend this product.
As much as I wish it were made somewhere other than China, I like the meat tenderizer tool very much. Therefore, I do recommend it.
So, if you are looking for a meat tenderizing tool such as this one…