Volts should be irrelevant - normally only even mentioned on battery powered tools, and an angle grinder is not a good choice for battery power. Since you mention Lowes, presumably any grinder you look at with a cord will be 120VAC, end of that story. Elsewhere in the world, 220-240 VAC, still end of that story. Buy an extension cord if needed, or a generator if you have really remote uses for it.
In that context, more amps either means more power (power out of the wall = volts times amps), or a less efficient motor (power out of the wall that just turns into heat does no useful work.) No good way to tell, for sure, really. So one is prone to making the assumption that it SHOULD mean more power, if efficiency is assumed to be similar.
Quality of bearings and gears matters more than either of the above, longevity-wise. Rotational speed is mostly something to pay attention to not exceeding when you buy discs, brushes, or other attachments, so that you do not put a 10,000RPM attachment onto a 13,000 RPM grinder (the other direction is fine.) Getting a widely-interchangable arbor size helps to keep your attachment and disc options open .vs. weird proprietary sizes.
A usage tip - if the grinder begins to bog down, ease up the pressure - the JOB gets done faster with the tool running full speed. If you apply so much pressure that the tool bogs down (labors, is not running full speed) the cutting or grinding process is slower, not faster. Let the tool work, don't force it.
If you are considering purchasing a commercial grade meat grinder for your small business, there are a few significant factors you will need to take into account that differ quite a bit from the requirements for a home use grinder. Here are the most important questions you should ask so that you can make sure you’re getting the best equipment for your operation.
Power is always going to be a top concern for any piece of commercial equipment, as it directly impacts your productivity, output, and ultimately your bottom line. Meat grinders are no different, though the measurements for power might seem a bit foreign compared to other tools. The power ratings for commercial meat grinders have to do with their motors, with the most common measurements being the number of watts that it can utilize. A higher number means that it can deliver more power, which translates into faster grind times and the ability to work through tougher cuts or meat with bones still in it.
Most businesses are going to want a grinder with at least a 1000 watt motor, though some heavy duty products feature 2000 watt or 3000 watt motors. You might also see models that list the motor’s horsepower, though this is not always the easiest measurement as most are going to be well under 1 horsepower. An easy way to tell if a model is powerful enough is to look for the number of pounds it can grind in an hour. The further over 100 pounds, the higher its capacity and faster its speed.
Every business wants to have the sturdiest equipment, because it means less money spent on maintenance and less of a chance that the unit will need to be replaced before it’s really earned its keep. Some electric meat grinders are going to have a plastic body, which won’t be suitable for anything but the smallest of commercial settings. Hard metal is ideal, with cast aluminum being among the best in terms of durability and strength. Cast aluminum is made in a process similar to that of cast iron, so you can trust that it can handle a few knocks here and there without batting an eyelash, so to speak.
Size does matter when it comes to commercial meat grinders, specifically the size of its hopper, which is the tray that holds the meat at the top, and the feed tube, which is the chute through which the meat travels to reach the actual cutting blades. You should know the size of meat you are going to be grinding most frequently, as well as the amount you will need to grind during each use in order to meet whatever goals you have for your business. When you know this, you can determine if the capacity of the grinder is big enough to handle your needs, such as being able to load large pieces of venison to grind without having to chop all of it up into tiny cubes first.
Safety should always be a top priority for any business, especially one that involves the use of a meat grinder. There should not be any exposed areas around the cutting blades, to avoid any accidental cuts. Since you’re likely going to have a very powerful motor in your unit, try to find one with a built-in circuit breaker. This will help protect you, and the machine, from damage in the case of overheating or any kind of electrical issue. Also, make sure you can easily clean the machine, so that you can keep it sanitary and prevent causing any sickness to your customers.
It’s always a good idea to answer every one of your questions about a meat grinder before you commit to a purchase. In some cases, manufacturers may have support teams that can help you understand the full capabilities of a model. Another option is to locate the manual on the manufacturer’s website and read about all of the grinder’s functions there.