The First Years Compact Food Grinder

Pros: Dishwasher safe, portable
Cons: Hard to operate, results not easy to get

I have had this food grinder since 1997. In those years, I have used it maybe a grand total of five times, hoping each time would get better. It didn't.

I had never intended to purchase something like this. I had the rare treat of going to...

Pros: Compact, good for travel, no metal parts...
Cons: Not as easy as it looks and not always easy to clean...

I was first introduced to the First Year’s Compact Food Grinder when my youngest son was ready to start eating baby food. Since I did not get to try many baby foods on my oldest son because of his neonatal complications, I was not sure which were...

Pros: Could potentially be used for storage (since you won't be using it for grinding)
Cons: It doesn't work. Is that enough of a con for you?

Many parents entertain thoughts of making their own baby food from scratch. Anyone who attempts it using this food grinder will find that it remains a fantasy. At first blush, The First Years Compact Food Grinder looks like a nifty and useful gadget. ...

Pros: grinds a large quantity of food in a short amount of time
Cons: does not produce smooth food, difficult to assemble

I got The First Years Compact Food Grinder when my daughter was about six months old. She was ready to start on a bit of solid food, and I thought it could be simpler, cheaper, and healthier to make her food at home rather than purchase...

Pros: compact for travelling
Cons: Does not grind well.

I had always wanted to try grinding foods for my little boy to eat so he could have a little more variety than the regular old strained carrots and peas, so I went to look for a grinder to carry out that purpose.

Well, the store I went to...

Pros: convenient; compact;easy to take apart; dishwasher safe; durable;good textured result
Cons: none

I have used this food grinder for 13 years and for 15 different babies learning to eat foods other than baby food in the jar. I have found it to be an awesome and handy tool when sitting down to feed my group of 6 children infant to 3 years old. With this grinder I can put whatever food the more mature eaters are having into the grinder and on the spot break it down so baby can have the same tasty and textured foods with the rest of us. It is so convenient and does an awesome job. Sometimes I add a little warm water to the ground food to smooth it over a bit; other times I put the food back through a second time to smooth it over a bit more. It comes apart easily and washes in the dishwasher. I have used this grinder very hard over the past 13 years and just now have a crack in the encasement from the extra heavy use; I am happy to have been able to use it so many years without any problems and will replace it with the same.

Pros:
Great on the go
Cons: Doesn't last forever

I have used this food grinder for the past 4 years and couldn't do without it.  My daughter is disabled and can only eat pureed/mashed food and this enables her to eat out with us and have whatever she wants. 
I've tried other grinders, annabel karmel etc. and none have come close.
Perfect for family holidays and meals out it does require a little strength to get some meats and undercooked veg through but the texture is perfect- more of a mash than runny jar foods.
The only downside being it's made out of plastic so i've been through 2 and am looking for my 3rd.  It would be great if the plate with the holes in was metal also.