How should auger-to-barrel clearance be checked on a meat grinder?

Clearance between the auger and barrel governs feeding efficiency, backflow, compression and wear, so a single number proves little. Obtain the design clearance and tolerance from the maker, and confirm exactly where and with what to measure—auger flight versus barrel wall, feed section versus discharge end—using feeler gauges or an inside micrometer. Once static dimensions pass, run continuous product and watch current draw, discharge continuity and any grinding noise. Ideally, trial the machine with your typical meat under full load, log each measurement plus current trace and noise, and keep that sheet as the wear baseline for later checks.