The 10 Best Nut Butter Machines
Special Honors
Pleasant Hill Grain Old Tyme Nut Grinder For commercial operations (or truly dedicated home enthusiasts), this grinder provides a reliable method of mass production. It's much more expensive than most options, but it's easy to operate and capable of grinding up to 20 pounds at a time. pleasanthillgrain.com
NutraMilk Nut Processor Although it's pricey, this machine is specifically designed to make nut milks and butters quickly and effectively. It's less versatile than a food processor, but especially for those who use nut milks as dairy alternatives, it's cheaper long-term than buying from a store. thenutramilk.com
Editor's Notes
August 25, 2020:
Making nut butter at home awakens a longstanding debate: blenders or food processors? Properly chosen, either appliance can do the job well. General wisdom says that blenders are best for soft mixtures like smoothies and soups, while food processors are best for chopping and slicing. Nut butters fall somewhere in the middle, which can make the choices confusing.
Blenders can easily bog down chopping nuts, which is why our recommendations like the Vitamix 5200 have powerful motors. In general, blenders will work better with recipes that add oil or some other liquefying agent. Blenders also heat the butter more than food processors, which can be a concern for some heat-sensitive oils.
Food processors have larger and wider work bowls, which raises capacity and makes scraping the sides easier. Machines like the Braun FP3020 and Cuisinart Custom 14 are mid-range picks that can handle a variety of kitchen duties.
For both appliances, nut butters are a high-demand task that can fry underpowered motors. If you can afford it, it's best to get a model with a solid warranty like the Breville Sous Chef 16.
Though all these machines can make delicious butters, the best option may depend on what else you do in the kitchen. Smoothie devotees may be best served by a powerful blender, chefs may gravitate toward a food processor, and juice enthusiasts will enjoy the Omega Nutrition Center.
Nut butter lovers also have the option of a dedicated machine like the NutraMilk Nut Processor. These models make the most sense for buyers who eat nut butters and milks on a daily basis and find themselves frequently whipping up new batches.