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It is increasingly becoming more and more popular to eat natural food products that do not have any added sugar, preservatives, salts and saturated fats which can in the long term have a very negative impact on the key organs in your body such as the heart, liver, your blood vessels, and even your brain.
Although it can be very beneficial to eat foods that have made using natural ingredients it can also get quite expensive especially if you are looking for a high-quality product with prices further being marked up if you are buying from a shop as all businesses need to make a profit as well as pay for the wages of the workers that have created those products.
There however is a solution to this problem, it is to buy yourself a machine known as a food processor, it should not be confused with a blender which is used solely for chopping up food while a food processor can be used for a wide variety of tasks including cutting up and cutting with most food processors having settings for various consistencies such as making soup, pastes, sauces, and salads.
There are many food processors out there but not all of them are great for making nut butter, in this article, we will be listing some good options for different individuals and will help you find the best food processor for nut butter for your circumstances.
What Is Nut Butter?
Nut Butter is a name for loads of different kinds of butter that are made from nuts which generally have a fat content high enough that you do not have to add any extra butter but instead just have to blend them into a paste and then add water or other liquids if you want to make the consistency runnier.
However, it is not just nuts that fall under the umbrella term of nut butter, pastes made from seeds are also called nut butter in the cooking world although technically they are not nuts. Some popular nut butter made using seeds include pumpkin seed nut butter, watermelon seed nut butter, and also sunflower seed butter.
The most popular types of nut butter without a doubt is peanut butter which has been a staple in the United States since it was invented in 1895, furthermore, there is another nut butter that many people will be surprised is actually a nut butter and that is hummus due to key ingredient of tahini seeds in every traditional hummus recipe.
Why Do People Make Their Own Nut Butter Using a Food Processor?
There are many reasons why many people out there prefer making their own nut butter in their food processor rather than buying ready-made nut butter from the store. The first reason is that of saving money which we have already mentioned briefly in the introduction of this review article, it is much cheaper for you to buy the few raw ingredients used in the creation of the nut butter that you are going to be making.
Although there will initially be a big cost associated with the decision of making the nut butter yourself since you will have to purchase the food processing machine before you can get to work making your own nut butter.
Another good reason why it is becoming increasingly popular for lovers of nut butter to simply make their favorite at home is that it is more time-efficient and also convenient.
Making your own nut butter is not actually a time-consuming process like it is preparing other food products, and it can actually be much faster than traveling all the way to your local store and then coming back.
However, for some nut butter, it is best to soak the nuts that you are going to be using in water for a few hours to soften them up or remove the skins easier.
Best Food Processor for Nut Butter Comparison Table
Best Food Processor for Nut Butter Reviews
Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor
The DLC-2ABC is one of the many models of food processors released by the Cuisinart company which is one of the top American home appliance manufacturers that create a large variety of different kitchen appliances such as toasters, deep fryers, grills and also cutlery among the many other categories of things that this notable company designs and produces.
Key Features:
The Cuisinart DLC-2ABC is one of the cheapest food processors that this company makes, despite its low price it is still a high-quality product that has a 250-watt engine which will be able to effectively cut up all kinds of food.
Furthermore, the container where the food is blended is fully detachable which makes it is easy to clean, the ease of cleaning is further increased thanks to the fact that this detachable container is dishwasher safe meaning that it will not melt or weaken if placed in your dishwasher which is a great feature to have.
Additionally, the container is described as a 3 cup container meaning that on average it can hold the same quantity of food that you can fit into 3 average household cups.
Pros:
- One of the cheapest high-quality food processors out there which makes it great for people that are just starting to make nut butter at home.
- Does not take up a lot of space in your kitchen thanks to its small size.
- The detachable container can be washed in a dishwasher without having to worry about any damage.
Cons:
- Not suitable for processing large amounts of food due to the small size of the Cuisinart DLC-2ABC.
Breville BFP660SIL Food Processor
The Breville BFP660SIL food processor is on the more luxury side of things and is also priced accordingly, the company behind this food processor is an Australian brand that has been operating since the year 1932. The Breville company is one of the top kitchen appliance manufacturers and this is perfectly exemplified by the fact that in 2016 they were made one of the official manufactures of Nespresso’s state of the art coffee machines.
Key Features:
When you purchase the Breville BFP660SIL without a doubt you are getting your money’s worth, it is a very big food processor that has a 12 cup container which is equivalent to a whopping 2 liters worth of food that you can manufacture at once, therefore, you should have very little issues with the speed and the quantity of food that this food processor is able to work through to create the best nut butter.
You are also not just getting quantity by purchasing this food processor but also quality, it has a 1000 watt engine that is the most powerful engine of all of the food processors on this list which will have no problems handling whatever type of food you put into the blender’s container.
There are also a lot of customization options with this food processor which may not initially seem like it when you view that its control panel is only made up of three buttons. The way it works on this food processor from Breville is that there is a pulse button that you click and allows you to effectively control the consistency of whatever is being prepared in your food processing appliance.
Pros:
- A large container that allows you to fit a large quantity of food that you can then process without any issues.
- Simple to use but an effective control panel that is the perfect balance of control and ease of use.
- Ability to add more food and ingredients while the blender is in operation using the feeding hole located at the top.
Cons:
- A very expensive appliance compared to most of the other options out there so it may not be a great option for first-time buyers.
Remington Russell Hobbs Retro Style Food Processor
A retro-style food processor from the Remington food appliance brand that is owned by the parent Russel Hobbs company, although it is purposely built to resemble older versions of the popular Russel Hobbs food processors it comes with all of the must-have modern features that all competing food processor brands have as well as the same level of performance.
Key Features:
The Remington Russel Hobbs Retro Style food processor may look pretty unassuming but inside of it, there is a 550-watt motor that is able to quickly and efficiently chop up all food that you put inside of it. Furthermore, this food processor has a very unique related feature which is the blade speed meter on the outside which is arguably one of the main reasons why this retro-style food processor from the Russel Hobbs company was brought back to life.
Below the speed meter, there is a switch with three options that are numbered from one to three, with one meaning that the food appliance is turned off and then the one and two options representing the blade speed settings that you can select with two being the faster setting. Apart from that, there is also a pulse button which allows you to have far greater control over how much you blend your food inside.
The lid of this food processor also has a mechanism that prevents the appliance from operating if the lid is not closed or attached properly which is a feature that every appliance that you can describe as the best food processor for making nut butter must-have.
Pros:
- Comes with a 2-year limited warranty which is one of the longest product warranties on this list.
- The container of this food processor has a capacity of over 8 cups of food or over 1 liter of food.
- Very easy design to use which makes it great for beginners.
Cons:
- Some customers may want a large array of features on their food processor.
Kitchenaid 5KFP1325 Classic Food Processor
This Kitchenaid 5KFP1325 is yet another product manufactured by a heavyweight American kitchen appliance manufacturer that has been in business for over one hundred years, this model is designed to have the appearance of previous classic models that were particularly popular and commercially successful.
Key Features:
The control panel of this food processor by the Kitchenaid company has a much more complicated look compared to many of the other food processing devices out there on the market which may make it quite daunting and unattractive for some newer users at first. There are two main sections of the control panel, at the top, you have a slider that allows you to select how thin you want the food to be chopped which is primarily used for when cutting up food for salads for example where you do not want the food to be emulsified like you would when making nut butter for example so you will not be playing a lot around with this feature.
Below that, you have a control panel with four buttons, with three of those buttons being numbered zero to three with the button that is the furthest to the right having the word ‘pulse’ printed on it. This control panel is used to control the speed of the blades, with zero meaning that the machine is off while pulse being a manual way to cut up the food that offers extra control.
The handles of this food processing appliance are designed with anti-grip features which give you better control when feeding more food in the machine through the feed tube at the very top.
Pros:
- Offers a high level of customizability and control to the individuals using this food processor.
- Two blades that allow for faster processing of the food as well as giving you extra control of how the food is chopped.
- Silicone seals all over this classic food processor which minimizes the chances of any leakage from the food being handled inside.
Cons:
- Some newer users may be turned off by all of the customization options that this kitchen appliance comes with.
Proctor Silex Mini 1.5 Cup Food Processor
This food processor from the American Proctor Silex company is the smallest food processor that we have listed in this review article for the best food processor for making nut butter. It is the perfect product for beginner cooks that want a quality food processor to try out and get the hang of before they invest a larger amount of money into a more expensive alternative.
Key Features:
One of the most important features of this food processor is its size which can be an advantage or a disadvantage based on what you are going to be using it for and the quantity of food that you will be handling, however this is a starter food processor that should be used for those that want to see if they enjoy making nut butter for themselves rather than buying it directly from the store close by. It will also do the job for the majority of people that will only want to make their nut butter once a month as the majority of people will not be consuming nut butter in such large quantities that they will need to make it every couple of days.
Ease of use is another plus of this food processing machine, the way it works is that there is a button located at the top of the handle that you press and then hold which allows you to choose the type of cut on the food that you have inserted in the container.
Moreover, despite its low price, it comes with a 1-year warranty which will give you that peace of mind that if this product happens to be damaged before it arrives at you that you will be able to get compensation.
Pros:
- The container and also the lid of this food processor can be removed and hand washed.
- Great for customers that do not have a lot of space or would like to conserve space in their kitchens.
- Very easy control panel to use that consists of just one button.
Cons:
- The container and lid of this appliance are not suitable for washing in the dishwasher.
- Very small capacity which is a big negative if you are going to be handling a large amount of food inside this processing machine.
To-Do List Before You Purchase a Food Processor for Nut Butter
- Initial budget, first you have to think about the price that you are willing to pay for a food processor as there is no point using up your time shopping around if you are going to find a food processor that you are not able to afford or willing to pay for. For your first appliance, it is best to go with a cheaper option so you can get a feel of what key features you require in a food processor.
- Size of the container, this feature of food processors is often overlooked but it is very important, as the size of the container means that you can cut up higher quantities of food at once but the larger the container the higher the price of the food processor.
- Find space, you also need to figure out if you have enough space in your kitchen to put your food processing appliance where it will not be a nuisance and interfere with the other tasks you are going to be doing in your kitchen.
- Dishwasher compatibility, not all of the detachable containers and lids are made to be put in the dishwasher, although you can do so you risk damaging and weakening the material that the container and lid are made from which may lead to some messy surprises where the container or lid can break mid-use. If you are okay with hand washing them then you do not have to worry about this.
- Safety features, if you have young children or people with special needs in your household then you should make sure that the processor which you are buying for your food has the necessary safety features. Overall it is recommended that every food processor has safety features that stop it from running if the lid is not properly attached and closed.
FAQ
Can You Use a Food Processor to Make Peanut Butter?
Yes, you can use a food processor to make peanut butter without any issues at all, you will be able to customize the type of peanut butter that you make such as chunkier peanut butter with whole peanuts, thick blended peanut butter or runny peanut butter that is generally achieved by adding some water and mixing in inside the processor. You can make the best nut butter regardless of what type of nut butter it is in the food processors we have listed in this review article.
Which Food Processor Is Best for Nut Butter?
There is no right answer for this, it all truly depends on the quantity of nut butter you are trying to make and also the consistency of this nut butter. Generally, if you want to have greater control over how your nut butter turns out then it is best it goes with the mid or high priced range options that are available on the market.
Can You Put Nuts in a Food Processor?
Yes, you can put nuts in a food processor without any issues, you can even put in nuts that have been frozen or are a type of nut that is naturally very hard. The only thing you need to watch out for is not to overload the container where your nuts or other food is being cut up and processed otherwise you risk causing damage to your appliance.
What Do I Do If the Food Processor’s Blade Goes Blunt?
If you see that your food processor’s blades are starting to become so blunt that there is a dip in performance then you can take out the blades and sharpen them with a knife sharpening tool which will sort out the problem, then make sure to wash the blades and the container of your food processor so not small shavings get in your food next time you are using your processor.
On the other hand, if your blades break for whatever reason, for most manufacturers you can buy replacement blades which can save you a lot of money from having to buy a whole new food processor.
Can a Food Processor Cut All Kinds of Food?
Yes, food processors are able to handle literally all kinds of food that are edible to humans, the chances of you encountering the problem of your food processor not being able to handle a type of food are extremely slim to non-existent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, food processors are a key appliance that many people do not know about but are a useful tool that can save you a lot of types when for example chopping ingredients for salads and other meals as well as for allowing you to make foods that otherwise you will not be able to do such as nut butter.
In our best food processor for the nut butter article, we highlighted five distinct products from different companies that are a great option for all of the different types of customers out there.
In terms of price, the most expensive processor for food is the Breville BFP660SIL Food Processor which has the most powerful motor of all the other appliances in this review article and also has the largest container which helps to justify its high price tag.
After that, you have the Remington Russell Hobbs Retro Style Food Processor and the Kitchenaid 5KFP1325 Classic Food Processor which are both in the middle of the range in terms of price and finally you have the cheap options which are the Proctor Silex Mini 1.5 Cup Food Processor and the Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor that are the perfect options for people that are inexperienced with food processors or want to save some money.
A further factor that was frequently raised throughout this article is that of the container size, it is one of the simplest but most important features that dictate the speed at which you can process food inside your appliances, if you have a large family or you’re are going to be processing large amounts of food for another reason then it is best to go with the Breville BFP660SIL Food Processor which has the biggest capacity, alternatively you also have the option of the Remington Russell Hobbs Retro Style Food Processor and the Kitchenaid 5KFP1325 Classic Food Processor which are a bit smaller but can still handle a good amount of food and then the Proctor Silex Mini 1.5 Cup Food Processor and the Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor are best to be avoided if the quantity of food processed at once is a feature that you highly value and need.
Then finally you have the topic of the features on the control panel and the control panel’s ease of use, the processors with the best control panels are the Breville BFP660SIL Food Processor and the Remington Russell Hobbs Retro Style Food Processor which are both very simple to use while also allowing you to retain effective control over the food inside the processing container.
While the Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor and the Proctor Silex Mini 1.5 Cup Food Processor are both very simple which is a good thing but it is hard to control the level of blending that you want using them while the Kitchenaid 5KFP1325 Classic Food Processor gives you effective control but its command panel has too many options which can make it confusing as well as time-consuming to use.
All of the above food processors are able to do the job of making the best nut butter however all of them have their own drawbacks and positives that you should take into account from this best food processor for making nut butter content piece. Furthermore, you should consider what features are important to you personally rather than spending money on features that you are not actually going to be using.