How do you make nut butter?

I've been looking at grinders for making nut butter, but they're either a huge investment or have really negative reviews. Do you have a grinder that you'd recommend or have experiences with them?

I've used a high speed blender, but I have concerns about micro plastics with the way the inside of the blender has changed texture. Any other ways to make nut butter on a home scale?

Your last cautionary note is interesting. We just throw nuts in the Vitamix. I don't love that it's plastic (our first one, four decades ago was steel, but we replaced it when the motor died), but it doesn't seem to be losing texture or integrity to my perception.

Do you have a food processor or a blender?  I saw this done from peanuts into peanut butter years ago.

Honey helps emulsify nut butters better than maple syrup, agave syrup, or thinner sweeteners. Cane syrup is a good alternative, but it can be costly and has a strong flavor. If you use a powerfully fragrant and highly flavorful honey, like buckwheat or chestnut or blueberry, it will also overtake the nut flavor. Be gentle in your choices and go with a clean and mild varietal. Many inexpensive honey blends work well here, as does clover, alfalfa, and orange blossom.

Food processors, even top-of-the-line home models, can burn out, and simply shut off with jobs that are very long. Making nut butter is indeed a long task for a food processor, so I incorporate little breaks for the machine, which gives it and the mixture a chance to cool down. Adding the fat and sweetener to a super-hot batch of ground nuts inhibits your ability to judge when it’s smooth and melts the fats immediately. So to avoid machine fatigue and over- or under-seasoning, we just give the food processor a break.

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-creamy-nut-butter-229499


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Thank you both. I've been using a Vitamix that we've had for several years. I have a "wet" container and a "dry" container, and both have changed texture in the bottom half of the container. It feels slightly coarse like all of the use has nicked the plastic. I've considered buying new containers since these are older, but I'd rather invest in a different option.

I use a champion juicer with nut butter screen.

Yeah i think a champion or an omega are good options for heavy jobs like nut butter (I use my omega for grinding masa for tortillas too).
It was pricey, and some components are plastic. the actual auger used for the grinding, there are a few options, I had to buy a replacement and they had a catalog of options (all poly-derived).

I use a stone mortar, but have never done more than about half cup at a time. Maybe a large wooden mortar that can be used standing up would work for large amounts.

We have a commercial food processor, the Robot Coupe R2. We got it used and it was used for nut grinding by a gluten free baker. Because of how he was using it, ours came with a metal tub, as well as the plastic.
It handles nuts with no issues but the long term nut grinding did dull the chopper blade. The prior owner had bought a spare so we have one sharp and one dull one.
They are great machines, but not cheap. I will say that the commercial grade plastic of their basic tub is much harder than any home machines so, if this is only an occasional thing, you might not need the metal one.

This year I accomplished my dream of a hazelnut butter and jelly sandwich on toast, with a glass of milk.
Made with hazelnuts I grew and fruit I harvested.
I toast my nuts first and add some walnuts for more oil because I have them.
While still hot, I use a food processor and go until they start to roll around the inside in a ball.
Hadn't thought about plastic but I am thinking about that more and might have to find a glass food processor.

Nikki Roche wrote: but they're either a huge investment or have really negative reviews. Do you have a grinder that you'd recommend or have experiences with them?

Yes, it seems to be one or the other.

About 10 years ago, we had a wondermill. If you have never been around one, imagine being in a 5'x8' bathroom, with the door closed and turning on 3 vacuum cleaners. It was very offensive to the ears. There was just the two of us at the time and we sold it and purchased a grain mill to hand operate.

Since then, we added the corn and bean auger to that mill. We then added the electric motor (we are up to a 7 person household). Recently, we purchased the nut butter attachment. This would be a very significant investment if you bought all of these things at once. I think they'd still be worth it even all at once. Maybe wait until a good sale or you get a nice coupon. We have the country living mill.

If I am to make a major investment, one thing I consider is what repair/replacement parts are available from the manufacturer. The country living mill is mostly powder coated steel and stainless steel. It has a parts diagram and you can buy every single individual part from the manufacturer if needed. This aspect is usually the decision maker when deciding from one product to another.

The other thing I consider is if I can get something that can serve multiple purposes. We grind wheat berries, grind dry corn and beans and make nut butter. I have the hand crank if the power goes out so it is a very versatile piece of equipment.

I think it is worth saving for.

I have a Santha stone grinder.   I got it for making chocolate.   It makes lovely nut butters or flour.


https://santhagrinders.com/

My champion juicer has a nut butter attachment.