Finally! An Alternative Way to Make Nut Butters

[Jadrien24]

Hey, no this isn't another question about how to make nut butters, it is a solution! I was browsing through the raw family website, and I found a really great suggestion for making your own nut butters. I can't imagine it would be difficult to do and I am just so excited because this whole nut butter thing was driving me nuts (I love them, but they are so expensive and the ones you buy in the store aren't really raw, etc....). But I hope this will finally work for everyone:

"Q: Nut butter is so expensive! Can I make it in the Vitamix?

A:I don't believe that you can make nut butter in the Vitamix blender. Here's what you can do. In every health food store, according to rules, they have to clean the peanut butter machine once a week, usually in the morning before opening the store. For example, in Ashland, they do it on Wednesday. A group of raw fooders come Wednesday morning, purchase nuts from the same store, and put their nuts in the store's grinder before they clean it. That brings the price down about 50%. "

[frozenme]

I'm a little slow this morning so forgive me if this seems stupid.

Why would putting the nuts in the blender before it's cleaned make it cheaper.

Is it because they don't allow raw nuts in it normally?

[Raene]

I'm confused too...could you explain?

[JinxieKat]

That would be the beauty of it. Normally those machines run roasted nuts. You would then purchase your own nuts and run them through. The first little bit of the butter wouldn't be 'raw' but the rest of it should be fine. You'd have to do a little at a time cause those machines will warm up if you do a bunch at once, like all grinders will. So if you can find a store that will work with you, then your set!

Jinx

[tvillemom]

Would they let you run YOUR nuts through FIRST after they've cleaned it? Or is that what you meant? Making MY pound of nut butter 1/2 the price of what's on the shelf!? wooohooo
Wendi

[Jadrien24]

"Would they let you run YOUR nuts through FIRST after they've cleaned it?"

I don't know about that, what I believe Mr. Boutanko meant was that the group goes to the health store on the day that they will clean the nut butter machine, the workers probably pump out as much of the [roasted] nut butter that is already in the machine as much possible, then you can put raw nuts (purchased through the store as a courtesy) through them to get a raw nut butter. As Jinxie Kat said, the first part will probably be mixed with the roasted nut butter, but after that it's all raw.

"Why would putting the nuts in the blender before it's cleaned make it cheaper.
Is it because they don't allow raw nuts in it normally?"

It is cheaper than having to buy raw nut butters online with shipping fees and such, or purchasing your own commercial nut butter machine which costs around $1450. As far as my understanding is (I have never done this myself as of yet, I only read the suggestion on the raw family website the other day) you buy a certain amount of nuts (let's say, a pound) and then between cleanings, you pour those nuts through the machine to get a nut butter. You'll either pay the price for the nuts or what a regular nut butter would cost, either way, it's going to be cheaper than the other options of buying raw nut butters.

Just so you know, this may be more effective getting a group of people to go together, like the suggestion says on the raw family website. I tried one health store today (btw, it wasn't a big chain like Whole Foods, I think it is just a local place), and they said that they didn't have a certain day when they cleaned their nut butter machines, it was just whenever the manager "got around to it." Maybe if you go to a chain where they'll have more regulations on when the nut butter machines need to be cleaned (Mr. Boutanko said that they must be cleaned at least once a week), so you can work it out. I'm going to try another health store in my area and they are a health food chain in Hawaii, so I'm hoping it will work out. I'll keep ya'll posted.

[rawpriestess]

I know the masicating juicers also make great nut butters, and you can make kind of crunchy nut butters in the food processor.

[tvillemom]

I know this is off the GREAT idea that was first posted, but I just grind my nuts in my coffee grinder and I found the last time I did this, I added water, and it seemed to "cream" it more...then I added some coconut oil....it had a great flavor, and was "good enough" for me (not quite as creamy as the jar kind, but at least I'm sure it's RAW!) Maybe I'll try it next time with just a couple drops more water??!
Wendi

[vickiesltw]

I am not sure I am following why it is better to use a machine which had roasted peanut butter in it and has residue of it left in it than my vita mix. Which I dump 24oz of nuts in it and presto within 3 minutes I have smoothie butter.

I am not trying to be difficult I just don't understand.

Lil' Brat

[Jadrien24]

"I am not sure I am following why it is better to use a machine which had roasted peanut butter in it and has residue of it left in it than my vita mix. Which I dump 24oz of nuts in it and presto within 3 minutes I have smoothie butter.
I am not trying to be difficult I just don't understand."

Putting it in the Vita-Mix would be better, but I have yet to buy one, so though yes, when putting raw peantus through the machine at the store I'll probably have a small percentage of un-raw peanut butter, it will be like 95% raw and that's good enough for me right now. Once I have saved up enough money though I'm so buyin' a Vita-Mix.

[vickiesltw]

"I am not sure I am following why it is better to use a machine which had roasted peanut butter in it and has residue of it left in it than my vita mix. Which I dump 24oz of nuts in it and presto within 3 minutes I have smoothie butter.
I am not trying to be difficult I just don't understand."

Putting it in the Vita-Mix would be better, but I have yet to buy one, so though yes, when putting raw peantus through the machine at the store I'll probably have a small percentage of un-raw peanut butter, it will be like 95% raw and that's good enough for me right now. Once I have saved up enough money though I'm so buyin' a Vita-Mix.
I understand completely now did not grasp no vitamix. My appologizes for being dense.

Lil' Brat

[TP]

I am not sure I am following why it is better to use a machine which had roasted peanut butter in it and has residue of it left in it than my vita mix. Which I dump 24oz of nuts in it and presto within 3 minutes I have smoothie butter.

Lil' Brat

I'd like to try this.. Do you soak the nuts first or anything? Add any water? My vitamix just has hi and lo, so what would be better, hi or lo?

Thanks