Ground and chopped nuts turn up all over a Mexican kitchen. Pecans go into polvorones, almonds and peanuts thicken mole and salsa macha, and walnuts make nogada for chiles en nogada. A knife works for a small handful, but it scatters pieces across the board and rarely gives you an even result.
A nut grinder comes in two very different forms. The old-style hand crank pushes nuts through steel teeth into a jar and gives you chopped pieces. An electric blade grinder spins fast and gives you a coarse meal or a fine powder. This guide covers both, as long as the listing actually names nuts. For spices, see our spice grinder guide, and for nut milk, our nut milk maker guide.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, verified buyer reports and the makers’ own details. We have not used these products ourselves.
Quick verdict: which nut grinder to buy
For chopped nuts, the best nut grinder machine for most kitchens is the PrepWorks Manual Nut Chopper, which turns one way for fine and the other for coarse, holds 1.5 cups and has a non-skid base. For nut meal or powder, buy the Cuisinart SG-10 Spice-and-Nut Grinder, the one electric grinder here whose name includes nuts. For a jar-style crank with a steel hopper, the RSVP Endurance names both hard and soft nuts.
Five nut grinders at a glance
Five picks side by side. Hand cranks chop; electric blades grind fine and can turn oily nuts to paste if you run them too long.
| Nut grinder | Best for | Type | Capacity | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PrepWorks Manual Nut ChopperBest overall
|
Most baking and toppings | Hand crank | 1.5 cups | View on Amazon |
Cuisinart SG-10 Spice-and-Nut Grinder with StrainersBest electric
|
Nut meal and powder | Electric blade | 90 grams | View on Amazon |
RSVP Endurance Vintage Nut GrinderBest for hard nuts
|
Hard and soft nuts | Hand crank, steel hopper | 1.25 cups | View on Amazon |
HIC Kitchen Manual Nut ChopperBest glass jar
|
Glass jar, plainly listed | Hand crank | 1.25 cups | View on Amazon |
Secura Electric Grinder with 2 BowlsBest two-bowl
|
Two bowls, nuts and spices apart | Electric blade | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Details are as stated on each listing.
Our picks for the best nut grinder machine
All seven name nuts on the listing. The first four are hand cranks that need no power. The last three are electric. Most of the hand cranks were sold by small third-party sellers when we checked, so look at the offer before you buy.
1. PrepWorks Manual Nut Chopper – Fine or Coarse by Direction
Progressive’s PrepWorks chopper has a neat idea behind it: turn the handle clockwise for finer results and counterclockwise for coarser. A hinged lid makes filling easy, a non-skid base keeps it in place while you crank, and the blades stay inside the housing, away from fingers.
The removable base holds up to 1.5 cups, the most among the hand cranks here, and it pours into a bowl. The listing names nuts, seeds and herbs, and says it is dishwasher safe. It is mostly plastic, so it will not have the look of the old glass jar models, but for pecans on a batch of polvorones it is the simplest tool here.
Why we like it
- Fine or coarse by turning direction
- 1.5-cup base
- Non-skid base and hinged lid
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | GFNC-3 |
|---|---|
| Type | Hand crank |
| Capacity | 1.5 cups |
| Blade | Contained inside the housing |
| Named for | Nuts, seeds, herbs |
| Control | Handle direction |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe |
| Size or power | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Our first choice for a home baker who wants evenly chopped nuts with little effort and easy cleanup.
Skip it if you need fine meal or flour, which takes an electric grinder.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two textures in one tool
- Stable on the counter
- Largest crank capacity here
Cons
- Plastic body
- Third-party seller at last check
- Small batches only
2. RSVP Endurance Vintage Nut Grinder – A Steel Hopper for Hard Nuts
RSVP’s version uses a stainless steel hopper over a clear 1.25-cup jar, in a vintage shape. The listing says it takes both hard and soft nuts down to small enough pieces for baking, which is more specific than most, and a sliding door makes the mechanism easier to clean.
It is dishwasher safe, per the listing, and measures about 5.13 by 3.38 by 6.5 inches. With no base grip stated, hold the jar with your other hand while you turn. It was sold by a third party when we checked, so confirm the offer.
Why we like it
- Names hard and soft nuts
- Stainless steel hopper
- Sliding door for cleaning
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 8156 |
|---|---|
| Type | Hand crank |
| Capacity | 1.25 cups |
| Blade | Not stated |
| Named for | Hard and soft nuts |
| Control | Crank by hand |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe |
| Size or power | 5.13 x 3.38 x 6.50 inches |
Why we recommend it
A nice fit if you grind almonds or hazelnuts as well as softer pecans and like a glass jar you can see through.
Skip it if you need a coarse and fine control, which this does not list.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Metal hopper
- Clear jar shows progress
- Compact
Cons
- Third-party seller at last check
- Only one texture stated
- No grip stated
3. HIC Kitchen Manual Nut Chopper – Glass Jar, Clearly Listed
This is the classic design: add shelled nuts to the hopper, secure the lid, steady the chopper and turn the handle. HIC says it is made from glass, stainless steel and plastic, and calls it lead-free and BPA-free. The list of nuts named is the longest here: almonds, pecans, walnuts, peanuts, cashews, filberts, hazelnuts and pistachios.
The care details are useful too. If the handle becomes harder to turn, shake the chopper to redistribute the contents. The glass base goes in the dishwasher; hand wash the rest. Norpro sells a very similar chopper, which is why we did not list both. Norpro notes it is meant for softer nuts, so stay gentle on this style of chopper with very hard ones.
Why we like it
- Names eight kinds of nut
- Lead- and BPA-free, per HIC
- Glass base is dishwasher safe
- Clear instructions
Key specifications
| Model | 576 |
|---|---|
| Type | Hand crank |
| Capacity | 1.25 cups |
| Blade | Stainless steel |
| Named for | Almonds, pecans, walnuts and more |
| Control | Crank by hand |
| Cleaning | Glass base dishwasher; hand wash rest |
| Size or power | 4.75 x 7.75 inches |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want the familiar jar chopper with the fullest listing of materials and care.
Skip it if you dislike hand washing parts, since only the glass base goes in the dishwasher.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear on materials
- Simple design
- No power needed
Cons
- Third-party seller at last check
- Only one texture stated
- Top parts are hand wash
4. Fox Run Hand Crank Nut Chopper – Nuts and Chocolate
Fox Run’s chopper is another glass-jar crank, set apart because the listing also names chocolate, with stainless blades that drop chopped pieces into the jar below. Baking toppings are the obvious use, and it is handy for chopping Mexican chocolate for a cup of hot chocolate, though very hard discs may be a struggle.
The listing says you can crank until the nuts are as coarse or fine as you want, and at 3.5 by 5 by 7.5 inches it fits a drawer. The glass base is dishwasher safe, and the top, blades and crank should be hand washed. The third-party seller at last check was EstBuy Trading.
Why we like it
- Names nuts and chocolate
- Fits in a drawer
- Clear jar
- Stainless steel blades
Key specifications
| Model | 5716 |
|---|---|
| Type | Hand crank |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Blade | Stainless steel |
| Named for | Walnuts, peanuts, almonds, pecans, chocolate |
| Control | Crank by hand |
| Cleaning | Glass base dishwasher; hand wash rest |
| Size or power | 3.5 x 5 x 7.5 inches |
Why we recommend it
Handy for a baker who tops cakes and sundaes with both nuts and chocolate.
Skip it if you want a stated capacity, which this listing does not give.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two named uses
- Very compact
- Simple
Cons
- Capacity not stated
- Plastic top
- Third-party seller at last check
5. Cuisinart SG-10 Spice-and-Nut Grinder with Strainers – The Electric Grinder That Names Nuts
Very few electric grinders are sold for nuts by name. This one is. The SG-10 has stainless blades, a heavy-duty motor, a push-top lid for on and off, nonslip feet and a bowl that holds 90 grams. The lid and bowl are dishwasher safe, and there is extra storage in the lid.
We list the same grinder on our spice grinder page. It appears here because it is the rare machine that names nuts, and because this listing comes bundled with a set of three fine mesh strainers, which are useful for sifting out larger pieces. Pulse in short bursts: run a blade too long and oily nuts can turn to paste. Clean it well after spices, or keep a separate grinder for nuts.
Why we like it
- Names nuts in the product name
- Push-top lid for pulsing
- Dishwasher-safe lid and bowl
- Strainers in this bundle
Key specifications
| Model | SG-10 |
|---|---|
| Type | Electric blade |
| Capacity | 90 grams |
| Blade | Stainless steel |
| Named for | Spices and nuts |
| Control | Push-top lid |
| Cleaning | Lid and bowl dishwasher safe |
| Size or power | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
The one to buy for nut meal, such as almond for a cake or pepitas and peanuts for a mole base.
Skip it if you only want chopped pieces, when a hand crank gives you better control.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Named for the job
- Dishwasher-safe lid and bowl
- Well-known maker
Cons
- Small batches
- Can turn nuts to paste
- Bundle listing has few details
6. Secura Electric Grinder with 2 Bowls – Keep Nuts and Spices Apart
Nuts pick up flavors from a spice grinder quickly, and that is the case for a two-bowl machine. Secura’s 200-watt grinder names coffee, spices, herbs, nuts and grains, with a press-and-hold lid for pulse control, a bowl-activated safety lock and overheat protection. The removable bowl is dishwasher safe.
The listing warns against grinding very hard foods such as cinnamon or cloves and against going above the max line. Keeping one bowl for nuts also helps if someone in the home has a nut allergy, though the bowls still share a machine, so it does not make the grinder allergen safe. Secura is an Amazon-first brand and the seller was a third party when we checked, and it has a two-year warranty on the listing.
Why we like it
- Two removable bowls
- Names nuts on the listing
- Press-and-hold pulse control
- Two-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | SP-7412 |
|---|---|
| Type | Electric blade |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Blade | Stainless steel |
| Named for | Coffee, spices, herbs, nuts, grains |
| Control | Press-and-hold lid |
| Cleaning | Bowl dishwasher safe |
| Size or power | 200 watts |
Why we recommend it
A good match for a cook who grinds spices and nuts and does not want either tasting of the other.
Skip it if you prefer a long-established maker, or you grind very hard ingredients.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Separate bowls
- Safety lock
- Stated warranty
Cons
- Amazon-first brand
- Third-party seller at last check
- Limits on hard foods
7. MuellerLiving Electric Grinder Mill – A Small Entry-Level Blade Mill
This is the simple electric option. The listing title names spices, herbs, nuts and grains, and it holds up to 9 tablespoons in a stainless bowl. Hold the button to run it, with a safety feature that stops the blade unless the see-through lid is on. The cord coils underneath.
Be clear on what you are buying: the feature list mostly describes coffee, tea and spices, and nuts appear only in the title, so treat it as a small coffee-style mill that can also handle nuts. There is no removable bowl mentioned, which makes it harder to clean than the Cuisinart. Mueller is an Amazon-first brand, and the seller was a third party when we checked.
Why we like it
- Title names nuts and grains
- 9-tablespoon capacity
- Lid safety lock
- Cord storage underneath
Key specifications
| Model | MLR010560N |
|---|---|
| Type | Electric blade |
| Capacity | Up to 9 tablespoons |
| Blade | Stainless steel |
| Named for | Spices, herbs, nuts, grains, per the title |
| Control | Hold button |
| Cleaning | Not stated |
| Size or power | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Fine as an inexpensive grinder kept only for nuts and seeds, if you want some electric help now and then.
Skip it if you want a detailed listing or a removable bowl.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple operation
- Small footprint
- Lid interlock
Cons
- Nuts named only in the title
- Amazon-first brand
- Thin care details
How to choose a nut grinder
1. Decide between chopped and ground
Toppings, cookies and fillings usually call for chopped pieces, which a hand crank does well. Nut flours and thick sauces call for an electric blade. Many kitchens only need one of the two.
2. Keep batches small
All of these hold only a little. For large amounts of masa or nut butter, a different machine makes more sense. Our wet and masala grinder guide covers heavier stone and mixer machines.
3. Pulse, and stop early
Blades heat nuts and draw out their oil. Use short pulses, shake the machine between them and chill very oily nuts first, such as pecans. Stop as soon as you reach the texture you want, since the next stage is paste.
4. Think about cleaning
Nut oils go stale, so a grinder needs a real wash. Look for a removable bowl or a dishwasher-safe base. Wipe a blade grinder with a damp cloth if the bowl does not come out, and make sure everything is dry before storing.
5. Check who is selling
Most of the hand cranks here were sold by small third-party sellers when we checked. Glass jars travel badly, so check the return terms.
Allergens and cross-contact
The FDA names tree nuts and peanuts among the major food allergens and defines allergen cross-contact as the inadvertent introduction of a major food allergen into a product. A nut grinder will carry nut residue on its blades and in its corners, and none of these makers say their machines remove it. If anyone in your home has a nut allergy, do not grind other food in the same machine, and follow their doctor’s guidance.
How we picked these seven grinders
We looked for machines whose listings name nuts, from identifiable makers, in stock from a new Amazon offer. We counted hand-crank choppers and electric blade grinders, and left out ordinary coffee grinders that do not mention nuts, along with mini choppers whose listings do not name them. We left out the Westmark Nut Mill because its listing gives no real detail, and bulk commercial peanut butter machines, which do not suit a home kitchen. We have not used these grinders ourselves.
We did not run a search for independent reviews of these grinders, so these picks rest on listing and maker details. A CPSC recall search by brand found old notices for Progressive’s canning jar lifters, Secura air fryers and Mueller onion choppers, and no notice for RSVP, Fox Run or Norpro; none of the notices we saw names these grinders.
Nut grinder questions, answered
Can I use a coffee grinder for nuts?
Some makers say yes, and Secura and Mueller name nuts on their listings. Others mention only coffee and spices, so check your manual. Expect flavors to carry over if you share a bowl.
Will a hand-crank chopper make almond flour?
Not really. These give chopped pieces, not flour. Use an electric grinder in short pulses, then sift it, as the strainers in the Cuisinart bundle allow.
How do I keep nuts from turning into butter?
Pulse briefly, keep nuts cold and grind small amounts. A spoonful of sugar or flour from your recipe can help absorb oil, which is a common baking trick.
Can I grind peanuts for salsa macha or mole?
Yes. A hand crank suits a chunky salsa macha, and an electric grinder gives a finer base for mole. Our guide to what mole is explains how nuts and seeds are used in it.
Our final pick for grinding nuts
Start with the PrepWorks if you want chopped nuts on hand for baking, and the Cuisinart SG-10 if you need meal or powder. For dried chiles and whole spices, turn to our spice grinder guide. And if you would rather let someone else make the mole, Julia’s is at 5402 N Highway 6 in Houston: call to order, and tell us about any allergies when you do.