"Sathyan Sundaram" > wrote in message
om...
> "Vox Humana" > wrote in message
>...
> > "Sathyan Sundaram" > wrote in message
> > om...
> > > I'm looking for recommendations on a nut grinder primarily for
> > > cashews, almonds and pistachios but the occasional spices as well (not
> > > coffee - I have a KA burr grinder for that). It needs to be dishwasher
> > > safe and preferably not plastic so the odors/taste won't linger
> > > between uses. No real budget set - maybe around $25 (I have access to
> > > a substantial Whirlpool/KitchenAid discount if that's a good option).
> >
> > I grind nuts in my food processor. I use an inexpensive blade type
coffee
> > grinder for spices. While the plastic top/cup could go in the
dishwasher, I
> > just put in a couple of tablespoons of raw rice and grind that to a
powder.
> > It removes all the residual spice. I have never washed the spice
grinder
> > and don't detect any carryover flavor when I use the rice to clean it.
>
> Hmmm...I have a blender (KA KHB300), would that work? What is the
> difference between a food processor and a blender?
>
> thanks

You might give it a try. I think the blender would be too large for
grinding spices unless you are doing very large batches. It might work for
nuts but you would have to experiment. I think there would be a tendency to
turn the nuts into nut butter. I think the blender tends to be an
all-or-nothing appliance in that the narrow flask tends to allow food to
settle at the bottom near the blade where it ground very fine while the food
on top remains in large pieces. Maybe newer blenders are better than the
one that had years ago. Blenders excel in making emulsions, blending
drinks, and crushing ice. The FP can do those things also, but not as
efficiently.

I would look into an inexpensive coffee grinder for the spices. I can't
imagine not having a food processor, but I wouldn't buy one just to chop
nuts.
Take a look at this link where you can get a coffee/spice grinder for well
under $20:
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...nder&scoring=p