It really is this simple: you turn it on, you put in 24 ounces of organic Italian unpasteurized almonds (which you have ground into coarse meal), and you let it go. Sure, you get control - you don't worry about whether the stuff got heated or frozen or how long it has been on the shelf. And then there's the price - a pound of organic unpasteurized almonds is $11.99 here in Santa Fe, while a pound of raw organic almond butter is $28.99. All of that is great. But you want to know the best part? There really is a huge difference in the taste. There are some things you should make at home and some things you should just buy. Nut butters are something you can make at home and really see and taste a huge difference while saving money. If you base your decision just on price, this machine will pay for itself in just over 6 months. But how do you factor in "delicious" or "prana-filled"?