Raising my hand ......... what about juicers?

[RollinRaw]

Hi everybody! My name is Sharon and I've got TONS of questions:D This is my first real post here so I figure I'll start out by asking a question regarding juicers. I have a VitaMix already (love that machine) and am thinking about a juicer now. I've heard some good things about Champion juicers. Just how bullet proof are they? May get one that has been used once and was new in 1978. Is there much that can go wrong with them?

[Blazin'Jane]

I got a Breville because it was fast and lookied good on my counter. The bad news is that it leaves very wet pulp. If I had it to do over again, I'd get a Champion or a Green Star.

[LauraPaulsen]

Hi there,
I have a champion juicer and they really are "Bullet Proof" as you called it. But to be honest...as a juicer, i'm not impressed. When I juice I have to take my pulp and run it through a second time. I think the champion is great because you can make nut butters with it. Although when I did make some almond butter it did get hot. The motor is strong, but like I said, I would rather a juicer that did a better job the first time. I think for the money...around $200.00, you might be able to get a better one.

FWIW: I do use mine and I don't plan on getting a new one...at least not until I get my dehydrator. ;)

[Revvell]

Some reading for ya...Have fun! :D

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=11166&highlight=Juicers
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=31501&highlight=Juicers
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=31620&highlight=Juicers
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=30877&highlight=Champion+Juicer
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=29945&highlight=Champion+Juicer
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=28034&highlight=Champion+Juicer

[RollinRaw]

Thanks for the replies so far. I have yet to start anything, in fact I don't even have the book yet. Pay day is Friday:o I saw Alisa on a talk show and found what she brought to the table very interesting. She also put together a really kwik and easy Pasta dish using squash. It looked so easy!!

As I mentioned I have a Vitamix already and have used it for smoothies and the like. Just wondering do I really need a juicer or can I use the Vitamix for juice making? That would involve straining ......... hmmmm what to do!

Maybe just wait for the book first and go from there.

Anyway, thanks for jumping right in, lots to ponder.... :)

[Veganforlife]

Hey there! I would suggest reading the posts that Revvell so graciously provided for you. Also, I was into juicing long before I became raw over a year ago. Since going raw, I rarely use my juicer. I use my Vita-Mix for green smoothies. I want the fiber. I want more then juicing provides. Don't get me wrong, juicing is still so much healthier then the SAD/CRAP stuff out "there", but green smoothies (no straining) for me baby!
Until Alissa's book arrives - start making green smoothies and get all that goodness already broken down so your body can concentrate on detoxing and repairing/healing itself.

[ChaiLife]

I did my research on juicers and decided on an Omega 8005. This site gave a good comparison (it's only 1 of a few that I used to make my choice):

http://www.mercola.com/article/juicer_comp.htm (http://www.mercola.com/article/juicer_comp.htm)

I have ordered mine and it should arrive next Tuesday so, unfortunately, I can't tell you anything else about it.

I can tell you that the Omega 8005 and the Omega 8003 are the same thing except that one has silver plating over the palstic. :) Purely for looks.

[sparklebead]

I got the champion 8500 two months ago. I use it 2-3 times a day. Mine is super easy to clean and leaves very very dry pulp. I would say the best juicing machine. BUT as mentioned above now that I know about raw I would have been better off with a vitamix to make the best green smoothies, desserts, and "milks". My regular blender just does not cut it for me. My only big complaint (and this is for most juicers) you have to do a lot of chopping to fit the items in the "shute". Oh one last thing, I am also learning that simple is best when it comes to raw, so you may want to save the money and stick with just the vitamix. Hope that helped in some way!

[Beachhunter]

I have had my champion juicer for about 15 or so years and it still works like a charm. I use it very often. I recently bought a vitamix and love it as well. I do both green smoothies and juices. I have only been raw for a short time and I think both gadgets really help me along.

[RollinRaw]

If I get a champion juicer I will get it used. I also pondered the fact that I do have the Vitamix and smoothies/juice are fuller than any store bought juice, but then .....thats the stuff thats good for you.

I am one of those "gadget" people, sometimes its a good thing .... other times, well I must learn patience! I may just wait and read the book and use the Vitamix .......... juicers are always going to be there!!

Thanks again!

Sharon

[Lady Green Jeans]

VFL, Totally agree regarding the fiber. Used to see the Vitamix demo at the fair and they claimed "Whole Food for Whole Nutrition" or something like that. Did not get it. Felt juicing was just the only way to go. Fiber was just going to slow a person down. Talk about coming full circle. Would be VERY hard pressed to part with my Vitamix.

This is just my experience over the last 10 years and finding raw about 6 yeaers ago. I have three juicers--all pretty much in boxes in the garage. The first is an old centrifuge type, a Green Star which occasionally gets used for primarily nut butters, and a Norwalk that looks brand new. Pretty much just use my food processor and the Vitamix. Loving raw meals--simple and complex recipes, green smoothies are an awsome start for my day, and getting great support and information here helps me stay on track.

Good luck on your juicer decision. The Green Star seems affordable, easy to clean and can vouch that nut butters come out pretty decent. That was really nice of Revell to hook you up with so much good info.

[SmilingRawDancer]

I got my Omega 8003 TODAY, and although I haven't used it, I can tell ya- it looks good.
Con - I'll have to chop stuff small, because the hole to poke stuff into is maybe 2 inches diameter.
PRO - to clean, I'll only have to unscrew ONE THING OFF, then take THAT apart and clean that...it's small, and easy to clean, from what I can see.
With my old jack-lalane, cleaning was ANNOYING because I had to clean off these huge ol' parts, and I only run my dish washer 1-2 times a week, or less. So I'm a rinser.
This looks good.
I'm excited! I need to go find some cheap juicing produce now!
OH and another pro- centrifugals can heat up/destroy the nutrients, where the Omega is an auger type dealio :)

[sueko]

I've had a Champion juicer for about 30 years, and mine still runs great, never had any problem. However, that being said, it does leave a wetter pulp than the Green Star, and that is the one I would buy today IF I were buying a new juicer because it also juices wheatgrass.

I do use it occasionally, but mostly I use whole foods, as I believe the fiber is too essential to just throw away or compost. If I do juice, say, carrots, for a recipe or a juice, I'll use the pulp in another way, such as a burger or a pate. If you're going for smoothies, skip the juicer and go with the Vitamix for green smoothies and the like.

[KellyL]

I have the Omega 8003 and love it! I get dry pulp and it is easy to clean. Works great for hard veggies and greens. It is also very easy to clean and quiet. I fill a big plastic bowl with warm soapy water and place it in the sink. When I take the juicer apart to clean, I just dump all the parts in the bowl and swish them around. I pull them out and rinse under the faucet. The only thing I have really had to use the brush for is the small screen. I think you made a great choice.