greenstar juciers

[lori ann]

I finally get to buy a good juicer and it looks like greenstar is the one to get?? Anyways what is the main difference between the 1000 and 3000 models?

[sport]

Shortcut to: http://www.greenstar.com/differences.asp

This is a comparrison chart. There does not seem to be much differance.

[raweater]

I just bought a Green Star after LOTS of juicer research. I decided on the green star because:
-I had a centrifugal juicer, it sucked
-I almost bought the Omega 8005 until I learnt that nearly every model grinds its own plastic into the juice or pulp!
-I then realized the Green Star is the only one worth buying, especially for my needs (wanted on that does leafy greens and wheatgrass)
-It extracts so much more juice (33% more than the omega) that the added cost will be repaid for in savings
-Makes juice with 50-200% more vitamins than any other juicer

The differences are listed on the website posted above. I decided to go with the 3000 mainly because:
-It's just $40 more ($380 instead of $340 on www.2-life.com )
-Upgrading from the 1000 to the 3000 later on can cost well over $100 plus shipping, so why not do it now for $40 unless you're sure you don't want the parts

The optional parts that come with the 2000 and 3000 are and my comments about them, this may be a less dizzying read that the overcomplicated table on their site:
-Drip tray (2000, sort of useful but disables machine's 2 front anti skid feet, making the machine slide everywhere on the counter, so I don't use it)
-Coarse screen (2000, I find this lets much to much pulp in my juice, so I just use the fine screen for all juices, but I've just had it for over a week, maybe I'll find a use for it)
-Stainless steel strainer (2000, useful, but not really different than other strainers sold in kitchen stores)
-Pasta maker set (3000, I actually had to try it and did make a batch of fresh cooked pasta but only once, I will try to see if I can make flax flour and make some sort of raw extruded pasta)
-Rice cake/bread stick/mochi maker set (3000, apparently allows you to make smoother nut butters, allows you to shape dough into long sticks, you can then braid them and dehydrate to make a raw sprouted buckwheat bread for example)
-Soft fruit knob (optional on all 3 models, $5 more to get it on any model on 2-life.com, absolutely recommended for soft things like oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, etc.)

So you can see the 1000 + fruit knob is all you need for juicing, you can consider the 2000 if:
-You want the option of more pulp
-You want the drip tray (makes the machine slide, I'd rather clean the drips on the counter)
-Stainless steel strainer, as can be bought in any kitchen store

Consider the 3000 if:
-You want to make nut butters with it (haven't tried this yet, I use my food processor for nut butters, but this may do a better job, I don't know yet)
-You want to extrude dough into stick shapes or make pasta (I'll try to figure out if it's possible to make a raw grain free pasta dough, but I think the chances of it working are very slim)

I don't regret getting the 3000 as the upgrade kit if you change your mind later costs a lot more than paying $40 more for the 3000 to start with, but if you're sure you'll never use the other accesories or don't mind paying significantly more for them later, then the 1000 should be ok for you (if you want 100% pulp free, make sure you have a strainer or get the 2000, as with some things it will let little blobs of pulp, but these usually float and can be spooned out).

Hope this helps

[raweater]

Wanted to add: In case you didn't notice yet, the only differences between the models are the included accessories, the machine itself is the same.

[lori ann]

Hey Sport and raweater,

Thanks for your responses- I can not wait to get mind-I have been using a cheap $20 hamilton beach one for a awhile. Lori

[raweater]

Hey, if you go in the recipe forum and look at the "cheesy bread sticks with marinara sauce" post I posted you'll see cheesy braided bread sticks I made with my Green Star! They were awesome!

[lori ann]

Hey raweater,

Thanks I will have to check it out. I am so excited I ordered my greenstar 3000 and it should be here by the end of the week. I can not wait!!

[Green Amour]

I'm looking for a juicer for my mom, who is 82. I have read that the greenstar gives the best juice quality in this price range but I'm a little concerned that it may take a lot of arm strength to use. Does anyone have any advise or thoughts on this? I'm afraid that If it's really difficult she probably won't use it.

[beckx]

can someone also comment on cleaning this machine? i have an omega juicer and it would be great to upgrade but i like how easy the centrifugal juicer is to clean... what is cleanup like with a greenstar? are there lots of pieces/small pieces/etc, how long does it take you, things like that?

[Stina]

I'm looking for a juicer for my mom, who is 82. I have read that the greenstar gives the best juice quality in this price range but I'm a little concerned that it may take a lot of arm strength to use. Does anyone have any advise or thoughts on this? I'm afraid that If it's really difficult she probably won't use it.

Yeah, I find I'd rather put smaller amounts in more often than bigger amounts and having to use my arm strength to get them going through. It's a little more time consuming but I'm so psyched I upgraded from my Champion.

[Betsy]

Lori, I am unhappy with my greenstar. I have'ta be honest. It doesn't do carrots or softer type foods well. It is hard to use as the plunger is very difficult to push down when the food is in the shoot. It takes brutal strength to just juice a little bit of food, and my arms aren't weak.
The Champion does carrots well. So maybe I'll haveta get one of those, too.
The Greenstar does wheatgrass and greens well and it homogenizes like a Champion.

The Greenstar is too slow in my opionion, but they say that is better so it doesn't heat up the food more then necessary and makes the food last longer.

[lori ann]

I got my greenstar and so far I like it. It only takes me about twenty minutes to go through the whole process of juicing and clean up. I was worried that it would be hard to clean, but I really do not think it is. I am happy with it so far.

[Betsy]

Isn't it difficult for anyone to push down the food into the food chute? It seems to take foR_Ever!

[Stina]

You know, maybe I'll keep my Champion just for carrot juicing, now that you mention it.

[lori ann]

Besty,

Hey there. For me it does not seem that long, but I have only used one other juicer which was before my greenstar which was a cheap $20 Hamilton Beach from Odd Lots.

[Eva]

Bumping this up to ask -- Has anyone had good experiences with carrots with this? I'm considering getting a different juicer at some point in the near future but don't juice all the time.

It's the nut butters in a short time that has me thinking about this at all... but I want ONE gadget to do it all! (And do it well if it's this expensive!)

[Revvell]

Bumping this up to ask -- Has anyone had good experiences with carrots with this?

I have. Just gotta know the tricks. :p

[Eva]

Don't just stick your tongue out at me 'cause you know the tricks and I don't!!!! Do share!!! ;)

[rawmonger]

Yes, Revvell, what are the tricks?

I'd like to know as I'm in the market for a new juicer as well (been using a Champion for over ten years).

[Revvell]

All right, all right...

First, after juicing, put the juicer over the sink, turn it on and run warm-hot water through it.

After taking it apart, put the grinders in a bowl of warm water.

Take a turkey baster and squirt water over the inside parts.

Be sure to separate the lil juice controller and put it where it wont go down the drain (did that with my teacher's juicer. He was not a happy camper)

Juicing ~ Carrots: Cut them at an angle so when you put them in, the pointier part goes in first.

Put softer fruits/veggies in with harder stuff so they all go through together.

Don't over fill the chute.

Hope that helps some!

Revvell

[Eva]

OH MY! That sounds a little complicated... but I guess I have a routine with my current juicer. It's almost like cheating to have the tricks in advance.

I will say, that I think I got ahead of myself thinking about this stuff. I need to get my budget in check but that's a whole other story!

In any case, assuming I can keep my wallet IN my purse re: raw goodies for a month or so, this is still a very good option for the budget! Raweater's description of making nut butters in 30 seconds in this thing is a darn good sell!

[Revvell]

OH MY! That sounds a little complicated...

Once you do it, you'll see how uncomplicated it is. Run the water through, saves a lot of scrubbing; the stuff is OUT! Put the grinders in the water and lift them out and whatever left on is wet and easy to remove.

Rinse with the tb and you don't have to try and remove the stuff with a sponge. It's GONE!

Put the lil control thingy somewhere safe and you don't have to get a new garbage disposal or control thingy.

Organization keeps things simple.

You're welcome.

Revvell

[Eva]

You're welcome.

Revvell

Oh my -- I missed the "thank you"! But -- thank you! :)

[DawnW]

We have an 8 year old GreenStar. It was called Green Life back then but is the same machine. It still works like the day we bought it but is a little orange from juicing so many carrots!

We have no problem juicing carrots and I was surprised to read that some people did. The only time it is a problem is if the carrot is really wide and won't fit well. Otherwise, it seems to go in easily.

Dawn

[Revvell]

That's what I had; then I was given a Green Power; and I also had two Champions. Now I've got a Samson.

Yes, it does get orange.


We have an 8 year old GreenStar. It was called Green Life back then but is the same machine. It still works like the day we bought it but is a little orange from juicing so many carrots!

We have no problem juicing carrots and I was surprised to read that some people did. The only time it is a problem is if the carrot is really wide and won't fit well. Otherwise, it seems to go in easily.

Dawn

[Arky]

Although I'm not actually tring to dissuade you from buying a GreenStar, please at least investigate an Oscar 900. I upgraded to one recently and have been very impressed with it.

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=39559

I appreciate that it's not easy to choose a juicer, because there are so many pros and cons to each model, and I don't wish to be someone who muddies the water for you. I'm suggesting you see what an Oscar 900 can do because it is a very capable juicer, requiring very little effort to feed produce into, is extremely easy and fast to clean (much faster than the older Samson and Matstone juicers, because the screen design has changed and no longer 'grips' the pulp as it used to), and is good value.

If you go ahead with the Greenstar despite this then I'm sure you'll be happy with that, too :)

That said, there are some very interesting customer reviews on the following webpage, which you would be wise to read before buying:

http://www.livingearth.co.uk/xcart/juicers/oscar-vitalmax-juicer-900.html

All the best and I know you'll be happy, whichever way you go.


J.


There's also an older, but informative, thread here:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=11166

[carolg]

Have Green Power from way back and super satisfied without any problems. I think the GP became the Green Star.

Off to gym.

carolg

[Revvell]

Have Green Power from way back and super satisfied without any problems. I think the GP became the Green Star.

Off to gym.

carolg

Yup! It did.

[carolg]

Rev,
If you are sticking the whole darn juicer under water, didn't the GP label plop eventually off or maybe you don't care?

A reason to buy a turkey baster now.

Thanks for sharing always. Love your posts.

carolg

[Revvell]

Where did I say to stick the juicer in the water?

[carolg]

Couldn't figure out where how to get "quote" part ot happen so here goes the alternative way:

Rev,

Oops...you wrote :

"Once you do it, you'll see how uncomplicated it is. Run the water through, saves a lot of scrubbing; the stuff is OUT!"

What was I thinking when I read this anyway?

My only options to rinsing is a jar of water or a large cup through the "hole" to rinse the fibers through. I use a little nail brush to clean too for other parts.

Thanks Rev.

carolg

[Revvell]

What was I thinking when I read this anyway?




Ummm, what YOU would do??? Drop the juicer in a sink full of water and turn it on??? :eek: *runs away* :D