About Kitchenware

[Daddeln]

Hello,

Could someone recommend which models of blenders, food processors and juicers that are prisworthy and strong enough to do a good job with the raw food to one fairly new in the area?

[cheflissy]

Daddeln,

I love the Vitamix blender. It's a super strong blender that will pulverized anything it comes in contact with. I like Cuisinart food processors. It's what I grew up with and just like them alot. I tried a Kitchen Aid once, but just prefer the Cuisinart. Nothing wrong with Kitchen Aid though. As for the juicer, I like the Jack LaLane. You can pick this up for about $100 at target (I think) or Bed Bath and Beyond. Hope that helps.

Melissa

[levamssg]

For blenders, I would highly recommend getting a good one. Regular blenders wear out rather quickly. I have a vitamix, but have heard that K-tec is also a wonderful machine.

I used to have a black/decker food processor from Walmart. Worked absolutely fine, except I didn't like the design. I now have a cuisinart - it works very well too, and is well built. Key is to have one with a big enough bowl (cup) capacity. Actually I have one big, and one little, both cuisinart.

I have a Green Star juicer - has the capability of doing wheatgrass. It is a 'masticating' juicer, so doesn't heat or use high speed in juicing, and the pulp is almost dry. I like it -- it does a good job.

I have an excalibur dehydrator with the timer and temp control. Air blows from the back, so there is even drying -- it is easy to use (can pull out trays if you have larger items, etc).

[Daddeln]

Thanks for your advices!
Unfortunatly I bought a blender a couple a months ago when I first decided to live raw and it was a kind of crappy one. I can see now why one should own a higher qualityblender because mine is noise and do not manage to blend some vegetables very well. It would feel irritating to buy a new one so short after though so maybe I'll just have to wait until it gets overheated or something, but it wouldnt feel very good in an environmental aspect.

I will not do the same mistake with the other machines!

When it comes to juicer I've had thoughts of buying a champion 2000+. It seems like it would suit me best for the time being. Are there any negative aspects about it?

[EastCoastie]

not for wheatgrass, despite what they may tell you...You can use it but it takes alot longer and alot more raw material. It used to take us over 10 minutes to juice 4 oz of WG (and it took a fair amount of WG to do it). When I got my Samson I was shocked at how quick and easy it was to do the same amount of WG (it takes less than a minute).

We have the Champion at our office for lunchtime juice breaks. The only downside to that particular usage is that it's a bit more time consuming to assemble and clean in comparison to the Samson...

Hope this helps!

EC

[faith4u]

I also recommend a Vita Mix. It is one of the best investments I have ever made.

As far as juicers I love my Champion. Before I bought it I tried a Green Power juicer that a friend had. I am so glad that I bought the Champion. Not only is it easier to clean but it makes the best ice cream. That is often what my kids ask for during the summer for a meal (even before we went raw).

It also makes great nut butters.

[EastCoastie]

Faith4u,

Don't know if you tried it but the Samson makes great ice cream too!

Daddeln, although I do have both the Samson (Green Power Ultra) and the Champion, I prefer the Samson, as does my husband.

We do agree with the others those that a power blender is a must. We prefer the K-Tec, but we have a Vita-Mix at work for those lunchtime smoothies.

EC

[Daddeln]

Thanks again!

About blenders. Are there any risk that the blended ingrediens can lose vital nutritive substance when blending it in a mediocre one? Because mine is only 450 W I sometimes have to run at highest speed for a minute or two and sometimes I can feel that the taste changes to a more acrid one like it was almost overprocessed or something. Could this happen?

[rawpriestess]

I think the best and easiest thing to do is to listen to the experts, if you go to Alissa's site, www.alissacohen.com

and check out the ones she sells, then yoiu will know they are the best, otherwise she wouldn't be selling them

I use the Vita Mix blender, and the 11 cup cuisnart food processor and the Championjuicer, and the Excalibur 9 tray dehydrator

[swingbolder]

We use the Champion juicer, and the Vitamix. The vitamix is great for green smoothies. Regulalar blenders can't blend up the greens very well.

We also have the Excalibur 5-tray.

[EastCoastie]

I see you mention the Cuisinart so would you please elaborate (since you are an expert). I believe Shiva wasn't too impressed with them in his post awhile back, and my husband echoes his sentiment, but I really want a food processor that works. The KitchenAid that just cost me an arm and a leg stinks when it comes to working with nuts. I would consider returning it if I knew someone had good success that 1) works with nuts and 2) puts the machine through its paces frequently...

Prior to this arm-and-a-leg KA, I had a GE that I got from Walmart for $40. It was a bit louder but it worked great. The only downside was that the plastic casing on the blade was cracking and so I decided to upgrade. What a waste... Anyway enough of my ranting, your feedback is most desired.

Thanks!

EC

[Daddeln]

Is vitamix a quiet model? Because my present one are really noise and not that I do mind very much but I live in a studentroom with joint kitchen and sometimes it feels uncomfortable to go out and make such noise (like in mornings and such)