Masticating vs centrifugal... Breville vs. Omega

[jevans]

I just thought I would post an FYI in helping anyone that is considering and questioning differences between juicers; mainly a centrifugal juicer vs. a masticating juicer.

I researched for a long time which juicer might be best and settled on the Omega 8006 (masticating) juicer. This juicer was proven to be one of the best at extracting more juice with drier pulp and less foam. I have used it
for over a year and it is an excellent juicer. BUT, I have always been curious as to the centrifugal juicers such as the Breville Ikon or Fountain Plus. There speed has always intrigued me and was always curious as to how
"worse" this juicer could be. People have claimed that the juice is not as good as a masticating since it spins at such a high rate that the juice is "heated up" a little thereby reducing its quality.

I bought the Breville Ikon and tested it against the Omega 8006 juicer. My test consisted of:
handful of spinach
3 kale leaves
handful of wheatgrass
3 carrots
1/2 cucumber
orange

I was absolutely floored at the results. Both juicers yielded EXACTLY the same quantity...11 ozs! I was certain that the Omega would have more juice, but it was equal to the Breville. But there were some differences.
1. The Omega's juice had a richer darker look to it whereas the Breville had a lighter more cloudy look
2. The juice tasted a little sweeter with the Breville
3. The Omega cleans up faster with smaller parts than the Breville. The Breville is very easy to clean, it just has larger parts.
4. The pulp on both, had the same consistency

People question whether the Breville can juice leafy greens properly. I was surprised that they did very well, as long as you roll them up into a ball. I actually put the wheatgrass inside the kale leaves and rolled them up.
Also, I got the same exact yield with the leafy greens. Both juicers yielded 2ozs.

For those considering a juicer, don't sweat too much over these two different types. The only advantages between them were the Breville is MUCH faster at making juice since you do not have to cut the produce up,
whereas the Omega you do. The Omega is also much slower at juicing since it chews up the food. The slower process lends to less oxidation. The Omega is much quieter than the Breville. You could easily use the Omega in the middle of the night and not
disturb anyone. The Omega is also faster to clean. It can also do wheat grass by itself, nut-butters, frozen desserts, etc.
If you want a no-nonsense, fast juicer, the Breville wins. If you want to make other things and have more time then the Omega is the one.

I do believe that the Omega also puts out a more nutrient dense juice since the color is darker, but that's just my opinion.

[snoops]

I had to send my Omega in for some servicing last year and I went and bought a centrifugal juicer - don't remember what brand - may have been Breville( not a top of the line, maybe $75). I used it a couple times and gave it away because I thought the taste difference was significant. The omega juice is always so sweet and the other one was bitter and tasteless. It wasn't even worth using in my opinion so I just did without for a while.

Just my two cents on the topic!

[levamssg]

I sold my breville -- gave away the champion --- don't use the Hurom (like the omega vrt). I try lots of juicers and always go back to the green star. That's just my preference. Whatever juicer rings your bells -- that's the one for you because you'll use it. And the whole point is using it and drinking juice.

Cool comparison Jevans -- it gives lots of lookers out there some good information. Thanks!

[bananafish]

There are better cheaper centrifugal juicers than the Breville. The best centrifugal is probably the Omega Mega Mouth, yields significantly more than any other.

In a recent 'juice off' I watched on youtube, the L'Equip 215 I have came out better than a much more expensive Breville.

I have both a centrifugal and masticating, I switch up depending on what I'm juicing. Here's my little 'nutrition corner':

[Jayla]

I have a Breville and I LOVE it. I read all the threads here about the other types of juicers and almost spent way more money for an Omega. I m so happy I went with my mind. My family and I have been juice making fools. We just love it. I make green juice and fruit juice and have not found one I didnt like yet.

[R'Mila]

I'm thankful for your comparison as well. Right now I just blend whole juice/smoothies with vitamix. I'm still debating where I should invest.