Help with a Champion/Anyone dislike carrot juice?

[tglasco4]

LOL Fighty,

I remember that I had a similar experience when I first got my champion last May. I was so excited. The first thing I wanted to do (and the main reason I bought it) was to make almond butter. I thought I was doing something wrong with the mess I made of it! I have found that carrots are sort of messy in it. I usually juice them with something high-water like tomatos or cucumber. The tomato especially seems to clean out the blade area. Now that I am used to it I juice the carrots with the ginger. Yes, you must be careful when you go to clean it. I bought a brush for pots from the supermarket. I put the blade part under hot running water and brush it clean. When you are removing the blade from the main body, I sometimes hold it with a dish rag in my hand so as not to cut myself. You will get used to using it and it will get much better. That thing was one of my all-time greatest investments.

Peace.

Todd

[ehartmanf]

It definitely makes a difference what kind of carrots you are juicing. Some that I buy are very sweet and delicious and some have very little flavor. I always add a Granny Smith apple to carrot juice and often a small beet and celery. I love it that way, but straight carrot juice is good too. Chances are you'll develop a taste for it.

You'll get better at juicing the longer you do it. I used to use a Champion juicer and only regretted that the parts couldn't go into the dishwasher for cleaning. I now use the Jack LaLanne and all except the base unit goes into the dishwasher. My kind of cleanup...... ;)

[Wrecked Spark]

I like carrots and celery together; I usually add a granny smith apple to sweeten it up. Pure juice heaven. :)

[rawjojo]

Hi Fightyorke,

Here are my suggestions for juicing:

1. Do you like eating carrots, because if not, then you may not like having carrot juice! One way to get used to it is by adding an apple. When I started teh carrot taste was a little overwheming but now I really enjoy it with a little bit of apple.

2. I am sure that everyone will agree that cleaning up after juicing is by far teh worst part! I can't stand scrubbing the counter top from the spilled juice and cleaning the juicer. What I do now is line my countertop with newspaper and juice ontop of the paper. It makes cleanup a breeze. When I am done juicing all I do is fold up the paper with all of the spills and veggie remnants on it and throw it in my composters. Very environmental and very quick. Then of course I clean my juicer

Hope this helps you out!
rawjojo

[Olive]

fightyorke,

I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your kitchen mishap--it gave me the giggles! But know that I'm laughing with you and not at you . . . I've had some disasters myself! Not once, not twice, but three times I've dropped a wooden spoon into a running blender when I was mesmerized by the swirling stuff. Splat! My entire ceiling, cabinets and clothing were covered. Obviously, I still haven't learned to not be hypnotized by my kitchen appliances, lol!

[Olive]

It just occurred to me that I have a Champion question. Someone generously loaned me theirs, but after one time juicing, I'm having problems. I got it apart to clean just fine, but I can't get it back together! There are two plastic parts and then the screen. I can get the two plastic parts together, but not with the screen too. The screen will pop into the smaller plastic piece where it should, but then it doesn't fit into the larger piece. Make sense? Am I totally missing something?


Thanks!

[Rawism]

Very True, fightyorke.

I found out just last week that a little of ginger goes a long way.

I called myself trying to make ginger-ale but I added so much ginger that I had to throw it out. Yucko!! What a waste.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Here's my "routine" with my Champion....lol

1) I place a square of a paper towel diagonally under the machine, with the corner of it just under the feet of the Champ.

2) I use the Pampered Chef mini batter bowl to catch the juice. It fits perfectly in there, all wedged in. I haven't been able to find anything else that fits quite like it. However, you don't *have* to use it, you can use any type of bowl that has a wide rim.

3) I try to use a high container to catch the pulp coming out. Carrot pulp comes out the quickest since it's the dryest, it tends to shoot out. You can use a plastic grocery bag so it catches all the splatters. I always re-juice my pulp a second time since the Champ isn't the greatest at getting all the juice out.

4) I cut up celery. Because its strings tend to wind around the cutting blade and cause the machine to slow down, labor, and heat up if I don't. That goes the same for any vegetable with long strands, like anise.

5) To remove the cutting blade, I use my paper towel, after I'm all done, wrap it around the cutter, then wrap my hand around the whole cutter and pull off.

6) It is important, when cleaning, to clean inside the cutting blade. The best thing I used is a nipple brush (the kind for a baby bottle, not what you are thinking!) or a pipe cleaner.

7) It's very important to grease the shaft before replacing the cutting blade. I use either olive or coconut oil generously. If you don't grease the shaft, you won't be able to remove it next time. I've heard some people can never remove the cutting blade because they didn't grease the shaft.

8) I don't grind anything in there. I've done the whole nut butter thing, and it makes quite a mess. I've tried homogenizing dates, and it labors and heats up the machine. Last I tried grinding barley in there and it labored way too hard. The only thing I've found it's good for besides general juicing is frozen fruit with the solid plate. Bananas come out wonderful. To grind nuts or grains or dates, I just use my Kitchen Aid food processor which has super-sharp blades, lots of power and is much easier to clean.

Hope that helps!

[carolg]

Anyone try using hot pepper in the carrot juice? Kind and combo please. I do like ginger in my carrot juice and use it whenver I have ginger here or remember to use it. Gosh, gotta remember to buy it or use it if I want it....try to use celery always and even lettuce. Love peppers too. Red is nice and sweet too. Merry juicing this holiday. Oh apple nice with the carrot/celery too..............
carolg

[SHANE]

I have a SAMSON juicer....IT ROCKS!! No sharp blades to deal with! Check it out online!!
(I still can't stand carrot juice plain)

You know what's so cool about veggy and fruit juice, it's not greasey and gross. Remember patting out a hamburger...or cleaning the pans that had meat in them? Ahhh my palms were the greaseland express!