My thoughts on blender vs juicer

[Dirkg]

Having read many threads on this subject, everyone suggest getting a blender if you only get one appliance. I've previously stated that the dangers of centrifugal juicers are overstated. Therefore I think get the a high speed blender (or the best you can afford) + a nult milk bag. This will allow you to -

- make smoothies
- make juice simply by straining
- its much easier to clean up
- wastes less produce (I saw a video where this method produces more juice vs a juicer)
- it probably gives more nutrients since blender breaks all the cell walls

Any thoughts? This is what I plan to do.

[DebB]

I'm right with you. If I could have just one appliance - yes, it would be the high speed blender! I do the same thing when we travel - I take my blender and a nut milk bag.

[MysticTree]

Everyone needs to do what suits them best. I don't think there is a one answer fits all statement.

[Dirkg]

Everyone needs to do what suits them best. I don't think there is a one answer fits all statement.

I agree, I was just curious if anyone else was doing this.

[MysticTree]

I agree, I was just curious if anyone else was doing this.

lots are I think. Especially since vitamix started promoting the concept.

[Oldone]

Having read many threads on this subject, everyone suggest getting a blender if you only get one appliance. I've previously stated that the dangers of centrifugal juicers are overstated. Therefore I think get the a high speed blender (or the best you can afford) + a nult milk bag. This will allow you to -

- make smoothies

I make smoothies every morning because they are made out of fruit. I absolutely love my smoothies!

- make juice simply by straining

I will never allow one of those nasty bags to touch any of my juice

- its much easier to clean up

I have an omega 8006 and a Blendtech – i find them both equal in cleanup!

- wastes less produce (I saw a video where this method produces more juice vs a juicer)

I also saw that video and I tried it myself forget it, for I found you waste a lot more with a blender than you do with a quality juicer. It possibly may be true of a junkie juicer but not a good one.

- it probably gives more nutrients since blender breaks all the cell walls

This is something that I do not have absolute knowledge of but i feel that juicing will give you more nutrients than blending will.

I believe that juicing and blenders go hand in hand, I think one complements the other. i honestly believe you should blend your fruits and juice your vegetables. This is a subject that has been argued time and time again but when they take the end product to the lab juicing usually wins. I have been on a long journey of 12 blenders and eight juicers trying to find my way. I started in 1963.

Any thoughts? This is what I plan to do.

[MysticTree]

Whilst assuming that the person consuming these foods has a strong digestive system - I am lucky, mine is cast iron- I think it worth pointing out that the nutrition of these foods in solid form is pretty darn good. There is nothing wrong with conventional chewing - the blender we grew up with.

[DeniseJones]

If I had to choose between a juicer and a blender I think I would have to go with the blender. The reason for this is that a blender is a lot more versatile than a juicer. You can make smoothies with a blender and like you said you can always make juice with a blender by straining. Plus the easy cleaning makes a blender a clear winner.

But that said I would prefer both machines in my kitchen. Sometimes I use my juicer, sometimes I use my blender. Sometimes I use both in combination!

[michigan roman]

i pretty much agree with your original post . only thing differs for me is that a blender shall aireate soft stuff like tomatoes
and in the process changing the taste in a negative manner . centrifugal juicer has same problem . so ive ended up after
like 6 juicers , centrifugal's / champion / acme / omega 8005 , is getting a slow turning omega because it doesnt froth up the juice .
so makes great tomato juice , pineapple juice etc . though with hard stuff like carrots centrifugal is good with me . but i dont really juice hard stuff beyond apples . but like your saying you waste less with blender / mesh bag style / quicker / WAY easier clean up . so it gets into what each person likes juicing - how much time they have , as in some are short of free time / some are retired and dont have to rush . and also if you had just a blender you can still do great job of juicing soft stuff by crushing it in big pot with water using manual potato masher then straining it thru mesh bag . ive done alot of gallons of tomato juice with garlic clove and parsley on fasts in this manner and it makes the best froth free tomato juice ever

[streetsurfer]

What's so nasty about a hemp bag, Oldone?

[Oldone]

The shorter version is what's clean about them? They are just washed usually and not sterilized after each use.

To wash them properly (not in the washing machine where you wash your nasty undies) and then sterilize them properly, is one large pain in the posterior. This was one of the five reasons that i gave up on my first juicer.

[MysticTree]

You over-think the process. You can clean them fine without going overboard.