Have to Choose One: Vitamix or Juicer?

[Sharon in Colorado]

Blenders rock!!!!


R.

But do they blend rocks, that is the question of the day!

I have the Champ HP3 blender like Sedona Sun...I like it a lot better now that I use an extra container for when I make smoothies for the entire fam. Used to be, the liquid would seep out every which way until I got my thinking cap on and got the other container. It is way faster making smoothies with 2 containers.

My hubby uses a Breville juicer, excellent by the way. It is a basket-style juicer and does a quick job at carrots and apples and celery, etc. I know the Samson, Green Life/star twin gear types are supposed to be great for juicing greens, but many experts are now recommending eating greens, or throwing them in the blender for a green smoothie along with your fruit smoothies. My husband juices carrots and apples in the AM in the Breville. He needs the sugars before he works out.

If I had to decide I'd get the high speed blender first. I feel juicing in large quantities can be a bit wasteful. Not only moneywise, but dietwise, because you aren't taking in the whole fruit/vegetable, just the juice and then you aren't getting in any bulk to fill up on.

The one thing I do like to juice in the juicer is navel oranges. When valencias are in season, I use our OJEX citrus press. Navels don't press well, since they are more of an eating orange. I use the juice in the smoothies and they taste wonderful.

[AMVeggieTales]

Wonderful ideas, everyone -- thanks! :)

Starting to think about getting a second hand juicer for less cost (b/c I really do want to make juices, esp. for my kids), and then invest in a really good blender for DAILY use...

If I seem to be "overthinking" this, well I probably am, LOL, but I don't want to be 10 days into my challenge and then sputter out b/c I'm not prepared!

Thank you again for all the input, it is really helpful.
Best,
Anne

[misslinda]

sorry, i've never owned a vitamix. i'm real simple in preparations so i own a juicer. i either eat the fresh stuff or juice for fasting. now i'm curiosu as to waht this vitamix even looks like. :)

[Revvell]

now i'm curiosu as to waht this vitamix even looks like. :)

https://www.vitamix.com/household/st...ectGroup_ID=57

[misslinda]

Oh Revvell you doll, i was going to go to the store......500 points for you! ;)

[Lady Green Jeans]

AMVeggieTales,

Good questions on the juicer vs blender. I bought a used Norwalk about 7 years ago, a centriful juicer right before that, a green star two years ago for my sister, had a KTec for a coffee shop/juice bar, and recently purchased and use almost daily the VitaMix. I have only been 6 weeks raw and so thankful of Alissa's book and DVDs that really made everything cohesive.

What I use daily is the Cuisinart food processor, spiralizer, and VitaMix. I do use my juicer, but surprisingly not that often. Not a big fan yet of the green smoothies, but given the positive feedback--will probably learn to do them where I like the flavor/texture since they will do the body so much good.

Don't know if any of this helps but really am loving the raw cuisine and having so much fun working my way through Alissa's recipes.

Best of luck and best of health to you on your journey.

[rawpriestess]

Just so everyone knows, the Vita Mix, has now come out with two new containers, one has a soft handle and the other one is shorter, so it will fit under your counter now.

Vita Mix says it has listened to it's customers about needing a shorter container.

[Dandelion Girl]

Anne, Try looking on Ebay. I got my Vitamix on Ebay for less than $200. That is also where I got my Cuisinart new in the box for about half the price of getting it from the manufactor. I get a lot more use from my Vitamix than my juicer, but if you really want a juicer, you may be able to afford both if you find good deals on ebay.

[Revvell]

Oh Revvell you doll, i was going to go to the store......500 points for you! ;)

Heh! Collects me points then looks around for where I can circulate them.

[AMVeggieTales]

Ohhh, I love Ebay -- I'm a big fan.

I've already done searches on VitaMix and also blenders; possibly the post-holiday weeks will have some good deals!

Thanks for the encouragement and good wishes, by the way -- I plan on daily reading and/or involvement on these boards for support, ideas, and help during any possible rough spots.

I will also prob. use the journal here. If I feel accountable, it will help a lot.

No matter what appliances I end up with, I do feel these boards are going to be the very best help. I already have gotten so many "a-ha" moments and good ideas!

Best,
Anne

[edie]

I have a Magic Bullet. Love it, I only use the small containers but I don't know what I would do without it now. It is very powerful , I have had it for almost 2 years, use it everyday and is still going strong. You can make small quanities fresh...and is very easy to clean. Hardly use my vitamix anymore. It is such a treat to make fresh dressing from just about anything daily. Anyway haven't run across any raw folk that uses it like me and I don't understand why? EDIE Buy the way I don't recomend the jucier that comes with it or the large container I threw them out!