How expensive is your juicer?

[~rawfoodie]

and how does that relate to its functionality?

I used to have a 300 dollar juicer and there were some things about it that I didn't like... then my mother threw out the knife by mistake and we had to get a new one. This time it's much cheaper and much more convenient too...

[Arky]

I own a Matstone/Samson and it's ok but I often feel it could be squeezing more from my expensive produce (hence my post here: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9831)

7.5 out of 10, overall, IMHO.


What did you own and what do you now own?

I intend to checkout a twin gear juicer some time in the near future but I will first upgrade to the Oscar Vitalmax auger setup to see if it works as well as is being claimed - some sources suggest it may even be as good as a twingear juicer, with the benefit of requiring less elbow-grease to push the produce through, than a twingear juicer requires. If you look at the commercials for the GreenPower juicers you can see that although they try to gloss over it, it is obvious quite some effort is needed to push the produce through the twin gears (celery buckles). Incidentally, I was most surprised to read the following: "Tip: never put the pulp back into the juicer, it will damage the screens and makes void the warranty!". What an extraordinary statement...

http://www.juicersaustralia.com.au/kempo_juicer.shtml

Scroll down 75% of the way, to find the movies I referred to.

An interesting article on juicers, and how they compare, may be found here:

http://www.ethicaljuicers.co.uk/juicers_comparison.php


J.

[Purl]

I used to have a $100 Omega til I busted it by forgetting to screw in the nut that held the plate in place. I bought a household champion at juiceandbeyond.com for $187. Not sure I like it, but I think I just have to get used to it. It's not a centrifuge it's a masticating. Also, since it was so expensive (for me at least ) that I'm almost afraid to use it 'cause I don't want to break it! I'm a total klutz!

[Revvell]

Champions are workhorses. They are heavy and awkward yet, wonderful for carrots. Celery need to be cut into 1-2" pieces as the strings wrap around the cutter. It does REALLY well in making "ice cream" though w/ frozen fruits.

I chose the Green Life over the Champion (have Green Power and 1 Green Life) and have HAD two Champions. Sold both the Champions. Reason for keeping the GL is more functionality. It's easier on greens than the Champion. Sucks 'em right down. I don't know of anyone who makes what to me would be the perfect juicer ~ unless someone makes a professional one.

Revvell

[Arky]

DO read that webpage I linked to - it's a really frank and interesting insider's view on the pros and cons of the various juicing strategies and associated machines.


J.

[lavendarJ]

The very first one I had a long time ago was "the juiceman". Honestly, it worked just fine. My only issue with it was that I was juicing quite a bit and I got tired of having to cut everything up so small. A few years ago, I bought the Jack Lalane "power juicer". I am going to keep it. What really sold me on it was being the nice wide chute and the fact that I could juice a bunch of carrots or whole apples and such easily. Yet, it is not as quiet as it was portrayed in the infomercials but it is a great deal less in comparison to most juicers. I personally don't see a difference in the pulp extraction. Again, according to the infomercial, it is supposed to be better at extracting more juice and providing putting out less pulp. I can't tell the difference. But all in all, it works for my immediate needs regarding fruits and veggies. I bought it off the infomercial for just under $200.00. I use it only for juicing veggies and fruits. All in all, it was a worthwhile purchase. The only thing I need now is a citrus juicer. People have recommended the Citri-Star but I am wondering if someone knows a website (or department store that it can be found at)

[Revvell]

I am wondering if someone knows a website (or department store that it can be found at)

We carry it on www.dancingdragonenprises.com ~ go to "resources".

Revvell

[lily]

This thread could have been written for me. I am trying to decide between the champion and the green life. I want to be able to juice wheat grass as well as fruit and veg. I know the champion won't do wheat grass -- but I hear it's very easy to clean and put together -- and people LURVE their champions...

Someone told me the perfect combo is a champion and a hand juicer for the wheat grass, because they're both simple to use and clean.

But would it be better to get the green life which does it all? I want something quick and simple -- revvell -- (and anyone else) can you advise me on the relative difficulty of using and cleaning a champion and a green life? I don't want to get something which I find I'm too lazy to use...

Thank you for any advice...

love and blessings,

lily x

[Arky]

Read here about the Champion before buying one:

ethicaljuicers.co.uk/juicer_champion.php

(BTW, I have absolutely no affiliation with this retailer - I simply appreciate their honesty and their ethics - which, incidentally, is why I bought a NewGena blender from them 2days ago, which arrived today!


J.

[Revvell]

I want something quick and simple -- revvell -- (and anyone else) can you advise me on the relative difficulty of using and cleaning a champion and a green life?
lily x

I don't find that much difference in cleaning. Although the GL comes w/ a brush, I use a small veggie brush where in which I can put some dishwashing liquid in. Once one gets to using it often, it's quite easy to clean and replace the parts.

Remember, the Champion is great for carrots. It's not that good for greens. I used mine for quite some time because I was reading about the benefits of carrot juice. My best blend was carrots, beets and some greens I think it was. Can't really remember what the third ingredient was.

Now, with green smoothies, I use my V-M and Citri-star more than anything.

Revvell

[lily]

Thank you, revvell and Arky -- very helpful. I wish I could get on with green smoothies but I just can't at the moment in spite of all the helpful tips about them that I've read on this forum -- but I really love wheatgrass. Chacun a son gout, I suppose...

The website you mention, Arky, is very enlightening. I'm now seriously considering the Hippocrates juicer. Anything anyone can tell me about that one, what it's like in practice, would be appreicated.

Thanks ---

lily

[girl007]

Omega 8005

Well, this is my first juicer and let me tell you it is FABULOUS.

It looks good and works hard! I paid around $230.00 for it. Sooooooooooooo easy to clean, and leaves very little pulp if any. I would highly reccomend this baby! I asked around and many people will not use their juicers because they take too long to clean.

No complaints thus far. If the veggie fits in the shoot I dont cut it. If it is too wide I just make is small enough to fit in the shoot. Voila - easy as can be.
Oh and it does greens well also! I do broccoli, brussel sprouts, lettuce! As a newbie to juicing I have had a tendency to experiment.......... by putting all kinds of stuff in there.

My .02 cents! :)

[Revvell]

There are a couple of threads here about the Omega. I understand others like it as well.

Revvell

[michigan roman]

i dont have alot of experience with juicing or sprouting . but heres my wheat grass method . grow grass in plastic dish pans with 2" dirt in them . chop up grass into quarter inch bits . you can chop up other sprouts also like i just added sunseed sprouts today . fill blender half full with water . put in plant matter . high speed blend for about a minute . i know its not as nutrient concentrated as a wheat grass juicer would provide but for many whom want to try wheat grass without buying juicer this is good .

[Lady Green Jeans]

Interesting thread.

I too started out years ago with an Omega and used it for several years. Especially adored running peeled oranges through for a beverage that was similar to Orange Julius.

I then bought a very gently used Norwalk which still has very little use.

Two years ago I bought my sister the Hippocrates Green Power to help her in her cancer battle. Sadly her cancer was too advanced and aggressive so it is the one I now use for most of my juicing needs and recently for making nut butter.

I also have a manual wheatgrass juicer purchased at the same time as the Norwalk, which is used sporadically since green smoothies, etc. are easier and I hear just as good nutrition-wise.

I wouldn't hesistate to purchase Green Power again.
Hope some of this helps.