The Right Juicer

[becomingwhole]

My birthday is Jan 14th and I am getting a Juicer.....WHOOO HOOOO!!
Problem is I can't make up my mind and I need to ASAP. I don't know what kind of juicer to get? I so far I am tottering between the Green Star and Champion. I would love to hear all of your experiences and opinions and I am open to other brands. Here is a list of my concerns, (and not necessarily in this order):

1. Longevity. Need one that is going to be in it for the long haul.
2. Quality. Need to get the most Juice (dry pulp)
3. Capability. Are there any fruits or leafy's that the juicer will not be able to handle? Also, Can it help make nut butters or milks, and can it help make ice cream?
4. Ease of use. Not my top concern. I would like to know, but this will not stop me from getting the best juicer.
5. Cost. I would like to keep it under $400. Preferably $300 or under, to leave room for attachments or other things I might need.

So please please please help me with my decision. To me it is a big one. I don't have a lot of money so I want to make sure I make the best choice I can the first time around.

[Alessandra]

Nomi Shannon, and most other raw foodists whose blogs I read endorse the Greenstar. I have one myself and I love it.
It is sturdy, wellmade, juices everything......can make ice cream...not sure about nut butter...ran some almonds through mine and it came out kind of...but then I may not have been doing it right....haven't used the blank in ages and didn't have the booklet so wasn't sure if I put it in correctly ....easy enogh to use...right around $400 maybe under I got mine a couple of years ago for $350....I would put my money on the Greenstar. The juice stays good all day.....even without refrigeration (if kept cool, in a dark green glass bottle...)

[Lori]

there is one called the jack lalanne? ever here of that one? he is a pioneer in health and fitness from way back, i think he is 80 now and still running and eating healthy

[Robin]

I have been using my trusty Champion for over 15 years! I keep it right on my counter top next to my sink and it actually blends in beautifully with my modern kitchen. It has been dependable, problem free, continues to work hard for me -- like the champ that it actually is! It does make nut butters although I usually don't make them. I have heard of others making ice cream using frozen bananas with theirs but again, I would use an ice cream hand cranked machine for anything more elaborate. There is nothing I haven't been able to put in my machine that I can think of with the exception of grasses. (Well, I don't put citris skins in as a rule either because of bitterness, but that is common sense I think.) A wheat grass juicer is best for grasses I'm told. Even softer, more delicate leaves I put through by wrapping them around other items, like carrots, etc.

I saw an advertisement for the Jack LaLane machine on TV the other day. It seemed to have very dry pulp, but there are times when I like to be able to have more moisture in my pulp for use in other recipes (carrot pulp for carrot salads for example.) I find it is a cinch to put my pulp through a time or two again, since I am usually putting lots of things through together. The only thing I wish mine did was to have a large enough pitcher to collect the juice and the pulp. I have large measuring cups with handles that fit just underneath where the juice comes out and I keep another in the sink to catch the pulp as it is ejected so I can immediately put it back thru if I choose. My machine has paid for itself a thousand times or more. Something to consider is weather or not triturating or masticating vs pressing is of importance to you. The Champion uses tiny teeth to actually tear the veggies and fruits apart, which I’m told doesn’t hurt the cells of the juice, releasing the juices, rather than crushing and forcing them thru as other machines do. I know nothing about Greenstar. Anyone know enough to share about that one?

[becomingwhole]

Thank you so much Alessandra. I appreciate all of the information you have given me. You comment is really helpful.

Alessandra said:

Nomi Shannon, and most other raw foodists whose blogs I read endorse the Greenstar. I have one myself and I love it.
It is sturdy, wellmade, juices everything......can make ice cream...not sure about nut butter...ran some almonds through mine and it came out kind of...but then I may not have been doing it right....haven't used the blank in ages and didn't have the booklet so wasn't sure if I put it in correctly ....easy enogh to use...right around $400 maybe under I got mine a couple of years ago for $350....I would put my money on the Greenstar. The juice stays good all day.....even without refrigeration (if kept cool, in a dark green glass bottle...)

[becomingwhole]

Thank you Lori...I have heard of the Jack Lalanne, but I have heard that those type of juicers oxidize the juice...so I was a bit concerned about that.

If there is anyone out there that knows more about these types of juicers oxidizing, the information would be really appreciated.

Lori said:

there is one called the jack lalanne? ever here of that one? he is a pioneer in health and fitness from way back, i think he is 80 now and still running and eating healthy

[becomingwhole]

Thankyou so much for posting your comment. Happy to see your 15 years of experience with the juicer. Obviously the Champion is in it for the long haul! Thank you for all of the detail you have giving me.....

Robin said:

I have been using my trusty Champion for over 15 years! I keep it right on my counter top next to my sink and it actually blends in beautifully with my modern kitchen. It has been dependable, problem free, continues to work hard for me -- like the champ that it actually is! It does make nut butters although I usually don't make them. I have heard of others making ice cream using frozen bananas with theirs but again, I would use an ice cream hand cranked machine for anything more elaborate. There is nothing I haven't been able to put in my machine that I can think of with the exception of grasses. (Well, I don't put citris skins in as a rule either because of bitterness, but that is common sense I think.) A wheat grass juicer is best for grasses I'm told. Even softer, more delicate leaves I put through by wrapping them around other items, like carrots, etc.

I saw an advertisement for the Jack LaLane machine on TV the other day. It seemed to have very dry pulp, but there are times when I like to be able to have more moisture in my pulp for use in other recipes (carrot pulp for carrot salads for example.) I find it is a cinch to put my pulp through a time or two again, since I am usually putting lots of things through together. The only thing I wish mine did was to have a large enough pitcher to collect the juice and the pulp. I have large measuring cups with handles that fit just underneath where the juice comes out and I keep another in the sink to catch the pulp as it is ejected so I can immediately put it back thru if I choose. My machine has paid for itself a thousand times or more. Something to consider is weather or not triturating or masticating vs pressing is of importance to you. The Champion uses tiny teeth to actually tear the veggies and fruits apart, which I’m told doesn’t hurt the cells of the juice, releasing the juices, rather than crushing and forcing them thru as other machines do. I know nothing about Greenstar. Anyone know enough to share about that one?

[becomingwhole]

My juicer may once again be on hold for now. My husband was just Laid Off work yesterday :( . I just can't justify buying a juicer when our money is tight to begin with and now not knowing where the next money will be coming from :( .

Please keep posting your comments. I still need them for when I do get buy a juicer.

[Alessandra]

Sorry to hear that.......I know you can make juice without a juicer by blending everything up in a food processor/vitamix/blender and then squeezing it in a nut milk bag.....a bit more work, but it can be done....

I send you many blessings and visions of prosperity and abundance.
love,
Alessandra

[Lori]

yep, that;s how i do mine when using greens:)



Alessandra said:

Sorry to hear that.......I know you can make juice without a juicer by blending everything up in a food processor/vitamix/blender and then squeezing it in a nut milk bag.....a bit more work, but it can be done....

I send you many blessings and visions of prosperity and abundance.
love,
Alessandra

[Lori]

i would suggest freecycle for your juicer, or craigslist free section, that is where i got my, rice cooker, when i ate cooked food, juicer, 3 blenders, slow cooker, pasta maker, nut grinder, jam jars etc..it is great!!!!



becomingwhole said:

My juicer may once again be on hold for now. My husband was just Laid Off work yesterday :( . I just can't justify buying a juicer when our money is tight to begin with and now not knowing where the next money will be coming from :( .

Please keep posting your comments. I still need them for when I do get buy a juicer.

[Lori]

i never even heard of that word hahaha sorry, i just looked it up, and it says to put oxygen in? is that it? well the way i look at it we all need oxygen, and it is better than drinking pop..:) no seriously though, what does that mean? is it harmful in some way?
someone tell this poor fool..:)

becomingwhole said:

Thank you Lori...I have heard of the Jack Lalanne, but I have heard that those type of juicers oxidize the juice...so I was a bit concerned about that.

If there is anyone out there that knows more about these types of juicers oxidizing, the information would be really appreciated.

Lori said:

there is one called the jack lalanne? ever here of that one? he is a pioneer in health and fitness from way back, i think he is 80 now and still running and eating healthy

[becomingwhole]

I'm with you Lori...I need more info on this too.

Lori said:

i never even heard of that word hahaha sorry, i just looked it up, and it says to put oxygen in? is that it? well the way i look at it we all need oxygen, and it is better than drinking pop..:) no seriously though, what does that mean? is it harmful in some way?
someone tell this poor fool..:)

becomingwhole said:

Thank you Lori...I have heard of the Jack Lalanne, but I have heard that those type of juicers oxidize the juice...so I was a bit concerned about that.

If there is anyone out there that knows more about these types of juicers oxidizing, the information would be really appreciated.

Lori said:

there is one called the jack lalanne? ever here of that one? he is a pioneer in health and fitness from way back, i think he is 80 now and still running and eating healthy