With summer just around the corner
most of us are turning our thoughts to getting healthy and shedding those extra pounds so
we can fit into last years bathing suit. One of the healthier alternatives is juicing. I
am often asked the same questions about juicers. So I offer this abbreviated guide to
juicer buying.
What kinds of juicers are there?
Juicers generally fall into three categories: masticating, centrifugal and triturating.
These have to do with the method of extracting and separating the juice from the pulp.
The Masticating machine operates at a slower speed. It chews the fibers and
breaks up the cells of vegetables and fruits. This gives you more fiber, enzymes, vitamins
and trace minerals. The Champion is a masticating juicer. It also is more versatile
because in addition to extracting juices, the unit homogenizes making baby foods, sauces,
nut butters, and sorbets. An optional grain mill attachment is available for grinding
grains into flour.
The Centrifugal machine first grinds
the fruit and vegetables then pushes them through the strainer by spinning at a very high
rpm (similar to your washing machine on the spin cycle). This method usually yields a
little more volume of juice. The Omega, Acme, Juiceman II, Ultramatic and L’Equipe
are centrifugal machines. (Most juicers sold on the market are centrifugal). Optional
citrus attachments are available for the Omega 1000 and Acme juicers that allow juicing of
citrus fruits without peeling.
The Triturating machine, which turns
at a slower rpm, has a two step process. The first step crushes the fruits and vegetables,
while the second step wrings or presses the juice. This process gives you more fiber,
enzymes, vitamins and trace minerals. The Greenpower and Greenlife are triturating juices.
The Greenpower and Greenlife machines do more than just juice, they homogenize and make
pasta, and are good for people on raw food diets. These juicers also have magnetic and
bio-ceramic technology that slows down the oxidation process, which is good if you want to
make and store your juice.
What happens with the pulp?
Juicers can be sub-categorized into two categories, pulp-ejection and non-pulp
ejection. With pulp ejection machines the pulp is ejected into a separate container
allowing continuous juicing. This is more advantageous when juicing large quantities of
juice. The Champion, Greenpower, Greenlife, Juiceman II, Ultramatic and Omega 4000 are
pulp-ejecting machines.
With non-pulp ejecting machines the pulp collects
inside the basket and one must stop and clean it after juicing about one quart of juice.
Using the paper filters make cleaning a much simpler process and yields a finely strained
juice. The Omega 1000 and Acme are non-pulp-ejecting machines.
What about green juice?
Wheatgrass and green juices have become more popular and but unfortunately most juicers do
wheatgrass and leafy greens in a limited capacity. If you want to juice wheatgrass,
celery, spinach, sprouts, or other greens it will be more effective if they cut or bunch
these items and juice along with carrots or other vegetables. If they want green juice
only…buy a wheatgrass juicer!
What kind of warranty do the machines have?
The above mentioned juicers have an average warranty of between one to ten years.
What about cleaning the machine?
Though machines vary in style and assembly, most machines have an average of four to seven
cleaning parts, and may be cleaned in warm soapy water. Most manufacturers advise against
putting parts in dishwasher as the hot water may damage parts and effect the operation of
the machine.
How much will my juicer cost?
The juicers I have mentioned in this article are higher quality juicers from manufacturers
that in some cases have been making juicers for over thirty years. Prices vary depending
on different functions the machine has. The manufacturers suggested retail start at
$199.00 for the Juiceman II up to $600.00 for the Greenpower, the average ranging from
$250.00 to $350.00. Though one can buy a juicer for fewer than one hundred dollars, these
have small capacity motors and may not be that efficient for someone who wants to do
regular or heavier juicing.
