The Complete Idiot's Guide to Juicing - Ellen Brown [5]
Machines with Muscle
When you’re thinking about a juicer, don’t picture that little plastic thing you use to squeeze lemon juice. That’s about as close to a real juicer as the Wright brothers’ airplane is to the Space Shuttle. The juicers we’re discussing are powerful machines. They have to be. Their purpose is to separate the liquid from the fiber, and that takes power. Consider how hard it would be to squeeze the juice from a beet using the little plastic thing you use for lemons.
Choosing Your Weapon
When selecting a juicer, it’s most important to choose one with a stable motor and low heat generation. Excess heat will instantly kill out enzymes. The stability of the machine as it’s doing its appointed task is more important than the number of rpms (revolutions per minute) it boasts. The more efficiently the unit can shred and eject pulp, the less the possibility that the juicer will clog or overheat.
Juicers fall into the following categories:
• Masticating: Food is squeezed through gears that crush it and force it through a fine strainer. Pulp is continuously extracted, and nutrients are preserved because the machine doesn’t generate heat or friction.
Juicy Jive
Few stores will allow you to try juicers before purchasing them, but that’s where the Internet enters the picture. Take down the names of juicers that interest you, and check out the manufacturers’ websites. Chances are you’ll find a video demonstration, which is the next best thing to personally testing the machine.
• Centrifugal: A spinning basket shreds the food and forces the juice through a fine strainer by centrifugal force. This process adds oxygen to the juices and makes them somewhat frothy.
Either type works efficiently and is up to the task at hand. You’ll find information on how it functions on the box.
Preventing Buyer’s Remorse
At most department and discount stores, you’ll see a wall of juicers displayed, which makes it difficult to select one. They’ll range in price from about $75 to more than $350. I’m sorry to tell you that powerful motors aren’t cheap.
Consider these guidelines when selecting a juicer:
• Is it easy to use and clean? In general, I find centrifugal juices are easier to handle than their masticating cousins.
• What is the percentage of juice it removes from the pulp? It should be at least 90 percent.
• How much juice will it process before you have to empty the container and the pulp container? If the juice beaker only holds a cup, it slows down the process.
• Does it have different speeds for different jobs? Most of the good ones have high and low, with high used for harder foods.
• Does it sit securely on the counter? This is a major consideration, as well as whether the feed tube is easy to use at your height.
• How noisy is it? Some juicers I tried require earplugs to save your hearing, while others are virtually silent. In general the centrifugal juicers are quieter, as are juicers that are more expensive.
• Can the parts go into the dishwasher? To me this is a deal breaker. I don’t want any machine that can’t go into my favorite machine.
Before rushing out with credit card in hand, spend some time researching your options online. Many companies will give user reviews, and cyber shopping is also a way to find a good deal!
Juicy Jive
Don’t throw away the pulp from the juicer if you’re a gardener or even know one. It makes rich compost to add into soil once it has broken down, but don’t just put it on top of your flower beds or you’ll be inviting a bug invasion. You can also add the pulp to soups as a thickening agent.
Completing the Equipment List
No machine exists in a vacuum. So here’s a list of smaller items you’ll need to join into juicing:
• A selection of sharp knives for peeling and coring
• A stiff brush for scrubbing vegetables like carrots
• A peeler that removes the thinnest amount of skin possible
• Plastic cutting