Juicers - my top two picks

When it comes to choosing a juicer, it can be a confusing and complicated process. The first step is to figure out whether you want a masticating or a centrifugal juicer. So the big question is...What is the difference between centrifugal and masticating juicers?

Centrifugal juicers are more commonplace, and in general, more affordable. They typically have an upright design in which food is pushed into a rapidly spinning mesh chamber with sharp teeth on its floor. The teeth shred the food into a pulp, and the centrifugal motion pulls the juice out of the pulp and through the mesh filter, where it is funneled out of the juicer via a spigot. In most centrifugal juicers, the pulp, once most of the juice has been pulled out, is ejected into a separate collection chamber. Centrifugal juicers work best with soft and hard fruits and vegetables, but not quite as well with leafy greens like kale or spinach, or with wheat grass.

Masticating juicers, meanwhile, typically have a horizontal design in which a tube containing the auger extends out of motorized base. Pieces of fruits and vegetables are pushed into the top of the tube, and they are crushed and squeezed by the auger. Juice drains out of the underside of the tube, while the pulp is squeezed out at the end of the tube. Because of the slower crushing and squeezing action, masticating juicers can process leafy greens and wheat grass, and the juice that they produce will last much longer than juice made in a centrifugal juicer, which should be consumed right away as it starts losing nutrients nearly immediately. Masticating juicers are pricier than centrifugal models; starting at around $230 for most models.

My Opinion
I assume that most people purchase a juicer for the health benefits. So if you are going to go through the process of extracting juice, you might as well purchase a juicer that yields you the best quality juice...and that is the masticating juicer. It takes a little longer than a centrifugal juicer, but, hey, we're talking a few extra minutes.

By the same token, juicing does you no good if you let your juicer collect dust. If you are a busy person and will be inclined to fore-go juicing because you are in a hurry,  then the centrifugal juicer will probably work better for you.  All-in-all, it is better to juice than not to juice.

See for yourself
Watch this Youtube video that demonstrates the differences between using a masticating juicer and a centrifugal juicer. 

My #1 Pick  Omega J8006 Nutrition Center Juicer

Omega's Nutrition Center does more than just juice. You can turn nuts into nut butters (an all-natural peanut butter), make baby food from natural, fresh ingredients, whip up soy milk, extrude pasta, grind coffee and spices, and mince herbs and garlic.

Price: $269.99

Product Features

• Low speed, masticating style juicing system
• Omega's Nutrition Center does more than just juice. You can turn nuts into nut butters (an all-natural peanut butter), make baby food from natural, fresh ingredients, whip up soy milk, extrude pasta, grind coffee and spices, and mince herbs and garlic.
• Includes a GE Ultem Auger which is 8x stronger than most other plastics.
• Powerful gear reduction is equivalent to a 2HP Motor.
• Juicer processes at 80rpm's. Low speed or masticating style juicer squeezes, instead of grinding, which allows the juice to maintain its pure color, natural taste, vitamins and nutrients.
• Dual stage juicer. First, juice is extracted by crushing the fruit or vegetable. Then, before the pulp is ejected, the pulp is squeezed during the second pressed stage. This results in a higher yield of juice and a very dry pulp.
• Extracts the maximum amount of nutrients, vitamins, taste and juice from minimum amounts of fruits, vegetables, leafy greens such as spinach and kale, even wheatgrass.
• Economical. Since the juicer is so efficient and productive, you'll get the greatest amount of juice from the least amount of produce.
• The low speed system does not mean a longer time to juice. It means a more efficient juicer. More nutrients and antioxidants, plus better flavored juice and freshness.
• Engineered for quiet operation and longer life.
• The low speed system limits froth and foam preventing oxidation.
• Juice can be stored for up to 72 hours without degradation or the juice separation that occurs with other juicers.

Juices Greens
Wheatgrasses, kale, cabbage, spinach, and pine tree needles are just some of the natural products that can be juiced with the Omega 8006 Nutrition Center.

Nut Butters and More
Use the homogenizer attachment to make fresh frozen desserts, natural baby food, and nut butters (an all-natural form of peanut butter).

Homemade Spaghetti
Homemade spaghetti, linguini, or bread sticks can be extruded in just minutes with the included pasta nozzles.

Grind Coffee Beans
this juicer can also grind coffee beans and flour.

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My #2 Pick  Breville 800JEXL Juice Fountain Elite

Although this model is more expensive than the Omega Nutrition Center juicer, it is top of the line. There are definitely less expensive centrifugal juicers out there, but Breville is, in my opinion, one of the best for centrifugal juicers.

Price: $299.00

Product features:

• Heavy-duty 1000 watt motor with dual speed control: a low speed (6,500rpm) for softer fruits and vegetables and a high speed (13,000rpm) for harder fruits and vegetables
• Patented extra-wide feed chute (3” wide): juice large fruits and vegetables with little to no cutting or preparation
• Patented direct central feed system for maximum juice extraction
• Nutri Disc with titanium reinforced cutting blades, which ensures the blades stay sharper for longer, and stainless steel mesh filter basket for spinning out the pulp
• Die-cast materials make the 800JEXL both durable and beautiful
• 1 liter juice jug (34 fl. oz.) with froth separator
• Large capacity pulp container with integrated handle
• Cord storage: the power cord wraps around feet and clips into position under the base for a reduced counter-top footprint
• Safety Locking Arm prevents the juicer from operating without the cover locked into place
• Overload protection prevents over-heating, automatically shutting the machine down when it senses that the machine is overloaded
• All materials that come in contact with food are BPA-free, ensuring safe use
• Easy clean-up with the included cleaning brush. All parts except for the mesh filter basket/Nutri Disc and food pusher can be washed on the top shelf of the dishwasher.

Efficient and nutritious juicing
Fruit is largely composed of water, but its selling point is its nutritional value. How do you extract the juice from fruit, without leaving the nutrients behind? Breville’s Nutri Disc and patented juicing system extract more nutrients than other juicers and transfers less than 1.8F of heat to protect enzymes and maximize nutrient absorption of select nutrients.

The uniquely designed juicing system features a feed chute that is centered over the shredding disc. This allows for more efficient juicing than systems that introduce ingredients on the side of the shredding disc.

Two speeds allow you to adjust for the type of ingredients you are using. It is suggested that when juicing a variety of ingredients with varying textures, you begin with the softer textured ingredients on low-speed then change to high speed for harder texture ingredients. If you are juicing herbs, sprouts or leafy green vegetables either wrap them together to form a bundle or juice them in the middle of a combination of ingredients on low-speed to obtain the best extraction.

An extra-wide, 3-inch across feed chute makes it possible to feed whole apples, carrots, tomatoes, and peeled oranges into the juicer, saving you time and effort.