Should I purchase a new juicer?

Often times, we get many people that are already juicing, and they see a report or article on a newer juicer and think that they want to buy a new one.

While sometimes, I do recommend YES, you should purchase a new juicer, most of the time, I recommend that they KEEP their current juicer. Let me explain my reasoning for this:

If you are generally satisfied with the juicer you are using now, and "tempted" by claims of higher yield, higher nutrition, "easy cleanup"... Please know that these claims come at a price.

In many instances, there is a price to pay aside from the money you will spend on the machine. The other price you will probably be a more intensive cleanup. (in some instances). It is probably true that the yield, while may be better, is sometimes only better by 10-20%. This can work out to be 1 to 2 ounces if you are juicing 10 ounces. (Which isn't too much)

I find that once a person has a juicer for a period of time, they get comfortable with that juicer, and how it works. The person is "conditioned" into the use of that juicer, and they actually "get to like" using it, and how it works. So when something new comes along, (as in they buy a new juicer), they have EVEN higher expectations than a person that is purchasing a juicer for the first time.

Today we live in a disposable society.. (I personally don't agree with this philosophy) Therefore I recommend keeping the juicer that you have, and not upgrading unless you are REALLY unhappy with it.

Of course, if the juicer you currently own is on its last legs, then you might want to upgrade. If so, I would recommend that you STICK with the STYLE of juicer you HAD if you were generally happy with it.

Sometimes a second juicer would make an EXCELLENT COMPLEMENT to your current unit. One excellent match would be a centrifugal ejection machine and a single auger or twin gear machine. The centrifugal is easy to use and clean, and juices most things well. The single auger/twin gear units are much, much better for juicing leafy greens and wheatgrass, plus provide multifunctions besides juicing.

Here are some scenarios when I recommend people should consider an upgrade:

A person has a "department" store juicer, which are "underpowered" in my opinion. ( In this case, I recommend the person upgrades if he/she is not happy with it)

The juicer is not working correctly. (Call the manufacturer and see if its still under warranty, if so, get it repaired)

Not getting enough yield from a specific style produce (Example: A person who juices 80% leafy greens and has a centrifugal juicer.. Centrifugal juicers are not the MOST effective at juicing leafy greens as say the Green Life juicer)

Someone with a serious condition who requires the highest quality juice. (A juicer that produces the highest quality juice would be a good upgrade)

Somebody that is fanatical and doesn't care about the cleaning but wants the highest quality juice. (Of course, this person should upgrade if the new machine will meet their needs)

Here are some scenarios in which I recommend people NOT to upgrade:

I'm generally "happy" with my juicer now, but hear XYZ juicer does a better job.. (If you are happy with your current juicer, I would stick with it.. The extra cost, and cleaning time 'probably' is not worth it.)

I want to buy a "green power" or twin gear juicer because I hear its the best. (While it is true it is better at juicing leafy greens and hard vegetables, it probably doesn't juice fruit as well as your current juicer. So unless you plan on juicing mostly veggies, stick with your current machine.)

I have heard "the champion" is a good juicer, but I have been using a centrifugal machine. Should get the champion? (In our opinion, and opinions of our customers, we think the champion is harder to clean, but will juice leafy greens a bit better)

UPGRADE CHART

Style of juicer you currently own Style of Juicer you are considering Comments

Centrifugal Centrifugal Ejection + Cleanup probably easier
- Yield a bit less
+ non-stop juicing

Centrifugal Masticating - Cleanup harder
? Juice is Pulpier
+ Champion is multifunction machine..
- A bit harder to push in the produce

Centrifugal Twin Gear - Cleanup harder
+ Higher Nutrients
+ Better for juicing leafy veggies
- Not so great at juicing fruits
- Requires more Strength to operate (on hard veggies- ie: carrots, beets)
+ Can juice wheatgrass
+ multifunction machine

Centrifugal Single Auger + Higher Nutrients
+ Better for juicing leafy veggies
- Not so great at juicing fruits
+ Can juice wheatgrass
+ multifunction machine

Centrifugal Ejection Centrifugal - Must stop after juicing 1 quart to clean
+ Probably a bit more yield
- May "walk" on table due to unbalanced.

Centrifugal Ejection Masticating - Cleanup harder
? Juice is Pulpier
+ Champion is multifunction machine..
- A bit harder to push in the produce

Centrifugal Ejection Twin Gear - Cleanup harder
+ Higher Nutrients
+ Better for juicing leafy veggies
- Not so great at juicing fruits
- Requires more Strength to operate (on hard veggies- i.e.: carrots, beets)
+ Can juice wheatgrass
+ multifunction machine

Centrifugal Ejection Single Auger + Higher Nutrients
+ Better for juicing leafy veggies
- Not so great at juicing fruits
+ Can juice wheatgrass
+ multifunction machine

Masticating Centrifugal - Must stop after juicing 1 quart to clean
+ Probably a bit more yield
- May "walk" on table due to unbalanced.
+ Champion is multifunction machine..
- A bit harder to push in the produce

Masticating Centrifugal Ejection + Cleanup probably easier
- Yield a bit less
- No Multifunction uses
- Less yield esp. on leafy greens
+ juices faster

Masticating Twin Gear - Cleanup harder
+ Higher Nutrients
+ Better for juicing leafy veggies
- Not so great at juicing fruits
- Requires more Strength to operate (on hard veggies- i.e.: carrots, beets)
+ Can juice wheatgrass

Masticating Single Auger + Higher Nutrients
+ Better for juicing leafy veggies
- Not so great at juicing fruits
+ Can juice wheatgrass

Twin Gear Centrifugal - Less nutrient quality
+ Better at juicing fruits
- Less yield esp. on leafy greens

Twin Gear Centrifugal Ejection - Less nutrient quality
+ Better able to juice a variety of produce
- Less yield esp. on leafy greens

Twin Gear Masticating - Less Nutrient Quality
+ Juices fruits better
+ Requires a little less strength to operate (pushing produce into machine)
- Less yield, esp. on leafy greens

Twin Gear Single Auger + easier cleanup (less parts)
- auger made of plastic
- housing is a bit "thinner"
+ juices wheatgrass more effectively
+ might juice fruits a bit better
- screen tends to get clogged easier

Please note: Use this article as a GUIDE ONLY. I am only expressing my views, based on my experience as a person who juices daily, and who sells juicers. The best way to find out if you REALLY want to upgrade, is to borrow a friends juicer (who has the type you wish to purchase), and keep it for a week, and if you like it, upgrade!