Day 111: The Best of the Best

Happy Day!

What are the best of the best that we need for juicing and living a raw/healthy lifestyle?? Here are some reviews and would love to hear from you what YOU love! 

 Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL  *Est. $300

Pros

• Large chute
• Powerful motor
• Two speeds
• Stainless-steel exterior
• Most components dishwasher-safe

Cons

• Bulky and heavy
• Noisy
• High price

Reviewers agree that the Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL is the top juicer in its price range. Its 3-inch chute means that many fruits can be juiced without having to be chopped up first, saving time and effort. The powerful, two-speed motor allows for better torque when juicing hard foods, such as beets and carrots. Reviewers say that cleanup is fairly easy; although the Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL has several parts to clean, most are dishwasher-safe. Its drawbacks, aside from the high price tag, include its large size and noisy motor. The Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL carries a one-year limited warranty. If you don't want to spend $300 on a juicer, reviewers say that the 820-watt Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Pro 67650 (*Est. $75) is an excellent value.

**I have this one and L.O.V.E. it ... a little secret for you - I found it on craigslist for $150 brand new in the box - they're out there, just look!!!

Excalibur 3000 Series  *Est $200

 

• 8-15 square feet of drying space
• Adjustable Thermostat: 85-145 degrees F
• 400-600 watts
• Optional 26-hour timer
• Special packages for Outdoorsmen
• Special packages for Raw Foodists
• Special packages for the Health Conscious
• Special packages for Gardeners
• 10 Year Warranty (+$30)
• Prices from $189.95 to $249.95

These days, you can find food dehydrators in various shapes and sizes. The round ones are good, but the square versions are better. You get more usable space because they don't have a hole running down the center. Efficiency is up because there's no wasted space. 

They also vary in drying method. Some have a bottom mounted heating element, making the bottom trays dry faster. Depending on what you're making, it could mean that you'll need to remember to rotate the trays. Also, there could be a dripping mess, making the product a pain to clean. 

One disadvantage to the square dehydrators is they're not expandable. So, if you can afford it, get the larger model so you won't need to upgrade later. Even if you get a round one that can grow, you'll still have to buy additional trays.

Vita-Mix 5200  *Est. $500

Pros

• Powerful motor
• Heavy-duty blending capability
• Large 64-ounce jug

Cons

• Expensive
• Noisy

Both owners and professional reviewers concur that the Vita-Mix 5200 is the best blender if you want an appliance that goes well beyond making smoothies and pureeing soup. Its main competition, the Blendtec Total Blender (*Est. $400), is also a good choice, with the differences boiling down to a user's preference of features. For example, the Blendtec has a lower height that makes it easier to fit under kitchen cabinets, but the Vita-Mix has a longer warranty. The Vita-Mix 5200 has a powerful 2-horsepower (1,380 watt) motor, and users say its blades spin so fast you can make hot soup in it. It's also powerful enough to make perfectly blended cheese fondues and to grind grains into flour. Reviewers like its large 64-ounce jar, but they note that polycarbonate can scratch and stain over time. The Vita-Mix 5200 comes with a seven-year warranty. Drawbacks include the price and noise, which at high speed has been compared to that of a jet engine. If your blending agenda includes mainly smoothies and purees, the Vita-Mix 5200 is overkill.

**I have a Hamilton from Target ($100) and it works GREAT!

What do you use? Love? Reviews??

HAPPY GREEN!!!