A review of juicer designs and the latest Torus Slow Juicers, By Wild Donna, Vegan Health and Lifestyle Coach, author of “Vegan Diet Meal Plan” published by Hay House http://wilddonna.com/

Which Juicer Should You Buy?

Benefits of Juicing

The best 3 ways of gaining nutrition from fruit and vegetables are juices, smoothies and wholefoods. Nutritionist’s and advocates of natural healing call fresh fruit and vegetable juices “liquid gold” because they make bio-available nutrients, enzymes and phytochemicals, which are normally destroyed in store bought juice by the cooking, pasteurisation and extraction processes.

Juice is a perfect detox and dietary health food to have any time of day. It can substitute a regular meal provided the right ingredients are used. Fresh juices have become the cornerstone of many health, fitness and natural disease therapy programmes.

Choosing between Centrifugal, Masticating and Slow Juicers

Traditional Juicers: Centrifugal and Masticating

There are two types of traditional juicers: centrifugal and horizontal masticating juicers. As the name implies, centrifugal juicers use centrifugal force to separate juice from grated pulp via high speed spinning. This method tends to produce a lower juice yield, higher oxidization (due to the high speed grating basket introducing friction and air) and lower nutritional values. Centrifugal juicing is the least effective method of juicing.

A masticating juicer extracts more nutritional value from ingredients releasing more flavour, vitamins and nutrients. Masticating juicers use a auger to crush fruits and vegetables, then squeeze the juice out separating it from the pulp. These juicers are slower than centrifugal juicers but are twice as efficient, chewing through greens, soft vegetables and fruits. The term masticating juicer has traditionally been associated with horizontal juicers.

Enter the Slow Juicer

A newer design of juicer has entered the market: the slow or cold press juicer. These juicers can have an upright design (like centrifugal juicers) or a horizontal design, similar to masticating juicers. Slow juicers use augers that grind, mash and chew through fruits and vegetables and squeeze every last drop of juice out, separating it from the pulp. As might be expected, a slow juicer auger rotates much more slowly than centrifugal or masticating juicers such as the Champion, in order to reduce oxidization and heat. The term slow juicer doesn’t refer to how long juicing takes, only the process.

Slow juicers excel at juicing mixed produce and are considered to extract more nutrients and juice than either centrifugal or masticating juicers – with the added advantage of taking up less counter space than horizontal juicers. Juice from a traditional juicer’s oxidises more quickly. Modern slow juicers eliminate this with low speed operation. This equals more nutrients, better tasting juice and longer storage times (up to 72 hours sealed in the fridge).

In summary

Traditional Centrifugal Juicers – good for speed but has lower quality and lower Juice yields for the amount of fruit and vegetables processed.

Traditional Horizontal, high speed masticating juicers are best for those who primarily want to juice leafy greens with less preparation time (stringy greens do not need cutting).

Modern Slow or Cold Press juicers are perfect for all types of produce making high quality, high yields juicers that taste better and have more nutrition.

About the Torus Slow Juicer Range

Health, taste, and versatility are the traits I require from a juicer so a cold press slow juicer is the machine I choose for my kitchen. As I use a blender from the same company, I decided to test drive and review Torus Slow Juicers

Torus have sold a number of designs over the years, but have continuously been researching and upgrading their models, in line with consumer demand. Particularly with regards to machines that are easy to use, juice everything including celery, and are quick to clean.  

The Torus Slow Juicer Motor

Torus slow juicers have chosen to exclusively use AC induction motors. Some slow juicers use DC motors. I don’t pretend to fully understand all the technical differences between the two kinds of motors. DC motors are reputed not to last as long as AC but due to the lower cost many companies use DC. I would recommend making sure the slow juicer you choose has an AC motor. In the case of the Torus Solo, the motor is also 100% copper making it more durable. It is not mixed with aluminium, as with cheaper, less durable motors.

Noise

Slow juicers are quiet appliances because of the slow rotation speed. The sound level is particularly low on a Solo, only 68DB when idling. You hear a mashing, grinding and squishing as it devours your produce.

Assembly and Cleaning

A drawback of any vertical slow or cold press juicers is that they can take longer to assemble and clean than traditional centrifugal juicers. Torus have done a good job minimising this with their horizontal, direct flow design, which doesn’t trap fibres.  Components are quick and easy to rinse. They machine comes with a special cleaning brush, which is a handy tool.

What You can Make

In addition to making all standard juices, with hard and soft produce, and no-hassle pure celery juice, you can make frozen fruit sorbets, nut butters and other healthy snacks!. Remember to soften and activate your nuts by soaking them overnight first. Juicing wheat grass and other leaves and herbs is also possible. 

Non-Leaching Materials

All Torus Slow Juicer machines use non-leaching BPA free plastic. Thank you Torus!

Slow Juicer Tips

Although you can juice turmeric, be aware this is likely to stain the machine.

Citric acid is great for getting stains off juicing components. Don’t put things through with big hard seeds, like bush lemons. These will stress the machine.

Try making pure ginger ice cubes, so refreshing in the summer. 

Fresh juice makes the best cocktails and mocktails!

Review of Torus Solo

The Torus Solo a budget conscious choice abut this doesn’t mean it is not a premium appliance. It is compact, stable on the bench (in fact its feet grip the surface) and has a high yield. One set of components does everything, banishing complexity. This cracking little juice is well-built and excellent value for money!

Conclusion

Torus slow juicer machines are competitively priced compared to equivalent models in the Australian market and I believe a bargain is to be had. All machines have long warranties: Torus has a reputation for looking after their customers and has been looking after me for years now. Torus has delivered a cutting edge and well built and industry leading juicer. I highly recommend them and I am so happy with my Torus.

x

Donna

 

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