Is Omega a good brand for juicer?
Juicing has become an increasingly popular way for health-conscious consumers to get more nutrients into their diets. With the rise of cold-pressed juices and juice cleanses, more people are investing in at-home juicers. This allows them to make fresh juice whenever they want. But with so many juicer brands on the market, it can be tough to know which one to choose. One of the most well-known juicer manufacturers is Omega. But is Omega the right brand for you? Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of Omega juicers.
Omega Juicer Overview
Omega is a division of the Legacy Companies, which has been manufacturing kitchen appliances and other consumer goods since 1968. They are based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Omega’s juicers are primarily masticating style juicers, which work through a cold press method. This is different from centrifugal juicers, which spin at high speeds to extract juice. Here are some key things to know about Omega juicers:
- They specialize in slow juicers that operate at 80-100 RPMs.
- Augers crush and press produce to squeeze out juice.
- Juices can be stored for up to 72 hours without degradation.
- Pulp is expelled very dry.
- Some models can juice wheatgrass, leafy greens, and frozen produce.
Now let’s look at some of the advantages and drawbacks of choosing an Omega slow juicer.
Omega Juicer Pros
Here are some of the reasons why Omega is considered one of the top juicer brands:
Nutrient Retention
The slow speed of Omega juicers enables them to operate at lower temperatures. This reduces heat buildup and oxidation, preserving more nutrients and enzymes. Studies have found masticating juicers extract 20-50% more vitamins and antioxidants than centrifugal models.
Juice Yield and Quality
Omega juicers are efficient at crushing produce and squeezing out juice. The dual-stage augers thoroughly grind veggies, fruits, leafy greens, and wheatgrass. This results in drier pulp and higher juice yields. The juice is smooth, creamy, and froth-free.
Versatility
Omega juicers can juice a wide range of produce. From hard vegetables to soft fruits and everything in between, they can handle it all. Some models have a homogenizing function to process nut butters, baby food, sorbets, and more.
Easy to Use
Omega juicers are designed to be simple to assemble, operate, and clean. They have only a few parts that click into place. The juicers include helpful accessories like cleaning brushes. And the chutes are wide, reducing the need to chop produce into tiny pieces before juicing.
Quiet Operation
Unlike deafening centrifugal juicers, Omega masticating juicers run quietly. You can juice early in the morning without disturbing the whole household. The gentle auger action doesn’t vibrate or make a lot of noise.
Durable Construction
Omega only uses BPA-free plastic components. Their juicers feature sturdy augers, well-built motors, and long-lasting parts. Many customers report getting over 10 years of regular use out of their Omega juicer.
Omega Juicer Cons
However, Omega juicers do have some downsides to consider:
Slow Juicing Speed
The cold press process used by Omega takes more time than centrifugal juicing. Prepare for juice to come out slowly in a steady dribble. If you’re in a big hurry, this can feel sluggish.
Pulp Not As Dry
Omega pulp is definitely drier than a centrifugal juicer. But compared to other slow juicers like Tribest and Super Angel, Omega pulp still has more moisture. For super dry pulp, consider a twin gear model.
Small Feed Chutes
Feed chutes are smaller than average, so you’ll have to chop produce into 1-2 inch pieces. This prep work takes more time upfront before you can start juicing.
Higher Price Points
Expect to spend more for an Omega juicer. Masticating juicers are more expensive than centrifugal models. The Omega J8006 typically retails for $200-$300. Higher-end Omega models can be $400+.
More Cleaning
The juicing screen and auger have small nooks that can be tricky to fully clean. Take your time disassembling and scrubbing all the parts after juicing.
| Pros | Cons |
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Top Omega Juicer Models
Omega offers a wide selection of masticating juicers at different price points. Here is an overview of some of their most popular models:
| Juicer | Key Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Omega J8006 |
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$200-$300 |
| Omega NC800 |
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$300-$350 |
| Omega VSJ843 |
|
$400-$500 |
| Omega MM900HDS |
|
$500-$600 |
The Omega J8006 is the best-selling model and a great entry-level option. The NC800 has a more powerful motor and bigger chute. The VSJ843 is designed for minimal oxidation. And the MM900HDS is Omega’s top-of-the-line twin gear juicer.
Omega J8006 Review
The Omega J8006 Nutrition Center is a masticating style single auger juicer. Often referred to as the Omega 8006, it’s one of the most popular models for home juicing. Here’s a more in-depth review of what it offers:
Motor and Speed
This juicer contains a 2 horsepower motor that operates at 80 RPM. This low speed ensures gentle squeezing while minimizing heat buildup and oxidation. It can juice at a rate of around 80-100 ml/min.
Feed Chute
The 1.5 inch circular chute is on the small side. You’ll need to chop produce into 1-2 inch chunks before inserting into the juicer.
Auger
The single auger is made from GE Ultem, 8 times stronger than most plastics. This durable material can handle decades of heavy juicing.
Juice and Pulp
The J8006 juices efficiently, with pulp coming out noticeably dry. Juice has minimal froth and foam. Most vegetables and fruits will yield about 60-80% of their volume in juice.
Versatility
In addition to juicing fruits and veggies, you can use this machine to extrude pasta, grind coffee and spices, mince herbs and garlic, make baby food, whip up nut butters, and more.
Noise Level
This is one of the quieter juicers out there. The motor hums along at around 60 dB. You can have a conversation over it without raising your voice.
Ease of Use
There are only a few parts that assemble and disassemble easily. The included cleaning brush is helpful for scrubbing the screen. Everything is dishwasher safe.
Dimensions
The juicer measures 14.5 x 6.5 x 15.5 inches. Omega includes a juice container, pulp container, and plastic plunger.
Warranty
Omega provides a generous 15-year warranty to cover any manufacturing defects.
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Overall, the J8006 is a powerful yet affordable masticating juicer. It performs especially well with leafy greens and is easy to operate and clean. Just be prepared to take more time chopping produce and thoroughly cleaning the parts.
Omega vs Other Brands
So how does Omega compare to some other popular juicer brands like Breville and Tribest? Here’s a quick rundown:
Omega vs Breville
- Breville specializes in centrifugal juicers, while Omega focuses on masticating.
- Breville juicers have a faster juicing speed but may generate more heat and foam.
- Omega juicers retain more nutrients but have a slower juice extraction time.
- Omega juicers come with longer warranties (up to 15 years versus 1 year for Breville).
- Breville juicers tend to be more affordable, often under $100 for base models.
Omega vs Tribest
- Both brands make vertical slow juicers, but Tribest also offers pricey twin gear triturating juicers.
- Tribest juicers like the Greenstar Elite offer slightly better juice yields and drier pulp.
- Omega juicers come with better warranties and customer service.
- Omega has more juicing speed and power adjustment options.
- Tribest juicers have a reputation for being harder to clean thoroughly.
Omega is a bit of “Goldilocks” option, positioned in between the extremes of Breville’s fast centrifugal juicers and Tribest’s advanced slow juicers.
Conclusion
Omega makes excellent masticating juicers that can handle leafy greens and extract higher juice yields. Models like the Omega J8006 Nutrition Center offer great performance at mid-range prices. If you want a versatile cold press juicer with minimal oxidation and noise, Omega is one of the top brands to consider. Be ready to take a little extra time prepping produce and cleaning the auger and screen. But the juice quality and nutrition you’ll get makes it worth it!
