| Specs Overview | |
|---|---|
| Type | Masticating Juicer |
| Price | $$$ |
| Juice Quality | High |
| Juice Shelf Life | 72 Hours |
| Motor | 80 RPM, 1/5 horsepower |
| Wattage | 150 Watts |
| Dishwasher Safe | No |
| Pulp Ejection | External |
| Chute Size | 2.25 x 1.5 inch (crescent) |
| Build | BPA Free Plastic |
| Design | Vertical/Upright |
| Color | Silver - VRT350HDS White - VRT350HDW |
| Noise Level | Low |
| Warranty | 10 Years |
| Best for Juicing | Soft & Hard Produce, Citrus Fruits, Leafy Greens, Nuts & Beans |
| Application | Home & Personal Use |
| Rating | |
The Omega VRT350 Heavy Duty Vertical Masticating Juicer is a single auger slow juice extractor with a dual stage filter. It is extra quiet while operating, meaning you can run it while everyone in the house sleeps. It comes in an attractive lustrous pearl-white or silver, and weighs 22 pounds. With its compact size, it takes up less counter space than horizontal masticating juicers. All of the parts that come into contact with your food are BPA-free. The feed chute is about 2.25 inches by 1.25 inches in diameter and is an oval shape. It has a one-fifth horsepower condensed motor using 150 watts and 120 volts to operate the juicer.
Compared to the earlier VRT330, it comes equipped with a heavy-duty juicing screen that is stronger and durable. It slowly crushes and squeezes produce of all types at 80 RPM, ensuring the preservation of nutrients, enzymes, and vitamins. It is known for being able to extract high yields of juice from wheatgrass. The stainless steel juicing strainer sits inside of an auto cleaning brush that makes juicing far more efficient by keeping the juicing screen clear of buildup during the juicing process.
The auto cleaning system allows you to juice different kinds of fruits and vegetables without having the need to disassemble it. Just pour one or two cups of water into the feeding chute while it’s operating then you’re good to go for your next batch of fruits and veggies.
Pros
- Comes with an upgraded more durable juicing screen than VRT330
- You can choose between a white, or silver finish
- Highly compact design
- Super quiet operation
- Higher juice yield and nutrient retention
- 72 hours juice shelf life
- Minimal oxidation
- Auto cleaning system
- All parts that come in contact with food are BPA free
- Continuous juicing with automatic pulp ejection
- It can juice all types of produce including soaked nuts and beans
Cons
- Slightly pricey but the features justifies it
- It can get clogged if you don’t cut your produce into small pieces
- Masticating juicers are generally slow, add the time it takes to cut your produce and it will get even slower
- Not as efficient for processing wheatgrass, just get the one of Omega’s 8000 series if your juicing routine consist of mainly wheatgrass
Click here to read more feedback and reviews about this juicer on Amazon.com
Features & Product Details
Is it Easy to Use?
The Omega VRT 350 HD is easy to set up after you have gone through the process a few times. Simply follow the instructions for a proper fit. Even though the feed chute is 2 inches by 1.5 inches, it is necessary to chop your produce to prevent jamming the machine. It is also important to slice items such as celery or leafy greens in order to prevent it from getting stuck in the machine. If you are going to juice the stems, cut them into pieces also. Slice everything into small pieces of about an eighth of an inch. This should allow the juicer to properly juice the produce.
When you juice, drop the items into the feed chute, alternating between hard items and softer items. Leafy greens will need the harder produce to help it through this machine. It is important to move slowly with this machine otherwise it may jam. The pulp ejection spout is small and needs to be monitored to make sure pulp is being pushed out. If it is being pushed out, then it is working perfectly. One last thing to mention, it does not have a handle. Since it is heavy, it is probably best to find a spot for it, and leave it there.
Is it Easy to Clean?
The parts of this juicing machine are not dishwasher safe, as the high temperatures could damage them. Besides, it only takes a few minutes to clean the parts for this juicer. Clean the detachable parts in warm, soapy water after you have finished juicing. Take the included cleaning brush to gently scrub the pulp out of the metal screen of the strainer. You never want the pulp to harden or for buildup to occur on the stainless steel mesh. It makes cleaning more difficult and time consuming. If you do not have time to clean the juicer in the morning prior to heading out for work or school, then at least remove the sediments from the strainer and rinse everything down. When you are able to clean them, soak them for a few minutes in warm, soapy water prior to washing them.
Juice Quality
This slow juicer extracts juice using a two-step mastication process. First, it crushes the produce. Then, it presses the pulp against the juicing strainer, effectively squeezing the remaining juice from the pulp without destroying any of the vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients necessary to keep our bodies healthy. If the juice is too pulpy for you, then you will need to use a strainer to remove the remaining pulp from the juice. If you like, you can pour the pulp back through the machine to remove any additional juice that might have been left behind. Drink it immediately or store it in a tightly sealed container for up to 72 hours in the refrigerator.
What Kinds of Produce Can it Juice?
All types of produce can be processed by this juice press such as hard produce, soft fruits, grasses and leafy greens, and citrus fruits.
Hard produce include turmeric, pineapple, ginger, cucumber, watermelon, cilantro, beets, pear, asparagus, yakon, bitter gourd, broccoli, celery, sweet potato, garlic, pumpkin, apple, cauliflower, pepper, coconut, carrots and fennel.
You can turn soft fruits such as kiwifruit, tomato, papaya, grapes, avocado, mango, pomegranate, cranberries, blackberry, strawberry, melon and peach into a puree using this machine.
Leafy greens include peppermint, romaine lettuce, kale, moringa, basil, lettuce, brussels sprout, beet greens, spring onion, collard greens, dandelion greens, spinach, cabbage, pine tree needles, parsley and wheatgrass.
Citrus fruits include tangerine, orange, lemon, mandarin, grapefruit and lime.
It can also help you make soy and almond milk to add variety to your juicing routine.
Verdict
The Omega VRT350 Heavy Duty Masticating Juicer does a great job of juicing most types of produce. It needs a workaround when it comes to leafy greens or items like celery, meaning you have to cut them into small pieces to ensure everything is juiced properly. It has a very high juice yield, which is definitely a positive. If you do not like pulp in your juice, then you will need to purchase a separate strainer or sieve because one does not come in the package.
If you do not have at least five to ten minutes to spend on preparation and another five minutes for cleaning once you have finished juicing, then Vert 350 may not be ideal for you. A centrifugal might be a better choice if you are short on time. Centrifugal juicers will always produce juice in under a couple of minutes, however these types never produce the high quality juice that masticating juicers like this one produce.
Finally, the price is much more than a horizontal juicer like the Omega J8006 Juicer. Even though the high price tag probably discourages me from purchasing it, keep your eyes peeled, you may find it on sale or locate a coupon for it. If you are a juicer who wants something that juices effectively, quietly and takes up little space, then the Omega VRT350HD is definitely worth checking out.