Juicing Efficiency of the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer Elite
The Elite is operated by the same 250-watt motor as the other LaLanne juicer machines. Is it enough power for quick, efficient juicing?
Some users are satisfied with the motor output and experience no problem in the speed or efficiency of juice extraction.
Others however claim that it isn't powerful enough. It's a fact that there are similarly priced juicers with higher-output motors on the market.
For example the Juiceman Junior JM400 is driven by a 700-Watt motor and doesn't cost more than any of the JLL Power juicers.
What Does the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer Elite Juice?
It juices harder fruits and vegetables well, some have good results with softer fruits (peaches, mangoes, kiwi, berries) too, although the manual of the unit doesn't recommend using overripe produce because extraction is not good and too much wet pulp can clog the machine.
Soy Milk Technology - Does it Work Well?
There's an attachment called E-Z Loader when you are making soy, rice or almond milk.
It is in fact only a plastic pitcher that can be attached to the feed chute on the juicer top and helps adding the seeds. It has a special trap door allowing you to feed the various seeds without popping back out from the feeder.
It is not a Powerful Technology for making soy/rice/almond/coconut milk as claimed on the Power Juicer website.
How to Make Soy Milk with the Power Juicer Elite?
Preparation
- Soak soy beans in water for 8-12 hours.
- Put 8 oz.-8 oz. of water in two pots, bring them to the boil.. Add 1 teaspoon baking soda to one of the pots of boiling water and add the rinsed soy beans.
- Cook it for 5 minutes.
- Drain and rinse the beans, then add them to the second pot of boiling water, add 1 teaspoon baking soda, cook for 5 minutes, drain and rinse.
Milk Extraction in the Power Juicer Elite
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Attach the E-Z Loader to the feed chute of the assembled juicer.
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Put a heat resistant glass under the spout to catch the soy milk.
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Plug in the machine.
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Turn on the juicer.
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Add the soy beans through the E-Z Loader along with 4-6 cups of hot water. If the soy milk is too thick add more water, if it is too watery try juicing some more soy beans again but use soy milk instead of water.
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Pour the milk in a pot, bring it to the boil then reduce the heat and let it gently simmer for about 20 minutes while stirring to prevent it from burning and getting stuck to the bottom of the pot.
Problems - All Jack LaLane Juicer Models Tend to Have
Pulp collector doesn't fit flush to the back of the machine - the pulp will be spat all over the place.
Spout is at too low (accessories offered for extra cost - cc. $20 + $7 shipping include a juicing platform that raises the juicer so that it will accommodate taller glasses). Why not design the machine so that a large 8-oz. cup fits neatly under the spout in the first place?
Using the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer Elite
Putting together the parts is quite easy, although tightening the blade to the motor shaft with the crescent shaped tool then loosening it at the end of juicing is an awkward design element common in each Jack LaLane juicer models.
Cleaning the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer Elite
Clean-up is pretty simple although it requires some work but this is the case with all other juicers. Once you get used to the process you can done it in a few minutes. If you don't like manual washing then after a thorough rinsing, put the parts, except the base on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Put a plastic bag in the pulp collector to catch the pulp, this way you don't have to wash the bin. Just lift the bag and put the pulp in a composter or use it for making dog biscuits or thickening soups.
The Express, Deluxe, Pro and Elite models have non-drip spout which might be useful because it prevents dripping of juice but it is tricky to clean.
Find the removable juice spout locking mechanism on the bottom side of the receptacle. Note: Juice spout will be in the locked position.
Unlock the spout by turning the locking mechanism counter-clockwise, lining up notch with juicer spout hinge pivot arm.
Lift up juice spout carefully from receptacle and remove to clean. |
Jack Lalanne Power Juicer Elite, Model PJEL - Review
Method of Juicing: centrifugal, automatic pulp ejection
Motor power: 250 Watt (0.33 horsepower)
Revolution speed: 3600 rpm, 1 speed setting
Material: stainless steel housing, blade and mesh filter
Feed tube: 3"
Dimensions (L x W x H): 16" x 13" x 16.5"
Weight: 15 lbs.
Colors: stainless steel finish base, receptacle, and top, plastic pulp bin and plunger
Price range: $100 - $150.
Warranty: limited lifetime warranty on motor, 90 days on other parts.
What Can You Juice with it?
Fruits: yes, but not good with softer fruits/ripe peaches, berries etc.
Citrus: yes
Vegetables: yes
Leafy Greens - no
Wheatgrass - no
Makes soy milk, rice milk, nut milks
Pros & Cons at a Glance
Pros:
- inexpensive,
- adequately juices firm fruits (apples) and vegetables (carrots, celery, beets),
- wide feed chute (there are several other better juicers with wide feed tube. e.g. L'Equip 215 XL Big Mouth Juicer).
Cons:
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the pulp bin doesn't align well with the lid - the pulp will fly all over the place
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spout is at two low - a larger glass won't fit under it meaning that you have to stop juicing or switch glasses if you want to make more than 8 oz juice.
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jamming problems (you have stop the machine, unplug it and try to resolve the clogging or you have to take apart the machine).
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Soy Milk technology isn't as powerful as advertised.
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produce pieces tend to jump out of the chute if the plunger isn't in it
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anti-drip spout is troublesome to clean
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plastic screw peg to which the blade and the filter is attached can break easily (one user says that it broke within 1 year, he bought another of this model thinking that his wife didn't use the first unit properly and the second juicer's peg also broke within a year))
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short warranty (90 days) on other parts than the motor, most other juicers carry at least 1 year warranty. Even if you have problem within the warranty period and are entitled to a replacement unit you are to pay the shipping costs (cc. $60).
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Inefficient Customer Service - in many cases the customer service was unable to help those who called them regarding some problem with the juicer. They often refer to the manual or give other useless advice.
Ratings
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Ease of Use/Cleaning:
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