After months of research, I originally bought the SoyaPower Plus, which I was very happy with. Then, MacGuffin, another reviewer, was very thoughtful and told me about this new model, the SoyaJoy G3. I looked into and decided it was a better option for me than the SoyaPower Plus. The MAIN reason being that this G3 has the ability to make RAW milks and juices. I really enjoyed my previous model (it really is great and if you don't care about RAW, then go for it), but I am SO happy I "upgraded"! The raw milks are done faster (no water heating/cooking time) and they can be drank right away (no "cooling off" time). The milks come out at a perfect temperature (not too hot, not too cold).
STYLE:
I also prefer the "aesthetic" of the G3 over the SoyaPower Plus (which looked nice, in its own right). However, for me, I have NO white in my kitchen, but I do have a lot of other stainless counter-top appliances in view (toaster oven, blender, ice cream maker, coffee maker). So, this blends right in. In addition, the dark ring around the top and line in the handle is a deep burgundy brown, which matches my cabinets. Also, the lights are the super-cool glowing blue color, with illuminated outline images of what is being used (beans, etc.). The previous model had a single red LED for each function button.
None of this has anything to do with making milk, but since MacGuffin covered the function so well :), I thought it'd be helpful to cover the aesthetic.
FUNCTIONAL DESIGN (w/details comparing the SoyaPower Plus):
If you have small children or others who are not aware of the dangers of steaming hot things, the SoyaPower Plus might be a better option for you, as it has a thermoplastic layer on the outside (which insulates the hot stainless pitcher from the outside), and the top latches to the bottom. The G3 gets very hot on the outside (unless you're making raw milks) and there is nothing "attaching" it to the pitcher part. Only gravity holds it down. Works fine for us. And, as MacGuffin mentioned, be sure the "nub" is over the handle, so the "switch" to turn it on can be activated. (There's a little "pole" that slides into a hole to tell the machine it's properly seated). I was worried becuase my machine head rattled a little, but it's just the movable switch part. When it is mounted, there's no rattle. The rattle only happens when you "shake" the unit, anyway.
I thought the top handle on the SpoyaPower Plus was great, but I think the top handle on the SoyaJoy G3 is even better. It's integrated, has a cushioned rubbery bumpy pad on the inside and it really makes it easy to "handle" and maneuver the machine head. The top is rounded, so as MacGuffin said, no top storage. We use ours too often to store anything on top, so again, no bother to us.
I have also noticed that the pitcher handle on the G3 affords more finger room, between it and the pitcher. There is a plastic area to protect knuckles, but if you found the SoyaPower Plus to have a small handle gap, you will be happy to know the G3's gap is considerably larger.
ACCESSORIES:
All of the accessory parts that come with the SoyaPower Plus (pitcher, cleaning brush, scrubbie, filter, measuring cup, & power cord) are the same as what's included in this G3 (well, mine were, anyway). The G3 (like the Plus), comes with a little instruction manual that is very helpful. TIP: do not plug it in without water in the pitcher - it will just beep continuously. I tried to see the cool lights before making any milk and I heard a steady beep, which worried me, until I read the handy-dandy troubleshooting chart in the little book (glad to know I wasn't the only one!).
The one downside I can see to the G3 is that it does not come with the wonderful recipe book that the SoyaPower Plus came with. This is certainly not a deal-breaker, as it seems the recipes are available on their website (do a google search for Sanlinx and you will see their site at the top of a page with a direct link to their recipes). We've tried the Okara Chikn Strips - Yummy!
MILK OPTIONS:
We have made both cooked soymilks and raw nutmilks in the G3. My favorite is a recipe using almonds, cashews, walnuts, and raw shelled hempseed. It's soooo good and the "mash" that you get is fantastic! I eat it plain, while my fiancee likes to add a bit of cinnamon, some raisins, etc. It makes delicious milks with just almonds or almonds & a touch of honey, too!
BASIC STEPS FOR MAKING MILK:
It's so easy to do: soak & rinse beans or nuts as needed; pour water to desired line (the G3 actually tells you the measurement of the two lines, instead of a "more" and a "less" guestimation.); then add soaked & rinsed nuts/beans; sit machinehead on the top (on the G3, there are no clips holding it down - no matter to me); plug power cord into machine and then into the wall; be mesmerized by glowing blue LEDs; choose appropriate function & push that button; wait; strain twice (our preference); chill if needed; enjoy! Making and waiting times depend on what you're making the milks from and if it's raw (which takes less time). Clean-up is also very easy.
CLEAN UP:
To save space, I have posted the details of our clean-up process in the COMMENTS section of this review. It is currently on page 4, third comment from the top.
TASTE:
For soymilk, I like it ever-so slightly warm and completely plain. It's DELICIOUS! Another reviewer of the Sanlinx products said theirs had an "eggy" smell. Ours (using the Laura beans) does smell faintly like hard-boiled eggs (the second batch, more-so). It wasn't that bad and I actually think it is a nice smell. The experience reminds me of an egg-cream, or thin egg-nog. We don't eat eggs here in the house, but from my memory, I think it's similar. Either way, it's really yummy and smooth. I also tried it with a squirt of chocolate syrup and it was tasty! He likes it with a touch of Vanilla Extract (which I thought was gross). Good thing I bought two frigoverre's! *See other TIPS below*
COST/SAVINGS:
We estimate the cost to be around $.50 per liter using the laura soybeans. We were paying $2 per liter for organic unsweetened soymilk at our local wegmans (love that place, too!). We bought about 5 liters per week. According to our math, at current usage levels, it will take about 5 months for the cost of the SoyaJoy G3 and 13 lbs of Laura soybeans (which should last about 3 months for our use) to "pay for themselves". After that, it's a savings of $7.50 per week (assuming soybeans stay their current cost), plus the soymilk is so much fresher and tastier and there's not so much worry about Aluminum-lined TetraPaks, Hexane-extracted soymilk, running out of soymilk (all the time) or all that trash (why aren't tetrapaks recyclable??)! Someday, we hope to power our house with solar and we'll have a sun-powered SoyaJoy G3! We're really looking forward to experimenting more with rice, quinoa, peanuts, oats, barley, & even the soup options! And, as a bonus, we get this okara stuff that seems to be super useful! There's even a recipe for Okara Brownies & an Okara Facial! We made vegan Okara Chick'n Cutlets with our 1st batch - YUMMY!
NOTE: After I did these calculations, I realized the Laura Soybeans are NOT organic; they are, however, NON-GMO. I hear that pesticide use on soy crops is actually pretty light, though. I have not yet looked into this, myself, but I wanted to mention it.
TIPS:
- clean the machine before you use it for the 1st time: a drop of dishsoap and water filled to the fill line, turn the machine one and it will "clean" itself. haven't tried this post-milk, however.
- if you don't already filter your water, consider it. We use the Mavea Pitcher & filters (bought on amazon) - better water = better milk.
- think about buying two 1L hermetically sealed frigoverre glass jars (you can keep a new batch sealed while you finish a previous batch; or, you can have two different "milks" in the fridge at once) - plus, you can seal them and shake, if needed.
- we have also considered using 1Qt glass widemouth (personal preference) mason jars with the plastic lids (they should be airtight (some leak), the metal are not, if not canning) - this can hold a back-up batch, too
- use a tea strainer (or a fine mesh) as a second straining (we catch a lot more okara this way).
- a dash of Vanilla Extract was a bit too bitter for me. Cutting it with a small squirt of raw agave was just the right "fix" (but made the milk sweeter than I prefer)
- I found the 13lb laura soybeans, with shipping, to be less expensive than other beans in the other places I looked (sadly, Laura are not organic, and there are no bulk soybeans at wegmans)
- if you buy soybeans in bulk, look for reusable produce bags (I bought mine here on amazon).
- we bought a glass marking pen here on amazon to mark the "flavor" and "born on date" on the frigoverre jars - very helpful (& available at Staples, for way less $)!
- the milk (in our experience) lasts 3-5 days, depending on the ingredients and how often you open the container, etc. I read that boil-sterilizing the pitchers & accessories helps milk to last longer, but I have not tried that. We use a UV lamp, bought here on Amazon.
- Sept 2012: NEW TIP: for taking "milk" on the go, I pour it into a Bodum Portable French Press, like this one:
Bodum Stainless Steel Vacuum Travel Press Coffee Maker with Orange Silicone Grip, 16-Ounce - it keeps it cool (or warm, if you prefer) and if you pour the milk in, prior to inserting & pushing the plunger down, it will further filter the pulp (if you want a more pulp-free milk).
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