Buying guide for best masticating juicers
A common way to improve your health is by incorporating more fruits and vegetables in your diet. But remembering to eat more produce can be challenging, which is why juicing can be such an effective way to increase the number of fruits and vegetables in your meals. With a masticating juicer, you can extract all the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in your produce and create a flavorful juice, so you have zero excuses not to get your daily intake of fruits and veggies.
If you’re serious about juicing, you need a machine that delivers the highest-quality juice possible. The best type of countertop juicer is a masticating juicer, which uses an auger to crush and press fruits and vegetables, leaving behind a dry pulp. This process takes more time than other types of juicers, but it produces much less heat, so the nutrients and enzymes aren’t lost to oxidation during the juicing process. A masticating juicer also yields more liquid and isn’t as noisy as other types of juicers.
Masticating juicers can be expensive and offer a range of modes and features, so finding the right model for your needs can be a challenge.
How to buy the best masticating juicer
Also known as cold press juicers or slow juicers, masticating juicers grind up the flesh of fruits and vegetables, resulting in a richer yield than their extracting counterparts. When it comes to countertop juicers, they offer the best quality juice and leave behind very dry pulp.
Which type of juicer is best?
Centrifugal juicers, also known as extracting juicers, produce juice more quickly, but they do so at the sacrifice of quality.
Citrus juicers use a reamer or press to quickly juice oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits. These are the most affordable type of countertop juicers. Unlike other types, they are very limited in what types of produce they can juice.
Masticating juicers are heavy-duty gadgets that extract as much moisture as possible from produce. They can juice fruits and vegetables, and they can also be used for tasks like extruding pasta.
Finding the right juicer depends on your budget and needs, but masticating juicers are by far the most capable.
Horizontal juicers
This type of masticating juicer is the classic option. The auger that mashes the produce and extracts the juice is positioned horizontally inside the juicer. Horizontal models also are better at juicing leafy greens. The juicing process takes a little longer, but this type of juicer can also function as a multipurpose food processor in your kitchen, making it more versatile than vertical models.
Vertical juicers
These masticating juicers have the auger positioned vertically. As a result, the juicer combines elements of a traditional horizontal masticating juicer and a centrifugal juicer. It can juice more quickly than a horizontal model, requires less prep work, and is often easier to clean. Vertical slow juicers don’t offer the same versatility as horizontal juicers, and the juice can oxidize more quickly.
Single vs. double auger
A masticating juicer uses either a single auger or a double auger to extract juice from fruits and vegetables.
- Single auger: A juicer with a single auger typically costs less, but it doesn’t last as long because it has to work harder and faster to juice tough leafy greens or hard fruits.
- Double auger: A model with a double auger, also called a twin gear juicer, can easily get through tougher produce because it has two augers that revolve at the same time. That means the juicer works at a slow speed. For that satisfyingly dry pulp, twin gear models are the best choice for squeezing every drop out of fruits and veggies.
Size
Masticating juicers tend to be larger and bulkier than centrifugal juicers. If you want to leave the juicer out on the countertop with your other kitchen appliances or plan to store it in a cabinet, you want to be sure that you have adequate space for it in your kitchen.
Always check the product specifications for any juicer you’re considering to verify its dimensions, and then measure your kitchen to confirm that it would fit. Keep in mind that you might also need space near the juicer for produce as well as a container for collecting the juice.
Are you trying to decide between a single auger and a double auger masticating juicer? A double auger juicer is more expensive, but it usually lasts longer, and it does a more thorough job extracting juice and leaving dry pulp behind.
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What features do masticating juicers have?
Dual-stage
With a masticating juicer, speed isn’t particularly important. In fact, its ability to juice at a slow speed is what keeps the vitamins and nutrients in the juice from being oxidized. The slower the juicer operates, the better quality the juice it extracts.
That’s why it’s a good idea to choose a dual-stage model. The juicer crushes the produce to extract the juice, then presses the pulp again to extract even more juice, leaving drier pulp.
Large feed chute
When you’re choosing a masticating juicer, pay attention to the size of the tube through which you insert the fruits and vegetables, known as the feed chute. If the juicer has a narrow feed chute, you’ll need to cut your produce up into small pieces to fit rather than inserting whole fruit and vegetables.
If you opt for a juicer with a wider chute, it can significantly reduce your prep time. Vertical masticating juicers often have wider feed chutes than horizontal models, but you can find some horizontal juicers with a chute approximately 2 to 3 inches wide.
Pulp regulator
The amount of pulp that people prefer in their juice can be a hotly contested issue. Some prefer almost pulp-free juice, while others enjoy a small amount of pulp, and there are folks who like a bunch of pulp.
When you use a masticating juicer, you’ll never get juice that’s completely pulp-free, but there are some models that let you control the amount of pulp you get. Opt for a juicer with a pulp regulator so you — and anyone else who’s juicing in your house — can get just the right amount of pulp every time.
Materials
While almost any juicer has plastic components, look for models that are mostly made of stainless steel. While they are likely to be more expensive, stainless steel is easy to clean, resists stains, and is unlikely to collect bacteria. In addition, it’s also far more durable and long lasting. Also look for BPA-free juice cups.
Juice container
Most masticating juicers come with a container for catching the extracted juice. For the easiest juicing, opt for a model with a clear container so you can see how much juice you’re making. If you want to be even more precise, buy a juicer with a container that’s marked with fluid ounce or milliliter measurement marks.
Cleaning
The auger mechanism that crushes and mashes the produce can sometimes be difficult to clean. Choose a masticating juicer that is easy to assemble and disassemble so you can clean in all the nooks and crannies. Some juicers have dishwasher-safe removable components to make cleanup even easier, or the purchase may come with a cleaning brush. Always unplug your juicer before you clean.
Versatility
Many masticating juicers do more than just juice. Some models grind coffee and spices, create nut butter or nut milk, make baby food, extrude pasta, make smoothies, or produce soy milk. They can even make sorbet or ice cream with an additional attachment. If you want to get the most out of your investment, opt for a juicer that can serve multiple functions in your kitchen instead of simply providing fresh juice.
Pulp ejection systems
Most juicers feature pulp ejectors that remove pulp as you go so you don’t need to stop to clear buildup or clogs. They may eject pulp into a built-in container, or they may have a spout for ejecting pulp into a bowl for easy disposal.
Did you know?
An airtight glass or BPA-free plastic container is the best option for storing fresh juice in your refrigerator.
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How much do masticating juicers cost?
Masticating juicer prices range from about $55 to $600 depending on their efficiency, modes, and features.
Inexpensive
For a basic, single-auger model with just a few extra features, you can expect to pay between $55 and $125. If you don’t juice frequently, a product like this may meet your needs. Masticating juicers in this lower price range also tend to have a relatively small footprint.
Mid-range
A single or double auger model with some extra features, such as a large feed chute, costs between $125 and $300. These are often made of high-quality materials and tend to last longer than their cheaper counterparts.
Expensive
If you’re interested in a top-of-the-line masticating juicer, you can expect to spend between $300 and $600. These models often have double augers, a pulp regulator, and a wide, large feed chute. They’re also versatile enough to grind coffee, extrude pasta, make nut butter, and perform a variety of other food-prep tasks.
DID YOU KNOW?
What is nut milk? It’s a non-dairy alternative to milk that you can make using a masticating juicer and some water. If you’re curious, give it a try.
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Accessories
Produce touches many hands before it ends up in your shopping basket and on your kitchen counter. Get a little peace of mind by investing with a sprayable fruit and vegetable wash, which helps remove unwanted residue from the skins of your produce.
If you’re getting into juicing because you want to “live off the land” a little more, consider taking it a step further by planting your own garden. Vegetable seeds are inexpensive, and starting your own garden—large or small—can be a fun project for yourself or with the kids.
If you’re dealing with whole fruits and veggies while juicing, you may have a few leftover pieces. Don’t let them go to waste. Consider investing in an infusion water bottle and adding the leftover pieces to the water bottle. Infusion water bottles incorporate the flavor of the item or items you place in the inner basket: lemons, limes, cucumbers, mint leaves, or whatever you have a taste for.
Freshly made juice is delicious, but it’s also unpasteurized. That means it should be consumed fairly quickly. If you won’t be able to drink it within a day or two, freeze it.
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Tips
- Try to keep the sugar content low if you’re juicing with your health in mind. Aim for a combination of 80% veggies and 20% fruits.
- Use organic produce in your juicer if possible. That way, you don’t have to remove the peels before juicing because you don’t have to worry about pesticides on the peels. Of course, you should still clean your produce first.
- Alternate soft produce like tomatoes or oranges with harder produce like apples or carrots. Soft fruits can be more difficult for a masticating juicer to press. The fiber in harder produce helps push the juice through.
- Drink your juice as soon after you extract it as possible. This helps make sure the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are present. Juice from a masticating juicer typically stays fresh for up to 48 hours in an airtight container in your fridge.
- Run a non-staining fruit or vegetable through the juicer last. Produce like carrots or beets can stain juicer components, so running an orange or lemon through afterward can help “clean” the auger for easier washing.
FAQ
Q. How long does it take a masticating juicer to extract juice?
A. They’re also known as “slow juicers” for a reason. It depends on the model you’re using, the types of produce you’re juicing, and how much juice you want. Typically, a masticating juicer can produce a liter of juice in around 10 minutes, but that doesn’t include prep time for cutting the fruits and vegetables.
Q. Can I put wheatgrass in a masticating juicer?
A. Wheatgrass is high in nutrients and antioxidants, so it’s an ideal addition to homemade juices. Fortunately, a masticating juicer can effectively extract juice from wheatgrass and other leafy vegetables. That’s because it crushes rather than tears the leaves, so the juicer is able to extract even more of the juice. The slow speed of the juicer also prevents oxidation.
Q. Does a masticating juicer usually come with a warranty?
A. Nearly all masticating juicers include some sort of warranty protection, but the coverage varies from model to model. Some juicers only offer warranties of a few years, while higher-end models may provide 10-year warranties or even 15-year-warranties.
Carefully read the product specifications for any masticating juicer that you’re considering so you’re sure to understand what kind of warranty coverage it includes.
Q. What do masticating juicers do better than other kitchen appliances?
A. When it comes to different methods of juicing, a masticating juicer is by far the best option. With a masticating juicer, you get high-quality juice—compared to a blender, a strainer, or even a centrifugal model, the masticating model definitely gives you the best output.
In addition to cold press juicing, masticating juicers are excellent at making nut milk. When it comes to getting juice out of leafy greens, there’s no better tool than a masticating juicer since it crushes leaves to extract liquid rather than shredding them.
Both citrus juicers and citrus reamers keep up with cold press juicers when working with citrus fruits, but they don’t have any additional functionality.
Q. Are masticating juicers easy to assemble?
A. Some juicers are easier assemble and disassemble than others. If this is a concern for you, take note of what juicer reviews have to say about how easy (or difficult) a juicer is to disassemble and clean.
Many popular brands, including Hurom, Tribest, Kuvings, and Breville—as well as Omega, one of the top sellers—have released instructional videos to the internet for consumers who need a little visual assistance. Conveniently, some of these videos can be found within the juicer reviews on Amazon.
