1 week Ago By Corin Cesaric
To determine which juicer was best, we put them through numerous tests with various fruits and vegetables that ranged in density. From carrots to watermelon, we ran each juicing test several times to determine consistency and see how they handled a range of produce types. During our first test, we made a juice using whole lemons, ginger, celery, carrots, and apples.
Despite using the same ingredients, some juice turned out smoother and/or frothier than others. For me, I preferred the smoother juices. This initial test helped us determine how hard or easy the juicer was to set up, use and clean, plus which ones could juice hard fruits and vegetables the best.
We also took into account the noise level of each and, of course, the juice they produced. During our second test, we created a green juice using kale, cucumber, celery, green apples, ginger and lemons. Once again we were able to compare taste, texture and juicer performance.
We also noticed a difference in the pulp spit out by the juicers despite the same ingredients being used. The slow juicers -- or cold press juicers -- produced slightly less pulp and the pulp looked more compacted than the centrifugal juicers. During my tests, the Hurom juicer produced the least amount of pulp.
After going through plenty of produce, I compared the findings of each juicer to come to the decision on our winners. Nutribullet Juicer Pro : Although I loved the accessories this juicer came with -- including the glass juice containers and freezer trays -- cleaning it was a bit of a mess because of where the pulp empties out into. The base was also bulkier compared to the others we tested so it might not be the best option for smaller kitchens or ones with less storage space.
However, if your goal is to batch juice, this high-powered juicer is still a decent choice that you can get for less than $200. Shine Kitchen Co.® Multi-Batch Compact Cold Press Juicer: This was the only juicer I tested where celery got stuck on the juicing augur.
Although it was easy enough for me to take it off, it was still an extra step that I didn’t have to do with our winners. The pulp also got slightly clogged when juicing smaller amounts of produce. We couldn’t justify the price of this compact juicer for its performance.
Compact Cold Press Juicer : I was hoping this juicer would be a great compact option but the pulp clogged easily and the small size of the juicer itself and the chute meant preparation took much longer. Kuvings NJ Series Centrifugal Juicer : This juicer did decently well with juice extraction. Black & Decker JE2200B : This juicer was one of our worst performers, but it is an affordable way to try your hand at juicing for about $50.
Types of juicers: Centrifugal vs. masticating Centrifugal juicers, which are considered traditional or entry-level juicers, produce strained juice in seconds as blades spin at high speeds to chop your produce and push it through a mesh sieve. Centrifugal machines can be loud and messy in comparison to masticating juicers, also known as “slow juicers” or "cold press" juicers, such as our top pick, the Ninja NeverClog .
While cold press juicers often cost more than centrifugal juicers, they are believed to extract more nutrients from whatever is thrown inside via augers that squeeze the juice from the pulp versus whipping it around as with centrifugal juicers. During our testing, we also noticed that juice from masticating juicers seemed to have less separation than juice from centrifugal juices and a stronger taste. Mouth size If you want to cut down the time it takes to prepare your produce for the juicer, the mouth size should factor into your decision.
Choosing a juicer with a wide mouth of around 3 inches in diameter or more will make your prep time easier. If this is important to you, we recommend our pick for the best budget juicer, the Hamilton Beach Easy Clean Juice Extractor , which has a 3-inch wide mouth, or our best splurge juicer, the Hurom H70 Easy Clean Slow Juicer , which has a hopper that fully opens in order for you to pack in the produce. Accessories and tools Other handy extra features include recipe books, brushes (most juicers include one), and a cap or lever to cover the spout after juicing to prevent spillage.
How easy it is to clean Most people don't want to spend too much time cleaning up after juicing so this is another huge factor to think about when buying a juicer. You may be more inclined to buy one that has dishwasher safe parts, like our top pick the Ninja NeverClog Juicer , or one with a small amount of detachable parts. Yes! You can either compost the pulp or use it in recipes, such as pulp pancakes , muffins , granola and more.
A couple of our top picks, the Ninja NeverClog and the Hurom H70 Easy Clean Slow Juicer, come with recipe books that include pulp recipes. Your juicer should be cleaned after every use. Thankfully, many of the juicers on our list have dishwasher-safe parts, (and the ones that don’t are noted above.
) Before disassembling your juicer, make sure the power button is off and the device is unplugged. Empty the pulp bin into a compost bin or place it aside to be used in a future recipe, then put every part that touches juice or produce into the sink. If the parts are dishwasher safe, you can lightly rinse off any remaining pulp, then put them in your dishwasher.
If they’re not, you can handwash them with a sponge and soapy, warm water, then hand dry them. After all the detachable parts of the juicer are fully dried, reassemble the juicer and store for its next use. Certain fruits and vegetables, such as avocados and bananas, are not good for juicing because they contain very little juice.
. Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli are also poor candidates for juicing, because they can be difficult to digest in a raw, concentrated form. Resist the urge to add ice to your juicer.
It's not meant for making smoothies and ice could damage the motor. For that, try one of these excellent blenders instead. For the most part, yes, but if you lean too heavily on high-in-sugar fruits for your juicing routine, you might be doing more harm than good.
The healthiest way to juice is by combining healthy greens, beets, ginger, carrots and other nutrient-rich vegetables with the occasional chunk of pineapple or half an apple to sweeten the deal. “Since juicing removes the fiber, it can be faster to consume without leaving you feeling as full, which can be an advantage for those who need to get nutrients quickly,” Fitton says, however, there is a downside to this, too. “Without fiber, juicing can lead to quicker blood sugar spikes and doesn’t provide the satiety that whole fruits and vegetables do,” she adds.
To offset this, you should ensure you are getting enough fiber from other foods in your diet. Juicing is a good option for people who need a “short-term break from fiber for medical reasons,” Fitton says, as well as people who have “trouble getting enough fruits or vegetables in their diet, and juiced fruit/vegetables is more palatable to them.” However, everyone should still prioritize eating whole fruits and vegetables when possible to get all of the nutrients provided by the fresh produce.
“If someone is committed to juicing, I recommend making it at home to retain as many nutrients as possible,” Fitton adds..
