Juicers: Slow Cold Press and Centrifugal Extractors

Centrifugal or slow: how the juice is pressed

A centrifugal juicer shreds produce against a fast-spinning basket and flings juice out through a screen. It is quick, takes whole fruit through a wide chute, and the listed motors, commonly 700 to 1100 W, reflect that, but it is louder and extracts less from leafy greens. A slow or masticating juicer crushes produce with an auger at low speed, uses a small motor of around 200 W, runs quietly and gets more juice from greens, though many have a narrower chute, so produce needs more cutting.

Chute width is the practical detail: a chute near 3.5 inches takes whole apples with little cutting, while a narrow chute needs chopping. Check the juice jug and pulp container volumes, since a small pulp bin fills fast. Dishwasher-safe parts and a cleaning brush for the mesh screen make the difference to how often you use the machine.

Juice jugs, pulp control and combination units

Jugs and pulp containers are listed in liters or ounces, such as a 1.1 L jug with a 1.7 L pulp bin, so a bigger pulp bin lets you juice longer before emptying. Some units add a pulp-control selector or a foam separator. Two-in-one juicer-blenders trade some juicing efficiency for versatility, and a reverse function helps clear jams. Fresh juice separates and loses flavor quickly, so make only what you will drink soon.

Questions about Juicers: Slow Cold Press and Centrifugal Extractors

Is a slow juicer better than a centrifugal one?

It depends on your priorities. Slow juicers are quieter and extract more from leafy greens and soft fruit, but they work slowly and need more cutting. Centrifugal models are fast and take whole fruit, so they suit quick everyday juice.

Do I need to peel and cut produce before juicing?

Peel citrus and anything with a bitter or waxed skin, and remove large pits and stones. Many other fruits and vegetables can go in with their skins, washed first. Cut pieces to fit the chute, smaller for narrow chutes.

How should I clean a juicer quickly?

Rinse the parts right after juicing, before pulp dries, and use the supplied brush on the mesh screen. Soak stubborn residue briefly in warm soapy water. Check the manual for which parts are dishwasher safe, and keep the motor base dry.