Centrifugal / Fast
Ready to Juice? You'll Need a Juicer!
Making juice at home has many benefits. Not only are you increasing the amount of fruits, vegetables and micronutrients you consume, but juicing will also help to boost your energy levels, support your immune system and maintain a healthy weight.
With the variety of models on the market, you’ll want to match the best juicer to your needs. Do you juice frequently and/or are you looking to make a batch of green juices? Will you be juicing as a family and want to ensure your kids are safe using the juicer? See what type of juicer makes the most sense for you.
Investing in your health
Buying a juicer is an investment in your long-term vitality, energy and health care. While you can find a juicer to fit any budget, remember that the less expensive models may not be the best fit, especially if you are juicing frequently. Many times, a more expensive model will yield more juice, so you want to consider long term value and money savings. For example: if you spend $100/month on produce and get 30% more juice, that’s a savings of $30/month = $360 annually. You’ve already paid for a premium juicer.
About you
Why are you juicing?
How often will you juice?
Do you need a quiet machine?
Want to make more than juice?
Who will be juicing: adults, children?
Features to consider
Juice quality, nutrition and flavor
Output volume, juice yield
Operating noise volume
Multi function – smoothies, nut milk, sorbet
Maintenance, care and safety
Slow juicers use a cold press process that minimizes heat and oxidation of nutrients and generally produces a high quality juice yield.
Consider safety features and quiet operation for families with young children.
Some models, produce nut milks, sorbet, smoothies as well as juicng fine produce like wheat grass.
Know the difference between juicing and blending
Both juicers and blenders make it possible to consume more fresh fruits and vegetables in a quick and simple way.
Juicer
A juicer extracts the juice and removes the pulp (insoluble fiber) from juice.
Blender
A blender pulverizes all ingredients in one container.
There are 3 primary types of juicers
Juicer type
How it works
Processing speed
Types of produce
Juice yield
Functions
Ease of use and assembly
Safety
Noise
Overview
Brands and price range
Example
Notes
Juicer type
How it works
A high speed, cutting disc with sharp blades shreds produce and filters juice to separate the pulp.
Processing speed
10-16K RPM
Processing generates heat and oxidation which causes some nutrition and flavor loss.
Types of produce
Does not juice leafy greens well.
Juice yield
Lower yield
Functions
Single function,
juice only
Ease of use and assembly
Easy to use but requires replacement parts.
Safety
Engine is locked until properly set up.
Noise
Very loud and disruptive. Similar to power tools.
Overview
Centrifugal juicers work by slicing the fruit and/or vegetables with a flat cutting blade (much like a grater) and spinning the produce at a high speed to separate the juice from the pulp. The juice then passes through the tiny holes in a strainer basket and collected in a pitcher. The pulp is collected in a separate container to be removed afterward.
Centrifugal juicers work best with ingredients like carrots, apples but not leafy greens.
Brands and price range
Many brands are available. Joe Cross used a Breville juicer in Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead.
Expect to spend $75 and $300.
Example
Breville Juice Fountain Compact, $100
(shown above)
Notes
Expect to replace filter disc 1-2 times per year. (Estimated Cost per year $36-$72)
Juicer type
Masticating / Slow
How it works
An auger slowly rotates while pressing produce against a strainer to release juice and separate pulp.
Processing speed
43-80 RPM
Slow process, also referred to as cold press, preserves maximum flavor and nutrition.
Types of produce
Juices all types of fruits and vegetables well.
Juice yield
Excellent yield
Functions
Multi function; juice, nut milk and sorbet
Ease of use and assembly
Easy to use and maintain.
Safety
Designed for family use. No sharp parts.
Noise
Quiet. Easy to have a conversation while juicing.
Overview
A masticating juicer works at a low speed minimizing oxidation, pressing fruit and/or veggies to separate the liquid from the fiber. This type of juicer can squeeze up to 30% more juice out of produce than a centrifugal juicer, so despite a higher purchase price, it can save you money in the long term since you will buy less produce.
Not all slow juicers are created equally. Some do not separate the pulp from juice as well as others and may require an additional sieve to filter pulp out of the juice. The quality of motor can also limit operation time due to overheating.
Many masticating juicers are multi functional & produce nut milk, and sorbet.
Brands and price range
Nama, Hurom and Omega are brands that sell masticating juicers in North America.
Expect to spend $200 to $750
Example
Nama Vitality 5800,
$399.00
(shown above)
Notes
Excellent warranty
Juicer type
Horizontal Twin Gear
How it works
Two gears together, crush and press the produce against a strainer to release juice and remove pulp.
Processing speed
60-120 RPM
Slow process – also referred to as cold press preserves maximum flavor and nutrition.
Types of produce
Juices all types of fruits and vegetables well.
Juice yield
Excellent yield
Functions
Multi function; juice, nut milk, nut butter and puree
Ease of use and assembly
More complex to use. Many working parts.
Safety
Includes a protective safety cover.
Noise
Easy to have a conversation while juicing.
Overview
Another type of masticating juicer is a horizontal, twin gear or triturating juicer. It is also a cold-press process but works by pressing and grinding food between two metal gears which crush and squeeze juice and then separates the pulp. This type of juicer has a very high yield and handles wheatgrass well. These juicers are expensive.
Twin Gear Juicers are multi functional & produce smoothies nut milk & purees.
Brands and price range
Tribest, Omega and Super Angel are brands that sell twin gear juicers in North America.
$300 – $2,000
Example
Tribest® Greenstar™ Elite Cold Press, $629.00
(shown above)
Notes
Good warranty