What is the Best Juicer For My Lifestyle?

There are countless reasons why I feel that everyone should own a juicer: health benefits, glowing skin, nutrient intake, raw diets, digestive issues, etc, etc. Seriously, I feel as though the list is endless. However, that is an entirely different topic altogether. This hub is meant for people who have decided to change their lives by purchasing a juicer, and would like some assistance with choosing the juicer that is best suited to their lifestyles.

If any of you would prefer to speak to an expert who has been in the juicing field for years, PLEASE do no hesitate to call this toll-free number: 1 866 504 5155. We love telling people about juicers and helping them find the one that is right for them!

Before you begin, I do realize there is A LOT of information on this hub page. However, choosing the right juicer requires a lot of thinking and research. So do your best to read through this info and then decide which type of juicer is best suited to your needs. Then, I start browsing through a juicer store to find great deals online.

Choosing the right juicer for your lifestyle can be quite the overwhelming task. You likely don't know very much about juicers, aside from seeing lots of info-mercials of Jack Lalanne telling you what an amazing machine his juicer is. If possible, try to get Jack Lalanne and his crazy power juicer out of your head. For the most part, they are pretty bad machines and you can find much higher quality juicers in the same price range that are easier to clean and will last much longer. However, we are already off topic!

My point was, there are endless amounts of options out there. If you start shopping before narrowing your choices down to the right categories, you will likely end up feeling more lost than you started and you'll have some burnt retinas (from staring at your computer screen). On the other hand, if you take a few minutes to figure out which type of juicer you are looking for, you will have a much more satisfying shopping experience.

There are a few different ways you can begin to narrow down your juicer categories. The process that I find most clear and efficient is reading about the different categories of juicers that exist, and deciding which is best for you based on the price range, types of produce they can juice and the juicing process itself (what is involved in juicer set up, cleaning, assembly and disassembly).

In my eyes, there are 3 main categories of juicers - citrus juicers, centrifugal juicers, mastication juicers. I know, some of those sound a little more self-explanatory than others. Don't worry! Just read the categories below. I have broken everything down nice and simple for you.

Aaahhh the juice lover's best friend! If you are serious about juicing and would like to get all the health benefits from your juice, you are looking for a mastication juicer; and if you are an absolute health nut, you want a cold-press masticating juicer. But don't worry- we'll get into those details a bit later. First, I think I should give you a more general overview of mastication juicers.

Mastication juicers use a gear (or two gears) to take chunks out of your produce and mash it up so the screen can extract juice. This process is designed to mimic the way we chew our food and is actually a very healthy, natural way to extract juices. All mastication juicers come with an automatic pulp-ejecting function so you will never have to stop to clean out the screen or pulp while using one. Additionally, they can be used as a food processor to homogenize and mince different things.

Searching for a masticating juicer before doing your research can be rather confusing because of all the different sub categories. However, it's really rather simple. Once you've decided you'd like a masticating juicer, you have 3 more decisions to make:

1. How many gears? Single gear or twin gear?
2. Simply fruit, veggie and leafy greens or wheatgrass (which pretty much means you can juice anything)?
3. Cold-press?

As I explained earlier, the mastication process involves a gear (or two) chewing away at your produce to extract juice. Twin gear juicers use two gears to chew the fruit and are able to extract a higher percentage of juice from their produce. More gears, more efficient. Makes sense right? Since they try so hard to squeeze out every last drop of juice, they do tend to require a bit more time than a single gear juicer. Also, the number of gears used does not effect the quality or nutrients in the juice. You will get the exact same quality juice from a single gear or a twin gear juicer. The only difference is extraction rate and time:

• Single Gear: A slightly lower yield of juice but a slightly faster juicing process.
• Twin Gear: A higher juice yield but a slower juicing process.

Some people seem to think that cold-press is a function of a juicer; that you can turn on the cold-press button and the juicer will cold-press your produce. If you thought this, don't worry- you are not alone, but unfortunately, you are mistaken.

Cold-press is simply a designation for juicers that have motors that run between 80 and 200 RPMs. The reason they call these juicers cold-press juicers is because the slow speed of their motors makes sure the juice is not heated up during the juicing process. We don't want our juice to heat up because when foods are heated past a certain temperature, the enzymes begin to break down and release nutrients and vitamins through a process called oxidation. This is the same theory behind eating raw foods to get access to all the potential vitamins and nutrients. Wow, that was a lot of information. You might want to give that a quick re-read in case you are confused. Or, you can always call us at 1 866 504 5155

So, cold-press juicers avoid oxidation and therefore produce the healthiest, most nutrient-rich juice possible. If you are interested in juicing for health reasons, be sure to get yourself a cold-press masticating juicer. Something to note: most cold-press juicers are also wheatgrass juicers and vice versa.

Wheatgrass is an incredible plant that can help improve your immune system, improve your blood health and cleanse the body of unwanted toxins. However, it is extremely difficult to extract juice from wheatgrass. Only mastication juicers can do it, and not even all of them can. You need to use a juicer that is specifically designed for juicing wheatgrass in order to make your own wheatgrass juice.

Wheatgrass juicers can also juice any other type of produce out there - soft fruits, hard fruit, pulpy fruits, and difficult roots. You name it, a wheatgrass juicer will juice it! However, some masticating juicers are not meant for wheatgrass. Although they likely won't clog up like a centrifugal juicer would, they simply won't be able to extract very much wheatgrass juice from the plant and the process can be hard on the machine. If you think you will ever want to juice wheatgrass or you plan on juicing lots of leafy greens, get a wheatgrass juicer!

What Kinds of Fruits and Veggies Can They Juice?

Masticating juicers can definitely juice the widest variety of produce than any other type of juicers. They handle soft, crisp and pulpy fruits and veggies, as well as leafy greens very well. Wheatgrass juicers can juice just about anything!

What is the Food Prep Process Like?

Similar to that of a centrifugal juicer, only you don't have to remove the skin or peels on anything if you don't want to.

1. Rinse off the fruit (or use a light soap or a produce cleaner).
   
2. If you are worried about pesticides (only non-organic produce), remove the skins or peels.
   
3. Chop the produce to a size that will fit down your feed chute. The size varies according to the feed chute of the actual juicer. Some can fit whole fruits such as small apples, but the whole fruits will take longer to juice.
   

How Long is the Juicing Process?

This depends on the type of juicer and the specific juicer itself. Single gear juicers will generally juice faster than twin-gear juicers. Also, the produce that you are juicing can have a significant impact no the juicing speed. Since it is harder for juicers to extract juice from pulpy or soft fruits, its always a good idea to alternate between your types of fruits. For example, when juicing oranges and carrots, the juicer will be able to juice more quickly if you start off with a carrot, then throw in some orange, and continue to alternate, ending with a carrot.

What is the Clean Up Process Like?

Unfortunately, you can't put the parts of a mastication juicer in the dishwasher. However, the clean-up process really is not that difficult. Some brands have made it easier than others. Samson Juicers have been designed to make the clean up process as quick and easy as possible. However, in general, single gear juicers are a bit easier to clean than twin gear juicers. Depending on the juicer itself, the process can take anywhere between 2 minutes (a Samson) to 10 minutes.

The following items will need to be rinsed in water and maybe some soap:

• juicing chamber
• feed chute
• safety tray
• pusher
• gears
• screen (scrubbed with a brush provided)

The time variance really comes from how the assembly and disassembly process is designed.

When you first take one of these juicers out of the box, there are so many little parts that it feels overwhelming. However, most of the parts are just different options that are included to provide you with more variety (multiple screens for different levels of pulp or multiple nozzles for juicing, mincing or extruding pasta). After setting the juicer up once, you will notice how natural and logical the process is. In fact, although mastication juicers usually require a bit more time than centrifugal juicers, they often involve less fiddling around because you don't have to deal with blades that are locked into hard-to-reach places.

Although this process varies from juicer to juicer, the steps are generally as follows:

1. Attach juicing chamber.
   
2. Attach feed chute and safety tray.
   
3. Insert gear (or gears).
4. Slide on the screen.
   
5. Attach cover and nozzle.
   

Price Range

Masticating Juicers are definitely an investment. They start at around $220 and can go all the way up to $500. However, the great thing about them is that crappy ones don't really exist (which is much more than I can say for centrifugal juicers). They all come with great warranties and their parts are always nice and sturdy. This type of juicer simply needs to be built well in order to do the things a masticating juicer does. They will last you AT LEAST, and I mean AT LEAST 5 years (unless of course you throw it against the wall or something outrageous like that). Some things to keep in mind:

• Twin gear juicers are always more expensive than single gear juicers. If you are on a budget and not too concerned about getting that extra 5-10% more juice, buying a single gear juicer is a great way to save money!
  
• It's a good idea to keep the warranty in mind when choosing your juicer.
  
• Remember, there really aren't any crappy masticating juicers out there. Just choose on that's in your price range and has the features you want.
  

Summary

Masticating juicers come in a few different varieties but it is not that difficult to figure out which one suits your needs the most. They do require more time than a centrifugal juicer, but they can juice a much wider variety of fruits and vegetables and they help preserve lots of vitamins and nutrients in your juice. They can be pricey but they are most definitely an investment- not just in a kitchen appliance, but in a healthier way of life. If you want to get the most health benefits possible from your juicer, invest in a masticating juicer. You won't be sorry!

Centrifugal juicers are very common and meant for a more amateur juicer than a mastication juicer. They use fast-moving blades to slice produce into tiny little bits and then force those bits through a screen so the juice can be squeezed out of them. Because the blades move so quickly, they are able to produce juice very quickly as well.

Sub Categories?

Technically, centrifugal juicers can be broken down into two further sub categories: Regular and Pulp-Ejecting. Most people choose to buy pulp-ejecting centrifugal juicers because it can be a pain to stop and empty out pulp in the middle of juicing. Regular centrifugal juicers don't automatically eject pulp into a little compartment and therefore need to be emptied if you are juicing more than a glass or two at once.

What Types of Produce Can They Handle?

That answer varies from juicer to juicer. However, for the most part, these juicers are meant for hard fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots, cucumbers, etc). Some can have a hard time with softer or pulpier fruits (oranges, peaches, melons) and most cannot juice leafy greens very well (spinach, kale, sprouts, etc). Centrifugal juicers are not meant for wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is a very difficult plant to extract juice from and centrifugal juicers simply can't do it. Don't try. You might end up with a tiny drop of juice but you will also have a clogged juicer and a big green mess. Not fun! In summary, they are mostly intended for fruits and vegetables (and mostly the firm ones!)

How Do I Have to Prep My Produce?

1. Wash you fruit (only water is fine, you can use a tiny bit of light soap if you really feel like it)
2. Peel skins if necessary (some people peel skins to avoid pesticides, some skins should always be peeled with these juicers (citrus, mango, etc)
3. Cut it into cubes or chunks that will fit down the feed chute of the juicer. This varies completely from juicer to juicer. Some can fit whole fruit (like a small apple) but whole fruit is also much harder for the juicer to process and will likely shorten the life of the machine or result in more clogs.
   

How Long Does it Take to Make juice?

Again, this varies from juicer to juicer but centrifugal juicers are generally pretty quick machines. As I said earlier, their motors run at very high speeds (a few thousand RPMs) and can run through produce pretty quickly. Although this is great, there is a small disadvantage:

Disadvantage: Oxidation

Making juice nice and quickly is great, but the high speeds make the juice heat up, which encourages oxidation (a process that breaks down the enzymes and allows vitamins and nutrients to escape). However, juicing with a centrifugal juicer will still make juice that is more nutrient-rich and delicious than you can purchase at a grocery store. So, if you are a health nut who is juicing strictly for health reasons, you should consider a cold-press masticating juicer. On the other hand, if you are simply looking to get some more vitamins and nutrients in your diet, a centrifugal juicer is a great way to start juicing.

Can I Put the Parts in the Dishwasher?

YES! One of the biggest advantages of a centrifugal juicer is their easy clean up. Most of the parts can go in the top shelf of your dishwasher. However, you will have to scrub quickly at the screen and probably shouldn't put it in the dishwasher. It is also a good idea to rinse off the parts before throwing them in the dishwasher.

What About Assembly and Disassembly?

For the most part, assembly and disassembly are relatively easy.

1. Fit a few parts/compartments into the right slots.
   
2. Slide in the blades and screen.
   
3. Throw the lid on.

Keep in mind, the number of parts and steps will be different for different juicers.

Price Range

The cheapest centrifugal juicers start around $70 and can go all the way up to $300. Once again, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• The most inexpensive juicers are also going to be the cheapest. They will feel less sturdy, their parts will break more easily, they will clog up more easily, they won't be able to handle as many different types of produce, and their warranties and customer care will be worse than those of a more expensive juicer.
• The most expensive juicers are also not necessarily the best. Like all things, sometimes you are paying for a name.
  

In order to get some value and a juicer that won't break down on you frequently, I would stick to the $100 - $250 price range.

Summary

If you're not sure how serious you are about juicers or juicing, centrifugal is a great place to start. They're very easy to use and you can put the parts in the dishwasher. Because of their easy clean-up process and how fast their motors are, they are a great option for people with busy schedules who would still like to get some added nutrients in their lives. However, they do come with a trade off: faster juice, dishwasher safe parts vs. fewer nutrients and no juicing of leafy greens and wheatgrass. Keep in mind that their juice will still taste better and be better for you than store bought juice!

Please remember, if you have ANY questions, feel free to call us at 1 866 504 5155.

Citrus Juicers are probably the most straight-forward category of them all.

What Produce Can They Juice?
Like the name suggests, they are meant to juice citrus, and only citrus.

What is the Juicing Process Like?

• Simple. Very Simple.
• Cut your citrus in half.
• Press down on the reamer and it will juice for you.

Most citrus juicers these days have a spout so you can juice straight into a glass or jug to avoid having to stop while juicing. This feature makes juicing on the go extremely convenient.

What About Clean up?

Clean up is also very simple. With most citrus juicers, the bowl and reamers are dishwasher safe. However, most screens should stay out of the dishwasher (this is a common factor with ALL juicers. Screens don't go in the dishwasher because the dishwasher won't wash the pulp out. If you let it sit, it will be a very unpleasant mess to deal with later). Just give them a rinse and you are golden!

How Complicated is the Assembly and Disassembly Process

• I hate to say it again... but it really is simple, simple, simple!
• Place bowl on top.
• Insert screen and reamer.
• Ready to juice!

Price Range

These juicers can range anywhere from $20 to $200. While that sounds a little crazy, keep a few things in mind when it comes to citrus juicers:

• Generally, the more you pay, the longer the juicer will last and the better the warranty will be.
• The extremely inexpensive citrus juicers will take longer to juice because they will have weaker motors and will likely clog and break more easily. (They're inexpensive because they're cheap!)
  
• Not all juicers are electric! Make sure you purchase electric if you want one!

I'm not trying to say you need to spend $200 on a juicer, but I am trying to tell you to be aware of a $20 juicer. Chances are, it won't last very long. If you would like this juicer to be long term at all, I would suggest searching in the $40 - $100 range.

Summary

Citrus Juicers are a great idea for people who love to have fresh squeezed orange juice or enjoy making lots of lemonaide. However, I suppose I shouldn't limit it to that! They're excellent for people who love citrus juice. Of course, they lack versatility by only being able to juice citrus. However, they can come in very handy if you cook a lot (making marinades, baking, etc), and they can be a wonderful addition to another juicer. Lots of centrifugal juicers have trouble with pulpy fruit. If you already have a centrifugal juicer and you're dying for some citrus, this could be the answer to your dreams! For the most part, they are relatively inexpensive, and citrus juice is full of vitamins and nutrients that can result in serious health benefits.

Wow, that was a lot of information, huh? I hope it helped you figure out what type of juicer is best suited to your needs and preferences. If you're still not sure or you need some more information, please, just call us 1 866 504 5155. We would be happy to answer any questions you have.

If you have decided on the type of juicer you would like to purchase, visit some online juicer stores and see what options are out there. Of course, I suggest visiting PurelyJuicers.com (link below). They only carry high quality juicers that will last and they have great prices and free shipping. However, feel free to shop around at other sites.

Twitter is a great place to ask for people's opinions and experiences with juicers. There are tons of juicer reviews out there also. Once you've found the juicer you want, visit a site you trust and make your purchase!

See below for more juicer resources.

Good Luck!