Choosing The Right Juicer

There is a huge choice of juicers available today and while choice is always a good thing it can be hard to decide which juicer is best for you.

The number one thing that drives most of us when deciding which juicer to buy is our budget. A lot of people don’t have lots of money to spend in this economic climate. Of course some of us are luckier and have more money to spend on a juicer. Decide how much you can afford to spend first because this will most likely determine which type of juicer you end up buying.

It’s also hard to know just how big a part of your life juicing is going to be until you try it. Imagine going out and spending $500 on a super juicer only to find that you can’t stand it! Far better to start with a cheaper model, see if you like it and upgrade later (especially if you can’t afford to spend $500 on a juicer at the moment).

It’s important not to get too hung up on choosing a juicer. Yes it’s important to get the best one you can afford and yes it’s important to read reviews and choose a juicer that does a good job and is reliable. But sometimes making a decision can get in the way of actually getting out there and starting doing what is important. Don’t let indecision and doubt stop you from starting your juicing journey. Do a little research but then go and do it!

Cheapest Juicers – Centrifugal Models

The cheapest juicers tend to be centrifugal juicers. They contain a spinning disc which shreds the fruits and vegetables as you feed them into a chute. They often spin at high speeds and separate the juice from the pulp.

They range in price from about $50 to $200, although there are more expensive models with features like variable speed.

A centrifugal juicer will produce juice that is nutritious and of good quality. But it is not the best type of juicer. It is fine if you are on a budget or are not particularly bothered about having the absolute best quality juice.

The spinning disc means that some heat is generated during operation. This heat can lower the quality of the juice. The method of juice extraction is also not the best. Centrifugal juicers work by tearing or shredding which actually leaves a lot of beneficial enzymes and nutrients in the pulp.

The Best Juicers – Masticating Models

The best juicers tend to be masticating juicers. They may contain a single rotating auger or two rotating augers which crush the fruits and vegetables as you feed them into the machine. They usually rotate at much slower speeds than centrifugal models.

They range in price from about $200 to $400, although there are much more expensive models which may have additional features or be more heavy duty.

Masticating juicers will product juice that is highly nutritious and of very high quality. It may take longer to juice because it juices more slowly but you will get more out of the produce you are juicing. It is great if you have more money to spend and want the best possible quality of juice.

Rotating augers generate very little heat during operation. This means the quality of the juice is largely unaffected. The method of juice extraction is also better than centrifugal models. Masticating juicers work by crushing and squeezing which extracts a lot more of the beneficial enzymes and nutrients as well as getting more liquid out of the fruits and vegetables.

Single Auger Vs Twin Auger Models

Masticating juicers are available with either one or two augers. In double auger models there are two rotating augers or “gears”.

Twin auger juicers are also called “triturating juicers“. They typically cost more than single auger models and produce the highest quality juice of all due to the fact that they grind produce to a finer consistency and extract more enzymes and nutrients than a single auger machine. They act a little bit like a pestle and mortar, crushing and grinding produce into a fine paste.

Twin Auger juicers range vastly in price and can cost anything from $400 to well over $1000. They are out of reach for most people but do represent the pinnacle of juicing technology. If you have the cash and want juice of the absolute highest quality then a twin auger model may be right for you.

It’s important to note that many masticating juicers including single auger and double auger machines may require more preparation of the fruits and vegetables as the feeder chutes are typically smaller on masticating models than on centrifugal models. This extra preparation time combined with slower juicing time can make juicing with a masticating juicer a more time consuming and involved process. Just something else to consider when choosing a juicer type.

Vertical Auger vs Horizontal Auger Models

Masticating juicers with a single auger normally have the auger aligned horizontally or across. This makes their appearance very distinctive and unique.

Some masticating single auger models however have a vertical auger with the auger aligned vertically or straight up. This makes them look a little bit like a centrifugal juicer although they are usually thinner than centrifugal models.

Vertical auger models also tend to have a larger feeder chute than horizontal auger models. This means you may need to do less preparation of the produce than with a horizontal auger machine.

Vertical auger juicers are a fairly new design and tend to be quite pricey. There is also a limited range of models although this will probably change as more manufacturers start to produce vertical auger models.