If you’ve ever seen a late night infomercial about juicers, the fast and effective centrifugal models may have caught your attention. But are they the best choice for you?
There are many things to consider when selecting the best juicer, including speed, nutritional value, and price. The most important factor is the method of juicing, which falls under either masticating or centrifugal.
Masticating Juicers Work Best for Leafy Greens
Masticating juicers use a slower speed and crushing action to break down fibers and extract juice. They are more effective at juicing leafy greens than other juicer types, such as centrifugal or citrus juicers, and they are better at preserving vitamins and enzymes thanks to their lower heat generation.
They also do a better job of handling harder fruits and vegetables, such as carrots or celery. The juice they produce is thicker and more flavorful because it goes through less oxidation, which is detrimental to health. It also lasts longer in the fridge, so you can enjoy it as a refreshing snack or a nutritious breakfast drink.
Another benefit of masticating juicers is that they take up much less space in the kitchen. Most models have a compact design that allows them to be easily stored in a cupboard or under the counter when not in use. Some even come with a lid to prevent spills.
In contrast, centrifugal juicers tend to be larger and noisier than masticating models. They work at high speeds to chop up ingredients and force out the juice. They do a good job at juicing hard and soft fruits and vegetables but they aren’t as efficient with leafy greens. They do, however, offer a fast and affordable option for those who prioritize speed over quality.
Centrifugal Juicers Work Best for Hard Fruits and Vegetables
Centrifugal juicers spin produce at high speeds, pulverizing it to extract the liquid and leaving behind dry pulp. They’re best for hard fruits and vegetables, as they handle these with ease while producing high juice yields. They can also produce nut butters with their “homogenize” setting, which saves you a trip to the store.
However, they’re not the best choice for leafy greens and can struggle with berries. Their speed can create heat and oxidation, which reduces the quality of the juice. In addition, their blades can generate a lot of foam and leave a lot of residue in the juice.
As a result, they tend to take up more counter space and require a little bit more pre-prep time. They’re cheaper than masticating juicers, though they produce less nutritionally dense juice.
Many people choose a centrifugal juicer because they’re cheap and easy to use, especially if they don’t plan on using their machine for much more than juicing hard fruits and veggies. They’re also quieter than masticating juicers and usually come with a longer warranty. However, it’s important to remember that their higher speeds can produce more heat and oxidation, resulting in a lower quality of juice as well as shorter shelf-life. This is why it’s important to read reviews before buying any juicer. They’ll help you make the most informed decision possible about which type of juicer is right for you.
Masticating Juicers Are More Expensive
Masticating juicers are more expensive than centrifugal models, but they also last longer. They’re designed to minimize stress on the hardware so they can withstand regular use and still work well after 2-3 decades.
They don’t produce as much heat, which helps to preserve the vitamins and enzymes in the fruits and vegetables you’re juicing. This makes them a better choice for leafy greens, such as kale and wheatgrass, which are difficult to juice with centrifugal models.
Masticating juicers come with a wide range of accessories that can make it easier to juice hard and soft fruits and vegetables, including baby food and pasta noodles. The accessories can also make it easier to clean the machine. Some masticating juicers also have larger feed tubes that can accept whole foods without needing to be cut into smaller pieces.
The best masticating juicers will offer a comprehensive warranty that covers parts and labor for up to a certain number of years. You should always look for a manufacturer’s warranty when purchasing a new appliance, especially a costly one like a juicer. This will ensure that you get the most out of your purchase and protect it in case something goes wrong with the product. If you don’t find a manufacturer’s warranty, try to purchase from a store that offers a low return policy or a replacement guarantee for up to a certain amount of time.
Masticating Juicers Take More Time to Clean
Depending on how often you plan to juice, the time it takes to clean up the machine can be a consideration. A masticating juicer can have many more parts to clean than a centrifugal juicer. If you’re concerned about cleaning, look for a model that has easy-to-clean attachments and a mesh screen that can be rinsed out with water.
Another factor to consider is the size of the feed tube. Ideally, you’ll want a large feed tube that can easily process whole fruits and vegetables. This will save you time because you’ll be able to make more juice at one time without having to cut your produce into smaller pieces.
Masticating juicers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are single auger models that simply chew up the food to produce high-quality juice, while others have two gears that are extremely close together within a tenth of a millimeter. The twin-gear models, sometimes called triturating juicers, use these two gears to crush and grind the food, which then pushes out the dry pulp. These are the best masticating juicers for leafy greens, as they’re incredibly efficient and extract more juice. Their slow speed also means they don’t heat up the food, which preserves most of the vitamins and minerals.
