So you are looking to purchase a juicer, but you are stuck looking at an assortment of kitchen appliances (some quite pricey), and you’re wondering which one will get you the best bang for your buck, while also delivering everything that you need. The juicer that is right for you will depend on how many people you will be juicing for, the money you have to spend, the features you desire, and how much space you have in your kitchen for storage. There are three main types of juicers: centrifugal, masticating, and triturating. For you I have detailed these three types of juicers, their pros and cons, with the top three recommended juicers of each according to Juicer Reviews Direct.
Centrifugal Juicers
Centrifugal juicers are the most available juicers in retail. They work by pushing fruit and veggies down a feed chute, annihilating it against a metal strainer, which separates retains the pulp, and pushes the juice through. A centrifugal juicer spins at high speeds, and during the spinning movement, the vegetables pushed down the chute are ground to a pulp. The pulp is separated by the juice by the high speed spinning, and juice pours into the bowl for your consumption. These juicers are relatively inexpensive, quick, and easy to use for the average person.
Example: Breville 800JEXL ($299.99, BrevilleUsa.com)
With a stainless steel exterior, wide (3 inch) feed shoot, fast, and almost silent operation, this juicer is hard to beat for a centrifugal juicer. Yes you will loose some nutritional value from the juice if you choose this one over a masticating juicer, however, if you are looking for a centrifugal juicer specifically, you cannot get much better than this one.
Masticating Juicers
Masticating by definition means to “chew” or “grind into a pulp”. You are a perfect example of mastication. Your teeth chew and grind food as you eat. When you swallow, the food goes down your throat to your stomach, which through digestion extracts the juices from the foods you eat. A masticating juicer utilizes augers to that grind, mash, and chew the fruits to squeeze every last drop of juice from your fruits or vegetables to obtain the highest possible nutritional value. With lower speeds and no spinning parts compared to a centrifugal juicer, masticating juicers tend to juice vegetables more efficiently.
Example: Horum Hu-100 ($294.99, Amazon.com)
If you are new to masticating juicers, the Horum Hu-100 is a great introduction. It moves faster than the average juicer in it’s category and produces excellent yield at the same time. The only downside is it’s a little spendy, but if you’re concerned with the highest quality juice while also being short on time, the Horum Hu-100 is worth the price tag.
Triturating Juicers
Triturating juicers, as opposed to masticating juicers, have two augers for removing every last drop of juice from your fruits and vegetables. These juicers are best for higher yields, for example juicing for multiple people at once. These juicers work similar to masticating juicers in that they move at a much slower speed, but instead of only utilizing one gear (auger), triturating juicers have two. Whatever you put in will be pulverized. Triturating juicers create little oxidation, and blend leafy greens without lifting a metaphorical finger. The slower movement helps separate the juice from the pulp more efficiently. At the same time, these juicers are generally more costly and take longer to clean afterwards.
Example: Tribest Green Star Elite GSE-5000 ($549.95, Amazon.com)
If you are new to juicing, the Tribest Green Star Elite GSE-5000 is not for you. There is a hefty price tag attached that come with an assortment of features. However, once you master this juicer, you may never be able to use another juicer ever again, because you will be in love. Green Star patented the “twin gear” mechanism triturating juicers utilize. The Green Star Elite juices almost anything and everything without effort, doubles as a food mill for making baby foods, nut butters, and sorbets, is easy to clean and assemble, while also touting a 12-year warranty.
Hopefully you now have a more detailed understanding of which juicer is for you. If you are new to juicing or on a tight budget, start with a centrifugal juicer. If you are have been juicing for a while now, go ahead and upgrade to a masticating juicer for higher quality. Finally, if you are an experienced juicer, and desire a top-of-the-line machine, spring for a triturating juicer. At the end of the day, enjoy your juice!