How to Use a Juicer

Introduction

A juicer extracts juice from fruits and vegetables by separating the liquid from the pulp. Unlike a blender, which blends everything together, a juicer produces a smooth, pulp-free juice that's easy to drink and quickly absorbed by the body. Here's how to use one correctly.

Types of Juicers

• Centrifugal juicer: Uses a fast-spinning blade to shred produce and spin out the juice. Fast, affordable, and easy to use. Best for hard fruits and vegetables. Produces some heat and foam, which can slightly reduce nutrient content.
• Masticating juicer (cold press / slow juicer): Uses a slow-turning auger to crush and press produce. Slower but produces more juice, less foam, and better nutrient retention. Handles leafy greens and wheatgrass better than centrifugal models.

Step-by-Step: How to Use a Juicer

Step 1: Wash All Produce

Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under cold running water. Even if you're peeling them, washing first prevents transferring surface bacteria to the flesh when you cut.

Step 2: Prep Your Produce

• Remove pits, seeds, and hard cores (apple cores, peach pits, mango seeds)
• Peel thick-skinned citrus (oranges, grapefruits) — the pith is very bitter
• Leave thin peels on (apples, cucumbers, carrots) — they contain nutrients
• Cut produce to fit the feed tube — most juicers have a wide feed tube but large items still need to be halved or quartered

Step 3: Assemble the Juicer

Assemble all parts according to your model's instructions. Place a glass or pitcher under the juice spout and a container under the pulp ejector.

Step 4: Turn On and Feed Produce Slowly

Turn on the juicer before feeding produce. Feed ingredients through the feed tube using the food pusher — never your fingers. Feed slowly and steadily — forcing produce in too fast can jam the juicer or reduce juice yield.

For best results, alternate between hard and soft produce: hard items (carrots, beets) help push softer items (spinach, cucumber) through more efficiently.

Step 5: Drink Immediately or Store Properly

Fresh juice is best consumed immediately — nutrients and enzymes degrade quickly once exposed to air. If storing, fill the container to the very top (minimizes air contact), seal tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24–48 hours. Masticating juicer juice lasts slightly longer than centrifugal due to less oxidation.

Recommended Juicers

• Breville Juice Fountain Plus JE98XL — A powerful centrifugal juicer with a 3-inch wide feed tube that fits whole fruits. Fast, easy to use, and easy to clean. Great for everyday juicing of fruits and hard vegetables. Check price on Amazon →
• Omega Cold Press Juicer (80 RPM) — A masticating juicer that handles leafy greens, wheatgrass, and soft fruits with maximum juice yield and minimal oxidation. Also makes nut butter, baby food, pasta, and sorbets. Check price on Amazon →

Cleaning Your Juicer

Clean immediately after use — dried pulp is much harder to remove. Disassemble all parts and rinse under running water. Most parts are dishwasher safe (top rack) — check your manual. Use the included brush to clean the mesh filter, which is the hardest part to clean.

Tips for Better Juicing

• ✅ Juice leafy greens between harder produce to maximize extraction
• ✅ Add lemon or lime to any juice — it brightens flavor and slows oxidation
• ✅ Use the pulp in soups, muffins, or compost — don't waste it
• ❌ Don't juice bananas or avocados — they have no juice and will clog the machine

Final Thoughts

Using a juicer is straightforward: wash, prep, feed slowly, and clean immediately. The choice between centrifugal and masticating depends on what you juice most — centrifugal for speed and hard produce, masticating for leafy greens and maximum yield.