The rapidly increasing trend of juicing, with juice fasts and cleanses claiming miracle health benefits all the way from clearer skin to curing cancer, means that juicers are big business. So the question is which type of juicer should you buy?
Original juicers work by centrifugal spinning blades to mash up the fruits and vegetables to produce the juice. More recently, it has been discovered that this process creates a great deal of heat which can destroy the enzymes and oxidize the nutrients; thereby making the juice less effective for health purposes.
Thus, the last decade has seen the growth of Cold Press Juicers which start by crushing and then pressing the produce, extracting the juice without creating the heat that could lower the nutritional value.
Due to a substantial price difference, if you only want a juicer to make juice for cooking or where heat is applied, and are not that bothered by nutritional benefits, the centrifugal juicer is much cheaper. But, if you are determined to stick to your New Year’s Resolutions and “get healthy”, the Cold Press Juicer is a wiser choice, if more expensive. Here are some points for you to consider.
Frequency of Use
Be honest with yourself. How often and how much are you going to juice? If juicing is going to be a daily part of your diet for you and your family, it is worth investing in a top of the range model which won’t overheat and can handle large quantities. But if it’s just an idea to drink more juice and be slightly healthier, look at cutting down on the size and all the extras to reduce costs.
Ease of Use
There is no point buying a juicer which requires you to have a degree in nuclear physics to operate. Study the user manuals before buying and make sure they are written in a way you can understand. With harder fruits easily jamming the mechanism, a reverse button will make it a lot easier to use. Finally, try to hear it in operation; will you need earplugs when using?
Multiple Usages
Especially important in smaller kitchens, does the juicer perform other tasks as well? Some can be pasta makers, sorbet makers, and even coffee grinders. But, before you spend extra cash on these add-ons, think carefully about whether you will really use them regularly.
What Will You Be Juicing?
There are two types of Cold Press Juicers; single and twin gear. In general, the twin gear is better for greens, leaves, and wheatgrass whereas the single gear works wonders on fruits and soft vegetables. The twin gear is considered the superior juicer but can over-juice softer fruits.
Some juicers offer different strainers with a coarser strainer allowing a little pulp into the juice if that’s what you like.
Size
How much space do you have on your kitchen counter? Some of these juicers are fairly substantial so make sure you have space to store it as well as operate it alongside the pulp and juice collecting containers. (Note some of the lower priced models do not provide separate containers.) Larger chute models tend to have fewer problems with jamming, and you can be lazier in chopping up the produce, but they also take up more space.
Also be aware that this type of juicer is heavy. It needs a firm supportive base if you don’t want to have catastrophic accidents.
Cleaning
Like many modern day kitchen appliances, juicers can often be difficult to clean. Some have parts which can be put in the dishwasher, but most require you to wash after each use. This can be fiddly so be prepared. It’s always worth reading through customer reviews of any appliance you buy to see if people are grumbling about how difficult an item is to clean.
Value for Money
With such vast price differences, you should think about what you know you will use it for, rather than what you hope you will use it for. Think about the warranty, materials (stainless steel is sturdier than plastic) spare parts and brand name.
In the end, there is a massive amount of information available to help you make your choice. Buying a juicer can be a huge investment. Make a check-list of what you need from it to ensure you buy your ideal juicer without breaking the bank.
