After going through an intensive research process to narrow down our short list of top products in this space, we tested Mueller Australia Ultra Power Juicer to be sure that it’s worthy of our recommendation. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter and test to verify manufacturer claims.
Everyone needs multiple servings of fruits and vegetables each day. But this can be difficult to manage with a demanding schedule, and not everyone enjoys the sensation of chewing on stringy celery or biting into a tough-skinned apple. Luckily, a juicer provides an easy solution to this problem. With a juicer in your kitchen, you can quickly and easily get your recommended fill.
While there are many juicers to choose from, you don’t want just any juicer. Key considerations to keep in mind while shopping are capacity, the ability to juice different fruits and vegetables, and juicing speed. It’s also a good idea to learn the difference between masticating and extracting juicers and the various “extra” features available, such as mincing and chopping.
Masticating and extracting juicers each have pros and cons. Here’s an in-depth look at them.
These are also called cold-press juicers, auger-style juicers, or slow masticating juicers.
An auger grinds the produce in a masticating juicer. This action breaks down cell walls and releases the juice, which is then squeezed through a steel screen.
Masticating juicers take longer than extractors to produce a cup of juice, but they yield more juice and leave more of the nutrients intact. If you like green juices with plenty of leafy, tough greens like kale, you’ll be happiest with this type of juicer.
The best masticating juicers can also be used to make nut milk, sorbet, and ice cream. You’ll pay quite a bit more for a cold-press juicer, however.
If you need a citrus juicer, choose an extracting model with a big mouth feed tube that can accommodate most types of citrus fruit.
These are also called centrifugal juicers, and they have a spinning mesh basket with a grated bottom. Produce is whirled against the grate, shredding it and releasing the juice. Pulp spins into a separate basket while the juice runs out the device’s spout.
The best centrifugal juicers work much faster than masticating juicers. Notably, they are also quite a bit louder, and they yield less fresh juice.
Extracting juicers work very well on the fruits and veggies most likely to be juiced, such as apples, oranges, and carrots. However, they tend to struggle with leafy greens like kale. These juicers are the less expensive choice.
Juicers tend to be fairly simple machines, but there are a few features that add convenience to your process.
A wide feed chute makes it easier to push produce into the machine.
Most juicers have a clear container. That said, you might find a few models with opaque containers.
Note that if the pulp collector is small, you’ll have to stop frequently and empty it.
While masticating juicers typically only have one speed, some centrifugal juicers offer variable speeds. With the latter choice, you can juice soft fruit slowly and harder fruits or vegetables at higher speeds.
This common feature of masticating juicers lets you reverse the auger direction to release clogged produce.
The more motor power a juicer has, the better the juicer can handle tough produce.
Many masticating juicers have settings to do more than just juice. They can also grind coffee, make nut milk, puree baby food, and chop herbs.
In general, masticating juicers are quieter than centrifugal juicers, but some centrifugal juicers are louder than others.
It’s convenient to be able to wash your juicer’s collecting cups in the dishwasher. Most of these small kitchen appliances feature these dishwasher-safe parts.
Juicing leaves behind pulp, and lots of it. Most masticating juicers have an external collection cup for pulp. But the pulp cup on some centrifugal juicers is inside the machine, and that’s less convenient to clean. You may wish to look for a juicer with an external pulp collector.
As you prepare your fruits and veggies for juicing, you may decide to cut them up. (Juicing is often easier with the ingredients broken into smaller parts.) Choose a dedicated cutting board for your juicing prep work. We recommend picking one that washes easily in the dishwasher. Why? If it’s easy to clean, you’ll be more likely to wash it. Further, you will be less likely to transfer odors of other foods (like chopped onion) to your juice product.
If you juice frequently, it’s convenient to have food storage containers on hand. Use them to store leftover product and leftover juice. Bear in mind that even when stored in an airtight container, delicate produce will spoil rather quickly.
You’ve chosen your juicer. You’ve got a pile of fresh produce ready to go. Now, it’s time to get juicing!
From vegetable to orange juice, here are some tips to help you squeeze out the healthiest and tastiest concoctions possible.