Head Spinning? Our Guide To The Best Centrifugal Juicer
Contents
If you love freshly squeezed juice but can't justify buying one from the local juice bar every day, a juicer may be what you need.
Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow or Salma Hayek have talked up juice cleanses. The science doesn't back the detox claims: NCCIH found no convincing research that detox diets remove toxins, and any weight lost on a juice cleanse often comes back.
Centrifugal juicers are a common purchase for those new to juicing. However, with so many on the market, it’s easy to feel bombarded. I've trawled through the plethora of centrifugal juicers and found the best centrifugal juicer for you.
Juice can be a tasty way to get some fruit and vegetables. Before you set out to reap the benefits, know the trade-offs: juicing removes most of the fiber, and fruit juice is high in sugar. It's best as part of a balanced diet, not a meal replacement.
If you're prone to kidney stones, go easy on juices made from high-oxalate foods like spinach and beets, as NCCIH advises. People with diabetes should ask their doctor how juice fits their plan.
What Makes a Good Centrifugal Juicer?
A centrifugal juicer works by chopping up the fruit or vegetables with a blade, similarly to a blender. It then separates the juice from the excess pulp by spinning really fast, using centrifugal force (as the name would suggest).
If this sounds confusing, compare it to the way in which a washing machine spins to remove the excess water from your clothes. It’s the same principle.
The juice gets strained through tiny holes, leaving the excess pulp behind for you to remove and clean later. Centrifugal juicers are on the cheaper end of the price scale when it comes to juicers.
They'll often let you place whole fruit in the large chute. They do tend to create quite a bit of pulp and there are few things you need to look out for before making your purchase.
Pulp Catchment – whilst all centrifugal juicers will have a designated pulp catchment area, look for one that you can easily remove and clean. This will make your juicing process much more enjoyable and you’ll be more likely to use it regularly.
Juice Catchment – as the juicer works overtime to chop the fruit and vegetables and then extract the juice, it needs some kind of vessel to hold the juice. Most juicers will come with one, but be wary of those that don’t as you'll need to purchase something separately.
Dishwasher Safe – fruit and vegetables can cause significant staining (especially carrots), and you’ll be able to keep your juicer looking new if the parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Speed – centrifugal juicers spin at thousands of revolutions per minute (RPM). Models with more than one speed let you use a lower setting for soft fruit and a higher one for hard vegetables.
Food safety – fresh, unpasteurized juice can carry harmful bacteria. The FDA advises washing all produce under running water first, and scrubbing firm produce with a clean brush. Drink homemade juice right away or refrigerate it.
Breville BJE200XL Compact Juice Fountain
When you think of kitchen appliances, you often think of Breville. The BJE200XL is an elegant looking juicer that will look fabulous sitting on your kitchen countertop.
The maker lists a 700-watt motor that spins at about 14,000 RPM.
The three-inch feeding chute means you don’t have to worry about spending time cutting your fruit and vegetables into small pieces. Large chunks will work just fine.
In fact, you don’t often have to chop at all, it’s large enough to fit a whole apple!
The juice goes into a jug with a spout for easy pouring.
The maker says the removable parts are dishwasher safe. Clean the filter mesh right after juicing, before pulp dries on it.
We like the Breville BJE200XL for its speed and how easy it is to use and clean.
Pros and Cons
It's made from stainless steel and plastic. Check the current warranty terms when you buy.
The compact design is great for small kitchens, and it makes juice quickly.
Like most centrifugal juicers, it struggles more with leafy greens than a masticating juicer does, and it's fairly loud.
If you use the juicer as instructed and keep the motor running whilst juicing, you may find yourself with a little unwanted mess scattered around the kitchen if you aren’t careful!
In Conclusion
If you are after a simple, easy to use, high-quality juicer, the Breville BJE200XL will suit your needs nicely.
Enjoy fresh juice as one part of a balanced diet. Whole fruits and vegetables still give you the fiber that juice leaves behind.
Sources
- What You Need to Know About Juice Safety, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- "Detoxes" and "Cleanses": What You Need To Know, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
