Juicing has become an increasingly popular way for health-conscious consumers to get their daily dose of fruits and vegetables. Fresh juice made at home provides more nutrients than store-bought varieties and allows you to control the ingredients. If you’re looking to try juicing for yourself, you may be wondering if you can use a Vitamix blender for juicing or if you need to invest in a dedicated juicer. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at the pros and cons of using a Vitamix as a juicer and help you decide if it’s the right option for your needs.
How a Vitamix Works
First, let’s look at what makes the Vitamix unique. Vitamix blenders are known for their powerful motors and sharp, durable blades that pulverize fruits, veggies, and more into smooth purées and mixes. The blades rotate at speeds up to 240 mph, allowing the Vitamix to break down whole foods’ cell walls and release their nutrients. This makes it great for smoothies, nut butters, soups, and more.
Vitamix machines are different from juicers in a few key ways:
- They liquefy the entire ingredient, including the skin, seeds, and pulp.
- They operate at very high speeds to break down all components.
- They require the addition of liquids to blend properly.
Juicers, on the other hand:
- Extract the juice from the produce and leave behind the fiber in a pulp.
- Operate at lower speeds to avoid incorporating air into the juice.
- Don’t require added liquids to function.
Can You Juice in a Vitamix?
While the Vitamix is great for making smoothies and purées, it isn’t ideal for making true juices. Here’s why:
- It doesn’t fully separate pulp from juice. The high-speed blade breaks down all parts of the ingredients, so some pulp and fiber will be incorporated into your drink.
- No lid attachment to separate juice. Unlike a juicer, the Vitamix pitcher has no separation mechanism to isolate the juice from the pulp.
- Oxidation. The high-speed blending introduces air into the juice, causing oxidation and separation.
- Not efficient for juicing. You’ll have to strain the juice from the pulp after blending in the Vitamix, adding time and effort.
While you can technically juice with a Vitamix with some workarounds, you won’t get the same quality fresh-pressed juice as you would with a true juicer. The juice will have a thicker, smoother texture closer to a purée due to the retained pulp. If you don’t mind the texture and want to occasionally make juice from your Vitamix, it’s doable. But for the best juicing results, a dedicated juicer is recommended.
Workarounds for Juicing in a Vitamix
If you want to try juicing in your Vitamix, here are some tips to get the best results:
Use a Fine Strainer or Cheesecloth
After blending your ingredients, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or layers of cheesecloth to separate out some of the fiber pulp. This will yield a thinner, smoother juice.
Choose Juicy Fruits and Vegetables
Select produce with high water content like oranges, lemons, grapes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and celery. They’ll naturally produce more juice compared to drier items.
Add Liquid to the Blender
Use water, coconut water, or juice as your blender liquid rather than ice, which will further dilute the final juice texture.
Blend at Lower Speeds
Instead of max speed, blend at lower velocities (around Variable 1-5) to minimize excess fiber pulverization and air bubbles.
Strain Small Batches
Don’t overfill the Vitamix container. Straining smaller batches makes separation easier.
Use a Muddler or Wooden Spoon to Press
After pouring the blended mixture into your strainer, use a muddler, wooden spoon, or spatula to press down on the solids and extract any remaining juice.
Benefits of a Dedicated Juicer
While the Vitamix can work in a pinch, a dedicated juicer has features that make juicing easier and provide a higher juice yield:
| Juicer Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Separates pulp from juice | Special nozzles and spinning mechanisms isolate juice from fiber. |
| Prevents oxidation | Minimizes air exposure and foaming during juicing. |
| Higher juice yields | Efficient pulp extraction and lower speeds provide more juice. |
| Faster juicing | Juicers require less prep time and no secondary straining. |
| Juice customization | Control pulp amount in the final juice. |
| Compact size | Smaller footprint than a blender. |
Investing in a juicer like those made by top brands such as Omega, Tribest, and Hurom can take your juicing to the next level. The right juicer makes home juicing efficient, convenient, and mess-free!
Types of Juicers
If you’re ready to purchase a dedicated juicing machine, there are a few major types to consider:
Centrifugal Juicers
Centrifugal juicers are the most common and affordable models. They grind ingredients against a shredder plate at high speeds of ~6000 RPM. Centrifugal force separates the juice from the pulp.
Pros:
- Very fast juicing speed
- Budget-friendly price points
- Easy to use and clean
Cons:
- Louder operation
- Produces more foam and oxidation
- Yields slightly less juice than other types
Top picks: Breville JE98XL, Cuisinart CJE-1000, and Hamilton Beach 67601A.
Masticating Juicers
Masticating or “cold press” juicers crush produce between an auger and chamber wall at ~80 RPM. They operate at lower speeds to minimize oxidation.
Pros:
- Quieter operation
- Higher juice yields
- Minimal oxidation for longer-lasting juice
Cons:
- Slower juicing process
- Higher price points
- More parts to clean
Top picks: Omega NC900HDC, Tribest Slowstar, and Hurom H-AA.
Triturating Juicers
Triturating juicers have twin augers that effectively crush and “chew” produce. This extracts the maximum amount of nutrients, enzymes, and juice.
Pros:
- Highest juice yield
- Very low oxidation
- Handle leafy greens and wheatgrass well
Cons:
- Most expensive juicer type
- Lots of parts to dissemble and clean
- Some produce requires pre-chopping
Top picks: Tribest Greenstar Elite, Kuvings Whole Slow Juicer, and Super Angel Juicer.
Vitamix Juicing Tips
If you already own a Vitamix and want to occasionally make juices, here are some tips to maximize results:
| Vitamix Juicing Tips | Description |
|---|---|
| Wrap greens into a bundle | Roll and bundle leafy greens to minimize flyaway strands after blending. |
| Alternate produce and liquid | Layer produce and water or juice in jar instead of dumping all produce in first. |
| Strain in batches | Avoid overloading your strainer. Strain in smaller batches for efficiency. |
| Extract remaining juice | After straining, press solids with a spoon or citrus reamer to extract any remaining juice. |
| Enjoy the fiber | Use the remaining dry pulp in smoothies, baked goods, or gardening soil. |
Bottom Line
While the Vitamix can technically juice, it still produces a thicker blended product compared to a purpose-built juicer. Additional straining is required to partially remove fiber. For true nutrient-dense, pulp-free, fresh-pressed juice, a centrifugal or cold press juicer is recommended. The right juicer will save time and deliver higher yields and quality. But in a pinch, the Vitamix can fill in for occasional juicing needs!
