Can you use your Vitamix as a juicer?

Introduction

Many people wonder if they can use their Vitamix blender as a juicer to make fresh fruit and vegetable juices. While Vitamix blenders are incredibly versatile appliances that can perform a wide range of kitchen tasks, using them specifically for juicing requires some special considerations. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at whether or not you can use a Vitamix as a juicer, the pros and cons, and some specific steps for how to juice with a Vitamix.

How Vitamix blenders and juicers work differently

To understand if a Vitamix can work as a juicer, it helps to first look at the key differences between how a blender and juicer function:

Blenders: Vitamix blenders use high-powered blades to chop and pulverize fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients into a smooth purée or liquid. The entire food is blended, including the fiber-rich pulp.

Juicers: Juicers extract the liquid parts of fruits and vegetables while separating and straining out the fiber/pulp. This leaves you with the extracted juice without any fiber.

So while both appliances deal with fruits and veggies, blenders and juicers have different end results. Blenders create thicker juices and smoothies containing all the food matter, while juicers isolate the liquid juice from the pulp.

Can you actually juice with a Vitamix?

Given the different functions of blenders and juicers, can you use a Vitamix to make real juices? The short answer is: kind of, but not completely.

While a Vitamix cannot fully separate pulp from juice, you can still make high-powered blended juices that contain both the extracted juice and some of the fiber from the produce. The juices will be thicker and pulpier than those from a regular juicer.

Here are some of the key factors to consider:

– You won’t get 100% pulp-free juice: The Vitamix will always blend some fiber into the juice rather than separating it. The juice consistency can range from smooth to thick and pulpy depending on ingredients and blending time.

– Nutrition will differ: Juices made from a juicer contain only the liquid nutrients from produce, without fiber. Vitamix juices will retain some fiber and nutrients that get lost through juicing.

– Taste may vary: Juicer juices often taste brighter, fresher, and less pulp-y than Vitamix juices. But Vitamix juices can still taste great!

– You can adjust consistency: Shorter blending = pulpier juice. Longer blending = smoother juice.

So while not the same as getting juice from a true juicer, you can certainly make flavorful blended juices with a Vitamix. They will be thicker and contain fiber instead of being completely separated.

The pros and cons of using a Vitamix as a juicer

Before deciding if you want to use your Vitamix for juicing, here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages to consider:

Pros:

– Retains more nutrients and fiber from fruits/veggies. Juicer juices remove this fiber.
– Easier clean-up than juicer (no pulp residue left over).
– Don’t need separate appliance if short on space.
– Thicker, pulpier texture can be a positive for some.
– Can adjust blending time for desired consistency.

Cons:

– Won’t produce 100% pulp-free juice like a juicer.
– Juices may taste more pulpy and fiber-y.
– Can’t get very high juice yields.
– Smaller juicing quantities than a large juicer.
– May struggle blending very hard and fibrous produce.

Overall, while not a perfect juicer replacement, the Vitamix can make good blended juices if you don’t mind some pulp and fiber. For the truest pulp-free juices, a real juicer is still ideal, but the Vitamix gives more flexibility.

Tips for juicing effectively with a Vitamix

If you do want to use your Vitamix blender for making juices, here are some tips to maximize results:

– Use produce with high liquid/lower fiber content: Tomatoes, oranges, grapes, melons, berries, etc. Avoid hard and stringy items like celery which can jam appliance.

– Dice produce into small pieces and remove any pits/cores/stems to blend more smoothly.

– Add some water or mild juice to help liquify. About 1 cup per 3-4 cups produce.

– Blend on high speed for 30 seconds up to 2 minutes max for smooth juice. Short blending = pulpier texture.

– Strain blended juice through a fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth or nut milk bag if desired to remove extra fiber.

– Juice in smaller batches that can fit your Vitamix container size. Large juicers have bigger capacities.

– Make combinations of fruits and veggies. Blends of apple, carrot, celery, spinach can mask stronger flavors.

– Consider adding spices, herbs, lemon/lime for more flavor in the thicker juice.

– Chill juice before drinking to improve flavor.

Vitamix juicing recipes

To get you started, here are some tasty juice recipes that are suited for making in a Vitamix blender:

Citrus Carrot Juice

– 3 oranges, peeled and quartered
– 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
– 1 inch knob of ginger, peeled
– 1 cup water

Blend all ingredients on high until smooth. Strain if desired.

Tropical Green Juice

– 2 cups pineapple chunks
– 2 cups baby spinach
– 1 banana, broken into chunks
– 1 cup coconut water
– Juice of 1 lime

Blend all ingredients until combined. Loosen with more coconut water if needed.

Beet Apple Juice

– 3 medium beets, peeled and quartered
– 2 apples, cored and quartered
– 1 lemon, peeled
– 2 inch knob ginger, peeled
– 1 cup water

Blend all ingredients on high until fully incorporated. Strain for less pulp.

ABC Juice

– 1 apple, cored and chopped
– 1 cup blueberries
– 1 cup collard greens or kale, stems removed
– 1/2 cup plain yogurt or milk of choice
– 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy. Add more liquid if needed.

Comparison of juicing in a Vitamix vs. a dedicated juicer

To see the differences between making juice in a Vitamix blender compared to a true juicer more clearly, here is a helpful comparison table:

	Vitamix Blender	Dedicated Juicer
Pulp/Fiber in Juice	Contains some pulp and fiber	Minimal pulp, juices are very smooth
Juice Texture	Ranges from smooth to thick and pulpy	Always very smooth and pulp-free
Juice Yield	Lower yield per produce amount	High yield and drier pulp
Nutrient Retention	Very high, retains fiber	Lower, no fiber in finished juice
Cleanup	Easy clean with blender	More parts to clean, pulp residue
Best For	Thicker blended juices	Pure liquid, pulp-free juices

As shown above, while the Vitamix can make decent juices, a real juicer is better suited for getting high yields of very smooth, pulp-free, and light juice. The Vitamix shines for thick blended juices with some fiber retained.

Frequently asked questions about Vitamix juicing

Here are answers to some common questions people have about using a Vitamix as a juicer:

What types of produce work best?

Fruits and veggies with high water content like tomatoes, watermelon, grapes, citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens tend to juice well in the Vitamix. Hard items like carrots and beets can work too but may yield less juice.

Can you damage a Vitamix by juicing too often?

Occasional juicing should not damage the Vitamix, but frequent juicing can prematurely wear down blades and parts over time. Be sure to let the motor rest between uses.

How long will juices last?

Like all fresh juices, Vitamix juices are perishable. For best quality and safety, drink immediately or store sealed in fridge for up to 2-3 days. Freeze for longer storage.

Is juice from a Vitamix healthy?

Yes, Vitamix juices retain fiber and nutrients that juicers remove. The thicker texture can also help you feel more satisfied compared to water-y juicer juices.

Do you need to strain blended juices?

Not required, but straining through a sieve, cheesecloth or nut milk bag can remove extra pulp for a smoother end texture.

Conclusion

While the Vitamix blender is great for making smoothies, nut milks, purées, and more, it does have some limitations when used as a true juicer. Vitamix juices will always retain some pulp and fiber rather than separating them. However, you can still make tasty blended juices, especially if you don’t mind a thicker, pulpier texture. For the silkiest, purest juices, a dedicated juicer is still the best choice. But the Vitamix provides flexibility to get decent juice alongside its many other uses. With some creative recipes and the right techniques, your Vitamix can be a relatively good juicing tool in a pinch!