How do you remove build up from a juicer?

Juicing is a great way to get more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Freshly squeezed juice retains more vitamins, minerals, and enzymes compared to store-bought juices. However, a common issue with juicing is the build up of pulp and residue left behind in the juicer itself.

Over time, this pulp and residue can accumulate and become difficult to remove. Left unchecked, it can affect the performance of your juicer and the taste of your juice. Fortunately, cleaning and removing build up from a juicer is quite simple if you follow a few key steps.

Supplies Needed

Before you start cleaning your juicer, gather the following supplies:

• Warm water
• Dish soap or mild detergent
• Vegetable brush or juicer cleaning brush
• Old toothbrush
• Juicer manufacturer’s cleaning tool if included
• Dish towel

The toothbrush is helpful for scrubbing in narrow crevices and the juicer cleaning brush can tackle pulp build up in harder to reach areas.

Disassemble the Juicer

The first step is to unplug the juicer and disassemble it into individual parts. This allows you to clean each component thoroughly. Refer to your instruction manual for how to properly disassemble your particular juicer model.

Typically, you’ll need to detach the main juicing bowl or chamber, the pulp collector, the filter basket, the juice pitcher, and any other parts. Set the removable parts aside on a clean dishtowel. Having all the parts laid out will make reassembly easier later.

Remove Excess Pulp

Check the interior of the juicing bowl, pulp collector, and filter basket for any wet pulp. Scoop out the excess pulp with a spoon and discard it.

You want to remove as much of the loose, easy pulp as possible before washing. This prevents pulp from hardening on the surfaces as it dries.

Rinse Components

Rinse all of the juicer parts under warm running water. Use your fingers to gently rub away any remaining chunks or residue. Focus on rinsing:

• Juice spout
• Feed tube
• Filter basket mesh
• Juicing bowl crevices
• Pulp collector
• Juice pitcher

Avoid wetting any electrical components or motors. Check for stubborn pulp clinging to any surface and re-rinse as needed.

Scrub with Brush and Soap

Now it’s time to deep clean! Fill up your sink or a large bowl with warm water and add a small amount of dish soap. One by one, scrub each juicer component using your brushes.

Use the toothbrush to get into small spaces and around mesh screens. Use the juicer cleaning brush or vegetable brush to scrub away stubborn residue.

As you scrub, check for any lingering stains or build up. Pay extra attention to:

• Underside of the filter basket
• Juice spout
• Feed tube
• Any silicone parts

Silicone parts tend to attract and hold onto food residues. Give these parts an extra good scrubbing.

Soak Parts If Needed

If you notice any remaining dried-on pulp or stains after brushing, allow the parts to soak for 10-15 minutes. Letting them soak in warm, soapy water will help loosen up the build up.

After soaking, take the parts out and scrub again with your brushes. The pulp should be easier to remove after soaking.

Use Juicer Cleaning Tools

If your juicer came with specialized cleaning tools, now is the time to use them. For example, some juicers come with small cleansing brushes designed specifically to clean the mesh filter screen.

Use these special tools as directed in your instruction manual. The juicer manufacturer designed them to target and remove build up from particular components.

Rinse and Dry Completely

With the scrubbing complete, thoroughly rinse all the parts again under running water. Use your fingers or brushes to rub away any last remnants of soap or residue.

Be sure to rinse any crevices, mesh screens, and silicone parts extra well. These areas tend to hold onto soap and residue.

Once rinsed, use a clean dish towel to dry the components. It’s important to fully dry them so water spots don’t form.

You can also let the parts air dry turned over on a rack or clean dishtowel.

Reassemble the Juicer

Once satisfied that every part is clean and dry, you can put your juicer back together. Refer to the instruction manual for proper reassembly.

Typically, you’ll need to replace the filter basket, pulp collector, juicing bowl, juice pitcher, and other parts in the correct order. Make sure all components are fully seated and secure.

Do a test run without produce to be sure the juicer is fully assembled and working properly.

Do a Short Clean Immediately After Juicing

To make deep cleans less frequent, do a quick rinse and scrub of your juicer right after you finish juicing for the day. It only takes a couple minutes to:

• Rinse juicer parts
• Remove excess pulp
• Scrub with a brush
• Rinse and dry parts

This quick clean helps prevent produce residue and pulp from fully hardening and building up.

Clean Spout and Feed Tube Daily

Two areas that need daily cleaning are the juice spout and feed tube. These see a lot of produce residue and are prone to build up:

• Juice spout – Use a small brush to scrub and rinse the juice spout daily. Check for wet pulp that can dry and clog the opening.
• Feed tube – Over time, dried pulp and juice can accumulate here. Use a bottle brush or toothbrush to scrub and remove build up.

Schedule Deep Cleans

Aim to do a full, deep clean of your entire juicer at least once a week. You may need to deep clean more frequently if juicing daily or making lots of pulp-rich juices like orange or beet juice.

Mark your calendar to remind yourself to set aside time for a thorough juicer cleaning session. Adding it to your routine will prevent excessive build up.

Soak Parts in Hot Water or Vinegar

For extremely stubborn stains or build up, try soaking parts in hot water or vinegar. The heat and acidity help break down residue:

• Hot water – Allow parts to soak for 10-15 minutes in hot water. Then scrub and rinse.
• White vinegar – Soak parts for 1 hour in equal parts white vinegar and water. Rinse thoroughly before reassembling.

Use a Citrus-Based Cleaner

You can find commercial juicer cleaning solutions that contain citric acids. The citric acids help remove tough stains and build up.

Simply mix the cleaner with water according to package directions. Soak the juicer parts, then scrub and rinse them clean.

Replace Parts If Needed

Silicone parts and filter screens eventually degrade and need replacing. Check your instruction manual for part replacement recommendations.

If parts become overly stained, warped, cracked, or perforated, it’s time to replace them. This ensures best juicing performance.

Conclusion

Cleaning your juicer properly doesn’t need to be difficult. By disassembling, scrubbing, and rinsing parts after each use, you can keep build up at bay. For tough stains or residue, extended soaking and commercial cleaners can help.

With a consistent juicer cleaning routine, you can keep your appliance running optimally for years of pulp-free, delicious homemade juices!

Juicer Part	Cleaning Tips
Juicing Bowl	Use a brush to scrub interior crevices
Filter Basket	Clean mesh screen with special brush
Pulp Collector	Empty pulp frequently to prevent build up
Juice Spout	Clean daily with a small brush
Feed Tube	Use bottle brush or toothbrush for scrubbing
Silicone Parts	Soak in vinegar/water to remove stains