How hard are juicers to clean?

Juicing has become an increasingly popular way to get more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Freshly squeezed juice retains most of the nutrients, unlike store-bought juices which are pasteurized, removing many of the beneficial enzymes and antioxidants. While juicing is certainly healthy, one downside is having to clean the juicer afterwards. Depending on the type of juicer you have, cleaning can range from quick and easy to more time-consuming. In this article, we’ll look at the different kinds of juicers, factors that affect cleaning difficulty, and tips to make cleaning as easy as possible.

Types of Juicers

There are a few main types of juicers to consider:

• Centrifugal juicers: These are the most common and affordable juicers. They grind produce using sharp blades and a strainer, then spin it very fast to separate the juice from the pulp.
• Masticating juicers: Also known as cold press or slow juicers. They crush produce and press out the juice slowly and gently.
• Triturating juicers: The most high-end type of masticating juicers. They have two augers to fully extract juice and break down fiber.
• Citrus juicers: Designed specifically for juicing citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit.

The type of juicer you use can significantly impact the difficulty of cleaning. Below we’ll look at how the juicer type affects cleaning needs.

Centrifugal Juicers

Centrifugal juicers are generally the fastest and easiest type to clean. Here are the main pros and cons when it comes to cleaning centrifugal juicers:

Pros

• Only a few parts to clean (strainer basket, pulp container, lid)
• Wide feed chute means less produce prepping needed
• Parts are dishwasher safe
• Juice collects in an external pitcher or container

Cons

• Mesh strainer basket can be difficult to clean
• Pulp can get stuck and dry inside the basket
• Need to disassemble and scrub immediately after juicing

Masticating Juicers

Masticating juicers require a bit more cleaning effort. Here are the pros and cons for cleaning masticating juicers:

Pros

• Dishwasher safe parts
• Slow juicing method results in less foam and clogging

Cons

• More parts to clean like the auger, screen, and nozzle
• Smaller chutes mean more produce prepping
• Pulp can get stuck in crevices
• Take apart and clean immediately after juicing

Triturating Juicers

Triturating juicers are the most intensive to clean. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros

• Dishwasher safe parts

Cons

• Many parts to clean including dual augers, screen, and juice nozzle
• More produce prepping needed
• Pulp can get stuck easily
• Must disassemble and clean after each use

Citrus Juicers

Citrus juicers are very easy to clean:

Pros

• Typically only one part – the cone
• Cone is dishwasher safe
• No produce prepping needed
• Minimal pulp or clogging issues

Cons

• Small amounts of juice residue may build up over time

Factors Affecting Cleaning Difficulty

In addition to the type of juicer, there are some other factors that can make cleaning more difficult or easier:

Types of Produce

• Fibrous produces like celery, greens, and roots are harder to clean than watery fruits like oranges.
• Soft fruits like berries and peaches result in more pulp buildup.
• Sticky fruits like mangos and bananas are harder to rinse off.

Amount of Produce

• More produce equals more cleaning required.
• Overloading the chute or hopper makes cleaning harder.

Speed of Juicing

• Taking your time juicing in small batches is easier to clean than marathon juicing sessions.
• Slow masticating juicers are gentler on both you and the machine.

Timing of Cleaning

• Cleaning right after juicing prevents drying and buildup.
• Soaking parts in water prevents stains and residues from setting.

Keep these factors in mind as you get to know your juicer and its cleaning needs.

Tips for Cleaning Juicers

While all juicers require some degree of cleaning, you can make the process easier with these tips:

Disassemble Completely

• Take all parts fully apart to access pulp buildup and residue.
• Check crevices, corners, and undersides.

Remove Pulp

• Dump out pulp from containers.
• Rinse mesh filters and baskets immediately to remove wet pulp.
• Scrape off stuck pulp with a brush or spatula.

Rinse with Water

• Rinse all parts in sink to remove juices, pulp, and foam.
• Avoid letting pulp dry onto surfaces.

Scrub with Brush

• Use a soft brush to scrub meshes, grooves, and crevices.
• Old toothbrushes work great for scrubbing.

Soak in Sink

• Soak any stubborn pulp or stains in warm soapy water.
• Let soak 5-10 minutes then scrub again.

Wash Removable Parts

• Wash removable parts in warm soapy water with soft sponge or brush.
• Dishwasher safe parts can be washed in dishwasher.

Disinfect Feed Chute

• Clean inside the feed chute with a bottle brush and mild soap.
• Prevents mold from building up.

Rinse and Dry

• Rinse all parts thoroughly after washing.
• Dry with towels to prevent water spots.

Reassemble Juicer

• Put back together once fully dry.
• Run a blank cycle to test for any leftover residue.

By following these cleaning steps after each use, you’ll keep your juicer in tip-top shape and prevent residue from building up over time.

Cleaning by Juicer Type

The exact cleaning steps can vary depending on what type of juicer you own. Here are some key cleaning tips for the most popular juicer models:

Centrifugal Juicers

Juicer Model	Key Cleaning Tips
Breville JE98XL	Use included cleaning brush Soak strainer basket in soapy water Rinse under faucet immediately after juicing
Mueller Austria Ultra 1100W	Remove and empty pulp frequently while juicing Clean with soft sponge, avoid abrasive scrubs Soak any dried pulp residues
Hamilton Beach 67601A	Use bottle brush on feed chute Soak strainer basket if pulp sticks Rinse all parts right after juicing

Masticating Juicers

Juicer Model	Key Cleaning Tips
Omega J8006	Scrape screen and wipe auger with brush Rinse and brush all parts immediately Soak screen if pulp residue sticks
Tribest SW-2000	Use included nylon brush Unclog screen under running water Avoid harsh scrubbing of screen
Aicook AMR521	Clean main auger right away Soak screen in soapy hot water Use bottle brush for feed chute

Triturating Juicers

Juicer Model	Key Cleaning Tips
Super Angel 5500	Clean splatter off base ASAP Scrub pulp out of dual auger housings Soak screens and scrub with soft bristle brush
Kuvings Whole Slow Juicer	Detach and clean auger right away Use included scrubbing brushes Rinse mesh screens thoroughly
Tribest Greenstar Elite GSE-5000	Clean splatter inside unit immediately Soak screens in soapy water if needed Use nylon brush to scrub parts

Refer to your juicer’s manual for the full cleaning instructions. But in general, rinsing, soaking, scrubbing, and disassembling right after juicing makes cleaning any model much easier.

Conclusion

Cleaning a juicer properly is crucial to extending its life and performance. While centrifugal juicers require the least effort, all types need regular cleaning. Following the tips in this article will help you clean your juicer quickly and easily regardless of the model. With the right techniques, keeping your juicer sparkling clean doesn’t have to be a daunting chore!