Is masticating juicer good for celery?

Celery is known for being a healthy, low-calorie vegetable that is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has become popular to juice celery along with other fruits and vegetables to make a nutritious juice drink. But is using a masticating juicer the best way to juice celery? In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of masticating juicers, specifically for juicing celery.

What is a Masticating Juicer?

A masticating juicer, also known as a slow or cold press juicer, uses a slow, grinding and pressing method to extract juice from fruits and vegetables. It works by using an auger or gear to crush and press produce against a screen or sieve. This process operates at a lower speed, around 80-100 RPM, than centrifugal juicers which can operate at speeds of 1,000 to 15,000 RPM.

The slow speed of masticating juicers allows them to gently “chew” through plant fibers without generating heat and friction. This helps preserve more nutrients and enzymes, while producing higher juice yields and less foaming and oxidation.

Benefits of Using a Masticating Juicer for Celery

There are several advantages that make masticating juicers well-suited for juicing celery:

• Higher juice yields – The slow crushing action of masticating juicers allows more juice to be extracted from celery. Juice yields can be up to 20% higher compared to fast juicers.
• Less oxidation – The gentle pressing prevents too much exposure to air which can cause oxidation. Celery juice retains more nutrients.
• More nutrients and enzymes – The slower rotational speeds keep celery juice at lower temperatures. This preserves delicate nutrients, enzymes and antioxidants that are easily destroyed by heat.
• Reduced foaming – Celery juice tends to foam more when made with centrifugal juicers. Masticating juicers produce less air bubbles and foam.
• Juices fibrous material – Celery is made up of stringy fibers that can clog some juicers. Masticating juicers can effectively break down tough plant fibers.

Important Factors When Choosing a Masticating Juicer

If you’re looking to purchase a masticating juicer for juicing celery, here are some key factors to consider:

Factor	Description
Chute Size	Look for at least a 1.5-2 inch wide chute opening to accommodate celery stalks without too much prep.
Auger Design	A single auger is usually better than a double auger for fibrous veggies like celery.
Sieving Screen	Celery pulp can clog some screens. Look for larger holes and brushes to clear pulp.
Motor Power	Choose at least a 200W motor. More power helps process hard, stringy veggies.
Easy to Clean	Look for removable parts and brushes to make cleaning easier after juicing celery.

Top Masticating Juicers for Celery

Based on the above criteria, here are some top-rated masticating juicers to consider for juicing celery:

Tribest Slowstar

• 200W dual-stage motor
• 3 inch wide chute
• Duoblade auger with mincing attachment
• Ratio of 36:1 for high juice yields

Omega NC900HDC

• 150W motor with dual-stage processing
• 2 inch wide chute
• 5 adjustable settings for maximum extraction
• 6 nozzles included for higher juice yields

Kuvings EVO820GM

• 240W motor with 60RPM slow juicing
• 3 inch wide feed chute
• Single auger design
• Reverse function helps clear jams

Tribest GSE-5050 Greenstar

• 200W motor
• 3-stage masticating process
• Bio-ceramic magnetic twin gears
• 12+ year warranty

How to Juice Celery in a Masticating Juicer

Follow these simple steps for the best results when juicing celery in a masticating juicer:

1. Wash the celery stalks and chop into pieces that fit your juicer’s feed chute
2. Alternate juicing the celery with more watery produce like cucumber, apples or leafy greens
3. Juice at a slow, steady pace allowing time for the celery fibers to be crushed
4. Use a plunger to press the celery through and keep the auger moving if needed
5. Stop to clean pulp buildup every few stalks to prevent clogging
6. Stir or shake the juice after to blend and aerate it
7. Enjoy the celery juice right away for maximum nutrition

Delicious Celery Juice Recipes

Celery can be blended with many other healthy ingredients to make nutritious juicing recipes. Here are some tasty masticating juicer recipes using celery:

Green Machine Juice

• 1 cucumber
• 5 celery stalks
• Handful of kale
• 1 green apple
• 1⁄2 lemon
• Thumb of ginger

Orange Celery Juice

• 4 celery stalks
• 1 orange, peeled
• 1⁄2 lemon
• 1 inch knob of ginger
• 2 carrots

Tropical Green Juice

• 1 cucumber
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 2 cups spinach
• 4 stalks celery
• 1⁄2 lime

Potential Downsides of Juicing Celery

While juicing celery can provide valuable nutrients, there are some potential downsides to consider:

• Juicing removes the beneficial insoluble fiber from celery
• Celery juice could interact with certain medications like anticoagulants
• Drinking high amounts of straight celery juice can cause bloating or diarrhea
• Juices made only from high-oxalate veggies like celery could contribute to kidney stones
• The sodium content increases when juicing celery versus eating it whole

To counteract these issues, dilute straight celery juice with water or mix with low-oxalate produce. You can also alternate drinking juice with eating raw or cooked celery.

Conclusion

With their slower crushing speeds, masticating juicers are an excellent choice for juicing celery. They can effectively break down the stringy fibers while minimizing oxidation, heat buildup and foam. Look for models with powerful motors, larger chutes, and removable parts for easy cleaning when juicing celery.

Celery juice retains more antioxidants, enzymes and vitamins when made in a masticating juicer versus a centrifugal model. Combine celery with other juicing ingredients like cucumber, leafy greens, citrus and ginger to make refreshing, healthy juice recipes. Be mindful of potential drawbacks like fiber loss and oxalates by diluting and alternating celery juice.

Overall, masticating juicers allow you to unlock the detoxifying benefits of celery juice with higher yields and better nutrition. Adding fresh celery juice to your diet can be an easy way to boost your vegetable intake and get a concentrated dose of nutrients.