What is the best juicer for carrots and kale?
Juicing has become an increasingly popular way to get more vegetables and fruits into your diet. Fresh vegetable and fruit juices provide a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For vegetable lovers who enjoy carrots and kale, finding the right juicer to extract the most nutrients and juice from these hard and leafy produces is key.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover how to select the best juicer if you plan to regularly make carrot and kale juices. We will compare different juicer types, factors to consider when shopping for a juicer, and provide juicer recommendations and reviews.
Centrifugal Juicers
Centrifugal juicers are the most common and affordable type of juicer. These juicers use a fast spinning metal blade to grind fruits and vegetables into a pulp that gets spun to separate the juice from the pulp.
Centrifugal juicers tend to be quick and easy to use and clean. However, they also tend to be louder and produce lower juice yields compared to other types of juicers. The high speed spinning results in heat build up that can destroy some nutrients and enzymes. Centrifugal juicers also do not handle leafy greens as well as other juicer types.
Centrifugal juicers range from basic models costing $50 to $100 up to more expensive models with higher power motors and larger feed chutes costing over $200. Some of the top brands of centrifugal juicers are Breville, Hamilton Beach, and Cuisinart.
Here are some top centrifugal juicers to consider:
| Centrifugal Juicer | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Breville JE98XL Juice Fountain Plus | 850 watt dual speed motor, extra wide 3 inch feed chute, stainless steel cutting disc |
| Mueller Austria Juicer Ultra Power | 1100 watt motor, 3 inch feed chute, dual speed options, stainless steel blades |
| Hamilton Beach Juicer Machine | 800 watt motor, 3 inch feed chute, affordable price under $50 |
Masticating Juicers
Masticating juicers, also known as slow or cold press juicers, use a single auger to crush and press fruits and vegetables to extract juice. They operate at much slower speeds than centrifugal juicers, around 80-100 RPM.
The slow crushing and pressing action minimizes heat build up and oxidation, preserving more nutrients and enzymes. Masticating juicers produce higher juice yields than centrifugal models. They can juice leafy greens like kale more efficiently and with less foaming and clogging.
Masticating juicers cost more than centrifugal juicers, starting at around $200 for entry-level models and $300+ for higher end versions. Some of the top brands are Omega, Tribest, Kuvings, and SKG.
Here are some top masticating juicers to consider:
| Masticating Juicer | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Omega J8006 | 80 RPM, dual stage masticating extraction, powerful 2 HP motor |
| Tribest Slowstar | 47 RPM, vertical cold press, duo-blade auger |
| Kuvings EVO820 | 60 RPM, larger 3 inch feed chute, 240 watt motor |
Twin Gear Juicers
Twin gear juicers, also known as triturating juicers, use a pair of rotating gears to crush and press produce. They operate at very low speeds, around 40-120 RPM to minimize oxidation and heat buildup. The twin gears are also effective for juicing leafy greens like kale.
Twin gear juicers produce the highest juice yields compared to centrifugal and masticating juicers. However, they also come with a steep price tag, typically costing over $400. Some of the top brands of twin gear juicers are Green Star, Tribest, and Super Angel.
Here are some top twin gear juicers to consider:
| Twin Gear Juicer | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Tribest Greenstar Elite | Bio-ceramic magnetic twin gears, adjustable pressure levels |
| Super Angel Pro Stainless Steel | 82 RPM, triple crush technology, 10 year warranty |
| Tribest Greenstar Pro | Portable, 210 watt motor, nylon and stainless steel gears |
Important Features for Carrot and Kale Juicing
When selecting a juicer specifically for juicing carrots and kale, here are some key features and considerations:
- Slow masticating or twin gear juicer: The slower rotating augers or gears do a better job squeezing out juice from kale and other leafy greens versus the high speeds of centrifugal juicers. Masticating and twin gear juicers operating at 80 RPM or below produce higher kale juice yields with less foaming and clogging.
- Powerful motor: Look for a motor with at least 1 to 2 horsepower for hard vegetables like carrots. Anything less may struggle when juicing lots of firm produce.
- Feed chute size: A wider 3 to 4 inch feed chute allows you to insert carrots and other produce with less chopping prep work.
- Easy to clean: Look for dishwasher safe parts and accessories to make cleanup faster after juicing.
- Juice yield: Twin gear juicers produce the highest juice yields, followed by masticating and then centrifugal juicers.
- Price: Expect to pay $300+ for a good masticating juicer that can efficiently juice kale and over $400+ for a twin gear juicer.
Top Picks for Carrot and Kale Juicers
Based on the above criteria, here are my top recommendations for juicers optimized for carrots and kale:
Best Twin Gear Juicer: Tribest Greenstar Elite
With magnetic twin stainless steel bio-ceramic gears, robust jumbo gears, and adjustable pressure levels, the Greenstar Elite is specially designed for maxing juice yields from leafy greens and hard vegetables. It operates at 110 RPM to minimize oxidation while thoroughly crushing produce. The Greenstar Elite retails for $599 but produces unparalleled carrot and kale juice yields.
Best Masticating Juicer: Omega J8006
The Omega J8006 is Amazon’s #1 best seller in masticating juicers and is my top pick for a single auger juicer. It operates at a slow 80 RPM, powered by a 2 horsepower motor. The dual stage extraction provides excellent juicing results with reduced foaming and clogging. It comes with a 15 year warranty and is very affordably priced under $300.
Most Affordable: Mueller Austria Juicer
For those on a budget, the Mueller Austria Juicer Ultra 1100W Power is a top rated centrifugal juicer on Amazon under $100. While it can’t match the juice yields of twin gear or masticating juicers, it provides very fast juicing with its 1100 watt motor. The 3 inch feed chute minimizes prep work. It has a sleek design with stainless steel blades and BPA-free components.
How to Maximize Juice Yield from Carrots and Kale
To get the most juice and nutrients when juicing carrots and kale, keep these tips in mind:
- Always wash produce thoroughly before juicing.
- Chop carrots and kale into smaller pieces to fit feed chute and maximize extraction.
- Alternate between hard and soft produce. Juice carrots first followed by kale.
- Juice kale and leafy greens first before juicing carrots when using a centrifugal juicer.
- Let juicer run for a minute between produce to clear out residual bits.
- Store juice in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator if not drinking right away.
- Drink juice as soon as possible, within 24 hours for maximum freshness.
Make Your Own Nutritious Carrot Kale Juice
Once you’ve selected the right juicer for carrots and kale, it’s easy to make your own healthy juice combos at home. Here is a delicious carrot kale juice recipe to try:
Ingredients:
- 5 medium carrots, tops removed
- 2 green apples, cored
- 1 cucumber, peeled
- Handful of kale leaves, stems removed
- 1 inch ginger root, peeled
- Squeeze of 1/2 lemon
Instructions:
- Wash all produce thoroughly. Chop into chunks to fit juicer feed chute.
- Juice the carrots, apples and cucumber first. Then add kale and ginger and juice. Pour into glass.
- Squeeze lemon juice into juice and stir. Add ice as desired. Drink immediately!
This sweet and savory juice combination is packed with vitamins A, C, K, potassium, antioxidants, and more from the nutrient dense carrots, kale, ginger and other produce. Adjust proportions to your taste preferences. Substitute spinach or swiss chard for the kale as well.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best juicer for maximizing the nutrients and juice yield from carrots and kale, a twin gear or masticating juicer is ideal. Models like the Tribest Greenstar Elite and Omega J8006 are powerful, efficient juicers optimized for greens and hard vegetables. Consider your budget and look for key features like a strong motor, slow juicing mechanism, and wide feed chute. Make sure to drink your fresh juice as soon after juicing as possible to get the most health benefits.