A Complete Guide on How To Choose the Best Masticating Juicer (2019 Reviews)
A lot of people cannot stand eating a bowl of greens without throwing up, but we all know that vegetables and fruits are essential to our health, right?
Is there a way to consume the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables by the USDA without actually eating them? I can only think of one thing – juicing.
What is juicing? How is it different from blending? Are juices better and more nutritious than smoothies? How do I know which juicer to buy?
I will answer all of these questions and more as we go along and I will give a complete guide on how to choose the best masticating juicer in the market.
Product | Type | Quality | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Horizontal | A+ | $$$ | ||
Vertical | A | $$$ | ||
Horizontal | A | $$$ | ||
Vertical | B+ | $$ | ||
Horizontal | B | $$ |
**Below, you'll find more detailed reriews, but you can click links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon
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Health Benefits Of Juicing
Before we jump into the technicalities, I figured that it would be best for you to know first what you can benefit from juicing. Here are some:
1. It helps the body absorb the nutrients better and faster
Before our body can absorb all the nutrients from the food we eat, it has to go through different processes first – from our mouth to our stomach down to our intestines.
Juicing will help you get all the vitamins and minerals you need in a short amount of time by skipping all the mechanical parts of digestion.
2. It gives you the opportunity to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables
Hate green leafy vegetables? Juicing is for you. It will give you all the nutrients your body needs without munching on kale or lettuce.
3. It can be a great source of good bacteria
Have you heard the phrase, ‘the key to a healthy body is a healthy gut’ ? Good bacteria help strengthen our immune system in fighting germs and viruses. Fresh fruit juice is a great source of good bacteria.
4. It helps lower the cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood
According to studies, juicing helps lower cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood, especially if you add lemon in it.
5. It is a great way to detoxify
Fruits and vegetables are great sources of antioxidants. It will greatly help your body detoxify.
What Is A Juicer And How Different Is It From A Blender?
Juicer is a machine used to extract juice from vegetables and fruits. All the pulps are discarded. Blender, on the other hand, crush the whole produce and make it a puree.
Now, you may ask, which one is better? I say, it depends on your needs.If you want a refreshing drink full of fiber, then use a blender to make a smoothie, but if you want something as nutritious yet easily digested by the body, then go make a juice using a juicer.
Different Types Of Juicers
There are two basic types of juicers: centrifugal and masticating, but later on you will see different variations of these machines and how they work.
Centrifugal Juicer
Centrifugal juicers are the popular ones you often see in a department store. They are affordable, and fast and easy to use. As the name suggests, it works under the principle of centrifugal force – just like a washing machine on a spin.
Via Juicingwithg.com
The top most part that looks like a neck is called the chute. This is where you will insert the produce and push it down using a plunger. Below the chute is a blade that will shred the fruit or vegetable into smaller pieces and separate the juice from the pulp at the same time. How does that happen? Watch this:
Now, let us discuss the pros and cons a centrifugal juicer.
PROS
CONS
|
Masticating Juicer
Masticating juicer has a totally different mechanism than the previous type. It uses a gear or auger to crush the produce and squeeze the juice out of it.
Via Juicingwithg.com
It is also called ‘cold press’ because it has a relatively low RPM – low enough to not generate foam that shortens the shelf-life of the juice and heat that kills enzymes.Here are some more of its pros and cons:
PROS
CONS
|
There are two different types of masticating juicer: horizontal and vertical. The latter has a newer technology but it doesn’t mean that it is better than the horizontal one.
Vertical is more like a hybrid. It has the built of a centrifugal juicer (long wide chute and sleek body) but the function and speed of a masticating juicer. Horizontal, on the other hand, is an older but more versatile piece.
Here is a more in depth comparison, in case you are still weighing your options on which one to buy:
Preparation – Vertical juicers have wider and longer chutes. This means that you may not have to chop your produce before juicing – especially with carrots, celery, and alike.
Juicing time and speed – Both vertical and horizontal work in a relatively lower speed than a centrifugal juicer, but the former can have higher RPM than the latter.
Leafy greens and wheatgrass – If you were to ask me which type is better at extracting juice from green leafy vegetables and wheatgrass, then I would have to pick the horizontal one. It is more thorough in grinding and extracting.
Versatility – I know juicers are for juicing fruits and vegetables and if you are only after that function then the vertical one would do, but horizontal juicers are sturdier and more versatile. How? It can be used for mincing, crushing ice, and making butter and pasta.
If you want to buy a juicer but don’t know what type to get, I would recommend that you go for a horizontal masticating juicer. It can be a bit pricey, but based from personal experience, it is really worth it.
What To Look For In A Good Masticating Juicer?
Here are some guidelines that may come in handy when choosing and buying your own juicer:
Warranty
Whenever I buy an appliance, my very first concern is its warranty because it makes me feel secured that my money won’t go to waste in case something went wrong with it. The longer the warranty period the better. It correlates to how well-made the machine is.
Review and Quality Rating
Before buying, it would be best to look for reviews and feedbacks from people who already purchased the product. The higher the quality rating is the better.
Yield
Not all juicers are equal. Choose the brand that is most efficient and has the best yield.
Noise
Masticating juicers are not as loud as a centrifugal or blender, but some brands have better noise control.
Maintenance and Additional Functions
Choose a design that’s easy to clean and check whether the parts are dishwasher safe. That would be a huge advantage.
5 Best Of The Best Masticating Juicer
Product | Type | Quality | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Horizontal | A+ | $$$ | ||
Vertical | A | $$$ | ||
Horizontal | A | $$$ | ||
Vertical | B+ | $$ | ||
Horizontal | B | $$ |
Earlier I presented my top best pick and some of its basic features, but this time, we will scrutinize all of them one by one. I also listed down both the low and high points of each product to help you decide which one is best suited for your needs.
1. Omega J8006 Nutrition Center Juicer
Via Amazon.com
Omega is one of the leading brands of juicers and for me, their J8006 is their top notch quality yet so far. What I love most about it is that with its 80 RPM, it doesn’t foam or oxidize. Although, I have to admit that I am a bit disappointed that it can only run at 110V. Some countries that are using 220V will have to use a voltage regulator or just choose other brands.
PROS
- Low speed of 80 RPM that prevents clogging, heat production, foaming, and oxidation.
- No noise during operation
- Continuous juicing with high yield
- Miscellaneous functions: baby food puree, nut butter, whipped soy milk, ground spices, and ground coffee
- Dual pressing stage
- Warranty (years) : 15 years
CONS
- Only runs at 110 V
- Narrow chute
- Some plastic parts are not durable
2. SKG Wide Chute Anti-Oxidation Juicer
Via Amazon.com
I love that this one has a wide long chute just like a centrifugal juicer. I can plunge in apples or carrots without any problem. My only problem with this one is its price. It usually cost twice as much as an Omega juicer. But overall, it is a great deal.
PROS
- Wide long chute
- Runs at 60 RPM with minimal oxidation
- Low wattage of 240W
- High yield
- Heavy duty
- Miscellaneous functions: tofu, nut butter, and sorbet
- Warranty (years) : 10 years on motor and body only
CONS
- Heavy (16 lbs.)
- Not that easy to clean
- Not dishwasher safe
- Pricey
3. Omega Juicers J8007S 5th Generation
Via Amazon.com
Although this is a newer technology, for me, it doesn’t hold up with the superb qualities of J8006. The only thing I like most about it is its high starting torque.
PROS
- Runs at a low speed of 80 RPM with gear reduction system that generates larger torque
- Has 6 different nozzles
- Prevents heat build-up and foaming
- Warranty (years) : 15 years
CONS
- Prone to clogging
- Not that easy to clean
- Small chute
- Poor mesh strainer
4. Ventray Masticating Juice
Via Amazon.com
If you do not have the money to splurge on SKG, then I would recommend this one instead. I like that it is BPA-free and that it can retain the juice’s flavor and aroma.
PROS
- Retains the flavor, aroma, and nutrition of the juice
- Wide chute
- Easy to clean
- Made of BPA-free materials
- Runs at 65 RPM 240 W
- Warranty (years) : 5 years
CONS
- Poor warranty deal
- Prone to foaming
- One-button operation
5. Champion Juicer G5-PG710 Juicer
Via Amazon.com
What I love most about this product is its stainless steel shaft that is excellent at crushing tough fruits and vegetables. Although it is a bit of an older technology.
PROS
- Heavy duty
- Wide chute
- Stainless steel shaft
- Large starting torque
- Runs at 110/220V 50/60 Hz
- Warranty (years) : 10 years (limited)
CONS
- Prone to heat build-up, oxidation, and foaming
- Not good at extracting juice from green leafy and hard produce
- Old model/technology
Conclusion
Now that everything is laid out, I am pretty sure you already have an idea on what to buy. For me, I would recommend the Omega J8006 if you are looking for a horizontal juicer and the SKG one if you want a vertical one.
Both have great features and amazing miscellaneous functions. SKG is a bit expensive but you are getting more functions than just a regular juicer, so I think it is worth your money.
I hope you find this helpful. Please leave your comments, suggestions, and questions below. I would love to hear from you.
