Juicers and blenders have come a long way in recent years but which piece of equipment you choose to buy largely depends on your budget and what you need from your appliance.
Centrifugal juicer
This juicer works by using a flat cutting blade in the bottom of a rapidly spinning basket, which shreds the fresh produce and flings the pulp to the sides of the basket, or in a separate container, while the juice passes through the small holes into a jug/jar. If you are making a small amount of juice, there is an advantage to using a centrifugal machine as it doesn’t eject the pulp but continues to work until the basket is full, so it reduces the amount of cleaning. This type of appliance does vary in its juice yields, but it is a quick and convenient way of juicing. Choose a model with a robust, high-powered motor to handle the high-speed extraction process.
Masticating juicer
This type of juicer effectively shreds or ‘chews’ vegetables and fruit, releasing their juice and the nutrients that go with it. It is extremely effective in extracting juice and tends to be more proficient at handling leafy greens and herbs than a centrifugal model. However, for some people, it is preferable to have a juicer and a separate wheatgrass/leafy greens machine, possibly hand-operated, to cover all bases. Masticating juicers tend to produce juices with a reasonable nutritional shelf life as they incorporate less oxygen in the juicing process than centrifugal machines. Opt for a sturdy appliance with a reliable, powerful motor and it should last you for many years. Also choose one that is easy to clean and put back together afterwards. Most machines come with various attachments that allow you to make ice cream, mill grains and grind nuts, for instance, so it’s worth bearing this in mind when considering your options.
Blender
If you intend to use your blender on a regular basis it pays to invest in a sturdy, heavy-based model with a powerful motor as it will certainly make light work of smoothies and blended drinks that include firm fruit and vegetables. Other factors you may wish to consider are whether the jug/jar is the right capacity for your needs and that it is sturdy with a tight-fitting lid and a hole in the top for adding ingredients. It should also be easy to clean. You may not need a plethora of speeds but look for an appliance with a range of functions, 3 or 4 speeds and a pulse button; many blenders also have pre-programmed cycles that make them easy and convenient to use, as well as attachments that can grind nuts and spices or mill grains.
Citrus juicer
Expensive equipment is not essential for making citrus juices. The hand-held reamer, citrus squeezer or the more costly citrus press are perfect for extracting juice from oranges, lemons and limes. Many electrical juicers also come with an attachment that can extract the juice from citrus fruit.
Hand-held blender
A hand-held immersion blender is perfect for handling an individual serving of a smoothie or blend as well as pulverising herbs or greens to stir into juices if your juicer has difficulty coping with fresh leafy stuff. As with a blender, look for a sturdy appliance offering variable speeds and one that is easy to clean.