How to Choose Between a Juicer and a Blender
Kitchen appliances become more and more functional every year, and at the same time, boundaries can become blurred. Two appliances that may seem similar and equally functional (some look almost identical) are a juicer and a blender, but they are actually completely different. Before you start shopping, let’s take a look at the differences between these machines. It’s likely that one will serve you better than the other.
How does a juicer work?
A juicer, as the name suggests, is designed specifically and exclusively for producing juice from whatever you stuff inside. Usually these are fruits and vegetables. Some juicers are simple portable machines without a motor, but I’m talking about the electric variety.
Most models have a similar design: a reservoir on top where you load the produce, a base the same size (if not larger) as the top where the controls and motor are located, a spout for releasing juice, and a container or spout that collects fruit fibers and vegetables
Additionally, there are two types of juicers you should know: masticating juicer and centrifugal juicer.
Chewing juicers
“Masticate” is a fancy way of saying “chew.” (It makes me think of Michael Caine analyzing Sandra Bullock eating a steak in Miss Congeniality .) Chewing is exactly what a masticating juicer does. The produce is loaded into a tank and a mechanism, usually an auger (spiral grinding ramp), slowly grinds the plants into a pulp through a screen. The juice and small pieces of fiber are pressed through a sieve, leaving the rest of the plant behind.
Masticating juicers can also be called “slow juicers” or “cold juicers” because they take longer to do their job than centrifugal juicers. The low speed ensures that your juice never gets hot from the mechanism. Powerful pressing results in juice with bits of fibrous particles, which will likely result in a thicker, foamier drink that doesn’t separate. For this reason, cold juicing is often preferred and touted as a means of retaining more nutrients.
Moreover, masticating juicers are silent due to their slow and steady mechanism. Before you head to the store or click “Place Your Order,” please note that masticating juicers come with a hefty price tag. I’ve never seen them sell for less than $100, and more often than not they cost several hundred dollars.
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Centrifugal juicers
A centrifugal juicer produces juice by slicing at high speeds. Instead of chopping and pressing, the food is crushed into small pieces by a rotating disc. The circular motion releases particles and juice onto a conical sieve. The juice that flows out comes out through the spout and the fibers are stored in a separate container.
The high cutting speed of this type of juicer generates heat, and for juice fanatics, this can be a bummer. The active enzymes in freshly squeezed juice may begin to break down when heated. However, the enzymes do not begin to break down below 104°F, and given how quickly the vegetables go through the machine, I would be surprised if the juice got to that temperature. If you are concerned about this, perhaps use refrigerated foods to reduce the temperature.
Centrifugal juicers are louder than masticating juicers and the juice is prone to separating overnight, but their affordable price range may be worth it. (It’s also easy to shake the separated juice to redistribute the solids.) You can find centrifugal juicers starting at $49 and up.
Highly Rated Centrifugal Juicer:
How is a blender different from a juicer?
Blenders may look similar to juicers – with a tank on top and a large base with buttons – but they are not the same thing. As you may have guessed, while juicers extract juice, blenders grind. The purpose of a blender is to combine all the ingredients to obtain a homogeneous consistency. This could be creating a thick paste like peanut butter, emulsifying mayonnaise, blending pieces of pico de gallo, making baby food for the week, or making a fruit smoothie.
Blenders not only puree food, but they also work with almost anything as long as the blades can catch it. Simply load the product into the container and press the desired mixing speed button. At the bottom of the tall container is a small central rotating blade that will finely chop the food you toss inside. The powerful motor allows for a range of blade speeds, typically from low to high. Depending on the power of the motor, some blenders can put whole fruit in it and it will turn it into liquid.
However, that’s where it all ends. There is no mesh to separate the juice from the fiber. Everything that goes into the tank comes out as a smooth consistency. Blenders come in a wide range of prices, and this usually depends on the power of the motor. If you are grinding soft foods, you may want to buy a less powerful and cheaper machine. If you frequently turn fibrous things into a smooth paste or liquid, you’ll need more power, which will cost more.
Highly rated blenders:
Which one is better for you?
Now that we’ve lifted the lid on how juicers and blenders serve different purposes, choosing the right machine should be easy.
Juicers are specialists and they do their job well. If you regularly need juices, then you will need a juicer. Whether it is a masticating juicer or a centrifugal juicer, it depends on your preference and the amount you are willing to spend. Consider the noise of the machine, your budget, and whether you prefer the consistency of your juice to be thinner or a little thicker.
I consider blenders to be more of a kitchen tool than a specialty piece of equipment. If you love smoothies, creamed soups, or use a blender to make pancakes every Saturday, then you need a blender. They are extremely convenient and versatile, so I would recommend one of these even if you decide to purchase a juicer.