Checklist

If you're thinking of buying a juicer, here's what to consider:

Types of juicers and how they work

Centrifugal juicers are readily available in kitchenware and appliance stores. They pulp fruit on a rotating blade, then push it against a strainer at very high speeds.

Non-centrifugal juicers are less widely available – try health-food or organic stores, or search online stores. They come in two types:

• Cold-press models use a slow-turning auger to crush the fruit or vegetables. They then push the pulp through a tight cap and the juice filters through a sieve into a bowl. Examples from our test are the LexSun DO-9001, Oscar DA 900 and the Lexen GP62.
  
  Twin-gear cold-press juicers have two gears that rotate inwards, leaving a very small gap between them. The Greenpower Hippocrates Plus 1305 in our test is a twin-gear cold press model.
• Masticating models “chew” the fruit or vegetables. The Champion 2000+ was the only masticating juicer we’ve tested – it uses a combination of tooth-like blades and a fine sieve.

Non-centrifugal juicers are more expensive than centrifugal juicers and are slower at processing. They have a smaller chute size so you need to cut food into small chunks. But they do have some advantages: they’re usually quieter than centrifugal models. And it’s claimed you can use them for other tasks such as mincing, grinding coffee beans, processing wheat grass and alfalfa, or even making noodles or pasta. However, we haven’t tested their ability to perform these other tasks. 

What to look for

• A juicer with a large chute means less chopping beforehand.
• A safety lid lock won't let you operate the juice extractor unless the lid's locked into place. 
• The fewer the parts, the easier it is to assemble, take apart and clean. Also check the machine for parts that fit together and separate easily.
• A streamlined design means less food can get trapped in crevices, making cleaning easier.
• Not all models come with a juice jug. Of those that do, some slot into the juicer, which is less messy as juice is less likely to splash onto the workbench; other juice jugs are separate. On models without a juice jug, check the spout height and position will fit an appropriately sized jug.
• The pulp container may be either a cavity around the sieve (inside the juicer) or a container attached to it (on the outside). With an internal pulp container, check that the sieve and its surrounding cavity can be removed together – if it has to be taken apart before removal, it's messier. With an external pulp container, less pulp is likely to build up around the sieve and clog it, and if you want to juice a large quantity, you don't have to stop and disassemble the juicer to remove the pulp.
• If there are two speeds, the higher is usually better for hard fruit and vegies.
• Dimensions and weight: The small models would be suitable for a couple or single person – they can generally produce a glass or two of juice before the pulp container is full and has to be emptied. They also take up less bench space.

For people with a disability

• Look for a juicer which can be used one-handed
• Keep in mind that if you use a juice extractor you'll need enough hand strength to be able to cut up fruit and vegetables to fit into the food chute.
• Look for a juicer which has minimal parts so it's easy to put together and pull apart
• Look for switches that are bright and large, and don't need a lot of strength to operate.
• Look for a spout that's a good height and sticks out enough that any suitable jug can be used.