--- title: "How Does a Juicer Work? (Workings of Different Types of Juicers)" description: "Learn how centrifugal, auger, twin-gear, hydraulic, citrus and steam juicers extract juice, and why the method does not guarantee nutrition or safe storage." canonical: "https://kitchencuddle.com/how-does-a-juicer-work/" author: "Anushree R." published: "2023-07-26T20:04:56" updated: "2026-10-30T02:09:21" --- # How Does a Juicer Work? (Workings of Different Types of Juicers) ![Juicer in use](https://kitchencuddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/juicer-in-use-1024x576.jpg) A juicer extracts liquid from fruit or vegetables using a screen, a press or another separation method. There are different types of juicers, but all of them essentially separate the pulp from the liquid. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of juicers to understand how they work. ## Types of Juicers We can broadly classify juicers into the following types: 1. Centrifugal Juicers, 2. Masticating Juicers, 3. Triturating Juicers, 4. Hydraulic Press Juicers, 5. Citrus Juicers, and 6. Steam Juicers. ## **How Do Different Types of Juicers Work?** Here is how each type of juicer works. ### How Do Centrifugal Juicers Work? Centrifugal juicers are very popular for household needs because of their efficiency and affordability. They are called fast juicers because they finish juicing much faster than other types of juicers. The juicing process begins by feeding the fruits or vegetables into the juicer jar through the feeding tube in the lid. The ingredients fall toward the blade that spins at a very high speed. The spinning blades chop and crush them, releasing juice. The juice is hurled in an outward direction by the blades. This is because there is a centrifugal force at play. This juice is then pushed through a screen or straining system into the collecting utensil. Centrifugal juicers are useful when speed matters. Juice texture and yield vary with the model, screen and produce. The screen separates most pulp from the juice, though some fine particles may remain. Prepare produce as directed and remove hard pits before juicing. A centrifugal model may suit you if quick preparation is a priority. Compare its cleaning instructions and suitability for the produce you use. ### How Do Masticating Juicers Work? Masticating juicers crush and press produce with an auger. Their performance depends on the ingredients and the machine. A masticating juicer may extract more juice from some ingredients, but the design alone does not guarantee a higher yield from every fruit. The operation of a masticating juicer involves crushing the fruit or vegetables at a slow speed. The auger presses the produce against a screen, separating juice from pulp. How dry the [remaining pulp](https://kitchencuddle.com/do-all-juicers-leave-pulp/) feels depends on the produce and the settings, not just the juicer category. Masticating juice can still contain fine pulp and can separate during storage. A slow juicer does not guarantee pulp-free juice. Strongly flavored greens can make a strong-tasting juice with either extraction method. Adjust the produce mix to suit your taste. Masticating juicers are also called cold press or auger juicers because of how they operate. They are often costlier than centrifugal juicers. Some models can make nut milk using soaked nuts and water. Follow the model’s recipe and ingredient restrictions; not every masticating juicer handles every nut or coconut. Cleaning varies by model. Check how the auger, screen and seals come apart for routine cleaning. Choose a juicer based on the produce you use, the cleaning involved and the features you need, rather than assuming one design is automatically healthier. ### How Do Triturating Juicers Work? Triturating juicers are also called twin-gear juicers. They resemble masticating juicers, but the operating parts are different. [Twin-gear models such as the Tribest Greenstar](https://tribest.com/collections/horizontal-juicers/products/greenstar-original-gs-1000-b) use two interlocking gears to crush produce fed into the machine. The interlocking gears have fine teeth that rotate in opposite directions. This helps to crush and grind the ingredients better. Twin-gear models operate at their own specified speeds. They are not necessarily slower than every single-auger model, and speed alone does not establish the juice’s quality. Juicing speed does not add nutrients to the ingredients. Avoid treating a low-speed claim as proof of a nutritional advantage. Twin-gear machines can be costly and involve more parts to clean. Compare the particular model and its suitability for your ingredients rather than assuming it always gives a better yield. ### How Do Hydraulic Press Juicers Work? Hydraulic press juicers can be used for more operations than extracting juice from vegetables and fruits. Norwalk was one brand associated with this design; hydraulic press is the broader category. They use a two-step process to extract the juice. In the first step, they grind the produce to a pulp using a sharp rotating blade. In the next step, the pulp is removed and pressed to release juice. For this, the pulp is taken out and placed in a linen cloth before being returned to the hydraulic press. The press applies extreme pressure to the pulp. The amount extracted depends on the produce and the pressing method. A hydraulic press extracts liquid by pressure rather than by cooking the produce. That describes the process, not a guarantee of superior nutrition or longer safe storage. Hydraulic juicers are very expensive. They are also more complex and require more manual involvement than the other varieties. Hence, these juicers are not very popular for regular household use. ### How Do Citrus Juicers Work? [![Citrus juicer in use](https://kitchencuddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/citrus-juicer-in-use-1024x576.jpg)](https://kitchencuddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/citrus-juicer-in-use.jpg) A dedicated citrus juicer presses or reams halved citrus fruit. Other juicers may also handle prepared citrus when their instructions allow it. This design can be convenient when you mainly want juice from lemons, oranges or grapefruit. Many citrus juicers have a cone-shaped reamer. Electric versions turn it with a motor, while manual versions rely on hand pressure or a lever. The reamer will press into the fruit and squish it. The liquid will flow through the strainer into the collecting jar. Meanwhile, the pulp that is simultaneously ejected will be held by the strainer. You can’t use citrus juicers to extract juice from other types of produce besides citrus fruits. So it’s a dedicated device for citrus fruits only. However, it may sometimes come as an attachment with advanced food processor or juicer models. ### How to Use a Steam Juicer? Steam juicers are specialty juicing devices. They take longer than other types of juicers for juicing ingredients. Hence, these devices are better suited for the bulk preparation of juices. They are more of a niche instrument. Steam juicers generally have a lower water pan, a juice-collection section and a covered basket that holds the produce. Steam juicers use heat to extract juice from suitable produce. Follow the manufacturer’s ingredient instructions and use a tested preservation recipe for that juice. To operate a steam juicer, begin by filling water in the reservoir. This is located at the very base of the juicer, and it produces steam when heated. The juice-collection section sits above the [water reservoir](https://kitchencuddle.com/do-juicers-need-water/). The produce is held in a separate basket above it. A lid covers the upper basket while steam rises through the assembled juicer. When you heat the juicer, the steam from the base permeates the fruits and vegetables. It softens them, breaking down the cell walls. This releases the juice, allowing it to flow to the bottom of the kettle. The juice then flows through the spout and collects in a separate container. [Oregon State University Extension](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/sp-50-455-preserving-foods-fruit-juice-apple-cider) explains that steam extraction and canning are separate steps. Steam extracts juice by heating the produce, but this does not make the juice shelf-stable. Refrigerate or freeze it, or follow a tested canning recipe with the required processing time and altitude adjustment. The clarity depends on the fruit and how the juice is strained. The residual pulp from this method can also be used for other recipes, like jams, jellies, or fruit sauces.