Like many other things, kitchen appliances need to be taken care of. They will work for a longer time when they are given regular cleaning and maintenance. The same goes to your trusty juicer. You should clean juicer parts by disassembling and cleaning them thoroughly one by one.
There are cleaning kits that are dedicated to specific appliances and electronics. A juice cleaning kit is a cleaning kit for a juicer. It usually consists of a specially made stiff- or flexible-bristled cleaning brush and a microfiber cloth. Many juicer units come with brushes and microfiber cloths to remove bits of fiber and pulp, stuck-on food particles, and gunk from the juicers.
Whether a juicer is a centrifugal or masticating type, their cleaning kits always consist of a brush and a microfiber cloth. They may only differ on the types of brushes (that can vary from the standard straight brushes to brushes with curved heads) and the size of the cleaning cloth, which is both hand- and machine-washable.
If your juicer doesn’t come with a brush and a microfiber, you can buy your own. An ordinary bottle brush or a new toothbrush will also be fine.
The brush removes the stuck-on fiber and pulp from the centrifugal disc or filter basket (in centrifugal juicers) or the cold press mechanism (from the masticating, cold press, or slow juicer).
If you plan to clean your juicer in a dishwasher, keep in mind that centrifugal juicers are generally easier to clean than masticating juicers. That’s because most centrifugal juicers can be cleaned in a dishwasher, while most masticating juicers cannot.
No matter which juicer type you use, it is essential that you should clean it. Without regular cleaning, the tiny bits of pulp and fiber residues can get trapped in the components and begin to rot. When it happens, not only can it lead to the malfunction in the machine, but it can also cause mold and mildew to form. And you don’t want them to go into your juice.
How to clean a centrifugal juicer:
- After using the juicer, turn it off and unplug it from the wall outlet.
- Carefully disassemble the parts of the juicer, including the juice and pulp collection containers, grinding mechanism, strainer, lid, and plunger.
- Empty the pulp container.
- Wash the disassembled parts using a brush, water (preferably running water), and dishwashing soap. It’s important to clean the juicer right away after using it because the residual fiber and pulp particles may harden and thus become more difficult to clean off. But if the particles have become a bit more stubborn to remove, fill a basin or sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Soak the parts in the water and leave them there for at least two to three minutes. Use a soft-bristled brush or a toothbrush to clean the individual components.
- Rinse the cleaned pieces well with hot water.
- Allow the rinsed parts to be air-dried or wipe them dry with the microfiber cloth.
- It’s also important to clean the juicer base. Dampen the microfiber cloth with water and start wiping down. VERY IMPORTANT: be careful not to dampen the part of the base that has a motor in it. Then wipe the base dry with a new clean microfiber cloth.
- Reassemble the juicer, and it’s now ready to use again.
How to clean a masticating juicer
- After using the juicer, turn it off and unplug it from the wall outlet.
- Carefully disassemble the detachable parts, such as the filter and pulp basket.
- Check the juicer’s interior for residual fiber and pulp particles as much as you can.
- Rinse the disassembled parts in running water to get rid of the visible stuck-on fiber and pulp particles.
- Fill a basin or sink with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Soak the parts in the water and leave them there for at least two to three minutes. Use a soft-bristled brush or a toothbrush to clean the individual components.
- Rinse the cleaned components with hot water.
- Let the parts to air-dry or wipe them dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Dampen the microfiber cloth with water and start wiping down the parts of the juicer that are not washable. VERY IMPORTANT: be careful not to dampen the part of the base that has motor in it. Then wipe the parts dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Reassemble the juicer.
Always remember that cleaning your juicer regularly with the right tools will give you the healthiest juices that are also safe to drink.