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Juicers have become essential in most households. If you enjoy the taste of freshly squeezed juice, you should consider getting yourself one. Besides, juicing can provide you with a long list of health benefits. However, like most kitchen appliances, juicers require regular cleaning.
That said, you need to learn how to properly clean your juicer. This will not only help you get flavourful drinks, but also safeguards you against bacteria and other harmful microbes. You will be happy to know that juicers are very easy to clean.
Although they come in different styles, there are basic cleaning steps that apply to all models of juicers. To avoid damaging your juicer, we recommend that you go through the cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer.
That way, you can safely clean the unit without interfering with any of the components. Click here to have a quick look at our list of the best juicers in Australia.
What Is a Juicer?
A juicer is a motorised appliance used for extracting juice from vegetables, fruits and other succulent plant materials. With the help of a juicer, you can make fresh juice in the comfort of your home.
These appliances are easy to operate, making them ideal for everyone. There are two main types of juicers that are commonly used in households. If you like your juice with a little bit of pulp, a masticating juicer may just be what you need.
Masticating juicers are equipped with specially designed augers that can crush vegetables and fruits, thus providing you with thick, tasty juice. Most people prefer this type of juicer because it makes fibre-rich juice, which is good for the digestive system. Masticating juicers are often referred to as ‘slow juicers’ due to the slow movement of the auger.
Centrifugal force juicers, on the other hand, feature strategically placed blades that aid in the shredding of veggies and fruits. And as the name suggests, these units rely on centrifugal force during the juicing process.
It is these forces that push the squeezed juice through a sieve, thereby removing the pulp. Centrifugal force juicers are a favourite among most people because they are affordable. On the downside, they can be quite noisy.
As earlier stated, juicers are easy to clean regardless of the type. Moreover, most of these units have dishwasher-safe parts, allowing for effortless cleaning. Nonetheless, some models can only be cleaned by hand, so ensure that you apply the correct cleaning method.
6 Steps for Cleaning a Juicer
Here are 6 steps that can help you clean your juicer:
Step 1: Unplug the juicer
Safety should be your top priority when cleaning any electric kitchen appliance. As such, be sure to unplug your juicer from the outlet before you start cleaning the unit. If your kitchen has enough space, you should consider moving to an open area to avoid interfering with other appliances.
Step 2: Disassemble the unit
Juicers are made up of several parts that you need to take apart for effective cleaning. Depending on the model that you are using, ensure that you remove the strainer, plunger, lid, grinder, and pulp container.
If you don’t know how to go about the disassembly process, you can follow the instructions in the product manual. Once you are done, you need to pour out the pulp. You can use a spatula to scrape out any residual pulp. Rinse the pulp container under running tap water and place it aside.
Step 3: Soak the components in hot water
Place the juicer parts in hot water and let them soak for about 5 minutes. Hot water is preferred because it helps in the removal of bacterial and stubborn stains.
For your safety, you shouldn’t dip your hands in the water while it’s still hot. Add your favourite liquid dish soap and let the parts soak for five more minutes.
Step 4: Scrub the juicer components
Using a sponge, gently scrub the components to remove food particles. You should use a soft sponge to avoid degrading parts of the juicer. When cleaning the strainer, it is advisable that you use a toothbrush to ensure all the food residues come off. You can always use white vinegar when dealing with tough stains.
After this, you can rinse the parts using warm water. If the components are dishwasher safe, you can toss them in your dishwasher for a quick rinse. Set the components aside so that they can dry. Alternatively, you can use a soft cloth to dry the juicer components.
Step 5: Clean the base of the juicer
The base of the juicer houses the motor and other electrical components, so you need to be extra cautious to avoid damaging the circuitry system. You should never dip this part of the juicer in water.
Instead, dampen a microfiber cloth and then wipe t down until all the stains come off. Microfiber cloths are recommended because they are non-abrasive.
Step 6: Assemble the juicer
Carefully put the pieces back together once they’ve dried up. Ensure that you follow the assembly instructions if it’s your first time cleaning the juicer.
How Often Should I Clean My Juicer?
To be on the safe side, you need to clean your juicer after each juicing session. This will prevent the build-up of pulp on the strainer and other parts of the juicer. Additionally, prompt cleaning of the juicer limits the growth of bacteria and mould.
Cleaning the unit immediately after juicing also ensures the pulp doesn’t dry up, meaning you will have an easy time rinsing off the residual particles. You can give the components a quick rinse under running tap water. This will only take a few minutes of our time, since it’s not that difficult.
Conclusion
A dirty juicer will not only waste your time when juicing, but can also alter the natural flavour of your juice. To get the best results, you should see to it that your juicer is properly cleaned after each use. The steps discussed above can help you get the job done in less than thirty minutes.
