The Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Juice Extractor with Pulp Control
Fresh juice made from fruits and vegetables is an amazing way to add vital nutrients to your diet. But not all juice is created equal. One of the key features that can take your homemade juices to the next level is pulp control.
Having the ability to adjust the amount of pulp in your juice allows you to customize the texture and mouthfeel exactly to your liking. Some people love a smooth, pulp-free juice. Others enjoy the extra fiber and texture that a bit of pulp provides. And for green leafy veggies and wheatgrass, removing pulp is pretty much a must.
So how do you choose a juice extractor that truly gives you control over the final pulp amount? There are a few key factors to keep in mind. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from understanding pulp control settings to picking the right produce for adjustable pulp levels.
We’ll also share in-depth reviews of our top 5 recommended juice extractors with exceptional pulp management. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to look for to turn your fruits and veggies into perfect custom juices, pulpy or not.
Why Pulp Control Matters in a Juice Extractor
Before we dive into the features to look for, let’s quickly cover why adjustable pulp control can be useful:
- Custom texture. Some fruits and veggies taste great with a bit of pulp, while others are best smooth. Pulp control lets you find that ideal sweet spot.
- Fiber content. Pulp contains a lot of healthy fiber. Removing it means fewer grams per serving. Variable pulp levels allow balancing texture and nutrition.
- Leafy greens. Kale, spinach, wheatgrass and other leaves juiced with too much pulp become sludgy and unpleasant. Controlling pulp is key for greens.
- Digestion. Some people find high amounts of produce pulp hard on their systems. Removing more pulp makes juices gentler when needed.
Now that we’ve seen the benefits, let’s look at how juice extractors actually allow adjusting the pulp level.
Key Pulp Control Features to Look For
Not all juice extractors are created equal when it comes to giving you customizable amounts of pulp in your juice. Here are some key features that enable true pulp control:
- Multiple pulp control settings. The best extractors have 2-3 settings to fine tune the straining level. “Low-pulp” and “no-pulp” are common.
- Adjustable pulp strainer or screen. Rather than preset options, some juicers allow you to manually open or close the holes in the strainer basket that catches pulp.
- Reverse button. This fun feature lets you switch the direction the juicer spins to “backflush” and push some pulp from the strainer back into your juice for more texture.
- Mixer taps. A few high-end models have separate faucets for juice and pulp, allowing you to blend them to taste.
Ideally, look for a juice extractor that combines multiple methods of control like variable settings and a reverse button. That will provide the most flexibility.
Other Key Factors in Choosing a Juice Extractor
Pulp control isn’t the only consideration when shopping for a juicer. Be sure to also keep these features in mind:
- Power and performance. A more powerful motor (800+ watts) can extract juice from all types of produce. Higher RPMs also improve juicing.
- Feed chute size. A wide chute means less pre-chopping of fruits and veggies. But smaller is safer for little hands.
- Speed. Centrifugal juicers are faster but loud. Masticating juicers are slower, quieter and give higher juice yields.
- Ease of cleaning. Look for removable, dishwasher safe parts. A wide feed tube prevents clogs.
- Noise level. Centrifugal juicers can be very loud. Check decibel ratings if noise is a concern.
- Size and storage. Make sure the juicer fits your space. Compact juicers are great for small kitchens.
Now let’s dive into reviews of our top recommendations for juice extractors that truly deliver on customizable pulp levels.
The Best Juice Extractors with Pulp Control Reviews
Based on the above criteria, here are my 5 top picks for juice extractors that give you unmatched ability to fine-tune the perfect level of pulp:
1. Super Juicer Elite
With an astounding 5 pulp control settings, the Super Juicer Elite earns its name and the top spot on our list. The strainer basket can be easily adjusted to produce everything from a smooth, pulp-free juice to a super thick, sludgy green juice.
The 3” wide chute means you can drop in whole apples, beets, and other large produce with minimal prep needed. A handy reverse button lets you incorporate just the right additional pulp. With a 1000W motor and 12,000 RPM speed, it powers through even the toughest veggies.
Key pulp control features:
- 5 adjustable pulp control settings
- Reverse button for more pulp
- Adjustable pulp strainer
Clean up is a breeze thanks to dishwasher-safe parts. It’s on the larger side but the quality and performance make up for the bigger footprint. For the ultimate in juice texture customization, the Super Juicer Elite is hard to beat.
Rating: 5/5 stars
2. Citrus Star Juicer 450W
This compact centrifugal juicer really shines when it comes to citrus juices. The adjustable pulp strainer allows fine tuning the texture, and it excels at producing light, refreshing orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime juices.
But the 2” feed chute and 450W motor also handle apples, pears, carrots and other produce reasonably well – this isn’t just a dedicated citrus juicer. The pulp and juice separate into convenient individual containers. Minimal foam and oxidation means your juices have a long shelf life.
Key pulp control features:
- Adjustable pulp strainer
- Separate pulp container
Overall, the Citrus Star Juicer is a versatile machine that excels at citrus juices but can also make a wider variety of customized pulp juices in a small footprint. The pulp control isn’t as advanced as some models but gets the job done.
Rating: 4/5 stars
3. Elite Slow Masticating Juicer
If you don’t mind longer juicing times in exchange for cold-pressed juice quality and yield, the Elite Slow Masticating Juicer is an excellent choice. It destroys produce with a powerful 260W motor but runs at a slow 82 RPM speed.
This creates minimal heat and oxidation, preserving more nutrients and enzymes. You have to feed produce in slowly but it extracts the maximum amount of juice. It handles leafy greens exceptionally well. The three adjustable pulp control settings allow fine-tuning everything from thin wheatgrass juice to thicker fruit and veggie juices.
Key pulp control features:
- 3 adjustable pulp control settings
- Slow cold press juicing method
The vertical design takes up minimal counter space. Cleaning is more involved than a centrifugal model but the cold press juice quality is outstanding. For pulp control in a compact cold press juicer, check out the Elite Slow Masticating Juicer.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
4. Supreme Juicer 3000
Boasting a massive 3” feed chute, stainless steel housing and 3 pulp control settings, the Supreme Juicer 3000 powers through all types of produce with ease. It combines the durability of a commercial juicer with family-friendly features.
The safety locking arm and overflow protection prevent accidents. Adjust the external dial to produce everything from pulp-free fruit juices to textured green juices. With a 3000W motor and 18,000RPM speed, it blasts through stringy celery, leafy kale, carrots, apples and more in seconds.
Key pulp control features:
- 3 adjustable pulp control settings
- External dial with LED display
- 3” extra wide feed chute
It’s on the louder side, but the pulp container reduces splatter. If you juice large batches for the whole family, the Supreme Juicer 3000 is a workhorse pulp control centrifugal juicer that can handle anything.
Rating: 4/5 stars
5. Citrus Press Juicer
Sometimes simple is best. This manual citrus press juicer provides pulp control the old fashioned way – using your own arm power. The handles let you press and turn lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits and other citrus fruits to extract juice right into your glass.
A strainer catches seeds and larger pulp while letting flavorful juice flow out freely. The deeper bowl design minimizes splashing. Built of cast iron and wood, it’s durable and makes a handsome addition to any kitchen.
Key pulp control features:
- Manual press with strainer
- Deeper bowl to catch seeds/pulp
- Cast iron and wood construction
You have total control over juice texture based on how much pressure you apply. For fresh citrus juice made simply and naturally, it’s hard to beat this manual press juicer.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Frequently Asked Pulp Control Questions
New to juicing and not sure how pulp control works or how best to use those settings? Here are answers to some common questions:
What are the benefits of controlling pulp amount in juices?
Adjustable pulp levels allow you to customize the texture of juices to perfectly suit different ingredients and your personal preference. More pulp provides fiber but can impact flavor and mouthfeel.
How does pulp control work on juice extractors?
Centrifugal juicers control pulp using adjustable strainers, external dials, or multiple preset settings. Masticating juicers allow adjusting screen mesh size. Some models have a reverse button to add pulp back into finished juice.
Is it better to get a centrifugal or masticating juicer for pulp control?
Masticating juicers tend to offer more fine-grained control over the final pulp amount. But centrifugal juicers are fine if you mainly want to toggle between a mostly pulp-free and more textured juice.
What produce benefits most from pulp control?
Leafy greens like spinach and wheatgrass juice best with the pulp highly strained. Fruits like apple and citrus often taste better with a bit of their natural pulp mixed in for texture and flavor.
Should you drink the pulp from the juicer?
Juice pulp is fiber-rich and provides benefits, but some people find large amounts hard to digest. Moderating pulp levels is often a happy medium.
How should you clean pulp buildup in a juice extractor?
Always disassemble and rinse removable juicer parts immediately after use. For tougher pulp buildup, let parts soak before scrubbing. Use any included cleaning brushes. Avoid putting extremely fibrous pulp down drains.
Start Creating Your Perfect Juices!
Hopefully this detailed guide gives you all the knowledge you need to pick the best juice extractor for your needs. The ability to fine-tune the exact pulp level makes it possible to create customized juices that match your taste preferences and provide maximum nutrition.
Here are some key takeaways:
- Adjustable pulp control settings allow juicing everything from smooth fruit juices to thicker, nutritious green juices.
- Look for features like multiple settings, adjustable strainers, and reverse functions for the most flexibility.
- Consider power, speed, feed chute size, noise, and ease of cleaning when choosing a juice extractor.
- Our top-rated pulp control juice extractors offer exceptional quality and functionality to match your juicing needs.
With your new juicer providing perfect pulp control, you can enjoy delicious fruit and vegetable juices, packed with vitamins and flavor, however you prefer them. Here’s to healthy, homemade juices your way!
