How to Clean a Juicer

Rachel asked: How do I clean that brown gunk out of my juicer? I have a juicer that I use five days a week. Although I use it daily, it builds up this brown coating on it, especially in the corners. This brown stuff comes off if I scrub really hard, but I can’t actually reach all of the corners to scrub them well. I was wondering if there was a better way to clean that out? I am pretty sure it comes mainly from carrots, but…

When gunk begins to build up on the walls of the juicer, it means that there are bits of food and juice that are starting to rot and decay. This presents not only an unsightly build up, but also a health concern as well as it is a prime place for bacteria to grow. Removing the build up regularly should be part of the cleaning routine. Here are some ways to take the pain out of getting the nooks and crannies of the juicer clean.

You Will Need:

Water
Soft brush
Nail brush or toothbrush
Mild dish soap
Soft cloths
Spatula

Steps to Clean the Juicer:

Begin by unplugging the juicer.
Disassemble the juicer completely.
Dump the bin or container that catches the pulp and scrape it out with a spatula.
Rinse each piece under running water.
Use the small brushes to clean the small areas, there are small brushes available such as nail brushes that can be used to clean the nooks and crannies.
For more thorough cleanings, fill the sink with water and add dish soap.
Soak each piece for a few minutes and then wash with a brush or soft cloth.
Pay special attention to the mesh strainer as this can quickly build up with pulp and juice debris. Do not allow the juice particles to dry in this fine screen or they will be difficult to remove.
Use a soft cloth or sponge moistened with water to wipe down the machine itself. Although the juice is designed to go through a certain route in the juicer, juice and pulp will end up everywhere.
Allow all of the pieces to dry completely. It is fine to set them on a towel or drying rack.
Reassemble the juicer.
You’re set for the next juicing session.

Additional Tips and Advice

Juicers that are used regularly can quickly become tiresome to clean. This is why so many juicers end up stashed in the cupboard with the other appliances. When purchasing a juicer, look at the cleaning methods and consider how much time will be involved before committing to that particular model.
Prompt cleaning makes a world of difference. Fresh juice and pulp will easily wash away with warm water. However, juice and pulp that is allowed to dry will become “glued” to the walls and be much more difficult to remove. Most juicers only take 2-5 minutes to clean properly, so plan it into your morning schedule.
Check the care instructions before placing any parts into the dishwasher. While some removable parts can tolerate it just fine, others cannot handle mechanical washing methods. If the model requires hand washing, it will void the warranty if the parts are placed in the dishwasher.
If you use your juicer several times a day, it will only need to be cleaned after the last juicing. For the time in between, soak the pieces in water or wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator.
Do not place the base of the juicer in the water.

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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Rachel Monroy October 22, 2009 at 11:41 am: This wasn’t really helpful to me, as this is what I do daily. My problem is more of a stain that doesn’t come out, I believe it is from juicing carrots.
Susan October 22, 2009 at 9:33 pm Removing Carrot Stains: There are a couple of different ways to tackle carrot stains in particular.

1. Moisten a paper towel or soft cloth with vegetable oil (any type of oil will work). Then, gently rub the stains away. Paper towels work nicely because they can be folded and twisted to fit into tight areas.

2. Mix one part bleach with one part water. Place the stained area in the solution and allow it to soak for at least an hour, several hours is even better. Wash thoroughly before use. If the area is on the base or other part that cannot be submersed, simply moisten a paper towel with the mixture and lay it on top of the stain.