As time goes by, we start to think about what we put in our bodies. We introduce new lifestyle changes, healthy eating habits, and so on. Juicers are the newest sensation of a healthy lifestyle. We all have a blender in our home. You know what it does. But how is it different from your blender? Is it worth spending a hundred bucks if not a couple of hundred bucks on something that makes juice? Well, that’s what you’ll find out. In this ultimate battle of juicer vs blender, you’ll know everything there is to it.
So, here goes nothing-
Contents
Juicer vs Blender: The Complete Breakdown
Deep down, juicers and blenders are two appliances with very different outputs. I mean, both of them make liquid beverages. But the result and their purpose don’t match.
Anyway, let’s put a pause on the boring talk and see the actual differences-
Nutritional Values and Taste
Juicer: Packs in More Nutrients in One Cup
Juice made from juicers will have way more nutritional value. And because of the slow juicing process, fragile nutrients like vitamin C and others stay intact.
But there’s a catch. A juicer can’t fill up a glass with fewer ingredients. As you’re throwing out the fiber, only liquid juice is left.
While it might be a little heavy on your wallet, you’re consuming way more nutrients. And not to mention, the taste is amazing. Having a sweet, clear cup of juice is the perfect way to start your day.
Blender: It’s Not Bad
Blenders rely on centrifugal force to pulverize the ingredients into bits. Some of the nutrients might get destroyed during the process but it’s not that big of a deal.
However, there’s no doubt you’ll notice the change in the taste. The flavor is the same but the juice is thicker with less sugar if you add water or ice.
Fibrous Content
Juicer: Non-Fibrous Clear Juice Gets Absorbed Faster
Juice extracted from juicers has little to no fibrous content in them. All that’s left is the clear juice jam-packed with nutrients. The juice is easier on your digestive system as there’s no fiber.
But keep this mind, without any fiber, a full cup of clear juice is loaded with sugar. It’s okay to have it once or twice a week but any more than that and you’re looking at diabetes.
Blender: Complete Package with All the Fiber
Unless you have a problem processing food, fruit fibers are actually good for you. They’re kind of like the cleaner of the stomach, sweeping up toxins from the body.
Most importantly, there’s no sudden sugar rush with blending. The nutrients, fiber, it’s all there, in a complete package. The body slowly releases the energy in a steady manner, meaning you stay full for much longer.
Operation Time
Juicer: Takes a While to Fill up a Cup
Juicers come in two types, centrifugal and masticating. Centrifugal juicers are slower than blenders but compared to masticating juicers, they’re like a hare and a tortoise.
Masticating juicers are called slow juicers for a reason. The augers replicate the chewing process of humans and deliver natural, refreshing juice.
Blender: A Few Minutes is All You Need
No matter what type of blender you buy, it’s always going to be much faster than juicers. For high-end blenders like the Vitamix 7500, it’s only about 10 seconds to make bar-quality ice.
Throw in as many ingredients as you want, still, a blender won’t take more than a few minutes.
Preservation
Juicer: Up to 3 Days
Juice made from juicers can last up to 72 hours or 3 days. Even though it’s better to drink it the day you make it, still it’s better to have an option.
This is even more applicable for masticating juicers as the oxidation rate stays below the radar.
Blender: Even 24-hours Seems Like a Stretch
Blenders work using centrifugal force. No matter how slow you run it, there’s going to be a significant amount of oxidation and heat buildup.
Ideally, it’s better if you store it all. Even if you do make sure you keep it in the refrigerator. But remember it’s not going to last as long as juice made from juicers.
Cleaning
Juicer: Several Complicated Parts Eat up Plenty of Time
Juice strainer, augers, pulp container, juice container, a juicer sure has a lot of parts. While they all work together to make the best juice, cleaning them isn’t the best experience.
The worst part to clean is the juice strainer. The tiny leftover pulp gets stuck in the edges. Forget the dishwasher, it’s hard enough to clean it with a manual brush. And if it somehow gets dried, get ready to welcome your next cleaning nightmare.
Blender: Done in a Jiffy
Cleaning blenders is like having food made by a chef, except you don’t have to pay the chef. After you’re done, put a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap, water, and blend for 30-seconds. Rinse the jar in the sink and voila it’s squeaky clean now.
Storage
Juicer: Horizontal Juicers Are Huge
The sad thing is most well-known juicers in the market are horizontal masticating juicers. There are a few vertical juicers here and there, but not as much as you think.
And these guys have a lot of weight for something that makes juice. Your best bet is to keep them on your countertop.
Blender: They’re Large as Well
Blenders aren’t really any smaller than juicers. But you can disassemble the pieces whenever you want. Unlike juicers, the process is pretty straightforward.
Thanks to that, you can store them wherever you want, they’ll fit right in.
Versatility
Juicer: Some Work as Food Processors too
High-end masticating juicers such as the Omega NC800HDS features food processing capabilities. From soy milk to baby food, you could make a number of things with the food processor attachment.
But unlike blenders, you can’t put everything at once. You need to be patient otherwise the juicer will break. I mean there’s a reason why many juicers automatically shut off after 20 minutes of operation.
Blender: Nothing Beats a Blender’s Versatility
Blenders are the absolute champ when it comes to versatility. Pour over ice cubes for your smoothie and it’ll crush like it’s nothing. And if it supports, you can use it as a food processor too.
Are Blenders Bad for Soft Greens?
Well, they’re not bad for soft greens. It’s just that blending fruits and vegetables is completely different. Vegetable fiber isn’t that tasty if you think about it. And blenders can never separate the pulp from juice using centrifugal force. Even if you strain it, the pulp is going to stay wet.
In such cases, you need a masticating juicer. The slowly rotating augers will squeeze out every drop of juice from the veggies, resulting in dry pulps. If drinking vegetable juice is your main goal, never go for a blender. Trust me, a masticating juicer is what you need.
Which is Better for Weight Loss? Juicer or Blender?
This is a tricky question. But if I had to go with any one of them, I’d say it’s blenders. Remember when I said juice made from blenders has all the fiber in them?
Well, those fibrous contents stay in your body. They slowly work their way through the digestive tract. The interesting fact is, you feel fuller when you drink juice with fibers.
That way you don’t get the urge to eat anymore. But it’s the complete opposite for juicers. Juice made from juicers is absorbed a lot faster, meaning you get more appetite.
Final Verdict: Is There a Winner between Juicer vs Blender?
Truth be told, there’s no winner in the battle of juicer vs blender. Both have their own functionalities. If you bring in lifestyle as a factor, I’d say juicers are for those who are willing to commit the time and effort. Because trust me, slicing up fruits and juicing for 10-15 minutes in the morning is no joke.
On the other hand, if you’re a go-getter who’s short on time, a powerful blender is going to be your perfect companion.