Masticating Single Gear Juicers: review and compare popular models

How does a single gear masticating juicer work?

Masticating single gear juicers contain a single gear - an auger with blades - that instead of grating it crunches the vegetable and fruit fiber, slowly breaking up the cells.

The chewing and chomping is the first stage of the juicing process in a single gear juicer. This is one of the most efficient ways to break down the tough, fibrous cell wall structure of fresh produce.

The breaking down of these fibrous cells allows the nutrients to enter our bloodstream quickly and allows our body to assimilate them with ease.

In the centrifugal juicer for example, the fibrous cells do not break down quite as efficiently as this, resulting in high-moisture pulp.

Masticating single gear juicers produce a dry pulp. It’s actually quite amazing how they break down all that produce you feed in, to mostly juice and hardly any pulp!

Some juicer experts talk about masticating juicers as a separate category (mainly Champion juicers belong into this group) from single auger and dual stage single auger juice extractors.

Single auger juicing machines

Single auger juicers are low-speed juicers in which the auger crushes and grinds the produce into smaller pieces then presses the juice out.

Wheatgrass juicers are the most popular single auger type units but there are many other juicing machines (listed below) available that can juice other vegetables and fruits too.

Dual-stage single auger juicers

The crushing-grinding process is the same as it is in one-stage single auger juicers but the juice extraction is done in 2 steps through a two fine hole screens.

The single most important benefit of masticating machines is that the slower juicing process (Low RPM juicer) results in more vitamins, enzymes, minerals and trace minerals contained in the juice.

The lower rate of rotation generates less heat and injects less oxygen into the end product protecting the nutrients in the juice and providing you with a healthier juice drink.

What's the upside of a single gear masticating juicer?

• Versatile juicers: able to juice all types of produce including fibrous vegetables (celery, ginger), wheatgrass, barley grass and other leafy greens, apples and other fruits with ease.
  
• Higher juice yield and drier pulp compared to centrifugal juicers.
• Some models can be turned into a homogenizer, grinder for baby food, nut butters and sorbets .
• They operate at a lower speed compared to centrifugal juicers.
• They produce less foam compared to centrifugal juicers.

What's the downside of a single gear masticating juicer?

• Some models (like the champion) need attachment to juice wheatgrass or mill grains, as twin gears do not.
• Super heavy (20+ pounds) but this allows you to juice with a stable machine. You don't want a light and flimsy juicer!

If you want a really great functioning juicer to last you your lifetime, a single gear masticating juicer is a good middle-of-the-road option.

Better by far compared to the centrifugal juicers, however, not as expensive and specialized as the twin gear triturating juicers. And, it still provides you versatility to function as a homogenizer or grass juicer if needed!

I personally have a single gear juicer, the Champion Household. I would recommend this type of juicer (and brand) to anyone.

It has been a good investment for me, and I’ve never looked back on my decision.

Average price range: $160 - $360

Save yourself some time and be sure to check out my reviews on the Samson 6-in-1 , Champion Juicer, The Hurom Juicer , and the Omega Single Gear(8003/8005) if you think you are interested in this type of juicer.

Review Juicers > Single Gear Juicers