Masticating Juicers vs. Centrifugal Juicers "Could you please tell me what the difference is between a masticating juicer and a regular one? Why they're more expensive and that kind of thing?" When it come to juicing machines you basically only have two choices--"centrifugal" juicers or "masticating" juicers. It sounds complicated but it's not. Here's what you need to know: "Masticating juicers leave in more of the pulp but they're more expensive. Centrifugal juices make a "cleaner" juice but they can be a pain in the neck to clean." How Centrifugal Juicers Work Centrifugal juicers work by shredding fruit or vegetables with a blade (usually a circular blade) that spins at a very high rate of speed. This spinning action creates what scientists call "centrifugal force" and this force "slings" the juice into a collection area where it's then funneled out of the machine and into your holding tank. If you've ever seen honey being "spun" out if its comb . . . well, that's kind of the idea. How Masticating Juicers Work Masticating juicers, on the other hand, work more like meat grinders. They tend to work at very low speeds and literally "mash" the juice out of the pulp. The pulp then follows the flow of gravity out of the machine and into your holding tank or drinking glass. If you've ever watched your local butcher run beef through a grinder to make hamburger . . . well, that's pretty much exactly how a masticating juicer works. Comparing The Two Masticating juicers leave far more pulp in the juice and this is beneficial in two ways. First, the extra fiber in your juice means extra fiber in your diet and an extra couple of grams here and there can really make a difference if getting more fiber is your goal. Masticating juices may also require less fruit or vegetable matter to produce more juice. If you juice very often this could mean a noticeable savings at the supermarket. On the "down" side, masticating juicers tend to be slower and more expensive. Expect to spend at least $250 for one. Centrifugal juicers, on the other hand, work very, very quickly to produce a thinner juice that's easier for some people to drink. (Children, especially, seem to have a hard time with pulpier juices.) Centrifugal juicers also tend to be less-expensive. There are perfectly acceptable juicers available for less than $100 and even top-of-the-line models with heavy-duty motors should cost well under $300. As far as "cons" go, centrifugal juicers tend to be noisier than masticators and they tend to be a bit harder to clean, especially if they're allowed to sit for a while before they're washed. Is One Healthier? Some people also claim that centrifugal juicers produce more heat than masticators but I'm not convinced that any heat produce would adversely affect the nutritional quality of your juice.