We Tried 5 Tools for Juicing Lemons — And the Winner Was Exceptional
updated YesterdayI have famously weak hands, which means I am the worst person to call when it’s time to squeeze a bunch of lemons — and also the best person to call when it’s time to test tools that will juice lemons. For an idea that’s so simple (directions: Squeeze lemon, get juice), there are a decent amount of tools designed for the job. And even a few hacks for things not specifically designed for juicing lemons. Feeling curious, I decided to test some of the best tools/methods out there.
How I Tested Tools for Juicing Lemons
Yes, I realize that comparing lemons is almost like comparing apples and oranges. It’s not like every lemon out there is going to give you the exact same amount of juice. That said, I did my best to pick lemons that were all around the same size (medium large-ish ones) and I used two for each method (so that I had enough juice to easily measure). I also did a control where I squeezed some lemons with my bare hands (I got a little less than a 1/3 cup). And then I made a big pitcher of lemonade .
It’s important to note that, I could have easily tested five (or 50) different reamers. Or handheld juicers. Or electric juicers. Because there are just so many out there. But I wanted to compare the various types of methods. So I pitted a reamer against a handheld juicer against an electric one … you get the point.
The ratings : Each method received a rating. A one was given to the least effective method, and a five went to the most effective. Like the rest of our showdowns , this one considers results (how much juice I got) and ease (was it messy? Did it require a lot of time? Was it annoying?). Keep reading — along with the rating you’ll find more detailed notes.
Watch More In Organize & CleanMethod: An Electric Juicer
- Total time :
- Total juice : 1/3 cup
- Rating : 1/5
About the method : I tried an electric juicer that’s meant just for citrus. (Like one of these .) With these, you cut the fruit in half and push it against a motorized reamer that spins and does the hard work for you. There are plenty of high-end juicers on the market that can also do, say, whole apples and a giant pack of spinach, but I was keeping things simple here.
Results : This was the method I had the highest hopes for … and then ended up the most disappointed by! It yielded nearly the same results as my by-hand method. But also required a whole unboxing and setup process that, ultimately, was more hassle than it was worth. (It also means a bunch of pieces that need to be cleaned!) Save the cabinet space and your efforts. Or, if you really want an electric juicer, get one that can also do other fruits .
Method: A Simple Reamer
- Total time : Around 1 minute
- Total juice : 1/3 cup
- Rating :
About the method : There’s something so retro-y about using a plastic reamer like this one . The idea is so simple and so analog! Cut the lemon in half and hold one piece in one hand and push the reamer into the flesh with the other hand. A plus for a reamer is that you can also use it with tiny limes and giant oranges and grapefruits.
Results : Meh. While I appreciate the simplicity of a reamer, it wasn’t much more effective than when I just used my hands. A copious amount of seeds ended up in my measuring cup, despite the fact that I plucked some out before I got started. And once the lemon half started getting slippery, it was hard to hold onto things. (Obviously a countertop reamer — like one of these or one of these — would help with that last part. But still, I was underwhelmed.) It was nice to just be able to rinse the reamer or toss it in the dishwasher when I was done, though.
Method: Microwave, Then Squeeze by Hand
- Total time : Less than a minute
- Total juice : 1/2 cup
- Rating : 3/5
About the method : The theory goes like this: If you store lemons in the fridge, the juice-holding membranes in the lemons firm up, limiting their juice-producing potential. So by zapping them for 15 or 20 seconds on high before juicing, you’ll warm things up and supposedly to get more juice. (Note: All the lemons in this test were room-temperature.)
Results : Kitchn editors have tested this method before and it does work! My little hands have never felt stronger! While impressive, this method wasn’t my winner because the other two were just a tad bit better. But. But! If you have lemons in the fridge, I suggest microwaving them for 20 seconds before finishing up with one of these methods below. Bonus: When you’re done juicing the lemons, you can then use them to clean the microwave !
Method: In a Stand Mixer
- Total time :
- Total juice : 1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon
- Rating : 4/5
About the method : A fellow Kitchn editor originally saw this method in A Couple Cooks ‘ Instagram Stories and she’s since fallen hard for it. You quarter the lemons and toss them into the bowl of your stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix the lemons for about two minutes and strain the juice. Not only do you get the juice, but you also get the natural oils from the lemon skins, so the liquid is extra punchy.
Results : This legit works. It’s a bit involved if you just need the juice of a single lemon for, say, a lemon-tahini dressing . But if you need the juice of at least a few lemons, it’s worth it. And it’s definitely worth it if you’re making lemonade!
Method: A Handheld Juice Squeezer
- Total time : Less than 1 minute
- Total juice : 1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon
- Rating : 5/5
About the method : I used the Chef’n Citrus Juicer , which got a shoutout in our list of Kitchn Essentials . Once again, you cut a lemon in half. Then, you put one piece in the juicer and squeeze it right over a bowl, pan, or measuring cup.
Buy NowResults : Obviously, I didn’t get a drastically different amount of juice from each method in this test. (And any differences I did get could have been due to the lemons.) But at the end of the day, this method was the easiest and (slightly) the most effective. I loved that I could squeeze the juice right into my pan — and that I didn’t have to worry about fishing out the seeds at all (the juicer contained them). And when I took the leftover peel out of the juicer, it was pretty spent (and almost totally inverted!), making me feel satisfied that I got every last drop. When I was finished with the tool, I appreciated that I could just toss it in the dishwasher.
Do you have any other tricks for favorite tools for getting the most juice out of your lemons? Tell us in the comments below.
Lisa Freedman
Lifestyle Director
Lisa Freedman is the Lifestyle Director at The Kitchn. She has never met a cheese or a washi tape she didn't like. She lives in New York state with her husband and their pup, Millie.
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Source : food
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