Hurom HJ1 Vertical Slow Juicer Review

This classy black Hurom HJ1 Vertical Slow Juicer has been featured at day 3 of Ellen’s 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways last December 2015. Since I’m a huge Hurom fan and also a huge fan of Ellen Degeneres, I was super stoked to see this cold press juicer on that show. Anyways, let’s get to the bottom line.

This vertical juicer is a slow masticating juice extractor. It is available in dark titanium. It utilizes a dual-stage juicing process, gently squeezing an abundance of nutrient-rich juice. With its vertical design, it takes up a smaller footprint on the kitchen counter. It is lightweight compared to many juicers on the market, only weighing 14.1 pounds.

It features a single-phase induction motor while only using 150 watts and 120 volts powering the slowly rotating auger with a speed of only 80 RPM while it quietly operates. The noise of centrifugal juicers far exceeds that of masticating juicers. The durable Ultem auger is eight times stronger than most plastics. The accompanying strainer is made of surgical grade stainless steel and Ultem plastic. Unlike many masticating juicers, the HJ1 Hurom juicer has a large feed chute, allowing for larger pieces of produce. The strainer sits inside of a spinning brush component that brushes away the buildup of pulp as the juicer separates the juice from the pulp.

Pros

• Highly compact design allows it to fit counter space of any size
• 80 RPM results in very minimal oxidation and higher juice yield
• 17 oz (500 ml) juicing chamber with silicon juice cap
• Automatic cleanup system
• Super quiet operation
• Can process wide varieties of produce
• Ultem Auger gear
• 72 hours juice shelf life
• BPA free parts
• Continuous juicing with external pulp ejection
• Can make soy and almond milk and tofu

Cons

• Mid-priced, but still on the affordable end
• Not dishwasher safe
• Masticating juicers are generally slow, and cutting your produce into small pieces will make the whole process even slower but the juice quality is a good compromise
• Not as efficient for processing wheatgrass than horizontal masticating juicing machines but it’s way better than centrifugal juicers

Hurom HJ1 Features & Product Details

Is it Easy to Use?

This juice extractor is simple to assemble and use. Yes, it has a larger feed chute, but consider cutting your produce into smaller pieces will prevent it from becoming clogged. Before using the machine go ahead and cut up the celery, carrots and leafy greens. This aids the machine when it comes time to gently compress and squeeze the juice from the vegetables and fruits. Another helpful tip is to alternate softer items and leafy greens with dense items. This prevents the juicer from becoming stopped up with softer pulp.

If you ever find the juicer becomes jammed, simply turn it off, and push the reverse button to back it up. This unjams the machine. Turn it off again, wait for it to stop moving, and then turn it on in the correct direction again. If you use smaller pieces and allow it to work at its own pace, you most likely will not experience any issues at all. Vertical masticating juicers are essentially self-feeding. You rarely need to use the pusher, but if you need to use it, then only use light pressure to push the items to catch on the auger blades. As with all pulp ejector spouts, watch it and make sure it keeps flowing. A bonus feature on this juicer is the juice cap affixed to the juice spout. You can mix your fresh juice right in the machine.

Is it Easy to Clean?

The components of the HJ1 Hurom juicing machine are not dishwasher-safe. The heat from the dishwasher may damage the pieces. It is best to close the juice cap and fill it with water. Use the self-cleaning feature to mix the water around inside the chamber, and then empty it. Put the parts into hot, soapy water and wash them using the cleaning brush. It is very important to remove any pulp or sediment that becomes stuck in the mesh or crevices. After washing and rinsing, dry everything completely before putting it back together. If you are unable to wash it right away, rinse the pieces, and set them aside to be washed later. Even if you plan to wash the parts later, scrub the leftover pulp from the strainer. It is difficult to remove if you allow it to dry.

Juice Quality

HJ1 removes the juice from the produce by crushing the items and pressing the pulp against the filter screen, allowing the juice to exit out of the juice outlet. The pulp exits out of the pulp ejection tube. By slowly extracting the juice, it preserves the enzymes, nutrients, and vitamins. The juice retains its full flavor and natural color. Drink it as soon as you can to experience the full flavor and health benefits of the juice.

Of course, there may still be some leftover pulp and foam in your juice. Feel free to strain it using a sieve. If you juice more than you intend on drinking, store it in a glass container with a tight lid. You can also use a plastic or stainless steel container, but a glass is better for juice storage. Keep it cold in the refrigerator for up to 72 hours. You may also freeze your juice, but many nutrients are lost in the process of freezing and thawing it. It should be left as a last resort.

What Kinds of Produce Can the Hurom HJ1 Slow Juicer Process?

This juice press can process wide varieties of produce—soft & hard produce, citrus fruits, leafy greens, and some beans and nuts.

Hard produce includes pear, ginger, pumpkin, coconut, cauliflower, garlic, cilantro, fennel, celery, beets, carrots, bitter gourd, pineapple, apple, sweet potato, watermelon, turmeric, yakon, broccoli, pepper, asparagus, and cucumber.

You need to purchase a separate coarse strainer to turn cranberries, blackberry, grapes, strawberry, peach, pomegranate, avocado, papaya, mango, kiwifruit, tomato, and melon into a puree.

Leafy greens include pine tree needles, peppermint, parsley, brussels sprout, lettuce, kale, dandelion greens, cabbage, collard greens, basil, beet greens, spinach, spring onion, moringa, and wheatgrass.

Though this machine can process leafy greens, an 80 RPM vertical masticating juicer is not ideal for juicing wheatgrass and green leafy vegetables on its own. It should be done along with other produce to aid in juice extraction. Don’t get me wrong here, it still outperforms centrifugal juice makers but it’s just not as efficient as horizontal masticating juicers. Newer upright masticating juicers running half that speed (43 RPM) can process leafy greens and wheatgrass at a more efficient rate.

Citrus fruits include grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, mandarin, lime and orange.

You can also make soy and almond milk out of this machine.

Technical Specifications

Verdict

Hurom has been awarded prestigious accolades throughout the years for the innovative designs of their electric juicers. Hurom HJ1 Vertical Slow Juicer is no exception because it shines when juicing a variety of produce, including leafy greens. It extracts a higher number of phytonutrients and nutrients than any centrifugal juicer aka fast juicer on the market.

If you are new to juicing, you may be somewhat overwhelmed by the available information and the overall juicing process. It takes some getting used to, but know that the process is definitely a positive investment in your health.

Cold press juicers produce the highest quality juice. The price is at mid five hundred bucks, but it has an extensive warranty, which is reassuring. If something happens, then you already know that it is covered. With its innovative, sturdy design, the HJ1 Hurom Juicer makes for a better way to deliver fresh juice with a higher level of nutrients that can be more readily absorbed by the body, which can be appreciated by juicers everywhere.