5 Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Cold Press Juicer

Fresh, homemade juice tastes amazing and is packed with nutrients—but only if you’re using your cold press juicer the right way. These slow juicers are designed to preserve enzymes and vitamins, but a few simple missteps can leave you with less juice, more pulp, and unnecessary cleanup.

Before your next juicing session, make sure you’re not falling into these common traps.

1. Skipping the Prep Work

Cold press juicers can handle a lot, but they’re not magic. Tossing in whole fruits or veggies without cutting them into manageable pieces can lead to clogs or uneven juicing.

Chop fibrous produce (like kale stems or celery) into smaller pieces and always remove hard pits (such as from peaches or cherries). This not only protects the machine but also helps extract more juice.

2. Juicing Too Fast

Unlike centrifugal juicers, cold press models work slowly to preserve nutrients. Forcing produce through too quickly can overload the machine, leaving behind wetter pulp and reducing yield.

Feed ingredients steadily and let the auger do its job. Patience equals more juice and less waste.

3. Mixing the Wrong Ingredients

Not all fruits and veggies play nicely together. Overloading with soft produce (like bananas or avocados) can gum up the juicer, while too much citrus can create excess foam.

Stick to juicing-friendly ingredients like apples, carrots, leafy greens, and cucumbers. For creaminess, blend soft fruits afterward instead of putting them through the juicer.

4. Waiting Too Long to Clean

Cold press juicers are easier to clean right after use. Letting pulp dry on the screens can turn a quick rinse into a scrubbing marathon.

Rinse all parts immediately after juicing. Most machines come with a brush—use it while the pulp is still soft to prevent buildup.

5. Storing Juice the Wrong Way

One of the biggest perks of cold press juicers is longer-lasting juice. But leaving it uncovered or in a warm spot can still cause oxidation and nutrient loss.

Store juice in airtight glass bottles and refrigerate immediately. For the best flavor and nutrition, drink within 72 hours.

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