Related: What is a masticating juicer and how they work
Related: What is a centrifugal juicer and how they work
What is a twin gear juicer?
A twin gear juicer, also known as triturating juicer, is a horizontal juicer that has 2 slowly spinning gears that are used to crush and grind produce.
Twin gear juicers look like masticating juicers and operate similarly in the way that they crush and masticate produce. The difference is that twin gear juicers, as the name implies, have 2 gears that complete the mastication process, while masticating juicers use 1 single auger.
Twin gear juicers are known for their high levels of nutrient extraction and juice yield given the way the slowly grind produces between the twin gears. This slow methodical process is also believed to retain more of the juice’s natural enzymes, leading to a juice that can be stored longer.
Twin gear juicers excel and produce maximum yield from hard vegetables like carrots and beets, they however, can struggle a bit when it comes to softer fruits and vegetables. These are the reasons I prefer a twin gear juicer over a masticating juicer.
Twin gear juicers tend to be on the more expensive end of juicers, but this cost can be justified given the quality of the machine, the amount of juice extracted, extended juice storage time, and stainless-steel components that are more durable than plastic and eliminate the potential leeching of chemicals from plastics.
Related: 5 Best Twin Gear Juicers available today
How do Twin Gear Juicers work?
Twin gear juicers work by crushing produce between the 2 twin gears, the crushed produce is then squeezed at the end of the gears, and lastly juice pressed against a juice screen to extract juice.
The full process looks like this:
Twin gear juicers are fed produce through the top of the unit; the produce is then pushed down in between the twin gears that are slowly spinning towards each other.
As the produce enters the twin gears it enters the crushing stage, this crushing is completed by the pocket recesses on the gears.
The crushed produce is moved down the length of the gear to the end of the gear where the juice is squeezed.
The squeezed juice and pulp are then pressed through a juicing screen and extracted from the unit.
Twin gear juicers can be a bit harder to push produce into than single auger juicers. They also take a bit longer to extract juice.
Assembly and Cleaning:
Twin gear juicers have 5 main parts, assembly is simple and can be done within a minute; cleaning on the other hand takes a bit longer but is not overwhelming.
Main Parts of a Twin Gear Juicer:
- Main Housing – Produce is fed through and gears are housed
- 2 Gears – Crush and squeeze produce
- Juicing Screen – Produce is pressed through as it is extracted from unit
- End Cap – Holds gears in place
- Outlet adjusting knob – Allows you to adjust how much pressure is applied based on what you are juicing
Gear Speed:
The speed at which the twin gears spin ranges from 80-160 RPM’s (rotations per minute).
This speed range is on the low end for juicers, therefore twin gear (triturating) juicers are considered slow or cold press juicers.
Twin gear speed is important as the slower the gears spin the less oxygen enters the juice, this reduction in oxygen reduces the speed at which the juice oxidizes.
Oxidation speed is the rate at which the juice degrades and loses its nutrient density and quality.
This reduced oxidation leads to an extremely fresh juice that can be stored for up to 72 hours.
Twin gears (triturating) juicers are also known for extracting maximum nutrient and juice yields, due to the slow methodical speed of the gears.
Best Things to Juice:
The best things to juice with a twin gear juicer are hard dense vegetables like carrots and beets.
These juicers perform best when juicing this type of produce, however; you will notice that hard produce is difficult to feed through the juicer.
This difficult feeding of hard vegetables is more than offset by the tremendous amount of juice that is extracted from the produce.
While you can juice leafy greens and softer fruits with a twin gear juicer, it will not perform as well as it does when with hard vegetables.
How Well Do Twin Gear Juicers Extract Nutrients?
A 3rd party study of Tribest Twin Gear Juicers showed that their twin gear juicers had superior nutrient extraction when compared to Masticating and Press Juicers. Essential vitamins like calcium, iron, and zinc were 50-200% higher in juice extracted with the Greenstar Pro Twin Gear juicer.
If you are interested in superior nutrient extraction a twin gear juicer is the juicer for you.
See the best Twin Gear Juicers of 2021 here.
How Much Juice Yield Will a Twin Gear Juicer Produce?
Juice yield from a Greenstar Twin Gear Juicer extracted 33% more juice than a masticating juicer during the same 3rd party study that studied nutrient extraction of Greenstar Twin Gear Juicers.
A 33% increase in juice yield will add up quickly; here we look at the money you will save juicing with a twin gear juicer over a masticating juicer. Spoiler alert, it will pay for itself quickly if you are juicing daily.
How Long Does It Take to Juice with a Twin Gear Juicer?
You can produce around 4 cups or 1 liter of juicer with a Twin Gear Juicer in 5 minutes.
If you consider assembly and cleaning time, you are looking at between 10-15 minutes total to juice 4 cups of juice with a twin gear juicer.
I suggest juicing enough juice to last you for 3 days at one time, this will reduce your overall time spent juicing per week when compared to juicing every day, as you only have to assemble and clean one time.
Do Twin Gear Juicers Remove Fiber?
Yes, Twin Gear juicers do remove fiber.
You may be asking; why would I want to remove fiber, isn’t fiber good for you? Yes, fiber is good for you, however; the goal of juicing is to get vitamins and minerals to absorb as quickly as possible into the body, since fiber will slow your digestion it may limit the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
Are Twin Gear Juicers Reliable?
Yes, twin gear juices are known to be reliable, especially the Greenstar Pro, or Super Angel Juicers due to their stainless-steel gears and durable construction.
With proper care these twin gears can last for many years without needing replacement.
Warranties range from 3-5 years but given the quality construction of this type of juicer you should not have much issue.
Are Twin Gear Juicers Loud?
No, Twin Gear juicers are not loud, they are one of the most quiet juicers available.
The Greenstar twin gear juicer produces just over 70 decibels, as a comparison an Omega 900 masticating juicer can produce close to 90 decibels, compare that with a Breville Juice Fountain Centrifugal Juicer that produces close to 120 decibels.
Juice Storage Length:
Because of the slow speed of the twin gears, juice from these juicers can be stored for a minimum of 48 hours and a maximum of 72 hours.
The 72-hour storage time is available on juicers with certain technologies built into the twin gears. Check out this model that has magnetic and bioceramic technology embedded into its stainless-steel gears.
Pros and Cons:
Is a Twin Gear Juicer Right for You?
If you are looking for a juicer that will last for years, extract every bit of juice, has superior nutrient extraction, and produces a juice that can be stored for up to 3 days, then a twin gear juicer is the juicer for you.
Twin gear or triturating juicers produce some of the most nutrient dense juice available, if you are looking to improve your health through juicing a twin gear juicer is a fantastic choice.
Final Thoughts on Twin Gear Juicers:
Overall, twin gear juicers are one of the best types of juicers you can buy. Their dual gears efficiently crush, grind, and squeeze high amounts of juice and maximum amounts of nutrients.
Entry level price in the twin gear market will be higher when compared to masticating or centrifugal juicers, however this price has an exceptional return on investment when you factor in the additional juice yield and nutrients that are extracted.
If you are serious about juicing, this twin gear juicer is a great pick. See the best twin gear juicers here.
I hope this article helped you gain an understanding of what a twin gear juicer is, how they work, and what makes them different from other types of juicers. For more information on the 5 types of juicer, hop over to my in-depth guide that covers the differences between each type of juicer.
Until next time, Happy Juicing!
Dilshan Jayathunga says
please can you send us calculations that used for twin gears and motor selections.