How to Deep-Clean a Slow Juicer Screen
Unplug the juicer, take the chamber apart, and wash the screen with a cleaning brush under running water. Soak it in warm water with a little baking soda, citric acid or vinegar to loosen stuck pulp. Then air-dry every part fully. The manual this guide follows says not to use boiling water, a steel sponge or a dishwasher.
These steps follow the cleaning section of a slow-juicer maker's own instruction manual. Other models are built differently, so check your own manual too.
What the screen is, and why it clogs
A slow juicer presses fruit against a fine screen. Juice passes through the small holes. The pulp stays behind and leaves by a separate outlet.
Over time, fibre and pulp dry inside those holes. The juice then flows more slowly, the pulp backs up, and the machine may strain or stop. Stringy produce such as celery makes this worse. Our guide on why celery keeps clogging a juicer explains that problem.
The manual is clear about why parts become hard to clean. It warns against leaving the juicer dirty after use. Dried pulp can get "stuck inside", which makes the parts hard to take apart and clean. It can also make the machine work less well.
What you need
- the cleaning brush that came with the juicer
- running water
- a basin of warm water
- baking soda, citric acid or vinegar
- a soft cloth or damp towel for the motor body
- a clean, dry place for the parts to air-dry
Step by step
1. Switch off, unplug and wait
The manual says to pull the power cord plug "with dry hands" after the product has stopped completely. It adds that the motor slows to a stop even after it is switched off, "so wait about 3 seconds before detaching the chamber set".
2. Take the chamber apart
Detach the chamber set from the motor body. Turn the hopper to open it, then pull out each part one at a time. Lay the parts out in order so you can put them back the same way.
3. Brush the screen under running water
The manual says to "wash the parts with a cleaning brush under running water". Hold the screen under the tap and brush over the holes until the water runs clear. Clean the screen straight after juicing if you can, while the pulp is still wet.
4. Clean the outlets and cap
Open the pulp outlet cover, the juice outlet cover and the juice cap, and clean the chamber inside. Pulp often collects at the outlets, where it is easy to miss.
5. Wash the silicone packings
The rubber seals, called silicone packings, trap residue too. The manual says to "detach and wash silicone packings after use", and notes that residue may still be stuck. On the model it covers, these include the hopper, juice cap, extraction, seal, chamber and juice outlet cover packings.
6. Soak to loosen stuck pulp
For a deep clean, soak the screen and other parts in warm water. The manual suggests "soaking them in warm water diluted with baking soda, citric acid or vinegar". Use one of these, not a mix: baking soda and an acid cancel each other out. The manual gives no amount or time, so use a mild solution and a short soak. After soaking, brush the screen again and rinse it well under running water.
7. Wipe the motor body
Do not put the motor body under the tap. Wipe it with a damp towel or soft cloth instead.
8. Air-dry completely
The manual says to "clean and air-dry it completely immediately after use and store it in a clean place". Let every part dry fully before you put the juicer back together.
What not to do
The manual lists several things that can damage the parts.
| Do not | Why |
|---|---|
| Use boiling or very hot water | The manual says not to clean with "boiling or high-temperature water" |
| Use a steel sponge, abrasive or sharp tool | These can scratch or damage the parts |
| Put parts in a dishwasher or dish dryer | The manual says "Do not place it in a dishwasher or dish dryer" |
| Leave the juicer dirty after use | Salt and pulp may cause stainless steel and other parts "to corrode or become discoloured" |
| Put the motor body under water | It is an electrical part. Wipe it with a damp cloth instead |
When to replace a part instead of cleaning it
Some parts wear out and are meant to be replaced. The same manual describes the silicone packings as consumables "recommended to be replaced once every 6 to 12 months". A worn packing can cause leaks even when everything is clean.
A screen with a crack, a bent edge or holes that stay blocked after soaking should also be replaced. Check that replacement screens, brushes and packings are sold for your model. Not sure which part you need? Our spare parts page lists them by model. The manual download page has the instructions for each machine.
How long a deep clean takes
A quick rinse after juicing is fast. A deep clean with a soak takes longer, because the parts need time in the water and then time to dry. Plan it for a day when you do not need the juicer again for a few hours.
The manual does not set a schedule for deep cleaning. A simple routine is a quick rinse after every use, and a soak when the screen shows the signs below. Any one of them is a reason to soak and brush the screen before your next juice.
Signs the screen needs a deep clean
- Juice comes out more slowly than it used to, with the same fruit.
- Pulp builds up in the chamber instead of leaving through the pulp outlet.
- You can see a coloured film or dried fibre in the holes when you hold the screen up to the light.
- The machine strains, or you need the reverse button more often than before.
- A smell stays on the parts even after rinsing.
Keeping the screen clean for longer
Rinse the parts straight after every use. It is quick, and it stops pulp from drying in the holes.
Cut stringy vegetables into short pieces before juicing. Feed produce slowly rather than all at once. And for long-term storage, the manual says to use a cleaning brush to wash the parts first.
If you are still choosing a machine, ease of cleaning is worth checking in the shop. You can browse slow juicers for the Malaysian market and ask to take the parts apart before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a slow juicer screen in the dishwasher?
The manual this guide follows says not to place the parts in a dishwasher or dish dryer. Wash the screen by hand with the cleaning brush instead.
What should I soak a juicer screen in?
Warm water with a little baking soda, citric acid or vinegar, using one of them, not a mix. Keep the soak short, then brush and rinse well under running water.
Why is my juicer screen still blocked after washing?
Pulp that has dried in the holes can be hard to shift. Soak the screen in warm water with baking soda, citric acid or vinegar, then brush again. If holes stay blocked or the screen is damaged, replace it.
How often should silicone seals be replaced?
The manual recommends replacing the silicone packings once every 6 to 12 months, because they are consumables.
Can I use boiling water to clean the screen?
No. The manual says not to clean the parts with boiling or high-temperature water. Use warm water.
