Have you considered using a Ninja for juicing? If so, you are in good company. This guide can teach you how to do that in no time. We’ve also reviewed the best Ninja blenders for juicing. Read on to have your Ninja juicing questions answered!
Last year at New Years, I committed myself. During the following year, I would eat healthier and exercise like never before. At first, I found modest success.
But like so many fitness promises, I found my progress lagging by mid-year. At that point, I needed something to simplify my daily intake of key nutrients.
That’s when my friends at the gym introduced me to at-home blending. It was a no-brainer, given that I already spent too much money on store-made smoothies.
So, over time, I started making my custom blends at home. I was impressed with what my Ninja blender could do on that front.
But over time, I learned about another trend in the fitness world – juicing. From what I heard, it made enjoying the benefits of fruits and veggies easier than ever.
But to do it, I needed another particular appliance…or so I thought. After doing a bit of research, I discovered that several Ninja blenders could also juice produce.
This was a significant breakthrough for me. So, I want to share what I learned with you. That way, you can make the right decision and invest in a Ninja blender.
This guide highlights several of the best Ninja blenders for juicing. At the same time, you’ll learn how to use your blender for juicing in just a few easy steps. From there, you’ll be ready to choose a model that fits your budget based upon its key features.
Good luck, and happy juicing with your Ninja blender/juicer!
Contents
Juicing vs. Blending: What is the Difference?
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “how are blending and juicing different?” That was a question I had at first, too. As I learned, these two methods of crushing produce are very different. While both produce a flavorful product in the end, each also excels in their own right.
For example, blending is one of the easiest ways to process fruit and veggies. In theory, all you need to do is add ingredients together and allow a blender’s blades to handle the rest.
This process is simple and effective, allowing each ingredient to be pulverized and combined in one motion. This results in a thicker final product that is rich in fiber. All of that fiber comes from fruit and veggie pulp, which is not filtered out while blending.
Blending does have one major downside, though. To be specific, most blending machines, including the top-rated blenders, introduce heat during their operation. This is because their rapidly spinning blades create friction.
That friction then transfers to the ingredients while they are combined.
Even small amounts of this heat can break down nutrients locked into your blend’s ingredients. In turn, you may find fewer critical nutrients in a regular blended mixture.
Juicing, meanwhile, can avoid this problem. That’s because most juicers are designed to minimize friction. As a result, more nutrients remain safe in a fresh juice blend.
At the same time, most juicers also filter out the pulp. In turn, their final product is usually thinner and easier to drink. Homemade juice can also be used to make other healthy foods, while a smoothie can only serve as a frozen drink.
Juicing does have a drawback as well. To that end, proper juicing can be a slow process. Often, you’ll need to cut up your produce before juicing it. Then, most standalone juicers take several minutes to process a load of produce fully.
However, juicing with a blender avoids this problem. Also, some so-called “fast” juicers can complete their job with speeds comparable to a blender.
Why Can a Ninja Blender Be Used for Juicing?
At first, you might balk at the idea of a blender being used for juicing. But Ninja has designed their blenders for flexible use. As such, their features can often handle juicing without much trouble.
This is because their main models are all built with top-tier features. You can count on the following features to make juicing with your Ninja blender a reality:
Super Powerful Motor
Ninja has always made blenders with strong motors. Their brand standard sits at around 700 watts right now. That’s an impressive standard that allows each model to blend up all types of produce.
That same reliability comes through when juicing, too. As a result, you’ll be able to juice almost every dense fruit or veggie under the sun.
Should you need a little extra power, though, Ninja still has you covered. Some of their popular units feature 1,000-watt motors, which is well above the industry standard.
These units can make quick work of even the densest produce. This motor strength is also ideal for daily juicers. That’s because a larger motor will be better able to stand up to everyday wear without becoming weak.
Durable Blades
Ninja has long held a reputation for its tough blades. That reputation makes a lot of sense because their blades are made from “aircraft-grade” steel.
This prevents them from ever bending or breaking due to long-term use. This construction also prevents them from corroding in the presence of acidic fruit juice.
Ninja’s blades also play a crucial role in their juicing capabilities. To that end, Ninja’s blades effectively tear into produce with minimal effort.
This allows more juice to pour out before the pulp’s structure is compromised. In turn, Ninja’s blades will enable them to maximize juice outputs without compromising that juice’s quality.
Variable Speed Settings
Standard blenders usually feature one or two-speed settings. This is fine, but only if blending is your only goal. If you want to juice, you’ll need a variety of speed settings.
Ninja’s models do just that, allowing you to customize better how your ingredients are processed. In particular, Ninja’s lower speed settings allow more juice to be prized out than at high speeds.
However, this is not the most important feature to look for. At this point, most Ninja blenders have multiple speed settings installed out of the box. As such, you can count on this brand to provide you with what you need to juice successfully.
Which Ninja Blender is Best for Juicing?
After looking over Ninja’s current selection of blenders, I’ve concluded – no one model is the overall best for juicing. Instead, several models can complete this task well while still providing options based upon your budget.
Each of the following models fits that bill, so be sure to compare each based upon their key features.
Ninja Duo w/Micro-Juice Technology
The Ninja Duo is among the most popular options for prospective juicers. While this model is not a juicer itself, it does feature the next best thing – Micro-Juice Technology.
This particular feature uses microfiltration to ensure as much juice is extracted per pass as possible. This feature also creates an internal vacuum during and after the blend, which in turn assures that the resulting juice remains fresh for as long as possible.
This model also includes a total of 7 pre-programmed operation settings. These include smoothies, ice cream, puree, and more. But most importantly, it consists of a devoted juicing mode.
When in this mode, the Ninja Duo moderates its speed to ensure that any produce pulp rises to the top. This, in turn, makes that juice easier to filter afterward.
When it comes to user experience, fans of the Ninja Duo agree that it is effortless to clean, particularly in comparison to a traditional juicer. Better yet, they agree that the Ninja Duo is far more powerful than any regular juicer.
As a result, they say it requires far less pre-cutting, which allows users to save time while making just as much flavorful juice.
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Ninja BL480 Nutri with 1000 Watt Auto-IQ Base for Juices and Smoothies
Next up is the Ninja BL480, which is a favorite of at-home juice makers who want to keep a tight budget.
As a result, many reviews of this product say that it served as a reliable entry-level juicer. When it comes to juicing, the Ninja BL480 is made reliable by its 1,000-watt motor. That’s more than enough power to extract juice from even the densest produce entirely.
Also, given its price, you might expect that the Ninja BL480 would only come with the basics. But instead, it comes standard with both an 18 oz. and 24 oz. blending jar.
In my experience, the smaller of these two jars are perfect for making a personal glass of juice after filtering out the pulp. You can also read even more tips for juicing with this unit in the recipe book that comes packaged with it.
As you can imagine, users of the Ninja BL480 agree that its core power is far better than expected. To that end, one user even noted that they were able to blend apples and celery at once with this unit.
Still, other users have complimented the Ninja BL480’s shape and form factor. They agree that this unit is surprisingly lightweight and easy to lift in and out of a cabinet.
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Ninja Professional 72oz Countertop Blender with 1000-Watt Base
With a name like the “Ninja Professional 72oz,” you might expect this blender to be expensive. But that’s not the case, given that this model can be purchased for a very reasonable price.
For that price, you get the ability to make a 72 oz. blend of your favorite fruits and veggies whenever you want. I’ve been able to get almost 64 oz. of juice when using this countertop model, so you can certainly make enough to share.
At its core, the Ninja Professional 72oz utilizes a controlled processing mode that allows it to use its 1,000-watt motor wisely. As a result, the blender can rapidly make a smoothie or slowly crush the juice out of diced up produce.
This is also made possible by this unit’s extra-durable blades, which are easily able to crush up ice and dense produce.
As with many other Ninja blenders, users of the Ninja Professional 72oz found its user interface to be easy to learn right out of the box. Many said that they were able to make flavorful smoothies and juice with just a single button press.
Others were impressed with how easy the Ninja Professional 72oz’s jug is to clean when compared to the sealed inner chamber of a standard juicer.
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Nutri Ninja Personal and Countertop Blender with 1200-Watt Auto-iQ Base
Finally, if you’re looking for a blender that can process produce, take a closer look at the Nutri Ninja Personal and Countertop Blender. This model features a powerful 1,200-watt motor at its core, which is one of the largest in Ninja’s current arsenal.
As such, you can expect this unit’s 2+ horsepower output to tear through all of your ingredients in a matter of seconds. Even a pulse or two from this unit is enough to liquify 72 oz. of fruits and veggies.
This model is also equipped with Ninja’s AUTO-iQ technology. As a result, it comes standard with several programs that can maximize your blend’s texture and overall juice content.
In particular, this model’s nutrient extraction mode is ideal for ensuring every drop of juice is wrung out of your favorite ingredients. This mode also protects those nutrients by reducing how much friction-based heat reaches them.
Users of this Nutri Ninja personal single-serve blender have noted that this unit is among the most versatile options available from this brand right now. One even called it the “perfect solution” for folks who want to be able to juice and blend without buying separate appliances.
Also, this model’s negative reviews can’t help but admit that this model’s lid and built-in spout make it easy to use without making a mess.
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How to Use a Ninja Standard Blender as a Juicer
Learning to use your Ninja to juice fruits and veggies can be easy. Just follow the steps below, and you’ll be making great homemade juice in no time.
Don’t miss my tip section, either! I’ve included a few tricks I’ve learned over the years that are sure to enhance your at-home juicing game.
Step-by-Steps for Basic Use
The following steps cover only the primary method for juicing in a blender. This method is also one of the most efficient for an average day-to-day Ninja user.
Step 1: Select Your Ingredients
First and foremost, you’ll need to pick out what you want to include in your juice. Because you are using a Ninja blender, you won’t be limited in your choices.
So, don’t hesitate to experiment with your favorite fruits and veggies. Check out the tip section below for more insight on which produce is best for certain kinds of juice.
Step 2: Prep Your Ingredients
Once you’ve picked your ingredients, you’ll need to prepare them. While you might feel compelled just to throw in whole pieces of produce, you should do just the opposite.
To be specific, you should chop up your produce into pieces before placing them in the blending jar. This will ensure that more juice than pulp makes it into your final mix.
Also, before placing in any produce chunks, add in any other liquids. So, if you plan to blend one juice with some fresh produce, that juice should be poured first. This prevents overfilling the jar on the accident and causing a mess. Always be sure not to exceed your model’s max fill line, either.
Step 3: Start Blending
Now, secure your Ninja’s lid on tightly. Then, place the entire prepared jar onto the blender base. Once you’ve securely attached it, you can begin blending.
If your model has a juicing setting, use it first. However, you can also try out other modes to see which can prize out the most juice.
Once your blend finishes, you may notice that it looks thicker than expected. This is normal. In fact, at this point, you’ve essentially made a smoothie. There is still one important step to complete.
Step 4: Filter Your Juice
Grab a fine-mesh food-grade sieve. Place it over a receptacle such as a pitcher. Then, grab your blender pitcher and pour in about half of the contents. Some of the juice should begin to filter down and into the pitcher. Meanwhile, much of the pulp will be left behind in the sieve. To ensure all the juice makes it through, try pushing the pulp around with a spatula.
Repeat this process until you work through all of your blends. By that point, you should have at least a few glasses of flavorful juice.
Step 5: Store Your Juice (optional)
If you’re planning on drinking your juice right then and there, you need not worry about storage. However, if you want to save some for later, you need to store your juice as soon as possible.
Ideally, this should be done in a fridge. This ensures that the nutrients in the juice don’t degrade as quickly. Also, always store homemade juice in a sealed container to prevent spoilage.
In most cases, homemade juice lasts for two days at most. However, if you quickly store fresh-made juice, it can last up to 3 days without losing flavor.
Tips for Juicing with Ninja
I’ve been making juice in my blender for several years now. Here are some bits of wisdom I’ve learned along the way.
First, green leafy veggies are not that bitter when blended. They can taste rather mellow. At the same time, they still pack the same punch of nutrients. So, don’t hesitate to load up on them when juicing.
Second, citrus juices work wonders for cutting down a juice’s bitterness. This is especially true when making an all-veggie blend. Try adding a bit to your next blend to keep its flavor palatable.
Third, a little water will go a long way. Adding even a ½ cup of water to a blend can help ensure the resulting juice is smooth. A smoother blend will also be easier to filter in the long run. You can even try coconut water if you want to add a little more flavor into the mix.
Fourth, some veggies will add water to your juice on their own. Cucumbers and celery, for example, are full of water by nature.
So, when they are processed, much of that water is released. Be sure to account for this, or your juice may end up thinner than expected.
FAQ for Using Ninja Blender as Juicer
Is the Ninja better than a juicer?
The answer here depends on what you want out of a blender. If you’re going to make smoothies only, then a Ninja is your clear choice. However, if you want to make only juice at home, then a juicer machine may be better suited to your needs.
But, if you want to be able to make both, a Ninja can do the job admirably. This makes a Ninja slightly better than a standard juicer, in my opinion.
Can I use a Ninja blender for juicing?
Yes, you can. Many Ninja users have found innovative ways to use their blenders, including to juice produce. To do this, you’ll prepare a blend as you would for a smoothie (minus any dairy products.
After blending your ingredients, you’ll want to filter the pulp out manually. This can be done with a fine kitchen sieve. The result is an excellent homemade juice that doesn’t require an additional appliance.
Does Ninja have a juicer attachment?
Ninja blenders do not come with a juicer attachment. However, some models use exclusive technology that allows them to juice more effectively.
It is called Micro-Juice Technology. Models that include it can keep juices fresher for longer due to an internal vacuum, as well.
Is the Nutri Ninja a juicer?
The Nutri Ninja is a personal blender. So, by its basic design, it is not meant to act as a juicer. However, some users have found that they can still make homemade juice using it.
To do that, you’ll just need to add in a little extra water to your blend. Then, you’ll need to filter your blend using a tight sieve. The resulting juice will be just as good as that made by a purpose-built juicer.
Is the Ninja Auto iQ a juicer?
By its design, no. The Ninja Auto iQ was not designed to act as a juicer. However, a keen user can still use this model as a juicer with a little extra work. To do this, you’ll end up filtering your blend to keep only the resulting juice. With this single extra step, you can use this model as a juicer without needing to buy a separate appliance.
Can you use a Ninja to juice celery?
Yes, you can. Most Ninja blenders can break down celery with just a pulse or two. That’s because their blades tear through even stringy or leafy produce.
Better yet, juicing celery in a Ninja won’t require extra water to be added. Instead, you can just add in chopped celery bits and have a juice-ready blend in under a minute.
Here’s the link to the best juicers for celery.
Can you make orange juice in a Ninja?
Yes, you can. Simply peel and section an orange or two. Then, throw each slice and a little water into the blending jar. Blend the whole thing up for a minute or two before pouring the mixture through a fine sieve.
However, if you like pulp in your OJ, you can skip the filtering step. This kind of fresh OJ is packed with flavor and lacks the added sugar of store-bought OJ.
Here’s the link to the best juicers for orange juice.
Your Takeaway
You may have come to this guide wondering if you could use a Ninja blender to juice produce. Well, you shouldn’t be wondering anymore. The answer is clear – you can use your Ninja blender for this purpose.
All you need to do is put in a little extra work, and you’ll be able to juice at home without buying a separate appliance. Better yet, the resulting juice tastes just as good and is still fully nutritious.
Suffice to say, Ninja’s line of blenders is one of the best all-around appliances for your kitchen. As you can now see, you can use your unit for far more than just making smoothies.
As such, your next blender upgrade should be to a Ninja. These blenders are true masters of extracting juice from fruits and veggies without all of the fuses.
