This $15 Juicer Is My Favorite Kitchen Purchase of the Year

This $15 Juicer Is My Favorite Kitchen Purchase of the Year

This $15 Juicer Is My Favorite Kitchen Purchase of the Year

It’s fun to play with the latest multi-function smart oven and tasting futuristic food creations, but to be honest, my favorite culinary innovations are often the simplest ones. A pinch here or a tuck there and suddenly a kitchen tool thought has been fully realized becomes even better. That’s what happened when I got a good two-handed grip on dream farmis excellent new $15 Fluid – the best portable juicer I have yet to try.

The Fluicer (a portmanteau of “flat juicer”) is a clever reimagining of where pressure points should land on any half of a lemon, lime or orange. With solid construction and an efficient design, the smart kitchen brand has seriously upgraded this basic, clunky juicer that collects dust in the bottom of a drawer or bar at home. Something to make this lemonade and margarita lover smile as high season approaches.

Most portable juicers suck

The Superior Fluicer lays flat in a drawer and is even easier to store than a typical portable juicer.

David Watsky/CNET

I have always been disappointed with the efficiency of standard portable juicers. Easy peelers don’t produce a ton of juice as-is, especially limes, so getting the most out of each is essential. Most handheld juicers I’ve used get the first 70% or so with relative ease, but have a much harder time extracting the last bits that are closer to the bark. When making a batch of margaritas or lemonade, I often ditch the juicer altogether and rely on a small spoon to twist and dig up the good stuff. It is an effective method but requires most of the muscle to come from one hand and can become tiring.

Simple physics make the Fluider much more efficient

The Fluicer extracts citrus fruits from all angles.

David Watsky/CNET

The basic concept of the Fluicer is similar to the bulb juicer that most of us are used to, but a few key differences make it a much better tool. Half of the citrus fruit you stuff inside is not only pressed back and forth, but also folded in half, allowing for a more thorough extraction. The Fluicer also encourages a butterfly-style two-handed press, allowing you to use the full strength of both arms. As the juice drains from the bottom, the seeds and pulp are captured in a small screen.

This grid catches all the seeds before they fall into your glass or bowl.

David Watsky/CNET

What’s left when you open the Fluicer is a completely drained piece of citrus. In the cup, bowl, or blender below, you’ll find more juice than if you had used any other citrus juicing tool or method.

It’s not even close.

David Watsky/CNET

The Fluicer is sturdy and folds to fit anywhere

As cluttered as it is, I’ll make room for the Fluicer in my drawer for various kitchen utensils.

David Watsky/CNET

The Fluicer is well-constructed from sturdy, dishwasher-safe plastic. When not in use, the Fluicer folds flat to about 1 inch tall, which means it will actually take up less space than other portable juicers.

For a citrus lover, the new Fluid is an essential kitchen tool and also makes a great gift. The small model (sized for files) is only $15. The average Fluicer (designed for lemons and limes) costs only two dollars more. The large Fluicer (suitable for limes, lemons and oranges) is $20.

More cooking tips

Tech

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*