How to Use a Handheld Juicer

On this page (8 sections)

1. How do you use a handheld juicer step by step?
2. Which way should the citrus face in a handheld press?
3. How can you get more juice with less mess?
4. How do you use a reamer without spraying juice?
5. How do you clean and store a handheld juicer?
6. When does an electric citrus juicer make more sense?
7. More guides on this topic
8. How do you choose the right handheld juicer?

To use a handheld juicer, cut the citrus in half, place one half cut-side down in the press, and squeeze the handles together over a bowl. Turn the fruit if needed, then remove seeds or pulp before using the juice.

A hinged citrus press works best when the fruit fits inside its bowl and you apply steady pressure. A wooden reamer is used by pushing its ridged tip into the cut fruit and twisting, so check which style you have before starting.

How do you use a handheld juicer step by step?

Cut, position, press, and check the juice. Keep a bowl under the juicer and use a steady squeeze rather than jerking the handles.

1. Rinse the citrus and dry it so it won't slip.
2. Roll it gently on the counter if it's firm.
3. Cut it in half across the middle.
4. Place one half cut-side down in the bowl of a hinged press.
5. Hold the press over a bowl and squeeze the handles together.
6. Open the press, check the fruit, and repeat if juice still comes out easily.

If your tool is a reamer, place the cut side against the ridged tip and twist while holding the fruit over a bowl. For more basic options, see How to Juice Without a Juicer: The Simple Facts.

Which way should the citrus face in a handheld press?

Set the cut side down and the peel against the rounded top of the press. The bowl's holes let juice pass while catching many seeds and larger pieces of pulp.

The fruit should sit inside the cup without folding over the rim. A half that's too large can slip or press unevenly, so use a smaller fruit or cut the half into pieces if they fit safely.

Don't put your fingers between the hinged parts while squeezing. Keep your grip on the handles and release them before adjusting the fruit.

Does a wooden reamer work the same way?

No, a reamer needs a twisting motion rather than a handle squeeze. Push its ridged tip into the cut side of the citrus and turn it over a bowl.

The Naturally Med Olive Wood Lemon Juicer/Lemon Reamer is about 6 inches long and is intended for citrus. Its olive wood has natural patterning, and styles vary.

Use a reamer when you want a simple tool without hinged handles. If you want a hand press with handles, compare the best heavy duty lemon squeezer for options designed around pressing citrus halves.

How can you get more juice with less mess?

Use ripe fruit, a stable bowl, and even pressure. The juice should flow into the bowl without the press sliding or tilting.

A firm fruit can be harder to squeeze. Roll it gently under your palm before cutting, but don't press so hard that the peel splits.

A basket catches many seeds, but it may not catch every bit of pulp or seed. Pour the juice through a strainer if your recipe needs a smooth result.

What helps if the handles are hard to squeeze?

Choose a press that suits your hand strength and fruit size. Press slowly, pause, and reposition the half if it is tilted in the bowl.

The Chef'n FreshForce Lemon Squeezer Citrus Juicer has a dual-gear mechanism and non-slip handles. Chef'n says its gear design helps reduce hand strain, and the press is intended for lemons, key limes, and similar fruit.

If you use limes most often, the steps are similar, but fruit size and fit can differ. See how to use a lime juicer for lime-specific guidance.

How do you use a reamer without spraying juice?

Hold the fruit low over a wide bowl and twist slowly. This keeps the cut surface close to the bowl and helps contain splashes.

Use your other hand to steady the fruit, not the sharp point of the reamer. Turn the tool around the center of the fruit to reach the sections near the peel.

Stop when the pulp looks pressed and the juice flow slows. Scrape any juice from the reamer into the bowl, then remove seeds before pouring.

How do you clean and store a handheld juicer?

Rinse the tool soon after pressing and remove pulp from its holes or ridges. Follow the care instructions for its material and construction.

For a hinged press, open it fully and rinse both sides of the bowl. Brush pulp from small holes with a soft brush, then dry the tool before storing it.

For a wooden reamer, rinse and dry it promptly. Avoid leaving wood submerged in water, which can make it harder to dry fully.

When does an electric citrus juicer make more sense?

An electric citrus juicer can suit you if you press larger amounts or want pulp settings. A handheld tool is simpler for a small amount of lemon or lime juice.

The Cuisinart Pulp Control Citrus Juicer is electric and has 3 pulp control settings. It accommodates citrus from small limes to large grapefruit, and its parts are dishwasher-safe.

If you need help choosing a tool for frequent citrus use, compare the best juicers for lemons and limes. For a broader explanation of press styles, read [What Is a Press Juicer?

A Beginner’s Guide](/what-is-a-press-juicer/).

More guides on this topic

• Best Lemon Squeezers for Arthritic Hands

How do you choose the right handheld juicer?

Choose a hinged press for quick squeezing and a reamer for direct twisting. Let fruit size, hand comfort, and how much juice you need guide the choice.

A press can help contain seeds and pulp, while a reamer gives you direct control over how you work the fruit. For other styles and materials, browse the best lemon squeezer stainless steel, best flat lemon squeezer, best ceramic lemon squeezer, best lemon squeezers for kids, best manual lemon squeezer, and best glass lemon squeezer.

Pick a hinged press if you want to squeeze citrus halves with handles. Pick a reamer if twisting juice from one piece at a time works for your recipe, and see how to juice lemons for more lemon-specific tips.

Frequently asked questions

Which way should citrus face in a handheld juicer?

Place a citrus half cut-side down in a hinged handheld press, with the peel facing the perforated bowl. This lets the press push juice through the holes while catching many seeds and larger pieces of pulp.

A reamer works differently: press its ridged tip into the cut side and twist.

Should you roll a lemon before using a handheld juicer?

Rolling a lemon firmly on the counter before cutting can help loosen the fruit inside. It isn't required, but it may make pressing easier.

Cut the lemon in half across its middle, then squeeze each half over a bowl and stop when the flow slows.

How do you keep seeds out of juice from a hand press?

Use the press's perforated bowl to catch seeds, and check the juice before adding it to a recipe. Some small seeds or pulp may still pass through, so strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer if you need it smooth.

Can a handheld juicer press limes as well as lemons?

Many handheld citrus presses are made for lemons and small citrus, but the fruit needs to fit inside the bowl. Cut large fruit into halves or smaller pieces only if the tool's shape allows it, and press each piece over a bowl.