How to Use a Citrus Juicer: Step-by-Step for Every Type

A citrus juicer looks simple, but many people do not use it the right way. They lose juice, get seeds in their glass or end up with bitter juice. The good news is that learning how to use a citrus juicer properly takes about two minutes.

Read on to learn the basic steps that work for every citrus juicer, then detailed instructions for handheld squeezers, reamers, electric citrus juicers and lever presses. You will also learn the best tricks for more juice, the most common mistakes and how to clean your juicer.

The 5 Basic Steps for Any Citrus Juicer

No matter which type you own, these steps help you get the most juice.

1. Wash the fruit. Rinse it under cool running water. The FDA advises washing produce even when you do not eat the peel, because germs on the outside can move inside when you cut.
2. Warm it and roll it. Room-temperature citrus gives more juice. Roll it firmly on the counter for 10 to 15 seconds to loosen the juice cells.
3. Cut across the middle. Slice through the “equator” of the fruit, not from stem to tip. This opens up more juice sacs.
4. Press with steady pressure. Do not mash or grind. Stop when the juice flow slows down.
5. Clean right away. Rinse your juicer before the pulp dries.

How to Use a Handheld Citrus Squeezer

This part is key if you want to know how to use a citrus juicer.

The hinged handheld squeezer is the most common citrus juicer in American homes. Many people put the fruit in upside down.

Steps

1. Open the squeezer so the bowl with holes faces down over a glass or bowl.
2. Place the lemon or lime half in the bowl cut side down, facing the holes.
3. Close the handles and squeeze firmly.
4. Hold for a second, then release.
5. Flip the fruit and squeeze again if you want every drop.
6. Remove the peel and rinse the squeezer.

Why Cut Side Down?

When you squeeze, the top part of the squeezer pushes the peel inside out. This presses the juice out through the holes. If you put the cut side facing up, the juice sprays upward and you lose a lot of it.

For more on choosing a squeezer, see our lemon juicer and lime juicer guides.

How to Use a Citrus Reamer

Here’s a closer look at how to use a citrus juicer.

A reamer is a ridged cone, often made of wood, glass, ceramic or metal.

Steps for a Handheld Reamer

1. Hold the fruit half in one hand, cut side up.
2. Hold the reamer in your other hand.
3. Press the reamer into the center of the fruit.
4. Twist back and forth while squeezing the fruit around the reamer.
5. Work over a strainer or bowl to catch seeds.

Steps for a Tabletop Reamer (With Bowl)

1. Place the reamer on a flat surface.
2. Press the fruit half, cut side down, onto the cone.
3. Twist the fruit back and forth while pressing down.
4. Lift the reamer top to pour the juice, or pour through the spout.

Tip: Tabletop reamers with a seed-catching rim save you a straining step.

How to Use an Electric Citrus Juicer

Electric citrus juicers make big batches easy.

Steps

1. Assemble the juicer. Place the juice cup on the base, add the strainer, then the cone.
2. Choose the right cone. Use the small cone for lemons and limes and the large one for oranges and grapefruit.
3. Set the pulp level if your model has this option.
4. Plug it in. Most models start when you press down on the cone.
5. Press the fruit half onto the cone, cut side down.
6. Apply light, even pressure. The cone will spin. Many models reverse direction automatically.
7. Rotate the fruit slightly to reach every part of the flesh.
8. Lift when the flow slows. Do not keep pressing into the white pith.
9. Pour and serve.

Using a Press Arm Model

If your electric juicer has a press arm, place the fruit on the cone and lower the arm. The arm applies the pressure so you do not have to. Hold it down until the juice slows, then lift.

Our citrus juicer guide explains how electric models compare with manual ones.

How to Use a Lever Press Citrus Juicer

Lever presses, such as a cast iron juicer, are fast and easy.

Steps

1. Place a glass or pitcher under the spout.
2. Lift the lever all the way up.
3. Set the fruit half cut side down in the bottom cup or on the cone.
4. Pull the lever down in one smooth motion.
5. Hold at the bottom for one to two seconds.
6. Lift the lever, remove the peel and repeat.

Tip: Do not slam the lever. A smooth pull gives more juice and less bitterness.

At a Glance:

• Always wash, warm and roll your citrus before juicing.
• Cut across the middle, not from end to end.
• In a handheld squeezer, place the fruit cut side down toward the holes.
• Use steady pressure and stop when the juice slows to avoid bitterness.

Tips to Get More Juice From Citrus

• Warm it up. Soak cold fruit in warm water for 5 minutes, or microwave it for 10 to 15 seconds.
• Roll it hard. Press down with your palm as you roll.
• Pick heavy fruit. Weight is the best sign of juiciness.
• Choose thin-skinned fruit. Very thick skins often mean less juice.
• Squeeze twice. Turn the half and press it again.
• Use the right tool size. A small lemon in a big orange squeezer will not press well.

How Much Juice to Expect

Fruit	Approx. juice per fruit
Lemon	2 to 3 tablespoons
Lime	1 to 2 tablespoons
Orange	1/4 to 1/3 cup
Grapefruit	1/2 to 3/4 cup

Easy Mistakes to Skip

1. Putting the fruit in upside down in a handheld squeezer.
2. Juicing cold fruit straight from the fridge.
3. Cutting from end to end instead of across the middle.
4. Pressing too hard or too long, which squeezes bitter oil from the pith.
5. Using the wrong cone size on an electric juicer.
6. Letting pulp dry on the juicer, which makes cleaning harder.
7. Juicing unwashed fruit.

How to Clean a Citrus Juicer

Handheld Squeezers and Reamers

• Rinse right away under warm water.
• Brush holes and ridges with a small kitchen brush.
• Wash in warm soapy water or the dishwasher if the maker allows.
• Dry wooden reamers fully and oil them now and then with food-safe mineral oil.

Electric Citrus Juicers

• Unplug the juicer.
• Remove the cone, strainer and juice cup.
• Rinse and wash in warm soapy water.
• Brush the strainer gently.
• Wipe the motor base with a damp cloth. Never put it in water.
• Dry all parts before reassembling.

Lever Presses

• Remove the cup and cone if they detach.
• Rinse and dry right away.
• Wipe the frame and dry it to prevent rust.

For full cleaning tips for bigger machines, see how to wash a juicer.

What Can You Juice in a Citrus Juicer?

Citrus juicers are built for:

• Lemons and Meyer lemons
• Limes and key limes
• Oranges, including navel, Valencia, blood orange and Cara Cara
• Grapefruit (if the cone is big enough)
• Tangerines, mandarins and clementines
• Pomegranate halves (in lever presses)

They are not made for apples, carrots, berries or leafy greens. For those, you need a full juicer. Learn more in our masticating juicer guide.

Fun Ways to Use Your Fresh Citrus Juice

• Make lemonade or limeade
• Squeeze fresh OJ for breakfast with our orange juice recipe
• Brighten up a green juice recipe
• Whisk up vinaigrettes and marinades
• Add a splash to sparkling water
• Freeze juice in ice cube trays for later

Fresh citrus juice is a great source of vitamin C. Learn more from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.

How to Store Fresh Citrus Juice

• Pour juice into a clean glass jar or bottle.
• Fill it close to the top to limit air.
• Seal tightly and refrigerate.
• Lemon and lime juice keep for about 3 to 4 days.
• Orange juice tastes best within 2 to 3 days.
• Freeze extra juice in ice cube trays for up to 3 to 4 months.

Troubleshooting Your Citrus Juicer

Seeds Keep Getting Into the Juice

Use a squeezer or reamer with a seed-catching bowl, or pour juice through a small strainer. On electric models, check that the strainer is seated correctly.

My Electric Juicer Will Not Start

Most electric citrus juicers only start when you press down on the cone. Check that the cone, strainer and cup are locked in place and that the outlet works.

The Squeezer Hinge Feels Stiff

Rinse out dried pulp from the hinge. If it is still stiff, check the maker’s instructions. Some metal squeezers can take a drop of food-safe oil.

The Juice Is Foamy

Pressing too hard or too fast can create foam. Use gentler, steady pressure and let the juice settle for a minute.

Which Citrus Juicer Should You Use for Each Job?

• A squeeze of lemon on fish: Handheld squeezer.
• Lemon water every morning: Reamer or handheld squeezer.
• A pitcher of lemonade: Electric citrus juicer or lever press.
• Fresh OJ for the family: Electric citrus juicer with a press arm. See our orange juicer guide.
• Margaritas for a party: Lever press or electric juicer with a small cone.

Citrus Juicer Safety Tips

• Cut fruit on a stable cutting board, never in your hand.
• Keep fingers away from the moving cone on electric juicers.
• Unplug electric juicers before taking them apart.
• Keep lever presses on a sturdy counter so they do not tip.
• Store fresh juice cold. Homemade juice is not pasteurized. The FDA recommends extra care for children, older adults and anyone with a weak immune system.

People Also Ask

How do you use a citrus juicer correctly?

Wash the fruit, let it warm to room temperature, roll it, then cut it in half across the middle. Press the half onto the cone or into the squeezer with steady pressure until the juice slows. Rinse the juicer right after use.

Which way does a lemon go in a citrus squeezer?

Place the lemon half cut side down, facing the holes in the bowl. The squeezer turns the peel inside out and pushes the juice through the holes.

Do you peel citrus before using a citrus juicer?

No. Citrus juicers are made for unpeeled halves. You only need to peel citrus if you use a masticating or centrifugal juicer.

Why is my citrus juice bitter?

Bitterness usually comes from pressing too long and too hard into the white pith. Stop pressing when the juice flow slows, and drink the juice fresh.

How do I get the most juice out of a lemon?

Use a room-temperature lemon, roll it firmly, cut it across the middle and squeeze it twice. A quick warm-water soak or a short microwave zap also helps.

Can you put a citrus juicer in the dishwasher?

Many stainless steel squeezers and electric juicer parts are dishwasher safe. Wooden reamers, cast iron frames and some coated aluminum squeezers should be hand-washed.

Wrapping Up

Now you know how to use a citrus juicer like a pro. Wash, warm and roll your fruit, cut it across the middle and press gently but steadily. In a handheld squeezer, remember to place the fruit cut side down. With an electric juicer or lever press, let the machine do the work and stop when the juice slows.

Clean your juicer right away and it will last for years.

Want to compare juicers or try something new? Read our citrus juicer guide or make a fresh glass with our orange juice recipe.