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Q&As since 1989
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Should a juicer be epoxied, aluminum, or chrome?
Q. Reactivity of epoxy or chrome to acids? I want to purchase a citrus juice extractor for everyday use by a small family. Therefore, I'd like one that is dependable and long-lasting, and manually operated. Some juicers are epoxy-coated with stainless cone (the part that mostly comes in contact with the juice), some are aluminum, and some are entirely chrome-plated. Because all citrus fruits are acidic, I am concerned about the possible reactivity of the components of the juicers. I understand that aluminum will react to acids, and that stainless steel is non-reactive. But I'm not sure about epoxy or chrome.
The mfgr. states the first product is entirely chrome-plated, even the cone. he second is epoxy paint with stainless cone.
Can you tell me whether either of these substances would be expected to react with acids?
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RDRegistered dietitian, cookbook author - Springfield, Missouri, USA
2003
Juice King Vintage Juicers on eBay
A. I would like to help, Ms. Holden, but the truth is that the product engineers who determined what materials to use in these juicers know more about it than any readers at this site. We don't know what metal they have under the coating; we don't know what specs were used for the nickel-chrome plating, or even if it really is nickel-chrome plating; or what grade of stainless is used, etc., etc.
From a theoretical standpoint, any of these will be fine. But the epoxy may chip, the plating may peel, etc., if they were not done right. Plating technology allows decades of trouble-free use (look at chrome bumpers on pickup trucks), but there in no guarantee that the item was even spec'ed with premium plating, let alone that it actually got it.
I say if you can't find anything in Consumer Reports, go by the brand name and your experience with that brand.
But almost surely, a commercial citrus juicer [on
eBay or
Amazon]
will greatly outlast consumer models.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Hi Kathyrnne,
I doubt that you have anything to worry about. Aluminum is reactive to some acidic materials, but not to all of them. For example, Coca-Cola has a pH of less than 4.0, yet is unreactive to the aluminum can which contains it.
I imagine that the aluminum parts in your juicer are treated/coated to protect them for the long term.
- Naperville, Illinois
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