We are reader supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Also, as an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
If you already own a KitchenAid stand mixer and you’re curious about juicing without buying a brand‑new machine, the KitchenAid Juicer Attachment might be what you’re looking for. In this review, I’ll explain how it works, what it does well (and not so well), and whether it fits your kitchen habits. I’ll use simple, beginner-friendly language and share practical cleaning and organizing tips, so your juicing routine stays smooth and stress-free.
What Is the KitchenAid Juicer Attachment?
The KitchenAid Juicer Attachment is an add-on that connects to the power hub on the front of your stand mixer. It turns your mixer’s motor into a juicer, letting you make fresh juice without buying a separate appliance. It’s designed for people who want to save counter space and get more use out of a mixer they already own.
There are two main juicer attachments from KitchenAid: a masticating “Juicer and Sauce” attachment for general juicing and purées, and a citrus juicer for oranges, lemons, and limes. They serve different needs and price points. Many buyers decide between the two based on how often they juice and what they like to drink.
Two Versions: Masticating Juicer vs. Citrus Juicer
Masticating Juicer and Sauce Attachment (KSM1JA)
This is a slow (masticating) juicer that crushes produce with an auger and pushes juice through a screen. It includes multiple screens for fine juice, more pulp, or sauce/purée, so it can make apple sauce, tomato passata, and more. It’s versatile but has more parts to clean and can be slower than dedicated juicers.
Who it suits: People who juice a few times a week, love sauces and purées, and want one attachment that does several tasks without adding another big appliance to the kitchen.
Citrus Juicer Attachment
This is a simpler attachment for citrus only. You hold orange halves (or other citrus) against a reamer, and juice flows out while a strainer catches seeds and most pulp. It’s fast to use and easy to clean, but it does not juice greens, apples, or hard vegetables.
Who it suits: People who want fresh OJ or lemon juice quickly with minimal cleanup and don’t need full fruit-and-veg juicing.
Build, Compatibility, and What’s in the Box
Both attachments plug into the power hub of any full-size KitchenAid stand mixer (Classic, Artisan, Professional, and similar models). The masticating version includes an auger, hopper, screens, juice and pulp containers, and a cleaning brush. Most removable parts are plastic and stainless steel. The citrus version has a bowl with a reamer and strainer.
The materials feel sturdy enough for home use. The auger and screens are the workhorses, and as long as you don’t force very large or rock-hard pieces into the feed chute, they hold up well. Always check the manual for dishwasher guidance; generally, most removable parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, while the drive assembly should be hand-washed.
Setup and First Use
Attach the unit to the front power hub with the mixer off, secure the thumb screw, and place a container under the juice spout. For the masticating model, select the screen you want (fine for low pulp, medium for more pulp, and sauce screen for purées). Cut produce into pieces that fit the chute easily—small chunks reduce strain and improve yield.
Start the mixer on the speed recommended by the manual (often high speed for the masticating attachment). Feed produce slowly and steadily with the pusher. If anything backs up, pause and let the auger catch up before adding more.
How It Works: Auger, Screens, and Pulp Control
The masticating attachment uses a helical auger to crush and squeeze produce. Juice passes through a screen and exits the spout, while pulp is pushed out separately. This slow process helps reduce heat and foam, which can improve flavor and shelf life compared to high-speed centrifugal juicers.
The three screens are what make the attachment flexible: the fine screen makes smooth juice, the medium screen allows more pulp for thicker drinks, and the sauce screen helps separate seeds and peels for purées. Swap screens depending on your recipe.
Juice Performance by Produce Type
Leafy Greens (Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard)
The masticating attachment can juice greens, but it does best when you cut them into shorter ribbons and alternate leafy handfuls with a firmer ingredient like apple or cucumber. This helps push the greens through the screen and reduce clogs. Expect decent but not top-tier yield compared to premium standalone slow juicers. If green juice is your daily habit, a dedicated masticating juicer may outperform this attachment.
Hard Veggies (Carrots, Beets, Ginger)
Chop hard roots into smaller chunks for smoother feeding. The attachment handles carrots and beets well if you don’t overload the chute. Ginger juices fine in small amounts and adds great flavor, but use the fine screen if you want fewer fibers in the cup.
Soft Fruits (Oranges, Pineapple, Berries)
Soft fruits can create more foam and may clog the fine screen if you rush. Go slower and mix soft fruits with something firmer to help press out liquid. For citrus, the citrus juicer attachment is faster and easier—no peeling required—unless you want a blended mixed fruit juice with other produce.
Celery and Stringy Items
Celery is doable, but strings can wrap around parts and slow things down. Chop into short pieces and feed gradually. If you see the pulp getting very wet, pause and re-feed the pulp to extract a bit more.
Speed, Noise, and Foam
Because it’s a slow juicer, noise is more of a steady hum from the mixer than a loud buzz. It’s quieter than most centrifugal juicers. Foam levels vary by produce; apples and soft fruits can foam more. Using the fine screen and feeding slowly helps reduce foam. You can also let the juice sit for a minute or two so foam rises, then skim it if desired.
Yield and Juice Quality
Yield is good for a space-saving attachment, but a premium standalone masticating juicer will usually squeeze out a bit more, especially from leafy greens. Juice quality is very drinkable: smooth, fresh, and less oxidized than high-speed methods. Stored in a sealed container in the fridge, flavor is best within 24–48 hours.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Juicers have parts, and parts mean cleaning. The masticating attachment has several pieces to rinse: the hopper, auger, screen, juice spout, and pulp chute. A quick pre-rinse right after juicing prevents pulp from drying and makes cleanup much easier. Use the included brush on the screen to remove fine fibers.
Most removable parts are top-rack dishwasher safe; hand-wash the drive assembly. For stains (carrot can tint plastics), soak in warm soapy water with a teaspoon of baking soda, then rinse well. Check the seals and gaskets occasionally and let everything dry fully before storing to avoid odors.
Space, Storage, and Organization Tips
To keep counters clear, store the attachment in a labeled bin inside a cabinet. Keep the three screens together in a small container or zip bag so you don’t lose them. Place the cleaning brush in the same bin so it’s always handy. If you juice often, dedicate one shelf or drawer for “juicer kit” items: attachment, brush, spare containers, and a small microfiber towel.
For fast morning routines, pre-wash and chop produce the night before and refrigerate in airtight containers. This reduces prep and makes weekday juicing realistic.
Real-World Uses Beyond Juice
The sauce screen is underrated. It’s great for smooth applesauce, tomato sauce, and seed-free berry coulis. If you make baby food, you can steam vegetables and then run them through the sauce screen for a silky purée without extra gadgets. This multi-use factor is a big win for small kitchens.
For cocktails and mocktails, the citrus juicer attachment speeds up batch drinks for gatherings. Fresh lemon and lime juice taste better and are cheaper than bottled options when you’re making several servings.
Safety and Durability
As with all attachments, never put fingers or utensils into the feed chute while the mixer runs. Use the pusher only. If you hear unusual grinding, turn off the mixer and disassemble to check for clogs. Avoid forcing oversized or rock-hard pieces to protect the auger and screen.
With normal use and care, the parts should last for years. Follow the manual’s cleaning instructions, and don’t run the mixer for long continuous periods without a break if you are processing large batches.
Price and Value
The masticating “Juicer and Sauce” attachment typically costs noticeably less than a good standalone slow juicer, especially if you already own a KitchenAid mixer. The citrus juicer attachment is usually quite affordable. Prices can vary by retailer and season, so check current listings.
If you juice occasionally and appreciate the sauce function, the value is strong. If you plan to juice large volumes daily, a dedicated juicer might be worth the extra cost for speed, yield, and convenience.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Pros: 1) Saves counter space by using your mixer’s motor. 2) Versatile with multiple screens for juice and sauces. 3) Solid juice quality with less foam than high-speed juicers. 4) Many parts are dishwasher safe. 5) Citrus juicer option is fast, simple, and inexpensive.
Cons: 1) Slower and slightly lower yield than premium standalone masticating juicers, especially on leafy greens. 2) More parts to clean than a simple blender smoothie. 3) Fine screen can clog with soft fruits if you rush. 4) Not ideal for very large batches. 5) You still need the stand mixer; it’s not a standalone tool.
Who It’s Best For (and Who Should Skip It)
Best for: KitchenAid owners who juice a few times a week, want to save space, and like the idea of a single tool that can also make sauces and purées. It’s also great for people who mainly want citrus juice without buying a separate juicer.
Consider skipping: Daily heavy juicers, especially those focused on leafy greens or large family batches. If you want maximum yield, fastest throughput, and the least fiddling, a dedicated masticating juicer will likely make you happier.
Troubleshooting and Tips for Better Results
If the screen clogs: Slow down and alternate soft fruits with firmer items. Stop and rinse the screen if needed. Pre-chopping reduces strain and improves flow.
If juice is too pulpy: Switch to the fine screen, or pour finished juice through a mesh strainer. Let foam settle before pouring.
If yield seems low: Re-feed the pulp once, especially with greens and soft fruits. Keep produce cold but not icy; room-temp soft fruits can mash rather than press, reducing yield.
For faster cleanup: Rinse immediately after use. Keep a small brush dedicated to the screen holes. Soak stubborn parts for 10–15 minutes in warm, soapy water before scrubbing. Dry completely to prevent odors.
Alternatives to Consider
Dedicated masticating juicer: Best for high yield, especially with greens. Good choices cost more and take more space but deliver excellent results if you juice daily.
Centrifugal juicer: Faster and great for hard fruits and vegetables, but often foamy with more oxidation. Cleanup varies by model. Useful for large batches and speed.
Blender + strainer: Not true juicing, but an inexpensive way to make smooth juices by blending and straining through a nut milk bag or fine sieve. Less efficient but simple.
Care and Organizing Routine (Home Pro Tips)
Make a “juicer station” box: store the attachment, screens, brush, and a microfiber towel together. Label the box so everyone in the household knows where it lives. Keep it near the mixer to reduce friction.
After-j uice cleanup workflow: 1) Rinse big bits off immediately. 2) Soak screens while you finish your glass. 3) Brush and rinse thoroughly. 4) Towel-dry to prevent mineral spots. 5) Repack into the bin. This five-step loop keeps the process under 10 minutes.
Citrus-Only Workflow
If most of your juicing is oranges and lemons, the citrus attachment is the simplest option. No chopping, minimal parts, and a quick rinse gets it clean. It’s a great choice if you love weekend brunch juice, frequent lemonade, or fresh lime for cooking and cocktails.
For a cleaner pour, tilt the bowl slightly toward the spout and pause for a moment to let the strainer drain before transferring juice to your pitcher.
Sustainability and Waste
Juicing at home helps you skip single-use bottles and control ingredients. Pulp doesn’t need to go to waste: add carrot pulp to muffins, stir apple pulp into oatmeal, or compost if you have the setup. The sauce screen is helpful for turning “imperfect” produce into something delicious, reducing food waste.
Conclusion
The KitchenAid Juicer Attachment is a smart buy for stand mixer owners who want fresh juice without committing to a full-size machine. The masticating “Juicer and Sauce” attachment offers real flexibility with its screens and shines when you want both juice and smooth purées from one tool. It is slower than a dedicated juicer and not the best for large, daily batches, but it delivers tasty results and saves space. The citrus juicer attachment is a simple, budget-friendly winner if oranges and lemons are your main squeeze.
Choose the masticating model if you want versatility, occasional green juices, and the ability to make sauces and baby food. Choose the citrus model if quick brunch juice and everyday lemon-lime needs are your priority. Keep your parts organized, clean right away, and you’ll find juicing with your KitchenAid easy to fit into a busy life. For many home cooks and organizers, this attachment brings the right balance of quality, convenience, and compact storage.