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Manual Citrus Squeezers Made From Non-Plastic Materials Are Back!


If you juice citrus fruit such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes only occasionally and in small quantities, buying an old-fashioned manual citrus fruit squeezer might be a smarter move than getting an expensive automatic juicer. But why get an old-fashioned, hand-operated citrus squeezer made of glass, stainless steel, or ceramic? Why not just buy one of those plastic gadgets that are available at almost every supermarket in the US and UK?

The problem with plastic juicers is that they may release potentially toxic chemicals, such as BPA, which have been linked to a wide range of ailments. And health considerations aside, juicers made of non-recyclable plastic are also bad for the environment.

In this article, we take a look at some wonderful alternatives to manual plastic juicers, from old-fashioned vintage citrus juicers made of glass or high-quality ceramic to more modern manual juicers made of stylish stainless steel. But before we get down to business, let's take a quick look at the potential health risks associated with kitchenware made of plastic:


Why Get a Manual, Non-Plastic Citrus Squeezer

How Getting a Plastic-Free Citrus Juicer Can Protect Your Health

Mounting evidence suggests that kitchenware made of plastic may leach potentially harmful chemicals into food and drinks. Bisphenol A, or BPA for short, is one such chemical. This toxin is commonly found in products made of hard plastic, including some manual citrus juicers. BPA is capable of messing up hormonal systems by mimicking and displacing real hormones, and not surprisingly, BPA has been linked to a wide variety of health problems ranging from polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility, and cancer to asthma, diabetes, and neurological disorders.

If you already have a plastic lemon press at home and are not planning to get a new, non-plastic citrus squeezer, check at least that your squeezer doesn't have scratches on it – scratched plastic has been shown to leach more potentially toxic chemicals than plastic that's in good shape.

You'll also want to check the recycling codes on your old citrus press as these can give an indication of what kind of plastic it is made of, and consequently, how likely the plastic is to release potentially toxic chemicals. In general, plastics that are marked with recycle/resin codes 2, 4, and 5 are considered the safest options, while plastics marked with codes 1, 3, 6 and 7 are considered the worst.


Review of Manual Citrus Squeezers Made of Non-Plastic Materials

Old-Fashioned Manual Lemon Squeezer (Ceramic)

Le Creuset, the French manufacturer of premium kitchenware, has designed a beautiful ceramic citrus juicer that can add French flair to any kitchen. This ceramic hand-operated juicer is dishwasher safe and available in several colors, including Caribbean blue, light purple, and red. Ideal for juicing lemons, limes, and other smaller citrus fruits. Order it from Amazon.com here .

Manual Lemon Juicer Completely Made of Glass

Anchor Hocking's Fire-King juicer is completely made of glass. This dishwasher-safe manual juicer comes with a 2-cup glass pitcher that features a practical handle and a pour spout. Many product reviews for this hand-operated juicer point out that this product is best used for smaller citrus fruits, such as lemons and limes, rather than for oranges and other larger fruits. Available from Amazon.com here (or from Amazon's UK store here ).

Simple Hand-Operated Citrus Juicer Made of Stainless Steel

Rink Drink's plastic-free citrus squeezer is made of high-quality, dishwasher-safe stainless steel. This is one of the cheaper manual lemon squeezers included in this review, and a great option for those who are looking for a good, basic citrus squeezer rather than a high-end design product. Order it from Amazon.com here or from Amazon's UK branch here .

Stylish Citrus Squeezer and Glass Serving Jug in-One

Eva Solo, a Danish company focused on designing exclusive kitchenware characterized by aesthetic appeal, functionality and high quality, has created a citrus squeezer that allows you to squeeze your citrus juice directly into a stylish serving jug. This juicer is not 100% plastic-free as the funnel that filters out the seeds is made of plastic. The squeezer is made of stainless steel and the serving jug is made of glass. Available from Amazon.com here . If you live in the UK, you can also buy this gorgeous, hand-operated citrus juicer from Amazon.co.uk (click here ).