Breville Juice Fountain Plus: A Detailed Review

The Breville Juice Fountain Plus (model JE98XL) is a centrifugal juicer designed for simplicity and performance. It features an 850-watt motor with two-speed settings: 12,000 RPM for hard fruits and vegetables and 6,500 RPM for softer produce. The juicer is equipped with a 3-inch wide feed chute, allowing whole fruits and vegetables to be processed with minimal preparation. This review will explore the machine’s performance, ease of use, cleaning process, design, and feedback from users.

Performance: Effective for Hard Produce

The Juice Fountain Plus is especially effective with hard fruits and vegetables. It extracts large amounts of juice from produce like carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes. The juice is smooth and has little to no pulp. Users report consistent results with these types of produce, and the high-speed motor handles dense ingredients well.

For softer fruits, such as apples and cucumbers, the juicer also performs well. The lower speed setting prevents splattering and excessive foam. Juice quality remains high, and it retains the natural flavors of the fruits.

However, the juicer struggles with leafy greens. Ingredients like kale and spinach yield significantly less juice compared to hard produce. This is a limitation of centrifugal juicers in general. Many users note that leafy greens require frequent refeeding to achieve reasonable extraction, which leads to higher waste. Adding harder produce while juicing greens can improve efficiency, but results still fall short of expectations.

Ease of Use: Convenient and Straightforward

The Juice Fountain Plus is user-friendly. Its wide feed chute accommodates whole fruits and vegetables, reducing the need for chopping. This feature saves time and effort during preparation. Most users find the setup and operation intuitive, even if they are new to juicing.

Switching between the two-speed settings is simple, and the controls are easy to understand. The juicer’s design minimizes the learning curve, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Cleaning Process: Mostly Hassle-Free

Cleaning is a major factor when considering a juicer, and the Juice Fountain Plus performs well in this area. Most parts are dishwasher-safe, which simplifies maintenance. The stainless steel filter basket, where pulp tends to accumulate, can be cleaned using the included brush. This brush is effective at removing debris from the fine mesh screen.

Despite its ease of cleaning, some users report that pulp can collect in the chute or corners of the juicer. These areas require manual cleaning, which adds a step to the process. Regular cleaning after each use is essential to prevent clogs and maintain the machine’s performance.

Design and Durability: Built to Last

The Juice Fountain Plus is constructed with stainless steel and durable plastic. Its materials feel sturdy, and the overall build quality suggests longevity. The design is functional, with a focus on practicality rather than aesthetics. It still looks sleek enough to fit into most kitchen settings without appearing out of place.

The components are designed for frequent use, but the juicer is not without flaws. Some users report occasional clogging, especially when juicing fibrous vegetables like broccoli. Ensuring proper cleaning and avoiding overloading the machine can help mitigate this issue.

User Feedback: Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

1. High juice yield from hard produce.
2. Smooth and pulp-free juice.
3. Wide feed chute reduces preparation time.
4. Easy to assemble and disassemble.
5. Dishwasher-safe parts simplify cleaning.

Weaknesses:

1. Inefficient with leafy greens.
2. Occasional clogging with certain vegetables.
3. Pulp can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas.
4. High-speed operation can produce noise.

Who Is This Juicer For?

The Breville Juice Fountain Plus is best suited for individuals who primarily juice hard and soft fruits and vegetables. Its ease of use and efficient performance make it a good choice for beginners and casual users. It is less ideal for those who want to juice large quantities of leafy greens or fibrous produce regularly. For such needs, a masticating juicer would be a more appropriate option.

Final Thoughts

The Breville Juice Fountain Plus is a reliable and efficient juicer for a wide range of produce. While it has limitations with leafy greens, it excels in handling hard and soft fruits and vegetables. Its user-friendly design, straightforward cleaning process, and durable construction make it a worthwhile investment for many households.

If leafy greens are a priority, consider pairing this juicer with a masticating model or using other methods to incorporate greens into your juices. The Juice Fountain Plus delivers excellent results with minimal effort for most other uses. Regular maintenance and proper use will ensure it continues to perform well over time.