There are a lot of methods for juicing fruits and vegetables. A steam juicer might be one many aren't familiar with. This post explains how to use a steam juicer.
Plum Juice Frozen into Cubes
Advantages of Using a Steam Juicer
- You only get juice, no pulp.
- The juice is crystal clear...well with color.
- You can do a large patch of fruit at a time.
- Very little prep. Just add clean fruit. No need to peel or pit first.
- Takes less time than traditional juicing methods.
Disadvantages of Using a Steam Juicer
- The pot is large and takes up a lot of storage space.
As long as you have enough storage space, this steamer is ideal! I use Mehu - Liisa 10 Liter Stainless Juicer.
This year I have made over 4 gallons of plum juice! That is an insane amount of plum juice. What do I do with all this juice? I make plum jelly, jalapeno plum jelly, plum sorbet, plum Popsicles, and I freeze the plum juice into ice cubes.
I throw one or two frozen cubes into a smoothie. It just adds a bit of flavor and extra nutrition. I also canned a lot to save for later. It's so beautiful sitting in my pantry! I think with all this juice, I need to make some plum wine! Just need to figure out how to make wine...
How to use a steam juicer:
The steamer consists of three separate pots. The bottom one holds the water that creates the steam. The middle one collects the juice. It also has a large funnel that connects the steam from the bottom to the top. The top layer is where all the fruit is placed.
Top Layer of the Steam Juicer. The Fruit Goes in This Layer.
Middle Layer
As the steam starts to cook the fruit, the juice will drip down into the middle layer. There is a tube attached to the middle layer. Once juice starts to form, you simply open the clasp and let the juice flow. I always place the tube into a bowl or a canning jar. Even with the clasp closed, I have had leakage.
Oh what a mess! Luckily we've caught it before too much juice seeped out. The key is placing the tube in the center of the clasp, not just at the end.
Just about any type of fruit would work with a steam juicer; grapes, currents, apricots, blueberries, cranberries.... I'm just getting started with ideas! The list is endless.
Juicing
How to Make Plum Juice
Ingredients
- Fresh Plums
Instructions
- Wash plums
- Place whole plums into to steam basket (top pot) of a Steam Juicer.
- Bring steamer to a boil
- Once juice begins to form, drain into clean containers.
- Continue until juice has been extracted from plums, approx. 1 hours
- Makes approx. 6 quarts. Yield depends on type of fruit.
Notes
Lorraine Colligan says
Just bought the steamer juicer, trying it out right now. I have 8 lbs MacIntosh apples.
Do I keep the stove on high all the time or do I turn it down after it gets to boil? When do you know it is finished?
Kathy says
Hi Lorraine,
Once the juicer begins to boil and steam, turn heat to low or medium low to maintain steaming. It's done when most of your fruit has turned to mush or has become very soft.
Enjoy!
Denise says
How long does the steamed juice last after it’s canned? How long before it goes bad?
Kathy says
Hi Denise,
It depends on how you store it. It will last one week in the refrigerator, and up to one year in a deep freezer or if canned.
Kathy
Gabriella Steinlicht says
Hello Kathy,
How long do I water bath the plum juice in quart size jars?
Thank you,
Gabriella
Kathy says
Hi Gabriella,
Process quart jars for 25 minutes in a boiling water bath. If your elevation is higher than 3000 feet, boil for 30 minutes.
Enjoy!
Gwen Brewton says
Kathy do I need to process the jars of juice after filling from the juice steamer?
Kathy says
Hi Gwen,
If you are storing the juice in canning jars at room temperature, you do want to process the juice before storing.
Kathy
Kathy Teague says
Hi Kathy, this is a great article! Thank you. One question, how does it work on fruit that isn’t very juicy? I have a lot of wild sand plums in my freezer that I would love to juice and can right now to free up freezer space. I really don’t want to make the jelly just yet. Usually I just barely cover the sand plums with water and cook til they are soft. Then strain and freeze the juice. I’m thinking I’ll order one of the juicers you recommended if it will work with our sand plums. Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Kathy says
Hi Kathy,
I have used this juicer on plums, grapes and red current berries. It should work fine on all fruit, but I am not familiar with the sand plum. It should extract the juice, even from a drier plum.
Kathy
Janet says
Have you ever juiced the steam juicer for rhurbarb?
Kathy says
Hi Janet,
I have not tried juicing rhubarb before. Let me know if you try it!
Kathy
Fred G says
Interesting. Will give it a try.
Kathy says
It makes great juice. Crystal clear!
Bob says
How many pounds of plums was that for 6 quarts of juice? 15 pounds? 20?
Thanks
Kathy says
Hi Bob,
I'm sorry I didn't weigh what I used. I had two huge colanders full of plums. The plums I used were a very juicy variety. When you bit into them, the juice would just drip down your chin.
Thanks,
Kathy
Food Blogger Club says
Great idea to use a steam juicer! Thanks for sharing!