by 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.
For this recipe, I used a really juicy red plum. The juice is just dripping from the plums when we pick them.
If you have Italian plums which are purplish and oblong shape. They are a drier meatier plum that are perfect for making dried plums or prunes. Those plums aren't the best for juicing.
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 11 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.
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.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
How to Make Plum Juice
Equipment
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
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Juli says
If I’m going to Can the juice I made today, tomorrow, do I have to heat it back up before processing quarts for 25 minutes?
Kathy says
Hi Juli,
I would heat the juice before adding it to the jars.
Kathy
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
Jenny says
I’ve juiced quince and you can’t get less juicy than that. They take a very long time because they are so dense, but the resulting juice is extraordinary. Perfect for quince jelly, but I like it unsweetened and straight.
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
Soph says
I just juiced rhubarb and it tastes great with sugar added. Trying to figure out what to do with the leftover pulp.
Kathy says
Wow! I loved that you juiced rhubarb. What a great use of the fruit. I wish I had an idea for the pulp for you, but I've not certain what would work. Let me know if you come up with an idea. 🙂
Lissa says
Oh! You could blend the pulp with strawberries and dehydrate it into fruit leather!
Kathy says
That's a great idea!!! 🙂
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!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I have a normal juicer, but I have never heard of a steam juicer! This is AWESOME! I'm a huge fan of gadgets, so much so my husband will sometimes lovingly (?) call me "inspector", and this totally looks like something I need to check out! Thanks for sharing and introducing me to something new!! Cheers to a fantastic weekend! 🙂
Kathy says
You'd better inspect this juicer!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
wow I have never even heard of steam juicer but it sounds on interesting!
Kathy says
It certainly does the trick. Great for juicing large amounts of fruit.
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Oh wow! I just love the idea of using stem juicer. And this juice and ice cubes are gorgeous!
Kathy says
Thanks, Anu. The color of the plum juice is quite spectacular.
Kalee @ The Crowded Table says
I don't know much about juicing, but your steam juicer sounds awesome!!! Plum wine........now that's an idea I can get behind 🙂
Kathy says
I need to give wine making a try!
Laura says
I really like the idea of using a steam juicer if it means I can get a larger batch. You'd laugh at my current garage sale juicer right now, certainly not much to look at for 3 bucks. It works but I only get a small amount, not good enough for a family who wants seconds. I'm going to have to look into a steam juicer, I can always store it in the basement.
Kathy says
Hey, if it works for $3 then that's a good deal!
Vanessa @ VanessaBaked says
What a great kitchen gadget! That juice looks amazing! I just might have to purchase one. We have lots of apple trees in the yard. And homemade apple juice, or cider would be awesome! Even fresh peach juice! Thanks for this tutorial
Kathy says
Peach juice would be delicious!
Fran @ G'day Souffle' says
I love plum juice- this batch would last me a whole year!
Kathy says
It does make a lot of juice!
David @ Spiced says
Wow...I have never heard of a steam juicer. I'm intrigued now! Just think of the possibilities! 🙂
Kathy says
I know! I think I could go a little overboard trying different kinds of juices...
Liz says
Oh my - your plum juice and ice cubes are beautiful! I had no idea about the steam method - fascinating!
Kathy says
Now I just need to make certain I use all that juice and ice cubes!
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
What a great idea, Kathy!!:-) I can't wait to try this!
Kathy says
Thanks, Sina!