Vertical Juicer Screens Explained: Fine, Coarse, Sorbet & Smoothie

If you own a vertical slow juicer, you may have noticed that it comes with more than one screen. Some models include a fine screen and a coarse screen, while others also offer special attachments for making sorbet or thicker drinks.

But what is the actual difference between these screens? Does a coarse screen simply make juice with more pulp? When should you use a sorbet screen? And is a smoothie screen really necessary?

We have tested a wide range of vertical juicers over the years, and choosing the right screen can make a noticeable difference in how well certain ingredients are processed. In this guide, we'll explain what each screen does, when to use it, and what results you can expect.

1. Fine Screen – For Everyday Juicing

The fine screen is the standard choice for most everyday juicing. Its small openings allow juice to pass through while retaining most of the pulp and fiber. The result is a smoother, clearer juice with less pulp.

This screen works well with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including:

• Apples and pears
• Carrots and beets
• Celery
• Ginger
• Leafy greens such as spinach and kale

For most ingredients, the fine screen is the best place to start. It produces a relatively smooth juice and is particularly suitable for people who prefer less pulp in their drinks.

When should you use it?

Use the fine screen for everyday fruit and vegetable juices, especially when working with firm produce. If you're making a typical carrot, apple and ginger juice, for example, the fine screen is usually the right choice.

2. Coarse Screen – For Softer and More Fibrous Ingredients 

The coarse screen has larger openings than the fine screen. This allows more pulp and fiber to pass through, producing a juice that is generally thicker and contains more pulp.

However, there is another important reason to use a coarse screen: it can make certain ingredients easier to process.

Soft, pulpy or fibrous ingredients can sometimes cause pulp to accumulate against a fine screen. This may slow the extraction process or cause the pulp to back up into the juicer. The larger openings of a coarse screen can help these ingredients pass through more easily.

Some examples include:

• Pineapple
• Mango
• Ripe pears
• Some softer varieties of apples
• Other soft or pulpy fruits, depending on their ripeness

For example, pineapple contains long fibers that can accumulate around a fine screen. Using a coarse screen can help reduce this problem. It is also useful when combining softer fruits with other ingredients in a juice recipe.

When should you use it?

Use the coarse screen when processing ingredients that tend to clog or slow down the fine screen. It is also a good option if you simply prefer juice with more pulp.

Keep in mind that a coarse screen does not make every soft fruit suitable for juicing. Extremely soft fruits such as bananas and avocados are generally better suited to other types of preparation rather than conventional juice extraction.

The coarse screen is not just an accessory for people who like pulpy juice. In many cases, it is a practical solution for ingredients that are difficult to process with a fine screen.

3. Sorbet Screen – For Frozen Fruit Desserts 

A sorbet screen is designed for making frozen fruit desserts rather than extracting juice. Instead of separating the juice from the pulp, it processes frozen fruit into a thick, smooth mixture with a consistency similar to soft-serve ice cream.

It is an easy way to make refreshing fruit desserts at home without needing an ice cream maker or adding dairy products.

Popular ingredients include:

• Frozen bananas
• Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries
• Mango
• Peaches
• Pineapple

Bananas are particularly useful because they create a naturally creamy texture. You can also combine different frozen fruits to experiment with flavors and consistency.

When should you use it?

Use the sorbet screen when you want to make frozen fruit desserts, sorbets or similar treats. It is not intended for extracting juice from fresh fruits and vegetables.

For best results, follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding how long to thaw frozen fruit, how large the pieces should be, and which ingredients are suitable for your particular juicer.

4. Smoothie Screen – For Thicker Drinks

Some vertical juicers also offer a smoothie screen. This is a less common accessory and is not available with every model.

Unlike a conventional fine juicing screen, a smoothie screen is designed to allow more pulp and fiber to remain in the finished drink. The result is a thicker, more substantial beverage than traditional juice.

Depending on the design of the screen and the juicer, it can be useful for preparing:

• Thicker fruit drinks
• Drinks made with soft fruits
• Fruit and leafy green combinations
• Preparations where you want to retain more of the fruit's pulp

When should you use it?

Use a smoothie screen if you prefer thicker drinks with more pulp and fiber. It offers an alternative to conventional juice extraction, although the exact results depend on the juicer and the design of the screen.

It is worth remembering that smoothie screens are not universal. Their availability and intended use vary between manufacturers and models. Always check your juicer's instruction manual before using a specialized screen.

Which Vertical Juicer Screen Should You Choose?

Here is a quick comparison of the four screen types and their main uses.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

Choosing the right screen is important, but a few other simple practices can also help you get better results from your vertical juicer.

• Prepare your ingredients properly. Remove hard pits and seeds where necessary, cut produce into suitable pieces, and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for fibrous ingredients.
• Alternate different ingredients. When juicing leafy greens or soft fruits, try alternating them with firmer ingredients such as carrots or apples. This can help move the pulp through the juicer.
• Don't force the ingredients. Feed produce gradually and allow the juicer to process it at its own pace. Pushing too much produce into the feeding chute can cause unnecessary pressure.
• Clean the screen regularly. Pulp can accumulate in the small openings of a fine screen, reducing its effectiveness. Rinse and brush the screen thoroughly after use.
• Use specialized screens for their intended purpose. A sorbet screen is not a substitute for a juicing screen, and a smoothie screen may not be suitable for every ingredient or recipe.

Get More from Your Vertical Juicer

Interchangeable screens make vertical slow juicers more versatile. The fine screen is the best choice for most everyday juices, while the coarse screen can make a real difference when processing softer or more fibrous ingredients. A sorbet screen lets you prepare frozen fruit desserts, and a smoothie screen offers another option for thicker drinks.

Not every juicer includes all four types, and the available accessories vary by model. Before choosing a juicer, consider which types of ingredients you use most often and whether the included screens meet your needs.

Once you understand what each screen does, it becomes much easier to choose the right one and get the best results from your juicer.