Black & Decker Citrus Juicer

A weekend workhorse for everyday citrus

Saturday mornings at my house often start with a pile of lemons and a plan. Lemonade for the kids, a few limes for marinades, maybe a grapefruit or two if I’m feeling fancy. This juicer made those little rituals faster, cleaner, and more consistent than squeezing by hand, without turning my counter into a sticky mess.

Design and setup

The design is straightforward: two self-reversing cones, a clear container with measurement markings, a removable strainer with adjustable pulp control, and a drip-resistant spout for pouring. I appreciated the included storage cover and built-in cord wrap—both small touches that made it easier to keep the unit dust-free and tidy on a shelf.

Swapping cones is quick. The small cone handles lemons, limes, and oranges, while the larger one fits grapefruit perfectly. The pieces stack together neatly, so I didn’t feel like I was constantly hunting for parts. Everything that touches juice comes off in seconds, and it all nests back together with minimal bulk.

Performance and extraction

On extraction, it’s better than I expected for a compact, budget-friendly unit. The self-reversing motion helps pull juice from the membranes without me needing to over-torque the fruit. With light to moderate pressure—let the cone do the work rather than leaning on it—I consistently got clean, efficient extractions from lemons and oranges. Grapefruit takes a few extra seconds per half, but the large cone grips well and doesn’t chatter or slip.

For small batches—say, a couple of lemons for dressing or four to six for a pitcher of lemonade—the pace is quick and very predictable. On larger sessions (a dozen grapefruits for a week’s worth of juice), I found a rhythm: juice three or four halves, lift the strainer to clear pulp, and pour off the container. The unit’s container holds about 500 ml (roughly two cups), which encourages you to work in manageable bursts rather than marathon sessions. That also helps prevent pulp buildup that can slow the cone.

Seeds are a non-issue; they stay behind the strainer. If you like your juice almost pulp-free, you’ll still get a few shreds at the finest setting, but not much—certainly less than what escapes most hand squeezers.

Adjustable pulp control that actually matters

The pulp control isn’t a gimmick. The dial opens or closes ports in the strainer, and the range is meaningful. Set to low, I get bright, mostly clear juice with just a hint of body—great for cocktails and vinaigrettes. Midway, you’ll feel more texture in orange juice without clogging the strainer. At the highest setting, it approaches what you’d expect from a diner-style pour, especially with grapefruit. It’s not the same as stirring pulp back in, but it gets close and saves the extra step.

Pouring and measurements

The measurement markings on the container are large and easy to read. That matters when you’re working to a recipe and don’t want to dirty a separate measuring cup. The spout is well shaped; with a steady tilt, it pours a thin, controlled stream without splashing. I rarely saw drips after righting the container, and anything that clung to the lip wiped away with a finger.

Cleaning and maintenance

Cleanup is painless as long as you rinse promptly. The cone, strainer, and container lift off and go in the dishwasher; I’ve been placing them on the top rack without issue. For quick handwashing, a soft brush helps clear the fine pulp from the strainer mesh and around the pulp control ports. If you let citrus pulp dry in those crevices, you’ll spend more time than you need to scrubbing, so a fast rinse after use is worth the habit.

The motor base wipes clean easily. The built-in cord storage is useful—no trailing cable in the cabinet. And the storage cover is better than I expected: it keeps the cone and strainer dust-free so you can grab-and-go without a rinse.

Noise, feel, and build

Noise is moderate—a whir with a bit of gear chatter when the cone reverses. It’s not whisper-quiet, but it’s far from obnoxious. The reversing action can clunk if you press too hard, which is a reminder to ease off and let the motor handle the load. Gentle, even pressure makes everything smoother and likely kinder to the drivetrain.

Build quality is what I’d call kitchen-grade plastic: lightweight, easy to clean, and sensible for the price, but not something I’d choose to run for extended periods day after day. For a few lemons or oranges, it’s ideal. For a backyard tree’s worth of grapefruit, it will do it, but I found it’s best to pace the session—work in batches, clear the strainer, and give the motor short breaks. In my use, the base stayed stable on the counter; I didn’t experience walking or wobble during normal pressure.

Capacity and workflow

The 500 ml container is the right choice for most home tasks. You can make a full batch of dressing, a round of cocktails, or a small pitcher of lemonade in a single pass without swapping containers. If you’re juicing for a crowd, plan on periodic pour-offs. I actually came to prefer this—emptying the container keeps pulp from accumulating and reduces the chance of making a mess.

One small workflow tip: trim the ends of larger fruit so there’s a flat surface, then score the membranes lightly with a knife. This helps the cone catch instantly and reduces the chance you’ll need to apply extra force.

Who it’s for—and who should look elsewhere

If you regularly juice a handful of lemons and limes for cooking, fresh orange juice for breakfast, or occasional grapefruit, this juicer hits a sweet spot of convenience and cleanup. It’s compact, the parts are dishwasher-safe, and the pulp control actually lets you tune the texture to the task. It’s an easy upgrade from hand squeezing and much less finicky than feeding citrus through a full-size juice extractor.

If you want to process large volumes every week—multiple quarts at a time—or you tend to push hard on tools, a more robust unit with a heavier-duty drive or a lever-style manual press may suit you better. This model works best with reasonable pressure and short duty cycles. Treat it as an everyday kitchen helper, not a commercial appliance.

Warranty and care

A two-year limited warranty offers some peace of mind. Even so, I’d still recommend a few habits to extend the life of the drivetrain: don’t lean on the cone, clear the strainer when pulp piles up, and break long sessions into shorter runs. These small adjustments make the motor sound happier and keep the reversing mechanism from chattering.

The bottom line

This juicer brings a lot of thoughtful usability to a simple job: two cones for different fruit, real pulp control, clear measurements, a reliable spout, and parts that clean up fast. It’s not built for marathon batches, but it’s exactly the kind of tool I want for daily cooking and weekend juice—predictable, tidy, and easy to store.

Recommendation: I recommend this juicer for home cooks and juice fans who want quick, consistent citrus without the hassle. It’s compact, user-friendly, and delivers solid extraction with minimal cleanup. If you’re juicing in bulk every week or tend to push tools hard, consider a heavier-duty alternative; otherwise, this is a smart, practical choice that earns its spot on the counter.