Utensils & kitchen tools · Juicer

Citrus press / reamer

A hand tool or small device for squeezing juice from lemons, limes and oranges.

Useful to have · Manual · 15 recipes

Photo: Fritzs, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-3.0)

What it is

Several designs share the name: a ribbed cone reamer that you twist halved fruit on, often set over a dish that catches juice and pips; a hinged squeezer that presses half a fruit between two cups; and small electric citrus juicers with a motorised cone. They are simpler than a full juicer.

What it’s for: Extracting citrus juice quickly while holding back pips.

How to use it

Roll the fruit firmly on the counter to loosen the juice.
Cut it in half across the middle.
Press cut side down on the reamer and twist, or squeeze in a hinged press cut side facing the holes.
Strain out any pips or pulp.

Good to know

Tasks: juicing lemons and limes, juicing oranges, making lemonade and dressings, juicing for cocktails
Cooking methods: Raw, No-cook
Materials: glass, ceramic, plastic, aluminium, stainless steel, wood
Care and cleaning: Rinse right after use; citric acid can pit aluminium.
Limitations: Citrus only; zest must be removed before squeezing.

If you don’t have one

Fork — Twist a fork inside the cut fruit while squeezing.
Tongs — Squeeze a lime half between the arms of tongs.

Equipment guide

How it works: A ridged cone breaks the juice sacs as fruit is twisted or pressed against it, while a strainer catches seeds and pulp.

Material	Good	Watch out
Stainless steel	Durable, non-reactive, dishwasher-safe, does not hold smells.	Can scratch non-stick pans; conducts heat, so all-metal handles get hot.
Borosilicate or tempered glass	Non-reactive, lets you see the browning on the sides and base; holds heat well once hot.	Slow to heat; can shatter with sudden temperature changes (e.g. cold liquid into a hot dish, or from fridge to hot oven).
Ceramic or stoneware	Holds heat and cooks gently and evenly; non-reactive; attractive for serving.	Heavy, slow to heat, can crack with thermal shock; glazes vary in quality.
Food-grade plastic (polypropylene, nylon)	Light, cheap, gentle on non-stick surfaces.	Melts or warps on contact with hot pans; scratches harbour residue; can stain and hold smells.
Wood (reamer)	Simple, light.	Absorbs juice.

Handheld lever press: Lemons and limes.
Hand reamer: Over a bowl.
Countertop cone press: Bowl to catch juice.
Electric citrus juicer: Large quantities.

Buying guidance

Starting out: A handheld lever press sized for limes and lemons.