Can You Put Almonds In A Juicer? What Happens and How to Do It Right

You just bought a bag of raw almonds and a shiny new juicer. Maybe you saw a recipe for fresh almond milk and thought, I’ll just toss these in the juicer and get free milk, right? Hold that thought. Pushing whole almonds into most juice machines is a fast way to wreck a $200 appliance. But it’s not a simple yes or no answer — some juicers can handle almonds, and some absolutely cannot. By the end of this article you’ll know exactly which equipment works, which doesn’t, and how to get creamy almond milk without trashing your countertop gear.

Most juicers are built for wet, fibrous fruits and vegetables — apples, carrots, celery, citrus. Almonds are hard, dry, and oily. That combination is a perfect recipe for a jammed auger, a burned-out motor, or a cracked housing. But there’s one type of juicer that gets close, and a few workarounds that save you money and frustration. I’ll walk you through each option with the numbers, the steps, and the honest trade-offs.

Can-Can

Commercial Grade Can-Can Pomegranate and Citrus Juicer

Resistance. Due to the materials, it is made of, as well as the principle used for squeezing, this appliance has a long lifespan, in the domestic use it can reach over 10 years of use without the need for a repair.

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If you’re serious about fresh juice in general — especially citrus and pomegranates — you might also want a rugged, non-electric press for those jobs. The Commercial Grade Can-Can Pomegranate and Citrus Juicer clamps to your countertop and squeezes fruit with a simple lever. It’s not for nuts, but it’ll outlast any electric machine for citrus, and it’s worth knowing about if you ever juice oranges, lemons, or pomegranates alongside your almond experiments.

What Happens When You Put Almonds in a Juicer?

Let’s break down the physics. Whole almonds contain about 4% moisture and roughly 50% fat. A typical juicer relies on the liquid inside produce to carry pulp through the system. Almonds don’t have that liquid. So the machine ends up grinding dry, oily paste that sticks to every surface.

In a centrifugal juicer (the kind with a spinning basket), almonds get thrown against the mesh and quickly clog it. The paste builds up, the motor strains, and you’ll hear a pitch change — that’s the thermal cutout about to kick in. I’ve seen homeowners ruin a centrifugal juicer in under 30 seconds this way. The blade basket can warp if overheated. The warranty will not cover it.

In a masticating (slow) juicer, the auger turns at 40–80 RPM. These machines can theoretically process dry nuts because they chew rather than shred. Some masticating juicers even come with a separate blank plate for making nut butters. But even here, feeding whole dry almonds will put heavy torque on the auger motor. The paste can jam the auger, and cleaning it out is a nightmare. Many masticating juicer manuals explicitly warn against dry nuts.

The one exception: masticating juicers that include a dedicated nut milk screen or a homogenizing attachment. Brands like the Aeitto cold press juicer sometimes come with a fine-mesh screen designed for soaked almonds. But you still need to soak those almonds first (more on that below).

How to Make Almond Milk Without Breaking Your Juicer

The real question isn’t can you put almonds in a juicer — it’s how do you get almond milk without buying a separate appliance? Here’s the practical method that works with most masticating juicers and a few centrifugal models (if you’re brave and careful).

1. Soak the almonds overnight. Use filtered water, cover the almonds by an inch. After 8–12 hours they’ll swell and soften. Rinse well.
2. Add water to the soaked almonds. The ratio matters: 1 cup soaked almonds to 3 cups fresh water. This creates enough liquid to carry the pulp through the machine.
3. Run the mixture through your juicer. If you’re using a masticating juicer, use the coarse screen or the blank plate designed for nut butters. For centrifugal juicers, feed the almond-water mixture in small batches — and expect to clean the basket every cup or two.
4. Strain again through a nut milk bag. Even the best juicer leaves grit. A second strain gives you silky milk.

Pro tip: Don’t skip the soak. Soaking reduces enzyme inhibitors and softens the nut so the motor doesn’t have to crush a rock. You’ll get higher yield and lower risk of damage.

If you own a cold press masticating juicer with a slow auger, this is the safest route. Centrifugal juicers still struggle — the mesh clogs easily. I’d recommend investing in a good blender and nut milk bag for almond milk, and save your juicer for apples and carrots.

Table: Best Methods for Almond Milk vs. Juicer Type

Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which approach fits your equipment.

Notice the blender method wins on yield and safety. A Vitamix or Blendtec with a nut milk bag costs less than a new juicer and doesn’t risk a motor burnout. If you already own a good blender, use it.

Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

I’ve seen people do all three of these, and each one ended in a call to customer service.

• Mistake 1: Feeding dry almonds into any juicer. Dry almonds are harder than most juicer parts. The auger or blade will chip, the housing may crack. Always soak.
• Mistake 2: Using too little water. Almond milk needs a 3:1 or 4:1 water-to-almond ratio to create enough fluid flow. Too thick and the machine jams.
• Mistake 3: Forgetting to clean immediately. Almond paste dries like cement. If you let it sit for an hour, you’ll spend 20 minutes scrubbing. Rinse right after use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make almond butter in a juicer?

Only if your masticating juicer comes with a blank plate or a homogenizing nozzle designed for nut butters. Even then, expect a slow process with frequent stops to scrape the paste out. Most people find a food processor or high-speed blender much faster and less messy.

Will almonds break a centrifugal juicer?

Yes, in most cases. The centrifugal basket’s fine mesh clogs almost instantly with dry almond paste. The motor spins at 10,000+ RPM, and when it can’t eject pulp, heat builds fast. I’ve seen the plastic housing warp and the thermal fuse blow. Stick to soaked blends with lots of water if you must try, but it’s not worth the risk.

Can I use a citrus juicer for almonds?

No. Citrus juicers (including the Can-Can press) are reamers that squeeze fruit halves. They cannot crush nuts. You’ll just crack the shell or jam the reamer. Keep citrus juicers for oranges and pomegranates — they do that job perfectly.

What about a wheatgrass juicer for almonds?

Wheatgrass juicers are masticating machines with a slow auger. They can process soaked almonds if you add water, but the pulp outlet is tiny and clogs easily. You’re better off with a blender.

Is it safe to put almonds in a juicer for occasional use?

It depends on the machine. A $300 dual-auger masticating juicer with a nut milk screen can handle occasional batches. A $50 centrifugal juicer will likely fail after one or two attempts. Check your manual — if it says “do not process nuts,” believe it.

What to Do Next

• Soak almonds at least 8 hours before any juicing attempt. No shortcuts.
• Use a blender + nut milk bag for the highest yield and lowest risk.
• If you must use a juicer, pick a masticating model with a dedicated nut milk screen.
• Never feed dry almonds into a centrifugal juicer.
• Clean your juicer or blender immediately after making almond milk.
• Keep a citrus juicer like the Can-Can around for oranges and pomegranates — it’ll last a decade and never care about almonds.
• When in doubt, buy a cheap nut milk maker — it’ll pay for itself in saved juicer repairs.