There is no doubt as to why Vitamix blenders are one of the most popular home appliances. From their powerful blending features to their top-notch quality, there is nothing this blender lacks.
However, there may possibly be one thing.
Despite the increase of recent models of Vitamix blenders being certified dishwasher safe, to protect the longevity and beauty of this beloved blender, it is best advised not to wash in a dishwasher.
Keep reading to know more about whether they are or not dishwasher safe, as there is still a lot to unpack.
Can You Wash The Vitamix Blender In The Dishwasher?
There might be people out there claiming that these blenders are perfectly dishwashing safe, however, just to be safe, it is recommended not to put your Vitamix in the dishwasher.
The 20-ounce and 40-ounce containers are certified to be okay for dishwashing, but even the company lacks confidence and only advises to be put in the top rack.
It is also not advised for any of the Legacy or Explorean blenders to be dishwashers, but their Ascent and Venturist series are safe for dishwashing.
It’s critical to consider that Vitamix purposefully did not approve these containers as dishwasher safe.
Another reason why it is best not to put these in the dishwasher is that even while they might seem to be in good shape after the cleaning, it might be difficult to tell whether any inside harm has occurred or not.
Perhaps the reason would be due to the intricate system of the base of Vitamix containers, as dishwashing could cause damage to the ball bearing system or other components within the container.
Why Are Vitamixs Not Dishwasher Safe?
Not all Vitamix models or parts may be put in the dishwasher. Due to the fact that the heat from the dishwasher can blunt and wear the blades, it won’t clean as well as hand or self-cleaning, and you might need to replace this part more frequently.
There are multiple parts that make up a Vitamix blender. These contain the base blade, the container, the housing for the electronic blender, and the lids and seals.
This implies that any or all of these parts for all other Vitamix models cannot be washed in the dishwasher.
The lid, container, and seal are usually safe for dishwashing. But even if your blender is dishwashing safe this doesn’t imply other components.
For the blades, it is always a no go as they will always wear after a few cycles and hence reducing the blender’s efficiency.
How Do I Clean My Vitamix Container?
To clean the Vitamix container, there are three ways you could go with it. These are to self-clean, hand wash or by using the dishwasher.
Self-Cleaning
By following some simple steps, self-cleaning is as easy as a child’s play while keeping your blender well-maintained.
Firstly, use warm water to rinse out all the leftovers in the container after use. Make sure it is done right after use as the leftover might need some scrubbing if it dries up.
Secondly, add some drops of dish soap and fill it again with water. Then place the lid and turn the blender on at a low speed. Slowly increase the speed and let it go on for almost a minute. Pour out the water and rinse the container.
Finally, let the container and lid sit and dry.
Hand-Washing
Running a self-cleaning cycle alone is not always sufficient. Some ingredients have a bad reputation for being sticky and constantly end up clinging to the container’s sides or the blade.
A cleaning challenge might be presented by nut butter, protein powders, gelatinous seeds, or bread dough.
For this reason, hand washing might be the way to go. To hand wash, first add some drops of dish soap and fill almost half of the container. Then, with the help of a sponge, clean all the leftover content on the container lids and beneath the blades.
You could also use a soft bottle cleaning brush for this purpose. Pour the water out and rinse it properly. Then, leave the container to dry or you could even use a towel to dry it.
You might want to consider the Vitamix under-blade scraper if you don’t want to waste any blend. It easily gets beneath the blade and acts as a wiper on the container’s sides.
Using the Dishwasher
For dishwashing, Vitamix claims that all self-detect containers and the S series containers are safe for dishwashing in the top rack.
However, Vitamix does not claim legacy containers to be safe for dishwashing. With that being cleared, it is not advised to run any Vitamix container through a dishwasher.
As explained above, the number one reason for this is due to the dishwasher using harsh detergents and running the container, blades and bearings through hot temperatures which puts a lot of stress and as a result shortens the lifespan of the blender.
As the blender keeps getting washed, the container will start to build up micro-cracks and distortion, the ball bearings will start to get rusty, and the blades will also get blunt and worn out.
On the other end, the harsh chemicals will stick to the plastic parts of the container and hence give it a permanent white effect.
Secondly, the blender is placed in the dishwasher for long periods giving the leftover residue time to etch itself on the container and hence resulting in a mineral buildup.
Blenders require immediate cleaning after use before the leftover dries up and sticks to the container.
Lastly, using a dishwasher for cleaning the blender does not make much sense practically, this is because a dishwasher is normally used up to almost once a day and a blender might be needed quite frequently.
However, even after all the cons you still want to use the dishwasher for your blender try sticking to the rules mentioned above.
How To Clean The White Buildup On The Container?
As you continue to use your blender, the container walls get cloudy due to mineral buildup. Microscopic layers build up on the interior of the containers due to the minerals in food and water.
These incredibly tiny layers accumulate over time to provide the illusion of a hazy container.
Foods high in minerals, like seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, protein, and green powders are especially susceptible to this. Hard water will also be a good contributor to this problem.
The best solution to this issue is after blending, clear out the blender container, rinse it quickly, and using a clean kitchen towel, pat it dry to stop the minerals from accumulating in the first place. Make sure not to keep food and water residue from remaining in the blender container.
However, for those already having a cloudy container, the most effective solution is to first mix three tablespoons of water with half a cup of baking soda to make it into a thick paste.
Then spread this paste evenly onto the interior of the Vitamix blender and allow it to sit there for a maximum of twenty minutes.
With the help of a cloth or a tender bristle brush, gently apply force to clean off the mineral buildup. It is important not to use a sponge or harsh cleaning chemicals since they might damage the container.
Lastly, rinse the container with water, pour out the liquid and dry it off with a towel or a cloth.
If the baking soda scrape was unsuccessful, tiny scratches might be the source of the hazy container.
Final Words on Putting a Vitamix in the Dishwasher
To sum it up, it is not safe or practical to wash your Vitamix blenders in a dishwasher. In order to protect the longevity and shine of the container, it is better to self-clean or hand wash with dish soap.
However, if you want to still dishwash your blender, put it in the top rack and avoid metal components to protect it from getting rusty.