Vitamix is a popular brand that boasts of some of the best blenders on the market.
Their baseline and top-selling units are made with high-quality materials that can deliver a much better result than a regular blender.
Even though Vitamix units are super expensive, they are still flying off the shelves. A number of people opt for Vitamix units because they are great for grinding coffee beans, preparing healthy food, and working with tough ingredients like frozen fruit and frozen yogurt.
What’s more, Vitamix customer service is spot on, and their units come with a lengthy warranty.
If you just purchased your first Vitamix blender, you may be wondering how to get the most out of it. This article will help make things easier for you, as it unveils a few tips that will help you get the most out of your Vitamix blender.
Don’t hold back; use the highest speed
Many people have the notion that running their blenders at high speeds will make the motor overheat. Well, this isn’t true for Vitamix blenders. In fact, running a Vitamix blender at low speeds hurts the motor a lot more than when you use the high speeds.
You see, using a blender ata low speed when making almond butter, nut butter, peanut butter, almond milk shakes, or when you are working with frozen ingredients and leafy greens, fruits, and seeds; may extend your blending time and ruin your overall result.
Just like other machines, your blender has a higher risk of overheating when it runs for a long time.
If, on the other hand, you ramp up your Vitamix blender to its highest speed, you will get a better result without hurting your motor.
Note that the cooling fan in the base unit of a Vitamix blender is more efficient at doing its job when the unit is on high throttle.
Load your ingredients properly
Since Vitamix units are powerful, you may think that you are going to get excellent results regardless of the way you load your ingredients. But that is far from the truth.
You see, loading your ingredients the wrong way could damage the motor and the blades, especially if you are starting with a high-speed setting.
To ensure that you get your desired result when makingsmoothies, soup, or Vitamix recipes, you should arrange your ingredients in your container properly.
Soft ingredients and liquid should be at the bottom (close to the blades). Hard ingredients should be at the top. Arranging your ingredients this way will prevent air pockets from forming and help you get a better result.
Below is a simple order on how to arrange ingredients from top to bottom.
- Frozen ingredients – ice
- Whole or chopped veggies and fruits
- Leafy and fibrous Greens
- Dry ingredients- protein powder, grains, and seasonings
- Liquid- juice, water, or milk
You don’t need to chop your ingredients
If you have a Vitamix unit, you may be able to get away with blending your ingredients without first chopping them.
Vitamix units have a powerful motor and blade that can reduce whole fruits to liquid and transform ice to snow within seconds. Users can use the removable lid plug to add whole fruits during a blending session.
People with a normal blender with a weak motor may not enjoy this benefit. They often need to chop their ingredients into sizable chunks before their blender can work with it.
Cleaning the Container
Regardless of the model of Vitamix unit you purchased, you aren’t going to have a hard time cleaning it.
Here is how to keep the blending container clean after use.
- Half fill the blending container with warm water
- Add a few drops of dish soap
- Run it for 30 seconds (High speed)
- Pour out the liquid and rinse with clean water
- Allow to air dry and store in a dry place.
If you are working with spices, raw honey, dark greens, veggies, ice drinks, or you are making peanut butter regularly, the jar is likely going to become cloudy after a while.
A simple way to prevent this is by washing the jar shortly after use before the residue sits in.
And if after your best efforts, the Vitamix blender containers remain cloudy, you should fill it with warm water; add a few drops of dish soap and a small amount of Vinegar. Allow it to soak overnight.
Always return it to a low-speed setting
Whether you are using the Vitamix 5200 or any of the best Vitamix blenders on the market, you should never leave it in a high-speed setting.
Unlike other blenders that automatically return to a low-speed setting after a blending session, Vitamix blender will ramp up ingredients at the last speed setting you left it.
So, if you left it at its highest speed the last time you made a smoothie, and you want to use it again today, the machine will blast your ingredients away as soon as you switch it on.
This could damage your motor or injure you severely.
To be on the safe side, you should always return your unit to a low-speed setting when you are done blending.
Take a second look at the lid plug
Did you read the manual that came with your Vitamix unit? If no, chances are, you don’t know the use of the lid plug. In fact, you may not have taken note of it.
The lid plug that seats on top of the wet container can serve as a mini measuring cup. If you take a close look at it, you will notice that it has fill lines for one ounce and half an ounce.
The lid plug can come in handy when you want to add a tiny amount of a liquid ingredient to your drink.
So the next time you are making cocktails and frozen drinks, you should use the lip plug. This will save you from making another measuring cup dirty.
Let nothing go to waste
Making thick smoothies, almond butter, and hummus with a Vitamix blender is easy, but getting them out of the blender jar is another story.
A good amount of the ingredient usually gets trapped under the blade or on the side of the Vitamix container.
With the help of a spoon, you may be able to scrape the ingredients stuck on the walls of the Vitamix container. However, getting out the ones under the blade is usually more challenging. Most people just give up and leave them be.
If you have a Vitamix under blade scraper, nothing will go to waste, as the tool can easily scrape ingredients out of every part of the Vitamix container.
Don’t overload your unit
If you are looking to make huge volumes of smoothies and frozen drinks with your Vitamix blender, you may be tempted to fill it past its maximum fill line so that you can make a little more drinks at a time.
Doing this may seem like a smart move, but the truth is that it is not.
You see, when you overload your wet container, you won’t be able to use the tamper. Even worse, ingredients will start to leak from the top of the jar.
Trying to blend too few ingredients is also not a good idea, as your blender blade may blast them out of your jar and into your kitchen walls.
When to use the tamper
All full-size Vitamix units on the market have lid openings that users can use to add ingredients and press ingredients down during a blending session.
If you are working with thick ingredients or enjoy making thick smoothies, you may need a little help to pushyour ingredients into the blades. This is where the tamper comes in.
Besides pushing down ingredients, a tamper can also help pop air pockets and ensure that your ingredients blend properly.
Going the Extra Mile
If you are going to be working with delicate recipes, you should consider investing in a Vitamix Blend smart scale. With it, you will be able toplan yourservings and calories. This will go a long way in helping you achieve your nutritional goals.
You can take things to the next level by getting an Aer disc container, which is perfect for preparing sauces and whipping ingredients.
After buying these, a food processor bowl should be next on your list.
Conclusion
Vitamix units are powerful appliances that can deliver amazing results. Regardless of the model opted for; you are going to be happy with your purchase.
To max out your Vitamix unit, you may have to purchase accessories like a food processor attachment, which can help you chop veggies, among others.
Applying the tips discussed in this article will go a long way in helping you get the best out of your Vitamix blender.
