Can you put your Ninja blender in dishwasher?
You can put your Ninja blender in the dishwasher. This includes the pitcher, lid, and blade assembly – are dishwasher-safe in the top rack. Ensure the blade assembly is removed from the pitcher if it’s removable. Do not use the pot & pans/sanitizer setting on the dishwasher as the high temperatures may cause warping of the plastic pieces. Use one of the light or regular wash cycles.
The motor base is best cleaned by wiping it down with a damp cloth while the unit is unplugged.
Table of Contents
Blender Accessories
Ninja Foodi and Vitamix Blender
Immersion Blenders
Deep Cleaning
Cleaning Mold
Using Bleach
Cloudy Pitcher
Can the blender accessories go in the dishwasher?
Different models come with different blender components. It can be a lot to keep track of.
The Ninja professional blender comes with single-serve cups with spout lids. Some Ninja models come with stainless steel cups.
The Magic Bullet has plastic lids and lip rings along with extra cups for small batches.
The Ninja mega kitchen system includes a food processor attachment which fits right on the blender base.
The great thing is that non-electrical components are generally all top-rack dishwasher-safe parts. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model if you are unsure.
Can you put the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender or Vitamix Blender in the dishwasher?
These full-size blenders have more powerful motors and a heating element. You can still follow the same instructions as your other countertop kitchen appliances. The blender base is not dishwasher safe, but the pitcher and accessories are if you don’t want to use the self-cleaning feature.
Can my immersion blender go in the dishwasher too?
Yes, the detachable parts – the blending arm and whisk attachments – are top-rack dishwasher safe. Some immersion blenders come with a blending cup which is also top-rack safe. Wipe the motor casing down with a damp rag to remove any food residue that splashed up while blending.
You may also check your user manual for specific instructions.
Are blenders self-cleaning?
Yes, and using the self-cleaning method is better than the dishwasher for your Ninja blender because this quick process can be done immediately after each use to prevent food particles from drying and sticking to parts of the blender.
After using your blender, fill the blender pitcher, carafe or cup with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap. Run at high speed for 30 to 60 seconds. Some Ninja blender blades have a unique blade design that is not easily cleaned with a sponge or cloth. This will give your best results safely.
Some models will have a self-cleaning function. With Vitamix blenders, when the Clean cycle is selected, it will automatically turn off when completed.
Is a quick clean after use enough? Do I need to deep clean my blender?
Yes, you should deep clean your blender on a regular basis. If you use it every day, it’s a good idea to do a thorough cleaning on the weekends. A deep clean keeps your blender in good condition, prevents mold and may extend the life of your blender.
- Start by unplugging your blender and removing attachments.
- Take apart all removable pieces including the lid, pitcher, blades and gaskets. The number of pieces will depend on your model. Some blade assemblies are attached.
- Soak lid, gaskets and blades in warm soapy water for ten minutes. For your own safety, pay special attention to the sharp blades.
- While the small parts are soaking, wipe down the base of the blender with a soft sponge or towel.
- Rinse the pieces and reassemble the blender. Fill the blending container half full with hot water, 3/4 cup of white vinegar and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Blend for 20-30 seconds and rinse well.
- Once clean, disassemble again to allow each piece to fully dry. If it is put away without fully drying, the environment is ripe for mold and bacteria to grow.
What if my blender gets stained?
A paste made of baking soda is non-abrasive and will work well on stains from red sauces.
For tough stains, like turmeric, put your blender pitcher in the sun or under a UV light to break down the stain. It’s also recommended to wash your blender quickly after blending anything with turmeric to try to prevent staining your ninja before you even consider the dishwasher.
What do I do if I get mold in my blender?
Maybe your blender has been in storage for a long time. Or your roommate didn’t clean it properly before tucking it away.
It doesn’t matter what caused it. It matters you can see this problem. Mold is gross and can make you sick.
Your best option is to get rid of the blender entirely since every time you turn it on, any mold or bacteria is stirred up and getting into your food or drink. Think about how many crevices and tight spots exist on your blender, including under the gaskets and where pieces fit together.
You can do a deep clean as detailed above, but there’s no guarantee you will get all those contaminants.
Do I really have to get rid of my previously moldy, now clean blender?
If you didn’t get all of it, that mold is going to come back. It can grow in as little as 24 hours.
Have a close look. It can be powdery or soft-looking, maybe even fuzzy. There’s a whole rainbow of mold out there too.
But you might not even see it. Give that blender a sniff! Mold is often described a musty or earthy smell. It could be growing somewhere you can’t see and releasing gases.
You are feeling motivated to clean that blender now, aren’t you? (When you use your blender a lot, you know it doesn’t have much smell at all when it’s clean.)
If you have a mold problem inside your blender, it can lead to a funky taste. Enough said.
The worst part is that not all mold is visible or has a taste and smell. You may not realize the problem until you are trying to figure out why you always get nauseous or an upset stomach – common symptoms of ingesting mold – after your morning protein drink made in your blender.
Can I use diluted bleach to clean the mold?
This isn’t a simple yes or no question.
Bleach is a common household cleaner. In the kitchen, a ratio of 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach per gallon of hot water is common. It’s great on flat surfaces where you can be sure it is entirely cleaned away. Vitamix says you can use bleach in a quick clean.
However, bleach works on surface mold and won’t kill the deep roots of the mold which may be in spots you can’t access. It is also 90% water before you even dilute it so, once the chlorine evaporates, there is more moisture for the mold and bacteria to thrive.
Even if you treat the moldy blender with diluted bleach, it might not fix the situation. Replace your moldy blender. It’s not worth it!
Wondering if you can put aluminum in the oven safely? Find out here!
Why does my blender smell?
Always wash your brand-spanking new Ninja blender with warm, soapy water or pop the appropriate parts in the dishwasher. That plasticky or rubbery smell will go away after you’ve used it a few times.
But if your well-used blender smells, there’s likely some food caught somewhere. Vitamix recommends filling the pitcher with half-cool water and half vinegar. Let it sit for a few hours before pouring it out and rinsing with clean water. Alternatively, you can chop up a lemon, add it to the pitcher with half a cup of cool water and blend it.
However, if it’s a burning smell during use, stop the blender immediately and try to determine the cause.
- Overheating from blending too long.
- Not enough liquid and the motor is working too hard to mix it.
- Blades are stuck. Durable blades can still get stuck when blending ice or frozen fruit.
- Overloading/maximum capacity.
- Worn out parts. Blades, seals and O-rings are common replacements. Check your warranty.
Why is my Blender Pitcher Cloudy?
This is a common question.
If your pitcher is plastic, it is possible it is scratched from various grains, chia seeds and vegetables. This isn’t a problem with glass pitchers. Scratches are generally permanent.
More likely, this white film on your glass or plastic pitcher is one of two things: hard water buildup or mineral deposits from blending mineral-rich vegetables and fruit. Those green smoothies leave their mark behind.
While a mild detergent won’t remove this cloudiness, there is good news. This is easily dealt with using something you already have in your minimalist kitchen: vinegar. Follow these step-by-step instructions for a perfect carafe.
- Mix white vinegar and clean water in a 1:3 ratio and add to the blender jar.
- Use the pulse function or blend on high for 30 seconds.
- Let the blender sit for several hours to give the vinegar time to dissolve the deposits.
- Rinse with warm soapy water
- Air dry.
For especially tough stains, repeat the process a second time.
In the future, manually drying your blender container before putting it away may help you avoid a buildup of minerals as calcium and magnesium won’t have a chance to dry on the surface.
Always Keep Dishwasher-safe Blenders Clean
Home cooks have lots of options to get their blenders clean. Whether you choose one of the many models of Ninja Blenders, a Vitamix or another brand, some parts of your blender will be dishwasher-safe if you pick the right dishwasher cycles and use the top rack. Self-cleaning mode is a good pick if you know ahead you will be using it again and won’t have time to run the dishwasher. Try the different methods of cleaning to figure out your own preference and always keep the motor dry.
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