Here's The Right Way To Use Your Vitamix

Let's be real, buying a Vitamix blender is an investment. It's easily one of the most expensive countertop kitchen appliances you can buy, but if you take care of the blender and use a few tips, it can easily last for more than a decade. These machines are already built to last forever, but a little extra care can keep it running in tip-top shape without any problem.

One of the most important tips for extending the life of your Vitamix has to do with the order in which you add ingredients. Whether you are making a smoothie, soup, ice cream or anything else, the order of ingredients can help your Vitamix blend them more easily. 

Liquids like water, juice, or even yogurt should go in first. Next are dry ingredients like grains and powders, which should be followed by leafy greens if you are adding them. Next are fruits and veggies, followed by ice or anything frozen. The ingredients essentially increase in weight as they are added to help weigh them down into the blades for easier and faster blending. Things like powder, however, come second so they do not get caked onto the blades (via Vitamix).

Another key tip for lengthening the life of a Vitamix is what speed you use. It is always best to start the blender at a low speed and quickly increase it to top speed, though there are a few exceptions. This helps the engine to stay cool while working efficiently (via Life Is No Yoke). If you're ever in doubt and the recipe does not specify a speed, Vitamix recommends you turn it to high.

Another important tip while blending is quantity. Whatever you are making, there should be enough of it to cover the blades. Otherwise, it will not blend properly or well (via Downshiftology). While you shouldn't have to use the tamper very often — especially if you add ingredients in the right order — it is helpful when blending thick recipes like ice cream to push the ingredients down and break up air pockets (via Vitamix).

Use your Vitamix regularly to keep it in good running order too. Also, don't forget to clean it on a regular basis with the clean cycle. If your Vitamix does not have a clean cycle, all you have to do is fill half the blender full of water and a couple of drops of dish soap. Whirl it around for about 30 seconds and rinse it out.