11 Things You Should Never Put in a Vitamix

You should not put hot liquids, ice cubes larger than the container, or hard items like whole spices in a Vitamix to avoid damage and ensure safety.

Your Vitamix is a powerful kitchen workhorse, but even this high-performance blender has limits. Knowing what not to blend can save you from kitchen disasters, costly repairs, and potential injuries. Here’s your definitive guide to protecting your Vitamix and getting the best results.

1. Hot Liquids (Without Precautions)

Blending hot soups or liquids can be dangerous. Steam builds pressure in the container, which may cause the lid to blow off. Vitamix does offer special containers designed for hot liquids, but with standard containers:

• Never fill more than halfway with hot liquids
• Remove center lid plug to vent steam
• Start on lowest speed and gradually increase

2. Whole Spices & Dry Grains

Why They’re Problematic

Hard spices like whole nutmeg or peppercorns can damage blades over time. Dry grains may create fine dust that clogs the motor.

Better Alternatives

• Pre-grind spices in a coffee grinder
• Soak grains briefly before blending
• Use the dry grains container if your model has one

3. Ice Cubes & Frozen Fruit (In Excess)

While Vitamix can handle ice, overloading with frozen items strains the motor:

Safe Amount	Risky Amount
1 cup ice cubes	Entire tray of ice
1 cup frozen fruit	2+ cups solid frozen fruit

4. Coffee Beans & Hard Nuts

These extremely hard items can prematurely dull your blades. For coffee beans, consider a dedicated grinder. With nuts:

• Soak almonds overnight before blending
• Chop large Brazil nuts first
• Use the tamper to keep nuts near blades

5. Fibrous Fruit Parts

Problematic Parts

• Citrus peels (except small amounts)
• Pineapple cores
• Mango skins

Surprisingly Blendable

• Apple cores (remove seeds)
• Watermelon rinds (white part only)
• Kiwi skins

6. Bones & Hard Vegetables

Despite Vitamix’s power, chicken bones or whole carrots can damage blades. For bone broth:

1. Roast bones first to soften
2. Break into 1-2 inch pieces
3. Blend with plenty of liquid

7. Starchy Doughs

Bread dough or thick batters can:

• Strain the motor
• Create uneven mixing
• Leave stubborn residue

For doughs, a food processor works better.

8. Potatoes (Raw)

Blending raw potatoes releases excess starch, creating a glue-like texture. For potato soup:

• Cook potatoes first
• Blend in batches
• Add warm liquid gradually

9. Carbonated Drinks

The carbonation expands when blended, potentially causing leaks or pressure buildup. For fizzy cocktails:

1. Blend other ingredients first
2. Add carbonated element last
3. Stir gently by hand

10. Overly Thick Mixtures

Nut butters or very thick mixtures can overheat the motor. Signs of trouble:

• Smell of overheating electronics
• Slowing motor sounds
• Container becoming hot to touch

11. Non-Food Items

It seems obvious, but people have tried blending:

• Ice packs (for “crushed ice”)
• Popsicle sticks (left in fruit)
• Silverware (accidentally dropped in)

Pro Tips for Safe Blending

Lid Safety

Always secure the lid properly. As one user learned the hard way (source: Cook for Good), using utensils while blending can cause dangerous accidents.

Cleaning Advice

For tough residues from starchy or fatty foods:

1. Fill halfway with warm water
2. Add drop of dish soap
3. Blend 30 seconds
4. Rinse thoroughly

When in Doubt

Consult your manual or the Joy of Blending guide for specific ingredients. Remember that even powerful tools have limits – respecting them ensures your Vitamix lasts for years.