FAQ - Ascent Series

Yes! Each cookbook is written a bit differently to support the specific machine it comes with, but all Vitamix machines perform the same variety of culinary techniques. You may just need to adjust ingredient quantities and/or blend times for your Ascent™ Series blender. If the recipe you’re using has a yield of less than 3 cups, you’ll want to double the recipe for your 64-ounce low-profile container. Any recipe that yields more than 8 cups will need to be cut in half. Don’t be afraid to call our customer care team if you aren’t sure. Many of the recipes will work just as they’re written.

Your Vitamix Ascent™ Series blender is capable of heating soups to a steamy temperature of 170°F, so we do not recommend adding anything to your container that exceeds that temperature.

SELF-DETECT technology is part of all Ascent™ Series blenders and their containers. This means your machine knows which container size you are using, and automatically adjusts program settings and maximum blend times accordingly.

In addition to optimizing your blends, SELF-DETECT™ containers also offer an added level of safety. On models with program settings, certain programs like hot soup are disabled for the (8- and 20-ounce) Blending Bowls and Blending Cups. On models without program settings, the blender will shut off after 1:15 of blending in the 8- and 20-ounce containers, because they don’t have vented lids like the full-size containers do. Vitamix Ascent Series blenders will not begin blending if the container isn’t sitting properly on the base, or if the detachable blade base for the smaller containers isn’t properly attached.

At this time, the Tamper Holder is only compatible with the C®- and G®-Series machines. Our product development team is currently working on a new Tamper Holder for the Ascent Series, so be sure to stay tuned for updates!

If you have a Tamper for the 64-ounce low-profile container (compatible with our G®-Series, then yes! Your old container will not work with the new machines, but the Tampers are the same.

No, the previous containers do not contain our latest SELF-DETECT™ technology, so your Ascent™ Series blender will not start until a compatible container is properly sitting on the motor base. This new technology is designed to optimize your blends, and provide added safety benefits. We will have new container sizes available soon for the Ascent Series, so stay tuned for updates!

You can extend the original warranty by three years for any new or Certified Reconditioned blender in our C®-, G®-, or Personal Series, as long as your unit is still covered under its orginal warranty! Find out more by contacting our customer care team at 1-800-848-2649.

Every Vitamix machine purchase qualifies for no-interest Easy Payments through PayPal Credit. Terms and conditions apply. See details.

Each Ascent Series blender stands 17 inches tall with the lid in place, so these units will fit beneath most standard cabinets! We recommend measuring how much space you have from the bottom of your cupboards to the top of your counter to be sure you have enough space.

All Vitamix Ascent Series blenders include SELF-DETECT™ technology, meaning they will detect the container you’re using and automatically adjust blend settings to improve your recipes and enhance safety. On models with program settings, certain programs like hot soup are disabled for the 8- and 20-ounce containers. On models without program settings, the blender will shut off after 1:15 of blending in the 8- and 20-ounce containers, because they don’t have vented lids like the full-size containers do.

If you’re using an 8-ounce Blending Bowl or 20-ounce Blending Cup, your Ascent Series machine will disable the hot soup program. This is because the smaller containers do not have vented lids to release steam like the full-size containers do.

Yes, our 20-ounce Blending Cups come with flip-top lids that are perfect for traveling with a smoothie, or pouring blended dressings and sauces over your salads and entrees. The 8-ounce Blending Bowls come with airtight storage lids that are stackable for easy storage!

The lid plug is vented to release steam when you’re making hot soups and sauces. You can remove the lid plug while the machine is running in order to use the Tamper or add more ingredients to your blend. The lid plug is also marked with 1-ounce (1/8 cup) and ½-ounce measurements to help you measure liquids without dirtying another dish.

The blade assembly for your 8-ounce Blending Bowls and/or 20-ounce Blending Cups is dishwasher-safe! We recommend washing the detachable blade assembly on the top rack.

The new 64-ounce low-profile container with SELF-DETECT™ technology can be used on our G®-Series blenders. But since your G-Series motor base does not have SELF-DETECT technology, it will simply function as a standard container. New containers work on older blender models, but older containers do not work on the new Ascent™ Series blenders.

This symbol is there to let you know there is not a container seated on the motor base properly, so you will not be able to start the machine. Once you place a container on the motor base, the symbol will disappear.

Counting Down - When using the preset programs on your Ascent™ Series blender, as the program runs the timer will count down how much time is left on the program. Once it hits 0, the program is done and your machine will stop automatically. When you set the programmable timer on the A3300 or A3500, it will also count down to display how much time is left on the blend, and stop the machine automatically when the time is complete.

Counting Up – When using the variable speeds on your Ascent unit, the time will reflect how long you have the unit running. This makes longer blending tasks, like soup, easy to do without needing another timer!

The standard digital timer will count up to display how long your blend has been running. This helps you avoid losing track of time and letting your blend get too thin, or becoming impatient and not blending long enough. If your machine has program settings, the standard timer will also count down to show how much time is left on your program setting.

The programmable timer performs the above functions, but also lets you set it to a certain blend time. It will then count down to display how much time is left, and will stop the machine automatically when blending is complete.

Unfortunately, you are not able to change the timer while the machine is running. Please stop the machine and enter the time desired.

Using the timer is easy! When using Variable Speed or Pulse modes, the timer will count up automatically. With Ascent™ Series models featuring a programmable timer (A3300 & A3500), the timer will count down from the selected time and the machine will stop automatically once the cycle has reached 0:00.

The program settings on Ascent™ Series blenders are determined by the container type present on the motor base, so program blending times and speeds may vary.

The message you are seeing means that an error has been detected in the system. Please provide us with the error code you are receiving, as well as your Vitamix Serial Number and contact information, and we will have someone reach out directly to assist further!

To exit sleep mode, simply rotate the speed dial or press any button on the control panel to wake the blender up!