Frequently Asked Questions

Blend on High:

The Vitamix blenders are built to blend at high speed. For most recipes that finish smooth (like smoothies, soups, frozen drinks, nut butters, dips, and purées), start on Variable 1, quickly increase to Variable 10, then flip the High switch if you have a 5200.

Blending on high delivers the smoothest results and runs the motor’s cooling fan at maximum speed, helping the machine stay cool during demanding blends.

Use the Tamper:

The tamper is an essential part of the Vitamix blending system. For thick or frozen blends, the tamper helps move ingredients through the blades, reduce air pockets, improve blend quality, and shorten blend time.

Use the tamper to guide ingredients from the corners toward the blades, and don’t be afraid to use extra pressure when tamping. Vitamix blenders work best when ingredients are forced down into the blades.

The tamper helps when blending thick smoothies, frozen desserts, nut butters, hummus, dips, spreads, or any recipe where ingredients stop circulating freely. With the lid securely in place, insert the tamper through the lid plug opening and guide ingredients from the corners toward the blades.

Check Your Quantity:

Processing cooked potatoes, cooked rice or cooked beans creates a heavier than normal load on the machine. You may want to consider reducing the food quantity placed in the container by half (depending on how much food you started with) and possibly adding a bit of liquid.

Follow Order of Ingredients:

When following Vitamix recipes, be sure to place ingredients into the container in the order listed. If using your own recipe, follow this order for full-size containers: liquid ingredients first (water, juice, yogurt), followed by softer ingredients (tofu), then juicier fruits and vegetables (grapes, cucumbers), firmer fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots), frozen ingredients (frozen berries), and finally ice. Dry ingredients like protein powders should follow the ice.

The Vitamix motor is designed with Automatic Overload Protection to protect itself from overheating. If the motor overheats:

Turn the power off, allowing the machine to cool down or reset.

Cooling time can vary depending on how the blender was being used. In general:

• Some shut‑downs may reset in just a few minutes

• The majority of shut-downs will take up to 30 minutes

• Most users find that waiting ~30 minutes is sufficient to allow the system to cool down from potentially damaging temperatures.

If you are still unable to start your machine, please contact customer service.

The following tips can help avoid overheating the machine in the future:

1. Blend on High
   Vitamix blenders are built to blend at high speed. For most recipes that finish smooth (like smoothies, soups, frozen drinks, nut butters, dips, and purées), start on Variable 1, quickly increase to Variable 10, then flip the High switch if you have a 5200. Blending on high delivers the smoothest results and runs the motor’s cooling fan at maximum speed, helping the machine stay cool during demanding blends.

2. Use the Tamper
   The tamper is an essential part of the Vitamix blending system. For thick or frozen blends, the tamper helps move ingredients through the blades, reduce air pockets, improve blend quality, and shorten blend time.

   Use the tamper to guide ingredients from the corners toward the blades, and don’t be afraid to use extra pressure when tamping. Vitamix blenders work best when ingredients are forced down into the blades.

   The tamper helps when blending thick smoothies, frozen desserts, nut butters, hummus, dips, spreads, or any recipe where ingredients stop circulating freely. With the lid securely in place, insert the tamper through the lid plug opening and guide ingredients from the corners toward the blades.

The Vitamix motor is designed with Automatic Overload Protection to protect itself from overheating. If the motor overheats:

Turn the power off, allowing the machine to cool down or reset.

Cooling time can vary depending on how the blender was being used. In general:

• Some shut‑downs may reset in just a few minutes

• The majority of shut-downs will take up to 30 minutes

• Most users find that waiting ~30 minutes is sufficient to allow the system to cool down from potentially damaging temperatures.

If you are still unable to start your machine, please contact customer service.

The following tips can help avoid overheating the machine in the future:

1. Blend on High
   Vitamix blenders are built to blend at high speed. For most recipes that finish smooth (like smoothies, soups, frozen drinks, nut butters, dips, and purées), start on Variable 1, quickly increase to Variable 10, then flip the High switch if you have a 5200. Blending on high delivers the smoothest results and runs the motor’s cooling fan at maximum speed, helping the machine stay cool during demanding blends.

2. Use the Tamper
   The tamper is an essential part of the Vitamix blending system. For thick or frozen blends, the tamper helps move ingredients through the blades, reduce air pockets, improve blend quality, and shorten blend time.

   Use the tamper to guide ingredients from the corners toward the blades, and don’t be afraid to use extra pressure when tamping. Vitamix blenders work best when ingredients are forced down into the blades.

   The tamper helps when blending thick smoothies, frozen desserts, nut butters, hummus, dips, spreads, or any recipe where ingredients stop circulating freely. With the lid securely in place, insert the tamper through the lid plug opening and guide ingredients from the corners toward the blades.

Although all motors are tested at the Vitamix factory, heavy use will cause further curing of the motor windings in new machines. This curing gives off a burning smell and is typical for wound motors. This smell will quickly dissipate after a few heavy uses.

In addition, the Vitamix motor is designed with Automatic Overload Protection to protect itself from overheating. If the motor should overheat, it may emit a burning smell.

If this occurs, turn the power off, allowing the machine to cool down or reset.

Cooling time can vary depending on how the blender was being used. In general:

• Some shut‑downs may reset in just a few minutes

• The majority of shut-downs will take up to 30 minutes

• Most users find that waiting ~30 minutes is sufficient to allow the system to cool down from potentially damaging temperatures.

If you are still unable to start your machine, please contact customer service.

The following tips can help avoid overheating the machine in the future:

1. Blend on High
   Vitamix blenders are built to blend at high speed. For most recipes that finish smooth (like smoothies, soups, frozen drinks, nut butters, dips, and purées), start on Variable 1, quickly increase to Variable 10, then flip the High switch if you have a 5200. Blending on high delivers the smoothest results and runs the motor’s cooling fan at maximum speed, helping the machine stay cool during demanding blends.

2. Use the Tamper
   The tamper is an essential part of the Vitamix blending system. For thick or frozen blends, the tamper helps move ingredients through the blades, reduce air pockets, improve blend quality, and shorten blend time.

   Use the tamper to guide ingredients from the corners toward the blades, and don’t be afraid to use extra pressure when tamping. Vitamix blenders work best when ingredients are forced down into the blades.

   The tamper helps when blending thick smoothies, frozen desserts, nut butters, hummus, dips, spreads, or any recipe where ingredients stop circulating freely. With the lid securely in place, insert the tamper through the lid plug opening and guide ingredients from the corners toward the blades.

Since all Vitamix blenders are able to perform the same variety of culinary techniques, including silky smoothies, textured sauces, hot soups, and frozen desserts, you can select a product based on the size you need and the controls you prefer. Answer a few questions in our Blender Recommender, and we'll suggest the product we think is right for you.

Our Research and Development Team is continuously researching product development. Currently, we have not found a suitable glass design to meet the strict safety and performance requirements Vitamix places on its products.

Ready for the latest Vitamix blender? We'd like to help you upgrade and recycle your old machine for you. See if your current machine qualifies for our Trade-In Program.

Vitamix demonstrators are on location throughout the country. Find a Vitamix retail location near you with an upcoming demonstration.

Because Vitamix has an in-state presence, state law requires the company to collect and remit sales tax based on the applicable state rates, plus local taxes. All orders are charged sales tax based on the ship-to location. Some states require state, county, city, and even special levy sales tax.

If you are purchasing on behalf of a tax-exempt organization, please call 1-800-437-4654 to place the order.

Yes, Vitamix has been a member of the Better Business Bureau since 1967.

If your Vitamix blender was purchased directly from our website, we've already registered it for you. If your machine was purchased from a Vitamix show, another online store, or retail location, you can register your machine online.

For the specific details of your warranty, please refer to the warranty certificate that came with your machine, or contact customer service. Please have your serial number available at the time of the call. The serial number is located on the back or bottom of your machine's motor base, below the bar code.

Depending on the model you own, you may be able to download a copy of your owner's manual. Some owner's manuals are available for download. If your manual is not available online, please contact customer service to request a copy.

Please click here to learn more about recalled Vitamix products, and enter your serial number to find out if your product has been recalled.

Please visit our online Service Center for more information about having your Vitamix® machine repaired.

Although all motors are tested at the Vitamix factory, heavy use will cause further curing of the motor windings in new machines. This curing gives off a burning smell and is typical for wound motors. This smell will quickly dissipate after a few heavy uses.

In addition, the Vitamix motor is designed with Automatic Overload Protection to protect itself from overheating. If the motor should overheat, it may emit a burning smell.

If this occurs, turn the power off for up to 45 minutes, allowing the machine to cool down or reset. Reset time will be extended if high room temperatures exist. To reduce the reset time, remove the container, unplug the machine, and use a hair dryer on the cool setting to blow air into the center section of the bottom of the motor base.

The grinding sound may indicate that the blade bearing assembly is starting to break down. Please contact customer service to troubleshoot this problem.

The high-pitched sound may indicate that the blade bearing assembly is starting to break down. Please contact customer service to troubleshoot this problem.

The Vitamix motor is designed with Automatic Overload Protection to protect itself from overheating. If the motor overheats:

Turn the power off for up to 45 minutes, allowing the machine to cool down or reset. Reset time will be extended if high room temperatures exist. To reduce the reset time, remove the container, unplug the machine, and use a hair dryer on the cool setting to blow air into the center section of the bottom of the motor base.

If you are still unable to start your machine, please contact customer service.

Vitamix motors are designed with Automatic Overload Protection to protect itself from overheating. If the motor should overheat, it may emit a burning smell.

If this occurs, turn the power off, allowing the machine to cool down or reset.

Cooling time can vary depending on how the blender was being used. In general:

• Some shut‑downs may reset in just a few minutes

• The majority of shut-downs will take up to 30 minutes

• Most users find that waiting ~30 minutes is sufficient to allow the system to cool down from potentially damaging temperatures.

Below are some tips to prevent overheating when processing thick mixtures with a Vitamix® If these suggestions do not improve the performance of your machine, please contact Customer Service.

Blend on High:

The Vitamix blenders are built to blend at high speed. For most recipes that finish smooth (like smoothies, soups, frozen drinks, nut butters, dips, and purées), start on Variable 1, quickly increase to Variable 10, then flip the High switch if your machine has one.

Blending on high delivers the smoothest results and runs the motor’s cooling fan at maximum speed, helping the machine stay cool during demanding blends.

Use the Tamper:

The tamper is an essential part of the Vitamix blending system. For thick or frozen blends, the tamper helps move ingredients through the blades, reduce air pockets, improve blend quality, and shorten blend time.

Use the tamper to guide ingredients from the corners toward the blades, and don’t be afraid to use extra pressure when tamping. Vitamix blenders work best when ingredients are forced down into the blades.

The tamper helps when blending thick smoothies, frozen desserts, nut butters, hummus, dips, spreads, or any recipe where ingredients stop circulating freely. With the lid securely in place, insert the tamper through the lid plug opening and guide ingredients from the corners toward the blades.

Check Your Quantity:

Processing cooked potatoes, cooked rice or cooked beans creates a heavier than normal load on the machine. You may want to consider reducing the food quantity placed in the container by half (depending on how much food you started with) and possibly adding a bit of liquid.

Follow Order of Ingredients:

When following Vitamix recipes, be sure to place ingredients into the container in the order listed. If using your own recipe, follow this order for full-size containers: liquid ingredients first (water, juice, yogurt), followed by softer ingredients (tofu), then juicier fruits and vegetables (grapes, cucumbers), firmer fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots), frozen ingredients (frozen berries), and finally ice. Dry ingredients like protein powders should follow the ice.

Check Your Speed:

The Vitamix machine performs best on high speed to pulverize food and process thick mixtures.

Check Your Quantity:

Processing cooked potatoes, cooked rice or cooked beans creates a heavier than normal load on the machine. You may want to consider reducing the food quantity placed in the container by half (depending on how much food you started with) and possibly adding a bit of liquid.

Follow Order of Ingredients:

When following Vitamix recipes, be sure to place ingredients into the container in the order listed. If using your own recipe, follow this order for full-size containers: liquid ingredients first (water, juice, yogurt), followed by softer ingredients (tofu), then juicier fruits and vegetables (grapes, cucumbers), firmer fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots), frozen ingredients (frozen berries), and finally ice. Dry ingredients like protein powders should follow the ice.

Use the Tamper:

If ingredients are not freely circulating, the tamper can be used to improve the flow of food. While the machine is running and with the lid firmly in place, insert the tamper through the lid plug and hold it in one of the corners of the container. As the food travels around the side of the container, the tamper directs it right into the blades. If there is an air pocket around the blade, the tamper will release the air pocket and create a continuous flow of food through the blades.

If you notice your motor is no longer turning the blades, you should unplug the machine, remove the container from the motor base, and look at the drive socket (the plastic circle surrounding the metal coupling where the container meets the base). The drive socket should be well-attached, but able to spin freely. If the drive socket is cracked, solidly attached and unable to move, or easily removed, contact customer service.

The container will slightly move on the motor base when the machine is turned on. But if your motor base is wobbling on the countertop, there is an issue with your drive socket or the rubber feet on the bottom of the machine. Please contact customer service.

Grease on or around the machine may indicate an overfilled bearing, or that the blade bearing assembly seal is starting to break down. If the problem persists, please contact customer service.

Yes, it is normal for this to happen as the coupling is aligning with the drive socket.

The machine stopped because its thermal protector sensed that the machine was about to overheat. Turn the power switch off for up to 45 minutes, allowing the machine to cool down or reset. Reset time will be extended if high room temperatures exist. To reduce the reset time, unplug the machine, remove the container, and blow air into the center section of the bottom of the base with a hair dryer on the cool setting.

Below are some tips to prevent overheating when processing thick mixtures with a Vitamix® If these suggestions do not improve the performance of your machine, please contact Customer Service.

Check Your Speed:

When starting the machine, make sure the Variable Speed Dial is turned to 1(or, the ‘Stop’ position). Turn the machine on and turn the Variable Speed Dial from 1 to the highest speed your Vitamix has within five seconds. The Vitamix machine performs best on High speed to pulverize food and process thick mixtures.

Check Your Quantity:

Processing cooked potatoes, cooked rice, or cooked beans creates a heavier than normal load on the machine. You may want to consider reducing the food quantity placed in the container by half (depending on how much food you started with) and possibly adding a bit of liquid.

Follow Order of Ingredients:

Place ingredients into the container in the order listed in your Vitamix recipe. If working with your own recipe, start with the most liquid ingredients first (water, juice), followed by softer ingredients (tofu, yogurt), then juicier fruits and vegetables (grapes, cucumbers), firmer fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots), frozen ingredients (frozen berries), and finally ice. If you use protein powders, they should follow the ice.

Use the Tamper:

If ingredients are not freely circulating, the tamper can be used to improve the flow of food. While the machine is running and with the lid firmly in place, insert the tamper through the lid plug and hold it in one of the corners of the container. As the food travels around the side of the container, the tamper directs it right into the blades. If there is an air pocket around the blade, the tamper will release the air pocket and create a continuous flow of food through the blades.

The blades in Vitamix containers never need to be sharpened. They are hammermill blades designed to pulverize, not slice. If you feel your blend quality has changed, there could be a different problem with your machine. Please contact customer service.

Some Owner’s Manuals are available for download here. If your manual is not available online, contact customer service to request a copy.

The minerals from fruits, produce, and leafy greens can cause a film on your container. We recommend pouring one cup of white vinegar into the container and filling it half-full with warm water. Let the container soak in an upright, standing position for several hours, then pour the contents out and use a soft pot scrubber to clean the inside of the container. Be careful while cleaning around the blade assembly as the blades are sharp.

Refer to your Owner’s Manual for complete cleaning instructions.

All Vitamix machines are designed to create smoothies, soups, frozen desserts, and more, with a single appliance. Some models offer convenient, pre-programmed settings and/or a Pulse feature, giving you more options for preparing your dishes. Vitamix offers several packages through our online store and our retailers, to meet the needs of individual home chefs.  Depending on the package, the cookbooks, accessories, and container sizes will vary.  For more information on specific packages and to compare product lines, please click here or contact our household sales division at 800-848-2649 or household@vitamix.com.

Vitamix® does not use coupons or discounts to promote the sale of its machines. However, some retailers may be under contract with Vitamix regarding price. To learn more, contact our household sales consultants at 800-848-2649 or household@vitamix.com.

Vitamix utilizes the same blending technology that was originally developed for household machines in its commercial models. Commercial units are designed for applications in restaurant and foodservice businesses. Vitamix offers many different models and custom designs, tailored to the specific needs of each commercial client. Each commercial model has a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) sticker, stating that it is certified for use in foodservice businesses. Commercial machines come with a three-year limited warranty and an operational manual. They are not accompanied by other support materials, such as cookbooks. Some commercial machines have 3-horsepower motors. The motor works in conjunction with the fan to help keep the machine cooler, thereby extending its life in a commercial application. Even under extreme household use, blenders will not see the use expected in most commercial applications.

Visit our online store to find the right Vitamix machine for your home kitchen.

The Dry Grains Container has blades specially designed for grinding whole grains and simulating the kneading process to prepare dough for the oven.

The blades in the Standard Container pull food down through the blades during processing. Conversely, the blades in the Dry Grains Container push foods up and away to keep the grains from compacting. This makes it the better choice for grinding whole grains or simulating the kneading process.

Vitamix® does recommend the purchase of a Dry Grains Container if you will be processing large amounts of whole grains into fresh flours. However, it is okay to use the Standard Container if your desire is to occasionally grind whole grains.

It is necessary to contact a Vitamix® Customer Service representative to verify which containers can be used on your Vitamix motor base.

Our Research and Development Team is continuously researching product development.  Currently, they have not found a suitable glass container design to meet the strict safety and performance requirements Vitamix places on its products.

Our unique Variable Speed Dial enables the Vitamix® machine to perform dozens of kitchen tasks without attachments by letting you control the speed of the blades. You can use it to chop, grind, whip, blend, heat, stir, purée, prepare frozen desserts, and so much more. Watch online video demonstrations to learn how the Variable Speed Dial can be used to achieve a variety of textures.

The tamper allows you to accelerate the process of blending very thick and/or frozen mixtures that cannot be processed in a regular blender. Using the tamper maintains food circulation by preventing air pockets from forming.

The name of your Vitamix model can be found on the front of the motor base. You can also determine which model you have by contacting Customer Service with the serial number located on the back of your motor base, under the bar code. Please have your serial number available when you call.

The minerals from fruits, produce, and leafy greens can cause a film on your container. We recommend pouring one cup of white vinegar into the container and filling it half-full with warm water. Let the container soak in an upright, standing position for several hours, then pour the contents out and use a soft pot scrubber to clean the inside of the container. Be careful while cleaning around the blade assembly as the blades are sharp.

The tamper allows you to accelerate the process of very thick and/or frozen mixtures that cannot be processed in a regular blender. Using the tamper maintains circulation by preventing air pockets from forming. Many recipes can be created without the use of the tamper, but thicker recipes require the tamper to process them efficiently. While the machine is running, and only through the lid plug, use the tamper to press ingredients into the blades as you make frozen ice creams and nut butters, or puree fruits and vegetables.

The serial number is located on the back or on the bottom of the motor base, under the bar code.

The Vitamix® blades reach speeds fast enough to create friction heat that can bring ingredients to steaming hot in four to six minutes. The Vitamix machine also quickly crushes and blends ice and frozen ingredients before enough friction heat is created to melt the mixture.

The dimensions vary based on the selected model. Refer to the specifications tab of each product description in our online store for dimensions.

The motor is a 120 VAC single phase universal with variations based on your model. Refer to the specifications area of each product page in our online store for additional information.

The Vitamix machine is built with a high-efficiency motor equipped with a radial cooling fan and has a built-in thermal protection system to prevent overload and motor burnout.

Please reference your blender’s Owners Manual for more information or access the Product Specifications tab located on the product detail page.

If you purchased your machine at www.vitamix.com, at a Vitamix® Factory Outlet, or by calling Vitamix directly, your machine has already been registered for you. If you purchased your machine from a Vitamix show or from another online store or retail location, you can register your machine online. If you purchased outside the U.S., please contact your local dealer for product registration.

Yes, if you purchased through:

1. Vitamix® Customer Care (1-800-VITAMIX)
2. www.vitamix.com

If you purchased your machine from another retail location, you can register your machine online. If you purchased outside the U.S., please contact your local dealer for product registration.

Registering your machine with Vitamix® helps us update you with product notifications as necessary, and ensures efficient service if you ever need a repair.

Depending on the year your machine was made, the name of your Vitamix model can either be found on the front of the motor base, or on a label on the bottom of the motor base. You can also determine which model you have by contacting customer service.

Have your serial number available at the time of the call. The serial number is located on the back or bottom of your machine's motor base, below the bar code.

The serial number is located on the back or on the bottom of the motor base, under the bar code.

To find out if your machine is under warranty, contact customer service and have your serial number available, which can be found on the back or bottom of your machine’s motor base, under the bar code.

To update your warranty information, contact customer service and have your serial number available, which can be found on the back or on the bottom of the motor base, under the bar code.

To find out how many years are remaining on your warranty, contact customer service and have your serial number available, which can be found on the back or bottom of your machine’s motor base, under the bar code.

For the specific details of your warranty, please refer to the warranty certificate that came with your machine. You may also contact customer service, and have your serial number available at the time of the call. The serial number is located on the back or on the bottom of your machine's motor base, under the bar code.

Yes, the warranty is transferable. We will honor the remaining warranty based on the original date of purchase.

The warranty for any Vitamix machine is only valid in the country where it was purchased. If the machine undergoes any damage while it is being used in another country, it must be returned to the country where it was purchased for repairs, at the owner's expense.

IMPORTANT RESTRICTION: VITAMIX MAY RESTRICT WARRANTY SERVICE FOR OUR PRODUCTS TO THE COUNTRY WHERE VITAMIX OR ITS AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS ORIGINALLY SOLD THE PRODUCT.

Vitamix does not recommend use of our products outside of the country where such products were sold and built to be used.

• Our products are approved and certified to country-specific safety standards.

• Each country may require a different voltage and frequency, power cord and plug for the same product.

• After-sales service may not be available outside of the country where Vitamix or any of its authorized distributors originally sold a product, as our authorized distributors and repair technicians stock repair parts that may be country-specific.