This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a small commission. Thanks.
Magic Bullet is one of the most popular blenders on the market. They’ve been around for years and are the most popular for smaller, personal sized blenders. They’re technically owned by the same company who owns NutriBullet, but the blenders are slightly different.
Magic Bullet blenders are typically 1-2 serving blenders that take up minimal space.
The one issue my wife and I have had is our Magic Bullet blender smells like it’s burning when we use it sometimes.
Be sure to check out our list of magic bullet smoothie recipes!
Key Points
- If your Magic Bullet smells like it’s burning then that means your blender is overheated.
- There are 6 common causes of overheating a Magic Bullet to look for.
- If none of those work, then the company will replace it as long as it’s under warranty.
If you need to get a new blender, check out our list of the best blenders under $200!
Why Does My Magic Bullet Have a Burning Smell?
If your Magic Bullet smells like it’s burning it’s probably because the blender is overheating. The blender blade section comes with several components – the sealing rings, sealing plate, the blades, and the bearings. When these parts have a hard time working properly it can cause your magic bullet to over heat.
Overheating = burning smell.
There could be a variety of reasons why your blender motor and blades are overworking and causing a burning smell. It could also be because you are blending foods that are inappropriate for your blender type or are overworking the blender.
Whenever you smell burning, shut off your blender and figure out what’s causing the machine to overheat.
6 Reasons Why Your Magic Bullet Blender Smells Like It’s Burning
I’m going to quickly walk through the six most common reasons why your Magic Bullet blender might smell like its burning.
1. New Magic Bullets need to be broken in
If your blender is brand new, you can expect the drive socket and blender motor to heat up during the first few times you use the machine. The burning smell is caused by the base windings and is most likely nothing to worry about. Use it 2-3x and this should stop happening.
If you do notice your new blender smelling, turn it off and let it cool back down. A burning smell is to be expected as you break in your new piece of kit.
2. Blending frozen fruit or ice
Magic Bullets aren’t really designed to be used like a normal countertop blender. They’re intended to be used for more personal use and blending up smoothies.
Most of them have a wattage between 500 and 1000. This is much less than Vitamix wattage, which is around 1500.
They have enough watts for a good blender, but not enough to break down hard frozen fruit or ice. If you’re trying to blend ingredients like those it might be the reason your Magic Bullet blender smells like it’s burning.
If you need a heavier duty blender, check out our list of the best blenders for frozen fruit.
3. Not enough liquid
Magic Bullets are meant to be filled with liquid along with whatever food/ingredients you want to blend up. This helps the blades moved quickly through the food so that they can get blended easily.
If you don’t use enough liquid then you might have a hard time blending up your food causing your Magic Bullet blender to smell like it’s burning.
The company also advises you to not use hot liquid or carbonated beverages in their blenders.
It’s very difficult to blend frozen fruit without liquid so make sure you use plenty of it with your Magic Bullet!
4. Blending for too long
When you run a blender for too long it can start to overheat. That’s why Magic Bullet recommends running their blenders in 60 second bursts.
You shouldn’t be blending anything that takes longer than that, but if you need more time, then let your blender rest for a minute before starting again.
You shouldn’t blend for more than three, 1-minute long sessions.
5. Overloading the blender
All Magic Bullet blenders have a max capacity. Take a look on your container and you’ll see the max line on the blender jug.
If you overload your blender with too much food, it can cause the blades to slow down and be overworked. This will make your Magic Bullet have a burning smell.
Avoid overloading the blender and you’ll be good to go.
Fill the cup to the max line or no more than 2/3 full
6. Worn out parts
Although most blenders should outlast the standard warranty period of one year, if you use it several times per day, it may not last as long. If you’re continually smelling burning coming from your blender, it could be a sign that the machine is being overused.
Over time, parts of the blender will begin to wear out. The blender blades won’t be as sharp, the motor won’t run as fast, and the ring might start to wear out.
This might be a sign that it’s time to get a new blender! If you’re still under warranty, then reach out to NutriBullet for a replacement.
How to Maintain Your Magic Bullet Blender and Prevent a Burning Smell
On top of making sure that your blender isn’t overworked, it’s important to maintain your machine accordingly when not in use.
The best way to maintain your blender is to clean it every time you use it.
When you’ve finished using your blender, clean out the contents as best you can before filling it halfway with warm soapy water. Put the lid on and start the motor at a low speed. Gradually increase the speed over a minute, before rinsing out the blender with warm water.
The other key is to always remember the best practices we mentioned above:
- Use liquid
- No frozen stuff
- 60 second bursts
- Don’t overfill it
Common Questions About Magic Bullets Smelling Bad
Magic Bullet blenders can start to overheat, but have a built-in safety measure. The internal thermal breaker will shut off when the blender gets too hot.
A Magic Bullet blender will start smoking if it begins to get overheated. This usually happens when you don’t have enough liquid or are trying to blend frozen food or ice.
If your Magic Bullet overheats and triggers the automatic shut off then unplug your blender and let it sit for 15 minutes without being used.
Final Verdict: What Else Can You Do If Your Magic Bullet Smells?
If you’ve tried everything on this list, then your best bet is to reach out to Magic Bullet / NutriBullet and get a replacement if you’re still under warranty.
Their blenders are known for their durability and quality.
Magic Bullet personal blenders are great products. We can’t recommend them enough. The reality is that every blender out there will occasionally have a burning smell. It’s just the nature of the product.
