This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a small commission. Thanks.
Ninja is one of the best blender brands on the market. They’re known for creating products that are sleek, effective, and high quality. They don’t specialize in blenders like some of the other brands do, but they create really high quality products that last.
The one issue my wife and I have had is our Ninja blender smells like it’s burning when we use it sometimes.
We’ve included Ninja blenders on several of our blender rankings:
Key Points
- If your Ninja blender smells like it’s burning then that means your Ninja is overheated.
- There are 6 common causes of overheating a Ninja blender to look for.
- If none of those work, then Ninja 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 Ninja Blender Have a Burning Smell?
The main reason a Ninja will have a burning smell is because the blender is overheating. There are several reasons this could be happening that we’ll get to down below.
The blade assembly consists of several parts – the sealing rings, sealing plate, the blades, and the bearings. Any of these components could seize while blending, which causes the other parts to work overtime and cause a 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 Ninja Smells Like It’s Burning
I’m going to quickly walk through the six most common reasons why your Ninja blender smells like its burning.
1. Blending for too long
When you run a blender for too long it can start to overheat. If you’ve got a lot of food in your blender it can sometimes take a while to fully blend it up.
If you notice the blender starts to smell like it’s burning, it might be because it’s been running too long. If your blender is overheating, then it might cause your Ninja to have a blinking red light.
Try taking a minute break and then turning it back on again.
2. Not enough liquid
Ninja blenders 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 ninja blender to smell like it’s burning.
You can blend frozen fruit without liquid, but it increases your chances of damaging your blender!
3. 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.
The most common parts that wear out are the o-rings, torn seals, motor brushes, and blades.
Worn out parts might be one reason that your Ninja blender stopped working!
This might be a sign that it’s time to get a new blender! If you’re still under warranty, then reach out to Ninja for a replacement.
4. Blades get stuck while blending
If your blades get stuck while blending it cause the blender to overheat and the rubber to start to get worn out. This creates the burning smell you’re experiencing.
The most common cause of this is frozen fruit or ice getting lodged in the blades – preventing it from turning and blending.
Try using a tamper or spatula to dislodge the ingredients jamming the blades up.
5. New Ninja blenders have to get 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.
6. Overloading the blender
All Ninja 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 Ninja have a burning smell.
Avoid overloading the blender and you’ll be good to go.
How to Maintain Your Ninja 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 enough liquid
- Don’t blend it for too long without breaks
- Don’t overload the blender
Final Verdict: What else can you do if your Ninja Smells?
If you’ve tried everything on this list, then your best bet is to reach out to Ninja directly and get a replacement if you’re still under warranty.
Ninja blenders are known for their durability and quality.
Their 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.
