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Vitamix is one of the best blender brands on the market. They’re the undisputed champs in the blender game and for good reason. Their blenders are powerful, last forever, and come with an incredible warranty.
The one issue my wife and I have had is our Vitamix smells like it’s burning when we use it sometimes.
Key Points
- If your Vitamix smells like it’s burning then that means your Vitamix is overheated
- There are 6 common causes of overheating a Vitamix to look for.
- If none of those work, then Vitamix will replace it as long as it’s under warranty.
If you need to get a new blender, check out our newly updated analysis of the best Vitamix blender today.
Why Does My Vitamix Have a Burning Smell?
The main reason a Vitamix will have a burning smell is because the blender is overheating. 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.
Do Vitamix blenders have an automatic shut-off feature?
Yes, Vitamix blenders should automatically shut off whenever overheating in the motor is detected. This automatic overload protection detects whenever the blender is being used improperly and will switch off the blender accordingly.
This automatic shut-off feature helps to increase the longevity of the machine by helping it to avoid long-term damage caused by overheating. This is the most likely reason that your Vitamix stopped working while blending.
However, you shouldn’t rely on this feature. Whenever you smell burning, shut off your Vitamix and figure out what’s causing the machine to overheat.
6 Reasons Why Your Vitamix Smells Like It’s Burning
I’m going to quickly walk through the six most common reasons why your Vitamix blender smells like its burning.
1. New Vitamixes have to get broken in
If your Vitamix 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 your Vitamix 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. Overloading the blender
All Vitamix containers 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 Vitamix have a burning smell.
Avoid overloading the blender and you’ll be good to go.
3. Air pockets
Light ingredients such as spinach won’t provide a sufficient base for your Vitamix blades to catch on to. This causes what is known as air pockets, which are bubbles of air that form at the bottom of your blender. These air pockets cause the blender to function improperly and may lead to the creation of a burning smell.
You can prevent air pockets by blending food in the proper order.
In terms of the specific order in which you should load your Vitamix blender, follow this:
- 1st – Liquids
- 2nd – Dry foods, hard ingredients such as nuts
- 3rd – Fruits and vegetables, leafy greens
- 4th – Frozen food and ice
If you still notice air pockets forming, you could also use the tamper to shuffle the ingredients until the air pockets are filled.
4. Wrong blades
Like all blenders, Vitamix generally come with two blade types: wet blades (W) and dry grain blades (D). If you use either blade type improperly with the wrong ingredients, it could cause your Vitamix to create a burning smell.
This is really only an issue if you bought the dry container attachment and are using it with the wrong set of bladdes.
Only use wet blades for blending light and liquid ingredients when making such things as smoothies. Only use dry grain blades when bleeding hard ingredients such as peanuts and grains.
5. Over-use
Although most Vitamix blenders should outlast the standard warranty period (7 years), if you use your Vitamix several times per day daily, 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.
This might be a sign that it’s time to get a new blender! If you’re still under warranty, then reach out to Vitamix for a replacement.
One of the easiest ways to prevent over-use is to not your Vitamix to blend frozen fruit without liquid.
6. Wrong speed settings
All Vitamix machines come with recommended speed settings which differ depending on what you’re blending. If you use the speed settings inappropriately, such as running your blender at a high speed for an extended period, it could create friction and a burning electrical smell.
Running the motor at too low a speed could also overwork the blender and lead to a burning or electrical smell.
Always refer to the Vitamix user manual before selecting a speed setting. Not only will this prevent overheating, but it will also increase the longevity of your blender.
How to Maintain Your Vitamix 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 main way to maintain your blender is to give it a thorough clean after every use, particularly when working with dry ingredients.
It will also help if you use the right container for whatever your blending. Vitamix has dry and wet containers that are specialized for different functions.
When you’ve finished using your Vitamix, 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.
Common Questions About Vitamix Smelling
A Vitamix motor will shut itself down before it burns out. However, to keep the blender in good condition, we’d recommend manually switching the machine off whenever you smell a burning smell.
If your Vitamix blender needs to be repaired after a few heavy uses, Vitamix will either replace or repair the device if it’s still within its warranty period. If not, you’ll likely have to pay for a new blender.
Vitamix blenders tend to come with a 7-year warranty. Generally, these blenders can last between 5 and 10 years without breaking down or needing to be repaired. However, you’ll need to replace the blenders periodically, particularly if you use your Vitamix regularly.
Final Verdict: What else can you do if your Vitamix Smells?
If you’ve tried everything on this list, then your best bet is to reach out to Vitamix and get a replacement if you’re still under warranty. The warranty is just one of the reasons that a Vitamix is worth the money.
Vitamix blenders are known for their durability and quality.
Vitamix blenders are the best in the world. 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.
