Can the Ninja blender handle hot liquids?

Blenders like the popular Ninja line are kitchen staples in many homes. Their powerful motors make quick work of blending everything from smoothies to soups. But can these devices handle hot liquids without burning out the motor or cracking the pitcher? Let’s take a closer look at using a Ninja blender with hot ingredients.

Ninja Blender Models and Their Heat Tolerance

Ninja sells several different blender models, ranging from personal blenders to full-sized countertop blenders. The maximum temperature each model can handle varies:

Ninja Blender Model	Max Temperature
Ninja Personal Blender	105°F (40°C)
Ninja Fit Blender	105°F (40°C)
Ninja Professional Blender	165°F (75°C)
Ninja Mega Kitchen System	165°F (75°C)
Ninja Foodi Power Pitcher System	165°F (75°C)
Ninja Professional Plus Blender	185°F (85°C)

As you can see, the full-sized blenders can handle temperatures up to 185°F, while the personal-sized models max out at 105°F. This is an important distinction when working with hot ingredients.

Tips for Blending Hot Liquids in a Ninja Blender

Here are some tips to safely use your Ninja blender with hot ingredients:

• Don’t exceed the maximum temperature rating for your particular Ninja model.
• Let extremely hot liquids cool slightly before blending. Aim for temperatures between 135-165°F.
• Blend in short pulses to avoid overheating the motor and pitcher.
• Don’t fill the pitcher more than halfway when working with hot liquids.
• Allow the blended mixture to rest before pouring to avoid steam burns.
• Avoid blending hot liquids in plastic pitchers, which can warp with high heat. Opt for a Ninja model with a glass pitcher.

Can You Make Soup in a Ninja Blender?

Making soup is one of the most popular uses for blenders like the Ninja. The key is not to overheat the machine or crack the pitcher.

For most Ninja blender models, you’ll want to start with room temperature or slightly warm ingredients. Heat your soup ingredients on the stove or in the microwave until warm but not boiling. Then, working in batches, combine the ingredients in the blender and puree. Pulse rather than run the blender continuously.

If you have a high-powered Ninja blender like the Professional Plus, you can blend hotter soup without issue. Just be sure not to exceed the model’s max temperature rating.

No matter which Ninja blender you use, take care when blending hot, chunky soups. The chunks can heat unevenly and develop hot pockets that can damage the pitcher. Make sure your soup ingredients are fully heated through before blending.

Hot Liquids to Blend in a Ninja Blender

In addition to soups, here are some other hot liquids that do well in a Ninja blender when proper precautions are taken:

• Hot coffee drinks: Blend hot coffee, cocoa, milk, and flavorings like sugar, chocolate, or pumpkin spice to make cafe-style drinks.
• Chai tea lattes: Combine chai tea concentrate with hot milk and sweetener for a comforting blended beverage.
• Hot chocolate: Create rich hot chocolate by blending warmed milk with cocoa powder and brown sugar.
• Spiced cider: Puree warm apple cider with cloves, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices for a holiday treat.
• Mulling spices: Make homemade mulling spice mixes by blending warm wine with cinnamon, citrus, star anise, and cloves.

Should You Put Boiling Liquid in a Blender?

Putting boiling hot liquid into a blender is not recommended. The rapid boiling action can cause steam buildup, put strain on the motor, and potentially crack the pitcher. For safety and best results, liquids blended in the Ninja should not exceed 185°F.

If you want to blend a boiling hot liquid like soup stock or cider, allow it to cool slightly first. Aim for temperatures between 160-180°F before blending. You can then reheat the blended mixture after pouring it from the blender pitcher.

Can You Put Hot Ingredients in a Plastic Ninja Cup?

Ninja’s personal blender cups are made from BPA-free plastic. While convenient, these cups should not be used to blend extremely hot ingredients. The plastic is prone to warping and cracking under high heat.

For the personal Ninja blenders, the maximum recommended temperature is 105°F. You can blend warm but not hot liquids. Save boiling liquids for Ninja’s full-sized models with pitchers designed to handle higher temperatures.

Tips for Avoiding Ninja Blender Damage

To keep your Ninja blender running smoothly when working with hot liquids, keep these tips in mind:

• Stick to your blender’s maximum temperature rating.
• Allow very hot liquids to cool slightly before blending.
• Blend in pulses rather than continuously.
• Don’t overfill the pitcher past halfway.
• Let the blended mixture rest before pouring.
• Choose a glass pitcher model for boiling liquids.
• Avoid putting boiling liquids in plastic cups.

With proper care and usage, a Ninja blender can be an invaluable tool for blending hot soups, drinks, and other liquids to add versatility to your recipes.

Conclusion

While not all Ninja blender models can handle boiling liquids, many can safely blend warm to hot ingredients up to 185°F. Key tips are choosing an appropriate model, allowing extremely hot liquids to cool slightly, blending in pulses, and avoiding overfilling. With some basic precautions, Ninja blenders can be used to make hot soups, coffee drinks, spiced ciders, and more. Just be mindful of your particular model’s temperature limitations to get the most out of your blender while keeping it running smoothly.