Having a high-powered blender like a Vitamix or Blendtec is great for making smoothies, soups, nut butters, and more. However, over time those blender blades can start to dull, making your blender less efficient at pulverizing ingredients. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to sharpen your blender blades at home and restore them to their original cutting power.
Why Blender Blades Get Dull
Blender blades are made of very hard stainless steel, but even this durable material can degrade over time. There are a few common reasons blender blades start to dull:
- Regular wear and tear from blending – The friction of blending hundreds or thousands of recipes gradually dulls the cutting edges.
- Blending hard ingredients – Ingredients like ice, frozen fruit, nuts, seeds, and coffee beans quicken the dulling process.
- Improper cleaning – Not thoroughly rinsing blades after use leaves debris that can chip cutting edges.
- Mineral deposits – Hard water leaves mineral deposits on blades that inhibit their sharpness.
Dull blender blades mean you have to blend longer to achieve a smooth consistency. It can also lead to the motor working harder and your blender overheating. That’s why it’s important to sharpen your blades regularly to keep your blender running efficiently.
How to Tell if Your Blender Blades are Dull
Here are a few signs that indicate your blender’s blades need sharpening:
- Taking longer to blend smoothies and smooth purees.
- Chunks or pieces remaining after blending.
- Hearing the blender straining more during blending.
- Feeling that the blender jar doesn’t sit snugly on the base.
- Seeing nicks, chips, or missing pieces on blade edges.
- Noticing a burnt rubber smell from blender overheating.
Dull blades won’t necessarily stop your blender from working, but they will decrease its efficiency. Sharpening them helps restore optimal blending performance.
How to Sharpen Blender Blades
Here are 4 effective ways to sharpen your blender blades at home:
1. Use a Blender Cleaning Stone
Blender cleaning stones, also called sharpening stones, are designed specifically for sharpening blender blades. They are shaped like a cylinder or cone and made of abrasive materials like silicon carbide. To use a cleaning stone:
- Add water and a drop of dish soap to the blender jar.
- Put the cleaning stone in the jar and blend on low for 30 seconds. This grinds down any debris on the blades.
- Rinse and dry the stone and blades.
- Put the dry stone back in the jar and blend on low for 30 to 60 seconds. This will sharpen the blades.
- Remove and rinse the stone and blades.
Cleaning stones can be used weekly to keep blades sharp. Look for stones made specifically for your blender brand to ensure a proper fit.
2. Use Ice
Believe it or not, plain ice can sharpen your blender blades too. Here’s how:
- Fill your blender jar halfway with water.
- Add 5-10 ice cubes.
- Blend on low for 30 seconds, periodically changing blender direction.
- Discard ice water and rinse blades well.
The ice essentially acts like an abrasive sharpening stone as it’s crushed against the blades. Simply repeat weekly for a quick sharpening boost.
3. Make a DIY Cleaning Blend
For a more thorough sharpening blend:
- In a blender jar, combine 3 cups water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1/2 lemon juice.
- Add 3 tablespoons baking soda and blend briefly to dissolve.
- Then add 1/2 cup rice (uncooked)
- Blend for 30 seconds, periodically changing direction.
- Discard blend and rinse blender thoroughly.
The acidity in the vinegar and lemon work to break down residue on the blades. Meanwhile, the coarse rice granules provide a gentle abrasion for sharpening the edges.
4. Use a Blender Blade Sharpening Tool
For the most convenient sharpening, opt for a specialized blade sharpening tool. These handheld devices have coarse sharpening pads made to fit perfectly against blender blades. Here’s how to use them:
- Take the blender jar off the base and remove the blade assembly.
- Press the sharpening pad against both sides of each blade. Apply even pressure as you rotate the blade assembly.
- Do 10-15 rotations on each side of each blade.
- Rinse blade assembly and reattach to blender.
The coarse pads shave off dulled metal to reveal sharp edges. Just sharpen 1-2 times per month for maintained sharpness.
Tips for Extending Blender Blade Sharpness
Along with regular sharpening, you can practice habits to keep your blender blades sharper for longer:
- Hand wash blades after each use and avoid putting them in the dishwasher. The harsh detergent and hot water degrades metal over time.
- Always run the blender with some liquid. Dry blending causes unnecessary friction and wear.
- Blend abrasive ingredients like coffee beans, nuts, and ice first before other ingredients.
- Avoid overloading the blender which can nick the blades.
- Consider buying extra blade assemblies so you always have sharp blades ready to go.
When to Replace Your Blender Blades
With consistent sharpening, blender blades can last years. But blades do reach the end of their lifespan eventually. Here are signs it’s time to replace your blender’s blades:
- Nicks and scratches that can’t be sharpened out.
- Visible cracks or holes in blade metal.
- Wobbling, loosening or uneven pitching of blades.
- Thicker or warped blade shape.
- Blades that are rusted or corroded.
Most blender manufacturers sell replacement blades directly. Simply search for the exact replacement blade kit for your blender model. Installation is usually just removing and reattaching the blades with the provided hardware. With fresh blades, your blender will blend like new again.
Conclusion
It’s simple to sharpen dull blender blades yourself and save the cost of replacements. Using a cleaning stone, ice, a sharpening blend, or a dedicated tool can all refresh your blender’s cutting power. Combine sharpening with proper blade care for a high-performance blender that provides years of smooth blending.
| Method | Required Materials | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Blender cleaning stone | Blender cleaning stone made for your blender brand | Weekly |
| Ice | Ice cubes | Weekly |
| DIY cleaning blend | Water, white vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, rice | Monthly |
| Blender blade sharpening tool | Handheld sharpening tool with coarse pads | 1-2 times per month |
Having sharp blender blades makes a big difference in blender performance. With regular at-home sharpening and proper care, you can keep your blender blades factory-fresh for longer!
