We all love when things are quick and easy to clean. So when it comes to blending foods and drinks in a blender, a common question is, can you put a blender in the dishwasher?
The short answer is it depends on the blender.
Whether or not you can put your blender in the dishwasher depends on the type of blender and what the different components of the blender are made of. When a blender is dishwasher safe, it is usually only components like the pitcher and lid that can go in the dishwasher, and not parts like the motor base. Every blender will have its own instructions for how to best clean it without damaging it.
Read on to learn more about how to find out if your blender is dishwasher safe, which common blender brands and parts are dishwasher safe, and the different methods of cleaning a blender.
Can I Put My Blender in The Dishwasher?
To find out if your blender can go in the dishwasher, first consult your blender’s instruction manual or look the model up on the brand’s website.
The manufacturer will always specify if parts of the blender are dishwasher safe or not.
If some parts can go in the dishwasher, the manufacturer may also specify what temperatures/cycles the dishwasher should run at, which rack to place the parts in, and which soaps/detergents to use.
Which Blender Parts Are Dishwasher-Safe?
Blender base – NO
First of all, as a general rule, never put the motor base or any part of your blender that connects to electricity in the dishwasher.
Pitcher/blending cup/blending container – SOMETIMES
The pitcher, cup, or whatever blending container your blender uses is the part of the blender that is most commonly allowed in the dishwasher when a blender is “dishwasher-safe.”
However, not all blending containers are dishwasher-safe, as this depends on:
- material
- whether or not it separates from other parts of the blender such as the blades
Most containers are made of plastic. While all blending containers nowadays are BPA-free, the plastic may still not be ideal for the heat of a dishwasher. Too much heat may wear it down, warp it, stain it, scratch it, etc.
Other common container materials include glass and stainless steel. Both of which can usually handle the dishwasher, but again, not always.
Always double check if your specific blender has a dishwasher-safe container and, if so, where in the dishwasher to place it and what settings it can handle. For example, most manufacturers say to only use the top rack of the dishwasher since that is the least-hot part of the dishwasher.
Lid – SOMETIMES
Again, this depends on what the lid is made of. Blender lids are often made of a slightly more flexible plastic than pitchers, and can get warped at hot temperatures.
Just like with the pitcher, always check with your blender manual/manufacturer to see if the lid is dishwasher-safe, and if so, place on the top rack only and be aware of any cycle or soap recommendations.
Blades – SOMETIMES (but not recommended)
It is generally recommended to not wash the blades of your blender in the dishwasher, as this can cause them to dull over time.
Many blender manufacturers will still make sure that the blades are dishwasher-safe.
If you do put blender blades in the dishwasher, stick to the top rack and avoid harsh or abrasive detergents. The blades can usually be easily disassembled from the rest of the blender.
Gasket – YES (but not recommended)
The gasket is the ring seal usually found between the pitcher and the blade assembly of a blender.
Gaskets are usually made of food-safe silicone or rubber. These materials can definitely handle the heat of a dishwasher.
However, to keep the gasket in the best shape for as long as possible, it is a good idea to not wash the gasket in the dishwasher, as harsh detergents can cause them to wear down over time. As with the blades, stick to the top rack and use mild detergent if you do put the gasket in the dishwasher.
Which Blender Brands Are Dishwasher-Safe?
These are just a few of the popular blender brands out there:
Ninja
Most Ninja blenders are dishwasher-safe. This includes pitchers, cups, lids, and blade assemblies. They recommend that any lids and blades are put on the top rack of the dishwasher and that the blade assembly is disassembled first.
One exception is the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender – the pitcher of this blender cannot go in the dishwasher as it has a heating element in the base of the pitcher.
There may be other exceptions as well, so always double check with your specific blender model.
Vitamix
Most Vitamix blenders should not be put in the dishwasher. While most models are technically dishwasher-safe, it is still not recommended to wash in the dishwasher if you want to keep your Vitamix in top shape.
Vitamix pitchers, blades, and gaskets are not meant to be taken apart. So if you put the pitcher in the dishwasher, you are also exposing the blades and gasket to potentially strong heat and detergents.
With Vitamix blenders, you also don’t really need to use a dishwasher – the blending method (see below) works quite well with these powerful blenders, and some Vitamix blenders even come with a self-cleaning setting.
Blendtec
Blendtec blender jars are top-rack only dishwasher-safe. The jars are not meant to be exposed to temperatures over 176 degrees F.
Just like Vitamix, Blendtec blenders are meant to be easily cleaned using other methods (see blending method below) and a dishwasher is not needed.
NutriBullet
NutriBullet is known for making personal bullet blenders optimized for convenience. So, naturally, they’re also going to make sure their blenders are dishwasher-safe.
NutriBullet cups, lids, lip rings, and usually the blades too (check with your specific model) are top-rack dishwasher safe. NutriBullet emphasizes that the sanitize cycle should never be used as it may warp the plastic.
Oster
With most Oster blenders, all parts except the motor base are dishwasher-safe.
How to Clean a Blender (With or Without a Dishwasher)
The good news is, even if your blender is not dishwasher-safe, there are other quick and easy ways to clean your blender.
The following are three basic ways to clean a blender. (See this guide for a more detailed explanation of these cleaning methods.) Some methods will work better for certain blenders than others. Always be sure to check with your specific blender’s user manual.
1. Blend soapy water
- Fill pitcher halfway up with warm water and a drop of dish soap.
- Blend on high for about 30 seconds or until clean. Can also use a pulse or self-clean button if your blender has one.
- If needed, go in with a nonabrasive sponge and give it a scrub by hand.
- Rinse out and let drain.
This method is best for getting food out from under and around the blades. It’s always best to do this right away after blending.
This method is great because it can be done safely with any type of blender.
2. Wash by hand
- Use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth and warm soapy water to give the pitcher a gentle scrub.
- Rinse out and let drain.
Again, it’s always best to wash or at least rinse your blender right after use.
With most pitchers, the blades do not get removed from the pitcher, so be careful with the blades when cleaning by hand. It’s a good idea to use the blending method first to help clean around the blades.
With some blenders, the blades and pitcher can easily be taken apart. This makes cleaning a little easier and more thorough. But be sure to check the blender’s instruction manual to see if it is recommended that you take the parts apart.
3. Dishwasher
This of course only applies to dishwasher-safe blenders/blender components.
- Rinse out your blender right after using it (this is always best practice).
- Check your blender’s instruction manual for if you should take parts apart, and which parts are dishwasher-safe.
- Put only the dishwasher-safe parts in the dishwasher (generally on the top rack).
- Any other components (ex: motor base) can be wiped down with a damp cloth or sponge.
Conclusion
To find out if you can put a blender in the dishwasher, always check the blender’s manual. The manual should specify which, if any, parts of the blender can go in the dishwasher.
Never put the motor base or any parts of the blender that connect to electricity in the dishwasher. When a blender is dishwasher-safe, this usually only refers to the container and maybe the blades.
In general, to maintain the quality of your blender for as long as possible, avoid washing in the dishwasher.
I hope you found this article helpful! As always, feel free to drop any questions or comments down below!
For a more detailed guide on how to clean a blender, see this post.