the Vitamix Blade Assembly

[NoGMO!]

silly question- do you ever remove your blade assembly to clean it? is it easy to do?

I think I need to remove the retainer nut and blade assembly of my Vitamix to clean underneathe the blade thoroughly. Vitamix sells a special tool to do this - but the manual says a flathead screwdriver will work okay. I've never had to take my vitamix apart before.

Is this the best way to get stickier type recipes off the bottoms of the blades - nut butters, dates, etc...?

Normally I just fill with warm soapy water, blend, rinse and repeat - but some ingredients are stubborn.

[Revvell]

silly question- do you ever remove your blade assembly to clean it?

Nuuupe!!!! Have had mine for YEARS and never taken it apart.

Revvell

[blessed]

I wouldn't sure if I should try to take it apart or not. Mine leaks sometimes from the bottom that's the one for fluid contents. The jar part is looking kind of cloudy wish I knew how to make it look clearer.

Ann

[Punky]

I just run mine with hot soapy water to clean like it showed in the DVD that
came with it. Mine is new though so haven't had anything to really stick
like that. You might let it sit for a few hours with the hot soapy water
to see if the sticky stuff softens to remove it easier before trying to
take it apart. I use a brush with a long handle to get down in it.
I would look in the manual if you still have it to see what it says.

[NoGMO!]

I just run mine with hot soapy water to clean like it showed in the DVD that
came with it. Mine is new though so haven't had anything to really stick
like that. You might let it sit for a few hours with the hot soapy water
to see if the sticky stuff softens to remove it easier before trying to
take it apart. I use a brush with a long handle to get down in it.
I would look in the manual if you still have it to see what it says.

Punky,
I tried all that. It usually works just fine, but this time there is a bit of pine nut butter that I cannot reach with my long handled brush. I am referring to the manual - it says, ":though it is not necessary to remove the blade assembly, there will be times when it is necessary" - then they sell a special wrench - also they say, in the manual, that a screwdriver will work. I was just asking here if anyone else had done this before- I don't want to compromise the machine.

I will soak it again first - as I am not wanting to take it apart. :)
Thanks everyone.

[Punky]

It doesn't sound like it will compromise the machine according to the manual...
just a pain in the behind.... :)
let us know how it works out if you have to disassemble the base...i am sure
someone's had to do it before.
I wouldn' t bother with the special tool ....

[Colin]

Is it not possible to fill the VitaMix with some soapy water and run the machine? The blades would come out clean every time unless perhaps the container and blades sat around and dried on or caked on. I can't say I have ever had a problem cleaning the machine.

Taking it apart is not the easiest thing to do. I used to have a gasket problem and you could see some liquid underneath the machine trapped somewhere at the base but I think I ordered a new container and blade assembly. I believe they have inproved the design since I bought it and have solved that problem.