Content Summary
A burning smell in your blender can be a sign of several issues that require your immediate attention. In this blog post, we will cover why your blender smells like it’s burning, and in general, provide insight on how to get rid of unpleasant blender smells.
Several factors can cause your blender's unpleasant smell like it’s burning. These include keeping the blender running without taking a break, lack of liquid, food debris buildup, blade overuse, and motor issues.
Check out the details!
Making Smoothies In A Blender
Causes & The Fixes
1. Overuse Of The Blender
Situation:
- One reason why your blender might smell like it’s burning is overuse.
- When you continuously use a blender without taking a break, the motor can overheat and produce a burnt odor.
Solution:
- To prevent this from happening, it is essential to follow the guidelines provided in the blender's manual for safe use.
- Avoid overloading your blender with ingredients.
- Do not use it for more than 60 seconds at a time. Blend in smaller batches to prevent overheating. Use the blender's pulse function.
- If you plan on blending large quantities of ingredients, take some breaks to prevent the motor from overheating.
- When using a 500W blender, it is not as powerful as a 1500W blender.
2. Lack Of Liquids
Situation:
- Another reason why your blender might smell like it’s burning is a lack of liquid.
- This issue usually occurs when there is not enough liquid in the blender to properly blend the ingredients.
- As a result, the motor ends up working harder than it should. When the motor overheats, the blender produces a burning odor.
Solution:
- To avoid this problem, make sure to add enough liquid to the blender jar before blending.
- The liquid helps to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the motor from overheating in the first place.
3. Food Debris Buildup
Situation:
- Another reason is due to food debris buildup at the bottom of the blender.
- When you use the blender container without thoroughly cleaning it, including the blender blades, food particles can accumulate at the bottom and start to decay or rot, producing a bad smell.
Solution:
- To avoid this issue, make sure always to clean the blender thoroughly after every use.
- You can do this by adding some dish soap and warm water to the blender jar and blending it at high speed for a few seconds.
- After that, turn off the blender, disconnect the jar and blade unit from the motor base, rinse everything well and let it dry completely.
Jane Vo
Jane Vo
4. Blade Overuse
Situation:
- Another reason why your blender smells like it’s burning is due to overuse of its blades.
- Over time, the blades in your blender can become dull and start to produce a burning odor when used.
Solutions:
There are two ways to prevent this issue.
- One: cut the ingredients into cube-sized parts before blending. Also, do not add blocks of ice or frozen fruit, but ice cubes or frozen fruit parts.
- Two: make sure to sharpen the blades regularly.
- You can do this simply by adding some ice cubes to the blender and blending them at high speed.
- The ice helps to sharpen the blades and ensure that they are in top condition.
- Afterward, rinse the blender jar and the blade unit well.
5. Worn Out Rubber Gasket
Situations:
- The rubber gasket in your blender blade assembly can wear down over time, causing an unpleasant smell.
Solution:
- Replace the rubber ring. If your blender blade assembly's rubber gasket is worn out, it's time to replace it.
- You can order a new one from the blender manufacturer or a reliable online store.
6. Motor Issue
Symptoms:
- If the above-mentioned solutions do not eliminate the burning odor, the issue might be more severe.
- When the problem persists, the motor may need to be replaced.
Solutions:
- Unplug the blender and let it cool down for at least 30 minutes.
- Resolving the issue is not a DIY task, and we recommend taking the blender to a professional technician who can inspect and repair any damage to the motor.
Blending Green Detox Smoothies
Blenders Troubleshoots FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about blenders and their burning odor.
Why does my new Vitamix smell like smoke?
New blenders can often produce burning smells when first used. This is due to the motor running for the first time and releasing dust particles that have been trapped inside.
To eliminate the smell, briefly run your blender with some liquid and warm water, and allow it to cool down before use. This is not only happening with a Vitamix blender, also with a Ninja blender, a Philips, or any other new blender.
Why does my blender smell like burning plastic?
If your blender smells burning, and you notice a burning plastic smell coming from your blender, it could be because the motor is getting too hot.
This could be due to overuse, not enough liquid being used, or food debris buildup at the bottom of the container. To prevent your blender from smelling bad, make sure to take breaks when blending large quantities of ingredients.
Is it normal for a blender to smoke?
It is not normal for a blender to produce smoke. This could indicate an issue with the motor or blades. Unplug the blender right away and let it cool down for at least 20 minutes.
If the smoke persists, take your blender to a professional technician, tell them what happened so they can diagnose and repair any damage, or replace the blender with a new one.
Can you blend without liquid?
You should not blend without liquid. Blending without enough liquid can cause the motor to overheat and produce an unpleasant odor. Always add enough liquid to the container before blending your ingredients. This will help evenly distribute the heat and prevent the motor from overheating.
How do I know if my blender motor is burned out?
If your blender produces a burning smell, it could be an indication that the motor is burned out. The best way to know for sure if the motor is burned out is to take the blender to a professional technician. They can diagnose and repair any damage or replace your blender with a new one if it's beyond repair.
Can you use a blender continuously?
It is not recommended to use a blender continuously for an extended period, as this can cause the motor to overheat and produce a burnt odor.
To prevent this from happening, follow the guidelines provided in the blender's instruction manual for safe use.
Basic rule: do not use it for more than 60 seconds at a time. Blend in smaller batches, and clean the blender right away after blending is done.
Making Fruit Smoothies
Tips & Tricks
Clean your blender after every use:
- Always clean your blender after use.
- Rinse the pitcher, blades, lid, and gaskets and wipe them with a clean cloth.
- Use a mild soap solution to thoroughly clean the blender.
Use baking soda:
- Consider using a baking soda solution to clean your blender thoroughly.
- Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water. You may want to add a few drops of lemon juice.
- Blend for a few seconds, turn the blender off, take off the pitcher and the blade unit, and rinse them with clean water.
When to replace your blender:
- If you've tried all the above tips and the burning smell persists, it's time to consider replacing your blender.
- A faulty motor, cracked pitcher, or damaged blade assembly can create a burning smell that can be a potential fire hazard. It's better to invest in a new blender than risk your safety.
Troubleshooting - Mixer produces unpleasant(burning) smell | Philips Home Living
Make sure to follow the guidelines provided in the instruction manual for safe use. When you cannot fix it, avoid using the blender until you have consulted a qualified technician.
Are you in need of a high-quality blender? Our blog post features a list of top picks where you can find your favorite appliance. Check it out below!
Jane Vo
Taking care of your blender can extend its life and ensure that it's always ready to make the delicious and healthy drinks and foods you love.
Happy blending!
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