The Best (and Easiest) Way to Clean a Vitamix Explorian E310

When you spend top dollar on a high-quality blender, it's important to ensure it lasts a while. That includes following the rules while blending—don't overheat the engine, avoid throwing rocks in there, and so on—but taking care of the machine after the blend is equally as important. 

The Vitamix Explorian E310 is the cheapest of Vitamix's offerings, but it is by no means cheap monetarily nor in quality. While it doesn't have the fancy presets of the Vitamix Ascent line, it still has nearly the same blending power and because of that, I think this Explorian might be the best deal of all its blenders.

Here's how I keep my Vitamix Explorian clean so it can keep making my favorite chia pudding forever.

How to Clean your Vitamix Explorian E310

Cleaning your Vitamix Explorian (or any Vitamix blender, for that matter) should not be over-thought. It's easy. Keep it that way.

1. Add soap and fill it halfway with warm water

Once you've finished blending, detach the container from the motor and rinse it out. I like to get most of the loose food remnants off of the lid and the walls of the container first. Add one or two drops of dish detergent to the container and fill the vessel up halfway-ish with warm water. Secure the lid back onto the container.

2. Dial up the speed

The Explorian E310 does not have a cleaning preset, but that's OK; we can operate the cleaning cycle manually. Start with the speed dial turned all the way to the left to setting 1. Flip the switch on and, while it's running, use the dial to turn the blender all the way up to setting 10. Let it run at this speed for about 30 seconds straight. Rotate the dial back to setting 1, or just flip the switch off. 

3. Spot clean any stubborn areas

This is usually enough to clean the container and blades. If the soapy water didn't splash up to the lid (it often won't) then just take a soapy sponge and wipe it down. If you made something oily then there may be a stubborn smudge or two. I hit those with a soapy sponge and rinse it out. I've never seen anything get stuck under or directly around the blades after a single cleaning cycle. However, if you have this problem then just carefully use a sponge or a bottle brush to clean up around the blades. Let the container and lid air dry upside down.

Try a vinegar soak

If you've noticed your container has developed a cloudy film, or if you made a big batch of aioli and it still smells like garlic after the usual cleaning, add a cup of white vinegar to the container and fill it up with warm water until you reach the halfway point for the container's capacity. Run the machine like you did before, then let it sit for several hours or overnight. Use the scrubby side of a sponge and carefully clean the sides. Rinse out this solution and you should be in good shape.

Things to avoid when cleaning your Vitamix Explorian E310

Don't put parts in the dish washer. The manufacturer does not recommend tossing the container or lid into the dishwasher. (If it's not obvious, don't put the motor in there either.)

Don't attempt to take the blades off. The blade at the bottom of the container is not meant to be removed. It's very securely and permanently attached. And considering the speed at which this blender runs, I wouldn't trust myself re-attaching it properly anyway.