Update
Heads up, UK/Europe people: The stainless steel container is only compatible with classic Vitamix blenders like the E310. It won’t run on Smart System models like the Ascent/Venturist.
My Vitamix E310 is almost six years old and the 1.4 litre (48 oz) plastic container is looking cloudy. Since getting on board the protein shake train, I use my blender at least five times a week. Now that I make hot things in it (well, date purée), an upgrade felt like a good idea. I dithered for months because of the price.
Pros
Sturdy
The Stainless Steel Container (US affiliate link) feels really strong. Arnie-strong. It weighs 1.7 kilos, or 3.75 lbs, which is considerably heavier than its plastic equivalent (952 grams or 2 lbs 10 oz).
Stain and scratch resistant
The interior is made entirely from stainless steel so it’s not going to stain or scratch easily. Anyone who blends nuts, turmeric or acidic foods will appreciate this. Fun aside: turmeric stains can be removed by leaving the container in the sun.
Minimal plastic
An assumption, but if you’re considering this container, you’re possibly someone who’s mindful about their plastic exposure. I am, to a degree but I have a brain that overthinks, so I’ve deliberately avoided a deep dive into microplastics.
Some people are concerned about the plastic lid - it’s the only area where plastic may come into contact with your food. The shakes I make splatter onto the lid but don’t drip back into the container. If they did, it wouldn’t bother me.
Another reviewer was concerned about the plastic tamper and Vitamix responded with:
“our tampers are made of Polyethylene, which the FDA has approved for food contact and is BPA free”.
Great for hot and cold foods
I mostly make smoothies, which end up nicely chilled, but they did in my old container, provided that I used frozen fruit or ice.
I recently made my first soup in the stainless steel container. I used a couple of Vitamix recipes* as a guide, and went with roasted veg because of these helpful comments on Reddit:
Technically you can throw all the components in your vitamix and run until the liquid is hot. This takes about 5-10 minutes.
You need to balance convenience vs flavor when you consider this approach.
It is recommended to use veggies that you actually like the taste when raw because even if the soup is hot, you won't get the "cooked" flavor. So if you dislike the taste of raw zucchinis, go the old fashioned way because as a blender soup, it'll taste like warm raw zucchinis.
u/[deleted]
I didn’t leave the blender running for the weirdly precise 5 minutes 45 seconds. The veggies and stock were already warm so 2 minutes was enough. I find the noise level too stressful to run for 5 minutes. Personally, I would use the blender to liquify the soup, then heat it in my microwave. However, loads of people use their Vitamixes to blend and heat - it’s up to you.
Non-drip spout
The spout has never dripped on me. Probably because its edge is thinner than Vitamix’s usual plastic spouts, but it surprised me nonetheless. It’s really satisfying to pour from.
Size
It’s possible that I shouldn’t list this as a pro, but I purchased my E310 based on the smaller size of the container. I’m in a household of two and 1.4 litres is the perfect size for us. I’m delighted that the stainless steel container is the same size but I can see in reviews that some would prefer a larger version.
Easy to clean
Cleaning is the same for all Vitamix containers - add a drop of detergent and hot water - blend for a minute or so. I sometimes include flaxseeds in my smoothies and they stubbornly stick to the sides of the container. The detergent-hot-water method loosens them, provided the water is hot enough. For flaxseed-free smoothies, running a sponge around the container is usually enough.
The container and lid are dishwasher safe but I don’t put either in the dishwasher.
Neutral points
I avoid the dishwasher
This is entirely personal, and possibly unjustified. I stopped using the dishwasher after someone yelled at me (in a kind way) in the comments section of my E310 video review. They said that detergent will ruin the bearings. I thought, “Really? But I do it all the time. It seems fine”. A quick scour of Reddit revealed others who enjoyed the ease of the dishwasher… until their containers suddenly failed.
I sincerely hope that the stainless steel container is a r/BuyItForLife purchase. For this reason, I handwash it carefully and dry it immediately. A 12 point inspection then takes place (I’m sort of kidding).
This has increased the time it takes to make a smoothie. On one hand it’s annoying, but on the other, I enjoy taking care of the container. It’s beautiful and I’d like it to stay that way. Drying the inside is a bit tricky because of the blade but I take the extra time because stainless steel can rust (“it’s stain-less steel, not no-stain steel”). If I’m really pushed for time, I fall back to my plastic container and put it in the dishwasher.
Will the old E310 lid fit?
Sort of but it doesn’t sit flush and leaves a gap. Plus it gives zero visibility unless the plug is removed.
The handle is welded, not riveted
I want to list this as a con but it’s a personal preference. A riveted handle would make cleaning slightly more difficult. Welding means that the inside of the container is smooth and seamless. I know nothing about welding - I’ve read that it can be strong when done well - but I only half trust the handle. I hold the container by the body and handle where possible. This two-handed approach helps to alleviate my fear of dropping the container. Again, my excessive caution comes from the sheer expense of it.
Laser-etched numbers
So far a pro for me but reviews have shown that the numbers can wear off. I’ll update this post if that happens.
People have questioned whether the numbers are actually laser-etched. This is Vitamix’s response:
“The measurement markings are laser etched inside the container. The laser modifies the existing container material through the application of high temperatures and turns it black, resulting in the markings. There is nothing added to the container through this process, so the marks are of the same material as the wall of [the] container itself.”
Cons
Price
It’s expensive, wherever you are in the world but in the UK, even more so. Huge thanks to Jessica S, whose Amazon review included this nugget:
“I found it cheaper to order through the US Amazon site than the UK Amazon site.”
I saved around £90 (paying £240) and the container arrived within four days. I didn’t use Amazon’s exchange rate guarantee fee. A price checker confirmed that the price doesn’t fluctuate much in the US. The UK price has jumped around recently (it’s usually £330 but recently crept up to £343).
I never considered a third-party model. They’re not that cheap anyway and there are too many cautionary tales on Reddit.
Squeak
There’s a noticeable squeak when powering down the blender. This Reddit thread convinced me to wait and see if it improved with time. It has and my blade no longer squeaks. The blade is considerably tighter compared to my old container but has eased up with use.
The container functions perfectly, and the squeak is a common issue, so I didn’t have the heart to send it back across the pond. The replacement might be no better anyway.
Tamper
The stainless steel tamper doesn’t sit well, however you place it, leaving gaps around the plug hole. A lot of people will buy this container to make hot food so this seems like an oversight. My old E310 tamper sits nicely (and is curiously shorter) but if you own a different model of blender, your old tamper may not be compatible.
Lid clips
Someone on Amazon reported that their clips snapped off after just a few weeks. They do feel flimsy. This might be controversial but I don’t clip the lid on. The lid has a rubber gasket around the edge so I just press down until there are no gaps, stopping short of engaging the clips. I’ve had no spills to date (although I wouldn’t do this for hot foods).
Visibility of food
A funny point, and one I didn’t appreciate until I owned this non-see-through container; you can’t see your food unless you look down through the lid. This bothers some, but not me. However, I now worry excessively about blending a spoon, despite never leaving spoons in the container.
Check the welding on your handle
Mine looks fine but others have commented on poor welding, with photos showing gaps between the container and the handle. The handle is hollow so food or water getting in would not be ideal, or hygienic.
It’s still loud
Some reviews mentioned that this container is quieter. I haven’t measured the sound levels but it’s still ear-piercing at full speed, and tolerable around speed 6-7. No different to my old container.
Would I replace it if it broke tomorrow?
Yes but with a heavy heart. I’ve seen lots of “it’s over-priced but worth it to me” comments. That’s exactly how I feel. When I looked at alternative blenders for my mum (the E310’s lid would be too stiff for her), we settled on a BlendTec. They make great blenders and I thought I might eventually own one.
By purchasing Vitamix’s stainless steel container, I’ve wedded myself to them for the foreseeable. But after owning my E310 for almost six years, I’m okay with that. If it ever conks out, I’d like to replace it with an E520 - a classic model with presets. It’s basically my dream blender because I’d be able to turn it on and run away from the max-speed racket.
Again, it’s personal but I don’t fancy a Smart Series blender, and the stainless steel container won’t work with them anyway (in the UK). I still love my E310 and hope it enjoys a long life but I will keep an eye on both classic models, in case they’re ever discontinued.
