Ninja Blenders have become one of the most popular blenders in today’s kitchen blender market. Providing some of the most affordable blenders on the market and featuring some of the most unique designs out there, it is no surprise to see why.
When considering the uniqueness of Ninja blenders, the blades of these blenders are one of the items that stand out the most. With most Ninja Blenders featuring blade designs so unlike those of most other blender brands, figuring out how to best clean or sharpen these blades can be a bit of a problem. Ever had a problem with handling these blades? You’re in luck.
In this article, we will be sharing with you all you need to know on how to sharpen Ninja blender blades and clean them, as well as tips on how to best maintain your Ninja Blender blades so they can remain sharp for longer.
Types of Ninja Blender Blades
Ninja Blenders feature uniquely designed blades. These blades are usually one of two types; the Ninja Chopping Blades like what you find on the Ninja Kitchen System, or the Extractor Blades, like what you find on the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro.
While both of these types of blender blades are quite unique in their own rights, the chopping blades are the most observably distinct from regular blender blades. Where most blender blades are little attachments situated at the bottom of the blender pitchers, the chopping blade is a long rod that runs from the base of the pitcher to the lid and features a set of curved blades arranged in a spiral down the rod’s length.
The extractor blades, on the other hand, are more like regular blender blades which are a single attachment situated at the base of the blender jar. These blades however feature a unique design with sets of blades usually stacked on top of each other. These blades are generally straight and reasonably longer than those on other blenders. The top blades are usually angled upwards and the bottom blades are angled downwards. A variation to these blades called the Hybrid Edge Blades, like what you’d find on the Ninja TWISTi High-Speed Blender DUO, have a middle set of blades located in the middle, and these blades point straight.
The unique design of Ninja Blender Blades is one of the reasons they are such great blenders. The design of the chopping blades makes chopping and blends much smoother and more consistent. Since the blades aren’t just stuck at the bottom and are now better distributed across the length of the blender, ingredients don’t need to make their way to the bottom of the blender before they get blended. As for the extractor blades, that angled blade design usually produces a more powerful vortex which makes smoothies and blends even smoother.
How to Sharpen Ninja Blender Blades: a Step-by-Step Guide
So how exactly do you sharpen such unusual blades? Here is an easy-to-follow guide to get that done:
Step 1: Unplug the Blender
Before you start working on the blades, you need to make sure the blender is unplugged. This ensures that there is no risk of electrocution while handling the blades.
Step 2: Detach the Blender Blades
Detach the blender blades from the pitcher by unscrewing the nut at the bottom. This depends on the type of Ninja blender blade your blender comes with. If you have the chopping blade, then detaching the blade is a simple matter of taking off the lid and removing the rod.
If you own the extractor or hybrid edge blade, however, you’d need a pair of pliers to take off the blades. Our step-by-step guide on how to sharpen regular blender blades provides some useful tips on how to get this done.
Step 3: Clean the Blades
Before you start sharpening the blades, it’s important to clean them thoroughly. Use warm water and dish soap to remove any dirt and debris that might be stuck on the blades. You can also use a toothbrush to get into the crevices and remove any residue.
Step 4: Sharpen the Blades
Now here is where things get a bit tricky. With how Ninja Blender Blades are designed, traditional sharpening methods don’t work so well. This is especially the case with the chopping blades which are configured very differently from regular blender blades.
For an easier process of sharpening these blades, we recommend the use of a Smith’s 2-step knife sharpener, an easy-to-use file perfectly suited for sharpening blades of various sizes and shapes.
Here is a quick video on how to use this knife sharpener to sharpen your Ninja Blender Extractor Blades.
This smith’s knife sharpener can be used to sharpen practically every Ninja Blender blade, as well as the blades of other blenders as well.
Step 5: Reattach the Blades
Once the blades of the blender have been sharpened to your satisfaction, it’s time to reattach them to the pitcher. Place the blades back into the pitcher and tighten the nut with a pair of pliers for the extractor and hybrid edge blades. Make sure the blades are tightly in place. For the chopping blades, just put them back in place at the base of the bender and close the lid.
Are Ninja Blender Blades Dishwasher-safe?
Most Ninja Blender blades, as well as most of their jar and lids, are dishwasher-safe. When placing them into the dishwasher, however, make sure to remove the blade attachment from the jar before placing them into the dishwasher. According to the manufacturers, Ninja Blender blades and lids are top rack dishwasher-safe, so when placing them into a dishwasher, make sure to place keep them in the top rack.
Tips for Keeping Your Ninja Blender Blade Sharp for Longer
1. Wash Your Blender Jar After Each Use
Washing your blender jar after each use helps ensure that your blender stays sharp for longer. Make sure to wash the jar properly as well as the blender blades, keeping them free of any remains from the blending process.
2. Avoid Over-Blending
Blending generally wears out your blender, so the more you blend, the more your blender becomes blunt. When you over-blend, you wear your blender blades out even faster, allowing them dull at a faster rate.
3. Avoid Putting too Much Stress on Your Blender
Just as over-blending increases the wearing down of blender blades, so does putting your blender through too much stress. This happens when your blender is forced to carry out projects it struggles with. The more such demanding projects your blender is put through, the quicker the blender blades get dull.
4. Use The Right Cleaning Products
When cleaning your Ninja Blender Blades, avoid using abrasive cleaners or scrubbers as these can scratch and damage the blades, reducing their lifespan. Instead, use a soft sponge or cloth with warm water and mild dish soap.
And there you have it. How to sharpen Ninja Blender blades. Follow the simple steps and tips above and you’d not just easily sharpen your ninja blender blades, but will also keep them sharper for longer. Need help sharpening other blender blades? Check out this step-by-step guide on how to sharper other blender blades.