Vitamix blenders are renowned worldwide for their exceptional performance, high versatility, and extreme durability. Trusted by home cooks and professional chefs alike, Vitamix blenders are often hyped to be able to do almost anything in the kitchen. But how true is this actually?
Having tested Vitamix blenders in almost every way possible here at Blenders Machine, one intriguing question still remains at the back of our mind: can a Vitamix grind bone? In this article, we would be exploring this question, looking at how Vitamix blenders hold up when it comes to bone-crushing and answering the questions; should you use your Vitamix to grind bones, and which Vitamix is best for grinding bones?
Now with that said, let’s get right to it.
Can a Vitamix Grind Bone?
The simple answer to this question is yes, a Vitamix blender can grind bones. But that’s not the complete answer.
Your Vitamix blender is a very powerful high-performance blender that can crush almost anything. With a motor base capable of generating up to 1500 W of energy and powering high-quality blades, Vitamix blenders can generate enough power to grind some types of bones. But it can only do that to SOME types of bones. Some, not all.
Bones like chicken and fish bones can be easily crushed and ground by Vitamix blenders. However, bones like those found in beef and pork are much too hard for household Vitamix blenders to handle. Is it possible to grind these hard bones with Vitamix blenders? With some preparations, yes it is. On their own though, Vitamix blenders can’t crush harder bones like those of pork and beef.
So to more accurately answer the question, a Vitamix can easily grind some types of bones e.g. fish and chicken bone. Pork and beef bone, however, would be too hard for Vitamix blenders to blend without first preparing them.
That being said, the fact that your blender can crush bones doesn’t mean you should use it for that purpose. The next segment discusses that.
Types of Bones Vitamix Can and Cannot Grind
| Vitamix Can Grind | Vitamix Cannot Grind |
| Fish Bone | Beef Bone |
| Poultry Bone | Pork Bone |
| Soft Rib Bones from Smaller Animals | Bones of Other Large Mammals |
| Soft Biscuit Bones | Large Pieces of Bone |
Is It Okay to Grind Bones in a Vitamix Blender?
While your Vitamix blender can easily blend fish and chicken bone, it is not advised that you blend bones in your blender. This is because, while the blender is powerful enough to crush bones, the blender’s blades were not designed for that.
Grinding bones in a Vitamix can lead to dull or damaged blades over time, and that would ultimately tell on your blender’s performance. This could potentially cause the motor to burn out, further damaging your blender.
Even in the case of grinding soft bones, there is still the possibility of bones getting stuck in the blades, becoming difficult to remove. For this reason, we don’t recommend that you use your Vitamix blender to grind bones regularly. If you have a very good reason to grind bones in your blender and don’t have any other available options, then you can use your Vitamix to grind the bones. If you have other options, though, go for those.
Alternatives to Vitamix Blenders for Grinding Bones
- Bone Grinder
- Meat Grinder
- Food Processor
- Electric Nut and Spice Grinder
Instead of using a Vitamix blender to grind bones, a bone or meet grinder would be a much better option. In the case where you don’t have those, a food processor or an electric nut and spice grinder would be more efficient and less prone to getting damaged than a blender. In a case where you have none of those appliances, you can go for the manual option and make use of a mortar and pestle instead.
In the event that you have none of these alternatives available, your Vitamix can be used to grind bones. To do this successfully and without damaging your blender, a few steps should be taken. Below is a quick guide on how to get the job done.
How Do You Grind Bones in a Vitamix Blender?
When grinding bones in your Vitamix, there are some specific steps you should take to ensure optimal results and preserve the blender. Here are a few steps you can follow to properly blend bones in a Vitamix blender.
1. Prepare the Bones
To soften the bones before blending, make sure to soak them in water overnight. After soaking, take them out of the water and make sure they get dry. You can also transfer them to the oven to properly dry them out. This method is particularly great for grinding hard bones like pork or beef bones and yields a more powdery result.
2. Feed the Bones One at a Time into a Grinder or Mixer Attachment
While optional, this step is highly recommended to protect your blender. Turn on the grinder or stand mixer and feed the first bone into the open end. Ensure the bone is pushed all the way into the grinder while keeping your hands clear of the blades.
Wait for the bone to pass through entirely before adding the next one. Feeding bones too quickly can clog or break the grinder, so it’s essential to wait for the previous bone to pass through before adding another.
3. Add them to Your Vitamix
Place the ground bone pieces into the Vitamix Blender and secure the lid. Tailoring to the specific requirements of your recipe, the addition of water to the blender might be a good option. If you want dry bone powder, avoid adding water.
Crank up the speed of your blender to the highest and let it stay for a duration of around 60 seconds or until the transformation is complete, each fragment meticulously pulverized into a pristine powder.
Use the pulse button if necessary to ensure even mixing and grinding. For larger and harder bone chunks like chicken backs, it is recommended to add them one at a time while pulsing in intervals for even blending.
4. Sieve Out the Mixture
If you don’t mind having a few chunks in your bone powder, you can remove the mixture from the Vitamix container and use it as is. However, for ultra-fine powder, pass the bone mixture through a sieve to separate larger pieces of bone. Once the larger chunks are separated, you can run them through the blender again until achieving the desired consistency.
5. Clean the Blender
After grinding, clean any residue from the blender components by rinsing them under hot water. It is advisable to run the Vitamix container and blade through the dishwasher for a thorough cleaning. Once completely dried and cleaned, reassemble the blender and store it as usual.
Conclusion
Following these steps will enable you to effectively grind bones in a Vitamix blender, producing bone powder with the desired consistency while maintaining the longevity of your blender. Remember to adjust the process based on the specific bone types you are working with and the intended recipe requirements.