You can get tons of hacks on the internet or from your friend when you try to find out how to sharpen your blender blades. Now yes, some hacks do work, but there are ones that don’t. But there are a few ones that don’t even make sense. And as a person who knows blenders pretty well, I’m like ‘Dude, where do you even get this stuff?’ I’ve heard people trying to sharpen blender blades with ice. Does ice sharpen blender blades?
Absolutely no. It’s just a myth that lives among people. First off, they don’t even sharpen the blades. To make things worse, the ice cubes can make your blenders dull.
Now, am I telling you that you can’t use ice cubes in blenders at all? No. There’s a lot to discuss. What I’m telling you is, that trying to sharpen your blender blades with ice cubes is a vague idea.
Ice Can Sharpen Blender Blades – How Did the Myth Spread?
I personally don’t know how the myth spread. However, I have a strong hunch that people mistook garbage disposal for kitchen blenders. Yes, garbage disposal too blends and cuts down things into small bits. But you can’t just compare it to regular blenders now, do you? Plus, some garbage blenders don’t even come with blades.
Even for garbage disposals, the whole ‘ice sharpening stuff’ is a myth. It does help the disposal to get rid of the junk quickly. However, it does not sharpen the blades at all.
Ice and Blenders – You Can’t Put Ice vs. You Can Put Ice
Even though ice cubes can make your blender blades go blunt, you must’ve seen people making smoothies and shakes while putting ice cubes inside their blenders. Confused?
Well, even I put ice cubes in my blender, but when you’re talking about regular blenders, that’s a no-go. We’re past the discussion on whether ice cubes sharpen your blender blades, but when you’re asking about putting ice cubes in it specifically, you have to go for a high-end blender at some point in your life.
I personally prefer blenders like the Ninja BL770 for crushing ice cubes. I haven’t used it, but I do know people who’ve used it, and it can crush ice cubes like crazy.
You Can Use Ice Cubes for Some Other Reasons
Ice cubes won’t sharpen your blender blades, true. However, if you put ice in your blender in a minimal amount, it can be a pretty good thing to knock off the food leftovers stuck in the blades. People have been using ice cubes made of vinegar and lemon juice to take care of these leftovers and the results are amazing.
If You Badly Need To Put Ice Though…
- Don’t Forget to Add Liquid…. Like A Lots of It. This will make the whole crushing process a piece of cake for you. I personally prefer filling half the jar with water.
- Now turn on your blender. You can try switching to speeds if your blender comes with variable speed options. Go slow otherwise, your blades can get dull if the pressure is too much.
- Strain the water out using a strainer and pull out the ice chunks.
How to Sharpen Blender Blades Using a Sharpening Stone
A diamond sharpening stone will just work fine to sharpen your blender blades. Run the stone against the edge of the blade.
The process:
- Start with the edge of each blade. Usually, a blender has 4 blades (depending on the model of your blender).
- Run the blade on the stone. Make sure you just touch the parts where the sharpening is needed.
- Once done with one edge, you can proceed to the other. Each blade should shave 4 edges (two at the back and two in the front).
- Repeat the process if necessary but don’t overdo it.
Some would suggest you sharpen the blades under power, but I tell you to avoid it.
How to Sharpen Blender Blades Using A Sharpening Tool
If you think sharpening stones is not your thing, you can get a blade-sharpening tool. I loved the diamond dust-coated sharpener from Smith & Wesson. You can get a better sharpening tool if you want because this one has poor-quality plastic. However, the blade just works fine, and I think it can keep you going.
The process:
- Once you detach the blade from the blender, hold the blade carefully, so you don’t slip it.
- You should run your sharpener along the side of your blades. (Don’t do it for the parts that don’t need sharpening.)
- Keep running the sharpener 10 to 30 times.
Why Use A Blade Sharpening Tool?
The one I’ve just talked about is really small in size. So, with this thing, you can easily make your way through the edges of the blades. Plus, it’s a cheap tool to work with, so it’s a good investment.
Another Possible Myth – Do Eggshells Sharpen Blender Blades
Even though my whole point was talking about sharpening blender blades with ice, here’s something you might’ve heard as well — people using eggshells to sharpen blades.
Is it a myth? It Could be. Here’s what I think from my perspective.
You can really sharpen your blades a bit using eggshells if you know the right process. But that’s just a little bit of improvement. I wouldn’t risk it because sometimes the membrane of the eggshell wraps around the blades. This might cause damage to the blades. So even though someone recommends it to you, it’s better not to do it. Things might just get out of hand then!
Should You Sharp Blender Blades or Get a New One
It completely depends on you, to be honest. Here are 2 things you need to consider— Your pocket and the condition of your blade. In my opinion, if your blender blade loses its sharpness, which is not too much, and you need to blend something on an urgent note, you can just run the sharpener or stone real quick. I would recommend the same thing when you don’t want to spend too much money.
However, if your money’s not a problem and your blender blades got too dull, it’s better to replace the blades. You can find spare parts in blender stores.
Pros and Cons of Ice Sharpening
To provide a balanced view, let’s explore the pros and cons of using ice to sharpen blender blades.
Pros:
- Quick and easy method.
- Minimal cost involved.
- Potential for improved blade performance.
Cons:
- Limited scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness.
- May not fully restore severely dull blades.
- Could potentially damage the blender if done excessively.
Expert Opinions
To gain further insights into this topic, we reached out to experts in the field of culinary equipment. Dr. Sarah Thompson, a renowned blender engineer, shared her perspective: “While ice can help remove minor blade imperfections, it’s not a guaranteed method for sharpening blades. Regular maintenance and proper use remain key.”
Real-life Experiences
We also collected real-life experiences from home cooks who attempted ice sharpening. Opinions were divided, with some reporting improved blending performance, while others noticed little to no difference.
Wrapping Up!
So, does ice sharpen blender blades? You’ve got the answer. To be honest, I’d always prefer to get a new set of blades rather than sharpening them. It’s better for the greater good. Sometimes, even though you can sharpen the blades, it can be a bad call for the blender itself. So, if you have a choice to avoid the idea, you better do it.
FAQs
1. Can I use any type of ice to sharpen blender blades?
- It’s best to use regular ice cubes, as they are hard and can potentially assist in blade maintenance.
2. How often should I attempt ice sharpening for my blender blades?
- We recommend trying it occasionally, but not as a frequent practice, to avoid potential damage to your blender.
3. Are there any risks involved in ice sharpening?
- There is a minimal risk of damaging the blender or causing wear and tear if done excessively.
4. Should I replace my blender blades if they are severely dull?
- Yes, if ice sharpening and other maintenance methods fail to improve performance, consider replacing the blades.
5. What is the best way to clean blender blades regularly?
- Use a blade-cleaning brush or disassemble the blender for a thorough cleaning to prevent blade dullness.
Before attempting any blade maintenance, it’s crucial to consult your blender’s user manual for specific recommendations. Remember that while ice sharpening is a popular practice, it may not guarantee a razor-sharp edge for your blender blades.
Evan Lewis is the Head and chief editor of Indoorguider. By profession, he is a MasterChef in a five-star restaurant based in California, and by hobby he is a DIY man. Evan joined as a chef after completing a Diploma in professional cooking from USA. Besides this profession, he’s a researcher and hobbyist blogger and DIY expert. He loves discovering new things, researching them, and sharing them with people who need that information. Most of his time as a chef is spent with different kitchen utensils. He already shares his knowledge and experience with various kitchen tools, utensils, and food blogging and DIY stuff. This time he decided to write about one of the most needed kitchen tools and kitchen appliances. Therefore, he created this site, Indoorguider, and shared his experience, knowledge, and research results with people who have less knowledge about this tool. As a MasterChef of a five-star restaurant, Evan Lewis is not only experienced in cooking. He’s also experienced with different kitchen utensils, tools, and equipment. Besides, cooking he’s a hobbyist blogger. He does a lot of research on different kitchen tools for his blog and writes about them to help others, here at IndoorGuider. He shares his experience, knowledge, and research results for the benefit of people seeking different tools and cooking steps, tips, and recipes. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555977246806 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanlewis9177/ Quora: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/EvanLewisOfficial/ Pinterest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-lewis-1157132b8/ Threads: Twitter: https://twitter.com/EvanLewis5656
Your article helped me.
Nice to know, please check our other helpful artciles, you will love it! and please do share.
Thank you very much for sharing, I learned a lot from your article. Very cool. Thanks.
my pleasure!