The Argument For Or Against A Blender Tamper

A tamper carries different names depending if Blendtec, Vita Mix, or Waring is talking about it. Most people refer to this tool as a tamper, understanding that it is used to push down the ingredients to accelerate the blending process of a smoothie, puree, or a raw soup. By using this accelerator tool, the ingredients are moved forcefully towards the blade while the blades are rotating at about 25,000 to 30,000 RPM.

Some people are referring to the accelerator tool also as a plunger. Apparently the moving action may feel similar when a plunger is used to free the toilet from a plugged toilet. But a plunger may not really be a good idea to be used in a high performance blender and smoothie blending action.

What are the design features in each blender and their tamper or no-tamper-features?

The Vita Mix Accelerator Tool, aka Tamper is made from a type of plastic with a lid/handle that closes off the hole in the blender container lid during application. The tool is freely moved into the container or out. During the blending operation it is sucked into the container by some vacuum action that is created by the downward action of the smoothie ingredients. The Vita Mix Accelerator tool is expected to be used all the time; the company portrays the tamper tool usage as one used all the time to accelerate the blending process.

The Montel Health Master Tamper is very similar to the Vita Mix accelerator tool. It has however a proprietary rail on the tamper. This permits the user to insert the tamper tool only in one specific way. The suction downward is similar in the Health Master Tamper tool with the Vita Mix accelerator. But Health Master does not recommend the use of the tamper tool over 25 seconds, or even to leave it the container during blending action; It may cause overheating of the weaker motor than the Vita Mix blender.

There are some after-market or retro-fitted tamper tools available on the market. These are made from poplar wood dowels in about a 1 inch diameter. The grip or handle separates from the push tool by a smaller dowel put through the 1 inch tool, which acts also as a stop at the top of the lid. Some of the uses of this after-market device include Vita Mix 64 oz containers, Waring containers, and Blendtec containers,

Some people prefer a wooden dowel over a plastic tool to pushed down towards the rotating blade, increasing the blending process. This is primarily because at times a little piece of plastic gets chipped off the tamper when users forget to use their Vita Mix accelerator tool with the lid in place. And at other times, consumers simply prefer the use of wood over plastic.

Blending soups versus purees with or without a tamper

Usually when preparing the ingredients for a soup and smoothie, water is added. In our experience when sufficient water or liquid is added to the rest of the raw ingredients, the use of the tamper is not required as much. Only when too much ice is used for the smoothie process and the blender cycle turns too fast too soon it will cause a hollow cave area right above the blade. Although the Blendtec blenders such as the HP3A or the Total Blenders have been designed with its versatile blending cycle programs that a tamper is never needed, at times some kind of tool or device may come in handy to push down onto the ingredients.

When preparing a puree or pate in the high performance blender, less liquid is used. This may require also at times some kind of a tool to push down on the ingredients. Especially the Blendtec blenders are designed to operate tamper or accelerator tool free. Consumers have however reported back that forks and spoons are often still in operation to push down on ingredients.

What can when do when a tamper is not available but he/she needs one?

A specific tamper tool designed to be used during a blending process, regardless of what brand of blender comes in handy at times. The wooden dowel concept is an easy one and very inexpensive. When a tamper or accelerator tool is not available, you have lost it, or destroyed it by accident in your last blending action, you may need a replacement. Please do not feel too bad about having blended your former tamper tool into your recent raw soup or smoothie. Many people forget at times to put the lid in place before using the tamper. And if you find yourself in need of a tamper because your favorite blender maker, either Blendtec or Waring, has not provided one, you too can fabricate your own dowel-tamper, or simply look online for one.

How can one make his/her own tamper tool?

Please note, while of course the Vita Mix and Health Master Tamper system is sophisticated because the handle acts also as a closure/cap on the lid when in use, the wooden dowel tamper tool system is less expensive.

Just use a 1 inch Poplar wood dowel and a 3/16 inch wood dowel. You can buy this material at your local lumber or hardware store. Take a measuring tape and measure from the top of the blade inside the container to the top of the lid when in place on top of the container. Then cut your 1 inch dowel to a comfortable length, or to 12 inches. Drill a hole through the position where the 3/16 inch dowel will be placed through (like making a cross), using the appropriate drill bit. The cut your 3/16 inch wooden dowel to about 6 inches or longer. Make certain that the bottom of the wooden dowel or tamper tool does not touch the blade. And certainly remind yourself, your spouse or anyone else who uses your blender in your household that the lid must be in place when using the tamper tool.

Also make sure that you understand any of the factory comments regarding warranty of the blender and container. The wooden dowel system does not close off the area in the lid completely. So this means that some of the ingredients may exit through the hole when using the tamper during the blending cycle. It is always advisable to keep children away from a blender during operation. There are also some noise issues. High Performance Blenders such as the Health Master, Vita Mix 5200, Vita Mix 3 hp blenders, or 4500 Turbo blender, the Blendtec HP3A or Total Blender, or the Waring commercial 3.5 hp blender series usually operate in the 90 dB to 102 dB noise level range. A sound enclosure may be a good idea to use if noise is an issue or a concern.

What are the pros and cons of using a tamper?

Using a tamper tool in your Blendtec HP3A or Total Blender, or in your Waring commercial 3.5 hp blenders, with your Vita Mix 5200 or the Montel Health Master blenders comes with pros and cons. Ideally a blender such as the Blendtec HP3A, without a tamper use requirement is great.

Every time you stick any device for ingredient blending acceleration into a container with a blade turning at about 250 MPH or 30,000 RPM it is a risky matter. But basically, the biggest advantage of using a tamper at times when it is needed is that ingredients are pushed down towards the blades as safe as possible. If you do not have a specifically designed tamper tool the only option should be to add sufficient enough liquid to promote effective blending. Or use some kind of a tool to push down on the ingredients.

The disadvantage of using a tamper tool is the risk of forgetting to use it with the lid in place. This will blend the tamper tool material into your smoothie, puree, or hot raw soup. If it is wood that you blended into your raw smoothie then maybe it is not as bad as if you blended in chips and pieces of the plastic tamper. The biggest disadvantage may even be of having to rely on a tamper tool. In our experience, when you need one, there is unfortunately no way around it. Using a fork or spoon, or even worse, your hand, should not be an option. If by any chance the blender turns on with a fork in the container, or worse with your fingers on the blade, it can cause very serious injuries, to say the least.

What are the liability issues of having a tamper or not providing one?

A company, such as Vita Mix, when acquiring the Vita Mix 5200 blender together with its tamper, will disclaim any associated liabilities to the use of the tamper. But the company demonstrates on videos and in Costco stores, the use of the tamper. And liability, injury or a spoiled raw soup will only result when using the tamper inappropriately and incorrect. And believe it or not, the human nature is prong to make mistakes. We have received many phone calls from consumers who have forgotten to use the tamper with the lid in place.

Blendtec certainly has a great idea of not even suggesting the use of a tamper. It does limit their liability. But we have seen restaurants and smoothie places in operation. Their customers where waiting for their frozen strawberry smoothies. The long line of customers was intimidating. The Blendtec EZ blender was in heavy operation and a stainless steel device was used to push the frozen strawberry junks towards the blade. Of course the company will never assume any liability should a damage to the equipment occur or even an injury to a user.

So, it is always up to you, the consumer to decide if you want to use a tamper and in what situation. Either way, you are on your own. If you use one, make your own, or buy one kind of a tamper tool available in the after-market industry, the liability assumption is always yours, the consumer's. We caution you to be careful when using a tamper even with the Vita Mix 5200 blender, or the Montel Health Master.

Remember, human nature is prong to make errors. And when you buy or make your own tamper tool for the Waring commercial 3.5 hp blenders or the Blendtec series HP3A, Total Blender, or EZ Blender, etc., keep in mind: Safety First and regarding liabilities, you are on your own.