Blender Repair

Blenders make chopping, pureeing, liquifying, and mixing food easier — when they work. This Fix-It Guide on blender repair tells how a blender works, what often goes wrong, how to identify a blender problem, and what parts and tools you will need to fix it. It then gives simple step-by-step instructions for how to disassemble a blender and how to tighten a blender’s drive stud. This Fix-It Guide also refers to electrical cord repair, fuse repair, appliance controls repair, and motor repair for more information.

How Does a Blender Work?

A food blender uses a motor to power blades that chop, and grate food. A blade inside a jar is connected to a motor shaft inside the unit. The blade’s speed is controlled by varying electric current to the motor using one or more switches. Blenders come in countertop and hand-held models.

Fix-It Tip

When purchasing a blender, look for one with the strongest motor, measured in watts (W). The wattage should be noted on the underside of the unit. A better blender has at least 250W.

What Can Go Wrong with a Blender?

Because blenders are simple motorized small appliances, the things that can go wrong also are simple. The electrical cord, motor, switches, or fuse may fail. Parts may become loose or worn and seals may leak. (To avoid spills, don’t fill the blender jar more than two thirds full when in use.)

How Can I Identify a Blender Problem?

• If the blender doesn’t work at all, make sure power is on at the outlet. Check the electrical cord. Test the fuse with a multimeter. Test the multi-speed switch (see the Appliance Controls Fix-It Guide). If all this fails you’ll need to test the universal motor.
• If the blender runs intermittently, check wire connections and replace any that are faulty; check the motor and replace if needed.
• If the blender doesn’t run at some speeds, check the multi-speed switch (see the Appliance Controls Fix-It Guide) and clean or replace it if it is faulty; check wire connections and repair any that are faulty.
• If the motor runs, but the blade doesn’t turn, check the drive stud and tighten or replace as necessary. Also, check the blade and clean and lubricate or replace it if damaged.
• If the jar leaks (a common blender problem), check the base and tighten if needed. Check the seal and replace the seal, blade assembly, or jar as needed.

Fix-It Tip

To wash a blender jar in a dishwasher, first disassemble it and remove the rubber seals. If it is too difficult to disassemble jar, you can wash it by hand. Fill the jar half full with warm water and add a drop of liquid detergent. Cover and blend the mixture at low speed for five seconds. Run the blender with clean water to rinse, then run it empty to dry the blades. Finally, remove the blades and wipe them with a cloth to get rid of any residue.

 

What Do I Need for Blender Repair?

Replacement parts are available from the manufacturer or aftermarket supplier. These are the tools you’ll need for disassembly and repair:

• Screwdrivers
• Pliers

What Are the Steps to Blender Repair?

Disassembly steps depend on what model blender you own. The following steps work for most standard blenders.

Disassemble a blender:

1. Unplug the blender and remove the jar. Undo the screws securing the baseplate. Separate the baseplate and attached motor collar from the base housing.
2. To remove the switch housing, remove the decorative facing to get at the top screws. Remove the lower screws from inside the blender base.
3. Hold the fan to keep the motor shaft from turning as you unscrew the drive stud. Remove the shield and any washers. Unscrew the fan nut to remove the fan.
4. Disengage the strain-relief fitting from the housing. Remove the wire connector joining the power cord and the lead to the brush housing.
5. Label and disconnect the lead wires from the switch block. Remove the motor mounting bolts and lift out the motor if necessary.
6. To free brushes, remove the leads attached to the brush housing. Use a screwdriver to press lead terminal through the slot in housing. The brush spring may pop out (don’t lose it!).

Fix-It Tip

Inspect a blender’s base, jar, and lid before each use to ensure that the jar base is tightly sealed.

Tighten a blender drive stud:

1. Remove the base and turn the blender over to expose the motor’s drive shaft.
2. Grip the drive shaft with a wrench or pliers, then turn the blender on its side to attach a wrench to the drive stud.
3. Hold the drive shaft steady as you turn the drive stud clockwise.
4. If the drive stud is too worn to tighten, simply reverse the instructions for tightening the stud, install the new part, and tighten it.
5. If the drive stud turns but the blade assembly doesn’t, inspect the assembly socket into which the drive stud fits. It may be worn and require replacement. This is a common problem on blenders with metal drive studs and plastic blade-assembly sockets.

Service a blender blade assembly:

1. Tighten the base.
2. If this doesn’t solve the problem, inspect and, if necessary, replace the gasket.