Blender Jar - Is Poly Really Better?

[weinoo]

So, for the first time since I've been using my Blendtec, my blender jar turned cloudy. And even a run through the dishwasher didn't clear it up.

I don't blend spices. I don't blend rocks. What I do (as I've always done), is make sorbet base in the blender - that's sugar, water, flavorings, etc. Last night I decided to make the base for a lime sorbet. So into the blender went sugar, water, freshly squeezed lime juice and the grated zest of 1 lime. Next thing I know, cloudy blender jar.

Why?

[slkinsey]

My experience (albeit with a VitaPrep) is that if it seems cloudy it can often be made clear with judicious application of hand-washing. That said, the literature that comes with the VitaPrep enjoins the user from washing the canister in the dishwasher, and I never have. Dishwasher detergents have abrasives and other things that will inevitably scratch plastic and make it cloudy. If you've been washing yours in the dishwasher, it's possible that you scratched away enough of the coating that this batch was the last straw and now you have permanent clouding.

As far as I know, only Oster has a tempered glass canister.

[Mjx]

Sounds to me like the dishwasher [detergent] is reponsible, unless (as far as you can see) the cloudiness is only on the inside. Then, I have no idea.

[weinoo]

I normally hand wash and play by the rules.

Is there any reason that lime juice and/or lime zest would have caused this?

[Mjx]

The thought crossed my mind (about the lime juice/oils), since I know oil of orange is used in compounds designed for removing graffiti, but I figured you must have had these things in the blender before..?

[David A. Goldfarb]

As far as I know, only Oster has a tempered glass canister.

Waring offers glass, plastic, and stainless.

[Edward J]

I've permanently clouded the lid of my robot-coupe when processing a ganache with pure cinnamon oil. I'm 99% sure it was the cinnamon oil that etched the plastic.

Plastic blender jugs have three good points: Cheap, won't break into (sharp) slivers, and light weight.

That being said, they crack, scar very easy, and cloud up very easy. They can also absorb odours and stains much easier than glass . "Selected" family members have also managed to melt the jug, although they haven't 'fessed up as to how.

S/S is a very good option, although you can't see through it, but it is virtually bomb-proof.

[teapot]

I just got four stitches in my hand from a glass blender jar that I bumped on the edge of the sink. So, yeah, poly might be better . . .

[Fernwood]

We have some plastic glasses (not sure what kind of plastic) that we no longer use for gin & tonics because the lime wedges caused the surface of the plastic to get cloudy. I believe it is the lime oil.

[scubadoo97]

Poly is very high impact resistance. Feel safer using my high powered blenders with poly than glass. Should not crack either as other plastics can

[Shel_B]

S/S is a very good option, although you can't see through it, but it is virtually bomb-proof.

I have two blenders with SS canisters. IMO, that's the way to go. Indestructable, quick and easy cleanup, no staining or food odors.

Yeah, you can't see through them, but after a while you learn to adjust to that deficiancy.