This versatile 10-speed blender can blend, chop, and puree nearly any ingredient. It's user-friendly and simple to clean, but a downside is that the blades heat up, and there's a lack of safety features preventing operation without the lid.
Reasons to Buy
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Manufactured in the USA
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Most budget-friendly Vitamix option
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Functions well for soups
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Strong blending power
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Multiple speed settings
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Easy cleanup
Reasons to Avoid
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48 oz container may not suffice for larger families
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Missing safety features
This brand is known for its high-quality blenders. With over a century of experience, this American company focuses on durable and efficient appliances. I was curious if the Vitamix E310, as the entry-level model, matched the quality of its more premium counterparts.
The E310 sports a 48 oz container, smaller than most Vitamix models, which typically have 64 oz. It does not include accessories or single-serve cups and operates through a straightforward manual dial.
Even with its entry-level status, I was eager to test it out. I made smoothies, dips, soups, and nut butter to evaluate its performance. I was pleasantly surprised by its strength, which led me to forget it was a basic model. It certainly deserves a spot on our list of top blenders.
Vitamix E310 Explorian Specifications
- Capacity: 48 oz container
- Material: plastic container
- Settings: 10 speeds plus pulse
- Power: 1400 watts
- Dishwasher safe: yes
- Power cord: 4.5 ft
- Dimensions: 18 x 8 x 11 inches
- Colors: black, red, slate
Who Will It Suit?
Anyone Seeking Versatile Speeds: If you're experimenting with recipes, the 10-speed settings provide flexibility compared to blenders with just a few options.
Those Comfortable with a Higher Price Tag: Priced around $300, it's a bit steep compared to other brands, but the investment pays off for a powerful blender.
Individuals Blending Tough Ingredients: If you enjoy making nut butters or pastes, this blender can handle tough jobs with ease.
Unboxing
I appreciate eco-friendly packaging, and this Vitamix model did not disappoint. It was mostly packaged in cardboard, minimizing plastic waste. Inside, I found the container, tamper, motor base, manual, and recipe booklet.
The container easily fits onto the base without complicated mechanisms, accommodating both left and right-handed users.
The lid secures with two side clips that are somewhat difficult to operate. However, the rubbery material should loosen with use. The inner cap can be removed for using the tamper during blending.
Disappointingly, I discovered that the blender can turn on even without the lid, a concerning oversight for safety.
First Impressions
The design of this blender has a commercial, industrial feel, indicating it's built for serious use. Initially, I thought the container looked small compared to the base, but the powerful motor justifies its size.
Control is straightforward with a central dial showing 10 speeds and separate switches for power and pulse. No complex menus here, just user-friendly access.
The long power cord is a plus for limited outlets and can be tidily stored beneath the base when not needed.
Flipping through the recipe booklet, I found it thicker than expected, but only 12 recipes were included, with the rest being translations. For more ideas, the Vitamix website offers numerous recipes, which makes me question the necessity of the physical booklet.
Nonetheless, it does provide some useful tips on ingredient layering while making smoothies. I was surprised to learn that it can create hot soups using the heat generated by the blades.
Blending a Smoothie
To start, I prepared a smoothie I often make, adding milk, yogurt, protein powder, oats, peanut butter, frozen raspberries, blackcurrants, and ice. I filled the container to the 42 oz line, close to its maximum capacity.
After blending for 40 seconds at maximum speed, I decided to blend for an additional 40 seconds. The wide pouring lip made serving easy and mess-free.
The total blend time of 80 seconds yielded a thick, smooth texture. Even my husband commented on how well it blended; the raspberry seeds were almost entirely pulverized, making for a delightful smoothie.
Making Soup
This blender can transform cold ingredients into hot soup via blade friction. I opted for a simple corn soup recipe, blending thawed corn, stock, thyme, and onion.
After blending for under six minutes, the soup was smooth but foamy. Even using warm stock, it only reached 130°F, which might require a quick microwave blast if you prefer it hotter.
Blending Frozen Yogurt
I created a pineapple and mango frozen yogurt using yogurt and frozen fruit chunks. After blending for under a minute while tamping, I found a few small fruit pieces remaining. A further 30 seconds blended them to a creamy consistency.
It took just 90 seconds to create a smooth, delicious treat—perfect for a quick dessert.
Making Nut Butter
Using the recipe for almond butter from the booklet, I blended almonds and oil, adding salt and vanilla extract halfway through. Even though the recipe suggested a quick 60 seconds, it took longer.
Using the tamper, I checked on the mixture after two minutes. It was smooth but thick, resembling mashed potatoes. I kept blending, checking every minute.
After six minutes, it remained thick but warm. While it was tasty, it didn't reach the creamy consistency I desired. Next time, I'll add the vanilla extract at the end to avoid thickening issues.
Crushing Ice
This blender excels at crushing ice. I added 10 ice cubes, set it to max speed, and in just seven seconds, the ice was transformed into a fine powder, ideal for cocktails or icy drinks.
Making Hummus
I followed the Vitamix hummus recipe using whole sesame seeds instead of tahini. This blend was quick, and the texture was just right—not too smooth yet perfectly creamy, with no grittiness from the seeds.
After blending, I added extra spices to suit my taste, achieving the ideal consistency.
Cleaning
While the blades aren't removable, the container, lid, and tamper are dishwasher safe. Alternatively, a blend of soap and water on high speed for 30-60 seconds effectively cleans the container. I found it surprisingly easy to clean, especially after making nut butter.
A cleaning brush is handy for handwashing to avoid blade-related accidents. For many foods, a quick rinse suffices.
How Does It Compare to Other Blenders?
If you seek top-tier performance and have the budget, the Vitamix A3500 Ascent model offers advanced features, including five smart programs and a 64 oz container, though it's double the price of the E310.
On the more affordable side, consider the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System with Auto-IQ, which serves as both a blender and food processor, great for smaller kitchens. However, if you already own a food processor, it may not be necessary.
Should You Buy the Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender?
This blender is a significant investment, but it's worth it if you need serious blending capabilities. More powerful than many competitors, the E310 doesn't compromise on performance despite being Vitamix's entry-level model.
Having reviewed numerous blenders, I can confidently say that the Vitamix range stands out. If you want a blender that can handle more than basic tasks, this is an excellent option.
