Update: Check out my review of the Vitamix Stainless Steel container (released in July 2020). In my opinion, it is better than the Waring one described below. Here’s a direct link to the new container.
A number of people have asked me if there is a stainless steel or glass Vitamix jar. If you’ve been wondering, this page is for you!
Vitamix used to make their containers out of stainless steel, but in the early ’90s they switched over to transparent polycarbonate to allow you to see what you are blending. (The old stainless steel Vitamix containers are not compatible with the current Vitamix models.) Then in 2007 Vitamix switched over to BPA-free Tritan copolymer. Some people don’t like the way a plastic container gets scratched up over time, and others are concerned about preparing food in any sort of plastic container. Mother Jones has covered how BPA-free may not be helpful when it comes to avoiding estrogenic plastics.
I personally don’t think the risk is high, and I am continuing to use my Tritan containers, but I understand if you want to avoid them.
Waring makes a line of high speed blenders that uses the same 12-splined coupling that Vitamix does, and somewhat surprisingly, the Waring pitchers fit on current Vitamix models. Further, Waring makes a stainless steel container that fits the Vitamix drive shaft. [This page includes affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase after clicking a link, Joy of Blending may receive a percentage of the sale. (Thank you!)]
Keep in mind, however, that neither Waring nor Vitamix have approved their products for use with the other company’s products, so if any damage occurs, the warranty may be voided. But this is the only stainless steel option for current Vitamix models. Another option is to buy the Waring model that comes with this container, although the Waring warranty is not as long as Vitamix’s, and they are not as home-customer friendly as Vitamix.
The other thing to note is that the rubber centering pad (the black rubber piece on the top of the base with four posts that the jar sits on) of the consumer Vitamix models is not a perfect fit for the Waring container. The posts are slightly too high. So instead of the container sitting on the pad, it sits on the tops of the posts, about 1/8″ off the pad. It is functional like this, but it seems slightly less stable, and it means that the drive shaft is not fully engaged. The gap looks like this:
I see a few options. You could just leave it, as is, and it would probably be fine. Or you could trim the posts by ~1/8″, although you would probably have to seal them because they are hollow, and I suspect that if you cut off the tops, then they would be open, which is non-ideal. I think you could seal them with some silicone glue.
The best option, in my opinion, is to get a different centering pad. It turns out that Vitamix makes a centering pad (15578) with shorter posts for some of their commercial models.
I checked, and the 15578 centering pad fits perfectly on the consumer Vitamix models. It allows you to use the Waring jar with no gap, and it also works with the Vitamix jars. The image at the top of this page shows the Waring Jar on a Vitamix 7500 using this 15578 centering pad, with no gap. (The centering pad is easy to swap on and off: it’s flexible, and it’s a pressure fit—you just pull it up, or push it on.)
This 15578 centering pad works on both C- and G-Series Vitamix models, which covers all of the home models sold since the early 1990s, with the exception of the smaller S-Series personal blenders. Here’s a link to the centering pad on Amazon. It also works on the commercial Vita-Prep and Advance machines. [Update: the 15578 centering pad does not fit on the Explorian Series, because Vitamix slightly changed the plastic posts that poke up into the pad. You can still use the CAC90 with the Explorian pad, but you will have the slight gap shown in the photo above. The CAC90 will not work with the Ascent Series, because it does not have a NFC chip.]
The stainless steel container is not cheap. Its price fluctuates on Amazon, so check for current prices.
Finally, keep in mind that the Vitamix tampers are not compatible with the Waring jar.
If you’re curious about what the different centering pads look like, clockwise from top left in the following images are the pads for the Vitamix Advance, Waring, Vitamix G-Series, and Vitamix C-Series:
Note the taller style posts on the C- and G-Series Vitamix pads. Also note the indentations on the bottoms of the Vitamix pads are identical (that’s where the four posts on the base secure the pad), but The Waring indentations are different. The Waring pad cannot be used on Vitamix bases.
And this is what the bottom of the Waring container looks like:
The stainless steel jar blends satisfactorily. You obviously can’t see how things are blending as easily. I haven’t done this, but if you really miss the tamper, you could make your own out of wood dowels. (Drill through a smaller cross bar at the appropriate height to prevent it from hitting the blades.)
There is no glass jar for any high-speed blender. Vitamix has said that this is because of safety concerns. They do not want a glass jar to shatter when someone accidentally drops a metal spoon into it when it’s running.
Hi,
Thank you for your information, but I have a question, do you think the Waring will fit on the Vitamix ascent series ?
Thank you.
Would it fit? Yes (though with the little gap shown in the second photo above). Would it work? No. Ascent machines require that the container have a Self-Detect NFC chip, which the Waring container does not have.
You could remove the NFC chip from the Vitamix blender and attach it to the CAC90 jar, no?
In principle that should be possible. I’m not sure if it would work though. The chip is embedded in the retainer nut, so you’d have to open up the retainer nut without damaging the chip. Alternatively, it’s also possible that you swap the Vitamix retainer nut onto the Waring jar. Again, I’m not sure if that would work.
Hi Adam, since the 15578 pad is from the Advance commercial series, have you used the Advance container with the Advance blade, and if so, how does that compare to the 4 pointed wet blade that comes standard on the home C and G series. I am asking because if the Advance container/blade is superior to the 4 pointed wet blade, the 15578 pad should allow one to use the Advance container/blade with the 15578 pad on a C or G series. Thanks for your thoughts.
I’ve focused my testing on the home line, so I have not tested the Advance container. From what I’ve read, it’s less of an all-rounder than the standard wet blade. If you only want it for frozen drinks, it might be nice. My guess is that its main advantage is needing the tamper less for frozen drinks. In the home kitchen, I don’t think the tamper is a significant inconvenience. (A commercial establishment, where they are serving a long line of customers, is another story.)
does anyone know a tamper to be used with this model as the original tamper for the vitamix is too long to use. thanks
Does the Waring Commercial CAC90 Stainless Steel Container, 64oz fit onto the
Vitamix E320 Explorian 2.2 HP ?
Yes. For more detail, see this comment/answer.
FYI: you actually can use non NFC containers with the Ascent series. The smart settings just don’t adjust for it.
I’m curious where you got this idea. Ascent machines do not turn on their motor unless they detect an approved NFC tag.
Will the stainless steel blender work on a 6300 series Vitamix and would I need to replace the rubber pad to allow proper fit?
Yes it will work. And replacing the pad is optional. If you don’t replace it, the container will sit on the posts with a gap as shown in the photo above.
hi i also have a 6300 series my question is that the Vitamix has some kind of sensor system to detect when the lid is not on straight etc ,
is this just a straight like for like swap out and change the pad 100% going to work?
The 6300 does not have a container/lid detect system. And yes, you just pull the old pad off and push the new one on.
Hi my question that I can’t find an answer to?: I want to know what the motor base of the current Vitamix Blenders is made of? Plastic or Metal? As in all the colored motor covers that the Vitamix comes in; red, white, black, grey…is that metal or made from plastic. You have researched this product so well that I really think you could answer this for me as I really want to buy a new one but so many appliances these days are made from plastic.
Thank you.
Jane
Thank you so much!
Jane
That part is what Vitamix calls the shell. And almost all of them since the early 1990s have been plastic. There are three current models that have metal shell options: A3300, A3500, and Pro 750. The metal shell makes the blender slightly quieter, and they look elegant. But the plastic they use is super durable. I’ve never heard of it failing, even on 15+ year-old machines.
You say that it does not completely fit the E310 model. With the gap does this create a problem with the shafts meeting? Will it strip the shaft out quicker on the blender?
I do not think it will strip the shaft. I think it’s a little less stable, but it still works fine.
Hi will the Waring SE1000 Acrylic Sound Enclosure fit the Vitamix 7500 (64oz)?
I do not know. If you try it, please report back!
Hi Adam!
Thank you for this information – sooo helpful! I know you said the 15578 centering pad fits on all household vitamix models except the explorian but I just wanted to check on the 5300 because the base has slightly different dimensions.
Yes it fits. The 5300 base is the same size/shape as the 5200 and other similar models.
I have had 2 of the plastic containers on my Vitamix break, most recently this morning when a blackberry smoothie exploded all over my kitchen- walls, ceiling, rug, etc. Vitamix customer service was HORRIBLE- they claimed user error, saying I had layered my ingredients incorrectly and only offered a “discount” for me to buy a new one. The plastic is a safety hazard- Vitamix should provide another option. Thanks for the info!
Is the cac138 container compatible with vitamix g series’s? They look very close.
No. Not sure how close they are, but the drive coupling is definitely different. As far as I know, the only Waring containers that fit on a Vitamix are the ones for the Xtreme line.
Hello Adam,
I’m ready to purchase my first Vitamix and compatible stainless container. I’ve read through all the comments and your thoughtful replies. Feel like I’ve learned a lot but my head is swimming a bit with all the different series names of both brands. Would you kindly recommend the most powerful / best Vitamix series I can purchase, along with the best Waring stainless jug? I am happy to invest in a blender set up that will last me for a while. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!
As far as I know, the Waring jug linked on this page is the only stainless steel one that will work with a Vitamix.
As far as which Vitamix, sorry to not narrow it down, but there’s no real difference in power between all the models. The only ones to rule out are the “Smart” blenders (Ascent line), because they won’t work with the Waring container.
I’d recommend the Reconditioned 7500 as an excellent deal and excellent machine. If you don’t care about the difference in price and like the looks of a metal base, you could upgrade to a metal (brushed stainless) Pro 750. (Vitamix discontinued the metal Pro 750, but now they’ve brought it back, at least for a bit.)
Thank you SO much Adam! 🙂
Saludos,
Quiero comprar un vaso de este tipo para mi licuadora Vitamix porque he tenido problemas licuando productos calientes, la pregunta es ¿puedo conseguir fácilmente cuchillas de repuesto cuando sea necesario?
Gracias
Sí, se puede, pero no debería ser necesario (ni barato 😂): Waring 503345
This may not pertain exactly to the topic. I have a 3600 (not 3600 plus) with the 6 spine drive. I would like to convert it to the 12 spine drive. Until recently, I have had the unit as the original owner since 1983. The bottom of the stainless steel container wore out, and the base motor is still functional. I love the steampunk look of the Vitamix, and the controls are very industrial and solid. I would hate to give up my unit. The problem is. most Vitamix stainless containers are for the 3600 plus and the 4000. That is why I am hoping that you might let me know where I can procure a 6 to 12 spine conversion kit. I called Vitamix, and they don’t have it.
Not sure if they will be able to help you, but I’d suggest contacting this seller on eBay.
Adam, thanks for all this! I’ve been considering buying a Vitamix but don’t like plastic jars, so I have a question: Isn’t the blade built into the jar itself–that is, isn’t the blade an essential part of what makes the Vitamix blenders work so well (in addition to the high power)? So does this mean that the Waring jar won’t work as well? I’m looking for something that makes good oat milk, as opposed to oat water–but if spending a lot of money, I want the blender to work well. One thing I could do is use the stainless steel jug when making soups or something savory that could impart a flavor to the plastic, and use the plastic jug for oat milk and smoothies–but if I replace the centering pad with one that matches the Waring jug, then will I be able to go back and forth between the two jugs?
Thanks!
Did you see the update with the link at the top of this page? I recommend going with that one. The Waring blade works fine, but I think the Vitamix container is nicer. (I wrote a comment on that review page with more detail about why I prefer it.)
To answer your other question, you can use the standard Vitamix containers with the centering pad with the shorter posts.
I have an idea to get a glass container to fit on a Vitamix. I like to blend my blend until it’s hot.
Do you have measurements for the height of this Waring container? Or the combined height of a 5200 with the Waring container? Cheers.
It is very close in height to the tall/narrow 64-oz container that comes with a 5200. My CAC90 is packed away now, so I can’t get the exact measurement.