Vitamix has updated their free app for iOS and Android, so that it now communicates with Ascent Series blenders via Bluetooth. The photo to the right shows the display of an A3500 receiving a blending program from the app.
Contents
Introduction
Vitamix (in partnership with Perfect Company) first released the Perfect Blend app last year, to go with their smart scale. You do not need a smart scale to use the app, but having the scale makes it slicker. Likewise, you can use the app without having an Ascent model, but of course you’ll miss out on the connectivity. Update: the scale is now available reconditioned at a discount.
This app release completes the loop of connectivity between app, scale, and blender that Vitamix has been working towards for some time. Here’s an illustration from one of their patents:
So, what does the connectivity enable?
The main new capability is that the app can send blending programs to Ascent and Venturist blenders. (It can send programs to all Ascent models, including the A2300 and A3300 that do not have programs on the control dial.) The programs take the blender through a series of speeds.
New Programs
In addition to the 5 programs found on the A3500 (smoothies, frozen dessert, soup, spreads, self-cleaning), the app adds 12 additional programs:
- Spice Grinding
- Dressing
- Baby Food
- Marinade
- Acai Bowl
- Nut Butter
- Frozen Cocktails
- Nut Milk
- Thick Dips and Spreads
- Dry Chopping
- Cold Skim Milk Foam
- Batter
You can send these programs to the blender without being in a recipe in the app. You can also follow an app recipe, and after it has directed you to add ingredients, it will send the appropriate program to the blender.
Smarter
A nice feature of Ascent blending programs is that they are “smarter.” They adjust depending on the container, and the recipes adjust them based on batch size. So if you are blending a larger amount, the program runs longer. This addresses one of my main critiques of pre-Ascent blending programs.
Another useful new feature is the app enforces minimum and maximum batch size according to container and recipe type. This is something that I was disappointed that the original version of the app didn’t have, so I’m glad they integrated it into the new version. (You can scale a recipe up or down by volume or by calories.)
However, the batch size enforcement can be inconsistent and overly restrictive. For example, while using the 64-oz container, some soups limit you to a maximum of 40 oz, and others limit you to 56 oz. I’ve blended many 64-oz soups over the years without any problems. I even found a Vitamix soup recipe in the app that says that the 64-oz container “is too small to make this recipe.” [Update: The soup that said the 64-oz container is too small now has a range of 35–40 oz. So at least it’s possible to make, but, there is still the inconsistency with the other soup recipe allowing 56 oz. And I still believe the maximum should be 64 oz.]
I also think it would be even better if the programs could adjust themselves in real time. For example, when starting a blend, sometimes an air pocket forms around the blades, and the motor revs up without making blending progress. You can deal with the air pocket by using the tamper, or sometimes by temporarily reducing the speed. If the blender spends longer with an air pocket, the total blend time should be extended, and this is something that smarter adaptive blend programs could do. Maybe we’ll see this functionality eventually. But in the meantime, it is nice to see blending programs that run longer for larger volumes.
Custom Programs
You can also create custom blend programs in the app. In the current version this function is a bit limited: you can only specify a single speed and time. So you can’t program a sequence of different speeds.
What Bluetooth blending is not
A note about using blending programs via Bluetooth: this is not remote blending. The intention is not for you to be able to start a blending program from the couch or another room. For safety reasons, you have to physically touch the blender controls twice before a remotely-loaded program will run.
Other App Features
My favorite other feature is that you can select dietary preferences or specific ingredients to exclude from the recipe browser. I hate bananas, and this feature makes it so that I don’t have to scroll past tons of banana smoothies.
The app also has a “pantry” to list ingredients you have on hand and shopping list generator for ingredients you need. I haven’t found the pantry useful for fresh blending ingredients because what I have changes too frequently.
App Big Picture
To conclude, I think it’s worth stepping back and going over the goals of the app. It helps users:
- explore new recipes
- learn how to blend different things
- track nutrition information
The new connectivity makes the app more worthwhile for people who like automatic blending programs. It extends the scope of programs and makes them more accurate. Here are the links to the app:
I am looking to buy a ascent blender soon and I think this news can change my choice. First I considered buying the a2500 because of the programs and then the a3500 because of the timer and programs. But now if you can send what program you want in the blender the a2300 can be enough? I can replace the timer by a program made by myself. What is your thought about that? Thanks!
Even without the app, my opinion is that the A2300 is perfectly good. It seems to have a certain stigma for some people because it is the “bottom” Ascent model, but it is a great machine. And yes, you can send programs to it. Some people prefer the programs immediately accessible on the dial, so it’s really up to you.
I will probably go for the a2300. Looking forward to try it!!
I think you said that it should be nice to have a smaller container like the 40oz?
Thanks for you quick response on my previous message!
Send the android update when you get it.
The Android update is live: link.
This is the only place I’ve seen this topic, and the app doesn’t really tell you this unless you hit the scale on the top. When you select the Accent a3500 it says this blender cannot be controlled by the app.
Has anyone gotten an E1 error when trying to pair the bluetooth? The app tries over and over, but after the first try the a3500 shows an E1 error. I will probably be calling customer support on monday, I just got the machine on friday so it’s brand new.
I have received the a2300 few weeks ago. First thing I tried was to connect my phone to the blender, sometimes it works and sometimes I had the same E1 error. I don’t know why but your are not the only one with this issue. Hope it will be better in the futur with an update of the app.
It doesn’t work with a2300 as it does have the program capability see the app touch the a2300 icon and read the info it specifically advises that you can’t send recipes thru the app to rhea2300
Do you have a A2300i? I’ve heard that the non-US/Canada version does not work with the app. The US/Canada A2300 should work with the app.
do you think we’ll find a day outside usa? I am in Spain. i have the ascent 2500 ..
Best regards
I do not understand your question.
Blender tab on the iOS app doesn’t update to show programs even though the app can control the blender with a recipe selection. Anyone else get this error?
Have you contacted Vitamix about this? I’ve only used the Android app.
I’m in the UK and they apparently have not enabled us to use the app with our Ascent series blenders, which, I have to say, is a HUGE disappointment and patently unfair. Not only that, but in the US and Canada Vitamix gives a 20% discount to first responders/medical personnel. Here in the UK? We can suck it, apparently. We get absolutely nothing. I’m American living in the UK and I am an NHS medical professional, and our pay is less than half what my colleagues in the US make, and I’ve just forked out £549 (full price) – which is $774.09 at today’s exchange rate – only to find I cannot use the app but my compatriots in the US and Canada can. Why, Vitamix? Why?
Can a3500 be used to measure ingredients as such the scale is not needed?
All Vitamix containers have volume markings, so you can use those, though that’s obviously less precise than the scale.