To clean a mixer grinder, unplug it, take the jar off the base, and wash the jar, lid, blade and gasket in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Wipe the motor base with a damp cloth and never put it in water. Dry every part fully before you put it back together. A quick wash after every use, and a deeper clean once a week, keeps stains, smells and leaks away.
This guide shows how to clean a mixer grinder step by step, including the jars, blades, rubber gasket, lid and motor base. It also covers how to remove turmeric stains and strong smells, what never to use, and a simple cleaning schedule.
What you need
• Mild dish soap and warm water
• A soft sponge and a bottle brush or old toothbrush
• Baking soda and a lemon, for stains and smells
• A soft dry cloth and a slightly damp cloth
• A dry brush for the vents
Safety first
• Unplug the mixer grinder before any cleaning, even if it is switched off.
• Handle blades with care. They are sharp even when they look clean. Never run your finger along an edge or reach into a jar with your hand.
• Never put the motor base in water, and never pour water into it.
• Check your manual for which parts you can soak, and whether any part is dishwasher safe.
Step-by-step: how to clean a mixer grinder after every use
Clean the jar as soon as you finish. Food dries on quickly, and it is much harder to remove later.
Step 1: Rinse the jar
Empty the jar and rinse it under running water to remove loose food, especially from masala and batter.
Step 2: Run a quick wash
Fill the jar one third with warm water, add a drop or two of mild dish soap, and put the lid on. Fix the jar on the base, plug in, and run on low for 20 to 30 seconds, if your manual allows it. Then switch off and unplug before you open it.
Step 3: Rinse well
Pour out the soapy water, and rinse the jar two or three times until no foam is left.
Step 4: Dry upside down
Place the jar and lid upside down on a rack or a clean cloth and let them air dry, so no water stays in the corners or the blade base.
How to deep clean jars, blades and the lid
Do this once a week if you use the mixer grinder daily, and any time a jar smells or looks stained.
• Take the jar off the base and open it up. If the blade unit comes off your jar, follow the manual to remove it. Do not force anything.
• Soak the parts. Put the jar, lid and, if removable, the blade unit and gasket in warm soapy water for about 10 minutes. Do not use boiling water, since it can crack or warp some jars.
• Scrub gently. Use a soft sponge for the jar. Use a bottle brush or an old toothbrush for the blade and the gaps around it, always brushing away from the cutting edge.
• Rinse and dry fully. Shake off the water, wipe with a dry cloth and air dry before you reassemble.
Do not use steel wool or scouring pads. They scratch plastic jars and dull the blades.
How to clean the rubber gasket and the lid
The rubber ring around the blade, and the lid's seal, hold on to food and smells. Pull the gasket out if your jar allows it, wash it in warm soapy water, and rinse it. Dry it fully and fit it back flat, with no twists.
Check it each time. If it is loose, cracked or stiff, or the jar leaks, replace it. A worn gasket can let water into the base and the motor.
How to clean the motor base and the vents
• Wipe the base with a slightly damp cloth, then dry it straight away with a dry cloth.
• Clean the coupler, the part where the jar locks in, with a dry or barely damp cloth.
• Clean the vents once a month with a dry brush, so dust does not block them. Blocked vents make the motor run hot. Our Chefspecial Kitchen Genie has a Cool Vent design that needs clear air passages.
• Wipe the cord and plug with a dry cloth, and check for cuts or damage.
• Store the base dry, away from the stove and the sink.
How to remove turmeric stains and strong smells
|
Problem |
What to do |
|
Turmeric or masala stains |
Make a paste of baking soda and a little water, spread it in the jar and leave it for about 10 minutes. Scrub gently and rinse |
|
Garlic, onion or fish smell |
Fill the jar with warm water and a few lemon slices or a spoonful of baking soda, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse. You can also run it for 20 seconds with lemon and water |
|
Cloudy plastic or scale |
Soak in warm water with a little lemon juice or diluted white vinegar for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse well |
|
Smell in the lid or gasket |
Wipe the lid and wash the gasket, then leave both to dry in open air |
Stains on plastic can fade slowly, and some will not go away completely. They do not make the jar unsafe, but a jar that is deeply scratched, cracked or cloudy should be replaced.
How to clean attachments and food processor parts
If your model has slicing discs, shredding plates or a dough blade, like our Chefspecial Kitchen Genie, wash them by hand soon after use. Handle the edges with care, use a brush rather than your fingers, and dry them well. Check your manual before using a dishwasher.
What not to do when cleaning a mixer grinder
• Do not clean it while it is plugged in.
• Do not put the motor base in water or under a running tap.
• Do not use steel wool, harsh cleaners or bleach.
• Do not use boiling water on plastic jars.
• Do not put hot liquids into a closed jar. Steam can force the lid open.
• Do not leave wet jars closed with the lid on, since it traps moisture and smell.
• Do not put the jar in a dishwasher unless your manual says it is safe.
Mixer grinder cleaning schedule
|
Part |
How often |
What to do |
|
Jar and lid |
After every use |
Quick wash with soap and water, dry upside down |
|
Blades |
After every use, deep clean weekly |
Brush with soap and water, away from the edge |
|
Gasket |
Weekly |
Remove, wash and dry |
|
Motor base |
Weekly |
Wipe with a damp cloth, then dry |
|
Vents |
Monthly |
Dry brush |
|
Cord and plug |
Monthly |
Dry wipe and inspect |
Signs it is time to replace a part
• The jar is cracked or deeply scratched.
• The gasket is loose or leaking.
• The blade is bent, wobbles or has gone dull.
• Water has got into the base, or there is a burning smell.
If you have a problem with the motor base or the blade assembly, please contact our service team through our Contact Us page. For more on what to look for in jars, blades and motors, read our guide to understanding your mixer grinder.
Our mixer grinders
Our Compact Geenie 3 Jar Mixer Grinder is a 400W model with three jars, priced at ₹2,499. Our Chefspecial Kitchen Genie is a 750W model with a leak-proof design, three jars and food processor attachments, with a 5-year motor warranty and a 2-year product warranty, priced at ₹6,799. See our full mixer grinder range and the 750W mixer grinders.
FAQs
Q: How often should I clean my mixer grinder?
A: Wash the jar and lid after every use. Do a deeper clean of the jars, blades and gasket once a week if you use it daily, and clean the vents once a month.
Q: Can I wash a mixer grinder jar with hot water?
A: Warm water is best. Boiling water can crack or warp some jars, so avoid it unless your manual says it is safe.
Q: How do I clean the blades safely?
A: Unplug the mixer grinder, then use a brush with soapy water and move away from the sharp edges. Never use your fingers on the edge.
Q: How do I remove the smell from a mixer grinder jar?
A: Leave warm water with lemon slices or baking soda in the jar for about 15 minutes, then rinse. Dry the jar open to the air, and wash the gasket as well.
Q: Can I put the mixer grinder jar in a dishwasher?
A: Only if your manual says so. Heat and strong detergent can cloud or warp plastic jars and harm the gasket.
Q: Why does my mixer grinder jar leak?
A: A worn, loose or badly fitted gasket is the usual cause. Clean and refit it, and replace it if it is cracked or stiff.
