Ninja blenders are an increasingly common sight in home kitchens, and it’s not hard to understand why.
They provide an excellent middle ground between cheaper, weaker blenders and the kind of high-end kitchenware that most of us can only dream of owning.
Many of the models also come with single serve cups as well, which allow you to work in smaller batches using a dedicated blade unit.
In this article, I wanted to answer some of the most common questions Viva Flavor readers have asked about Ninja cups. I hope you find it useful, and I’ll continue adding to it over time.
(Want to learn more about juicing and blending? Take a look through my collection of guides and reviews.)
Are Ninja Blenders Cups Dishwasher Safe?
Good news here right away.
I always put my dishwasher-safe kitchenware in the top rack of my dishwasher.
As the well-known detergent brand Finish notes on its website, the heating element of most dishwashers is located in the lower half of the appliance.
If you put plastic items closer to that heating element, you’ll increase the risk that the material warps while the dishwasher is in operation.
The durability of the material will have some effect here, but as a general rule of thumb it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Are Ninja Blender Cups Microwave Safe?
No. In fact no elemental of your Ninja blender should ever be put in a microwave, whether you’re talking about single serving cups or a main container jar,
All Ninja containers are made from an exceptionally hard-wearing material called Eastman Tritan. This is a BPA-free plastic material that simply can’t be microwaved.
If you’re using your Ninja cup to whip up a quick smoothie, then this obviously isn’t going to be a problem (unless you have really, really strange tastes).
What if you want to make a quick soup for lunch though?
In this case, just blend the ingredients to the consistency you want, and then add the blend to a microwave-safe container for warming up.
It takes a little longer overall, but there’s really no safe way around this.
Are Ninja Blender Cups BPA-Free?
Yes they are. As mentioned in the previous answer, Ninja Blender Cups are made from a material called Eastman Tritan.
This is a BPA-free plastic that won’t contaminate the contents of the cup.
As the Mayo Clinic reports, there are a number of health conditions thought to be connected to the presence of BPA (bisphenol A) in plastics. The precise impact of BPA on those conditions is still under review, but the connection is clear.
For that reason you’ll notice that most kitchenware manufacturers err on the side of caution anyway, and simply make use of BPA-free material as a matter of course.
Ninja is no different when it comes to its cups.
Are Ninja Blender Cups Freezer Safe?
Yes, Ninja Blender Cups are safe to put in the freezer.
I’m happy to store smoothies in my refrigerator for around 72 hours. Any longer than that and I think there’s a risk that any dairy elements you use start turning sour.
If you want to prepare a collection of daily drinks for a longer period than that, there’s no real reason your Ninja Cups can’t go on ice.
I leave plenty of extra space for the contents to expand though. I also never include the lid, just in case the contents end up splitting the container.
When you’re ready to re-use a Ninja Cup that’s been stored in the freezer, give it a chance to warm up to room temperature before using it again.
If you’re in a rush, you can run it under warm water for a minute or so and then dry. After that you can add the blade assembly and start blending again.
Are Ninja Cups Interchangeable?
This one doesn’t have a hard and fast answer I’m afraid.
Most Ninja single serve cups supplied with one Ninja blender are compatible with another Ninja model.
All I can stress is the importance of checking the compatibility of any given cup you’re looking to buy.
This is particularly important when you’re looking to save a little cash by buying third-party accessories that aren’t officially recognized by Ninja.
Most of these companies are up-front about compatibility though, whether it’s for cups or replacement parts. Always check the fine detail on the product listing.
How To Clean Ninja Blender Cups
As the blade assembly is entirely separate from the container cup, there’s no risk involved in washing them manually.
As I covered earlier on in this guide though, it’s perfectly fine to put your Ninja blender cups through the dishwasher.
If you don’t have a dishwasher and you don’t want to wash by hand, there’s still another option!
Fill your Ninja cup up to the halfway point with warm water, add a drop or two of kitchen soap, and then pulse the contents while the cup’s on the power base.
Now just empty, rinse and allow to dry.
That should do a pretty good job of getting most ingredients off. If there’s any sticky residue remaining, you might still need to finish the job by hand.
How Do You Clean A Ninja Blender Lid?
The answer to this question is much the same as that for cleaning the container.
Your cup lids are similarly dishwasher-safe. You can also give them a quick wash by hand.
As a general rule of thumb, all components of a Ninja blender – minus the motor base, obviously! – can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
That base is very easy to keep clean as well.
Just get into the habit of running a damp cloth over it after each use. That way you’ll avoid any gunk clogging up the buttons.
Mark’s a lifelong food fanatic and spent ten years working as an entertainment journalist. He now combines his love of food, drink and writing as the founder and editor of Viva Flavor. Read more