The internet is an incredible resource for time-saving life hacks, and the most recent is an old tip for using Mason jars in place of blender jugs to save on doing dishes and to make storing blended foods simpler if your blender doesn’t come with a lidded jar. But is this hack all it lives up to be? Or is it best avoided?
The Mason jar blender hack is certainly a time saver and works with many of the best blenders when used correctly, but many comments highlight the need for caution – Mason jars are not designed for this use and shouldn’t be used to blend ice or hot foods. However, many TikTokers swear by it.
Here, we explain how to the Mason jar blender hack works and share some important safety tips you need to consider, plus our verdict on whether to try it.
The Mason Jar Blender Hack
Spelled out: start by unscrewing the base of your blender pitcher and removing the blades. Test the size against the top of a clean Mason jar; commenters say that this trick works best with a standard-sized Mason jar designed for heavy-duty kitchen work like pickling as opposed to large-mouthed jars or thinner jars for storing preserves. Try these jars from Target.
You should also never attempt this hack with Mason jars that are designed to be decorative to prevent them from smashing – our feature on Mason jar crafts has plenty of ideas for this.
Screw the blade attachment securely onto the jar – it may be a good idea to fill it with some water first to test if the seal is tight. This way, you can avoid sticky, messy leaks when you start to blend up smoothies. If you are sure there are no leaks and your jar is strong enough to survive blending, all there is to do is fill it with your ingredients and attach it to your blender.
Our eCommerce editor Laura Honey loves this simple trick for making a larger blender more versatile at home: ‘It’s such a simple way to have your family blender deliver the results of a single-serve or portable blender alternative,’ she says. ‘Also, any trick that saves on washing up is a go-to for me!’
Whether this hack is for you or not may depend on the type of blender you have. For example, many invertible pitchers come with lids to take blended smoothies on the go or store blended mixes in the refrigerator, such as the NutriBullet Pro 900, reviewed by H&G (see below), making this Mason jar trick useful if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to buying extra pitchers or replacing a damaged one.
This trick may be better suited to those of us who have a traditional pitcher jug blender, which we have to decant into a separate container to take smoothies on the go or to store in the fridge. The goal is, after all, to save time doing dishes, so using this hack helps to cut out the middleman.
This impressive 1000ml blender has been voted one of H&G’s best blenders, achieving five stars in our Best Blender review. We haven’t tried it with the Mason jar hack, but it is easily one of the most powerful and efficient blenders on the market, making a great addition to any kitchen regardless.
One thing to note, however, is that this trick doesn’t work with every make and model of a blender, with some commenters reporting that the hack is not compatible with many Vitamix blenders but is with some NutriBullets. It is a hack that relies on a little bit of trial and error.
It is also worth remembering that any home hack that mixes technology with a shortcut comes with a little risk. Mason jars are not designed to be blenders, so there is a chance that they may break, damage your blender attachment, or leak. As a result, this hack should be tried based on your judgment.
This small but mighty blender is rated highly in its H&G review, and while we haven’t tested it with the Mason jar hack, it is a great small blender to have on hand.
CAN I USE MASON JARS FOR MAKING SMOOTHIES?
You can certainly use Mason jars for making smoothies if they fit your blender, but you should be cautious about blending solid ice cubes in case they smash the glass. Stick to softer fruits and vegetables.
WILL HEAT SHATTER A MASON JAR?
Excessive heat can shatter a Mason jar if it is not made from tempered glass. For this reason, if using it for your blender, you should avoid blending very hot foods like soup and instead wait for it to cool down to a temperature comfortable to touch before agreeing. You can always reheat them in a pan or bowl afterward. Never microwave a Mason jar unless the manufacturer states it is ‘microwave-safe.’
This Mason jar blender hack is certainly slated to save time in the kitchen, but you should always proceed with caution when mixing hacks with appliances. Our advice? Stick to using your blender as it was designed to be used.
