Update July 15, 2022: Four years later, we aim to answer the question Is the Aer Disc Container worth it? with the video below:
The Vitamix Aer Disc Container is like nothing you’ve ever seen.
Unless, of course, you make craft cocktails or made-from-scratch sauces in a chef-inspired restaurant.
In this post, we’ll discuss the latest accessory container offering from Vitamix. And yes, it’s compatible with all full-size Vitamix machines built since the early 1990’s. (It’s not compatible with Personal, Space Saving, S-Series models.)
Note 1: Our referral link to buy the Aer Disc Container will get you a free shipping discount at checkout. As always, 30-day returns.
Note 2: In addition to the ones included recipe book, there are several recipes for the Aer Container on Vitamix’s website.
Why offer an Aer Disc Container anyway?
The Aer Disc Container was first offered to commercial customers like bartenders, chefs, and quick-serve restaurants. Why?
This container was a way to save time without sacrificing texture, flavor, and original spirit of their food and drink.
Because whipping egg whites into foam for pisco sours takes time. Same with muddling mint for mojitos.
Some bars prefer to stay traditional and make the muddling and whipping part of the experience.
Some bars, however, prefer to save time and maximize output. Starbucks making cold foam is a great example.
So here it is, now available to you and me. The aerating disc (disk?) container.
The Aer Disc!
Let’s talk about what it’s good at, yeah?
What the Vitamix Aer Container can do for you
The Aer Container is marketed as being good at four distinct tasks:
- Muddle
- Foam
- Whip
- Emulsify
The disc blade is designed to aerate ingredients without liquifying them like a traditional blender blade would. It’s designed to be gentle with ingredients to infuse flavor and create texture.
So what are some specific applications? Let’s discuss each in detail.
1) Muddle
Okay, guys. I just watched this YouTube on how to muddle for a cocktail and guess what?
The Aer Container saves you so much time!
No extra rolling or laborious muddling. Use the container to release the lime oil, juice, and mint with zero effort.
And, no more shaking! Chill the drink without diluting the flavor.
I was skeptical of its value at first.
But if you’re okay letting go of traditional, expression-filled bartending showmanship, you’ll love this container for making mojitos. (Here’s the method.)
Another example: Lemonade! (Specifically this strawberry lemonade!)
Extract citrus juice, hands-free. Plus, keep the peel and cooling the drink without diluting it (no crushed ice!).
Here’s a video from Vitamix showing this technique:
2) Foam
We’re told you can create hot or cold foams with skim milk. But here’s the problem.
We don’t drink cow’s milk.
But if you do, you can make hot or cold foams with ease.
You can expect some plant-based milk foam demonstrations (perhaps an aquafaba fluff?) soon. Check back. 🙂
3) Whip
You can make whip cream with the Aer Container. Similar to the above, we’ll try with coconut cream and report our results.
4) Emulsify
This container can emulsify for homemade dressings with texture.
We’ll try our hollandaise, and Vitamix’s vegan mayo, etc.
Now, we already emulsify with our standard 48 oz wet container. So we’ll have to compare results between the two.
Oh! And this one is not in the marketing materials because Vitamix does not want to mislead.
But this one!
5) Shake
This container mixes drinks without crushing the ice. The result?
Make drinks cold without diluting. (Shaken in my Aer Container, not stirred!)
Cool example: Citrus whiskey sour.
This is an extension of muddling. But the “shake is an added bonus you get after extracting the juice and citrus oil.
Okay, so those are the things the Aer Container can do. Let’s talk about what it cannot do.
Aer Container vs Standard Container
There is some overlap between the capabilities of the Aer Container and the Standard Container. Both, however, have specialties that the other cannot do.
Here’s the general rule: If a chef or mixologist does it, it’s either an Aer Container specialty or capability.
Why choose an Aer Container?
Citrus Juicing: The disc blade extracts the juices from lemon or lime leaving the rind behind
Foaming: The disc blade can create both hot and cold foams
Emulsifying: The Aer Container can create restaurant-quality vinaigrettes and mayo. The Standard Container can do this, too, at an unconfirmed relative quality. (We’ll test this. I was convinced our Bright Blueberry Vinaigrette, made in a standard container, was perfect.)
Whipped Cream: While both containers can make whipped cream, the Aer Container apparently makes a much thicker version.
Sauces: The Aer Container specializes in mayo-type sauces like hollandaise and aioli.
Cocktails: The Standard Container can make blended drinks like a grapefruit margarita quite well. But the Aer can mix, muddle, and chill.
Why choose a Standard Container
Smoothies: Turn whole fruits and vegetables into creamy smoothies. Example: Carolyne’s Green
Hot Soups: Use the friction of the blades to make steaming, hot soup, start-to-finish
Peanut Butter: Turn peanuts into fresh peanut butter
Frozen Dessert: Two-ingredient and one minute get you all-natural ice creams and sorbets. Example: Bermuda sorbet
Chopping: Use the wet or dry chop method like we do with our Detox Salad
Pureeing: Chefs use the Vitamix to make silky smooth purees. So should you. 🙂
Whole-Food Juicing: Waste nothing and get all the nutrients and fiber from something like our Everyday Green Juice
Who an Aer Container might be for
An Aer Container might be for you if:
- You want to explore artisanal dishes
- You want to create craft cocktails in less time
- You simply want to do more with your Vitamix
The Vitamix Aer Container is a unique add-on accessory for Vitamix owners of full-size machines. While it’s not the most versatile container, it’s specialities make it appealing, for sure.
You can check back for updates as we create awesome food and drinks with it.
Or…
Rakisha -
Can the aer disc extract the juice from pomegranate, leaving the seeds behind, similar to how juice is extracted from citrus?
Michelle -
Great video and info! Does the aer container also extract oils from things like fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, etc.)? Could I throw in, for instance, a rosemary sprig and get the strong taste of rosemary (without the woody stem)? Thanks so much!
Lenny Gale -
Yes, that’s a great use for it!
yes – waiting to hear how it works if one takes CANNED, refrigerated coconut milk – takes the thick cream off the top and aerates in this new container. If it can do this, then I will invest as I make my whipped cream, mousse, etc. all with coconut cream.
Thanks, Rita. Per below, this should work really nicely. Just not sure how much better it is compared to a standard 48 o container
I just purchased the Vitamix Aer disc container and am experimenting with various recipes. I am dairy free therefore I am attempting to make a whipped cream that is dairy free. I have not yet used coconut cream to do this…have you? I have tried making it using almond milk as well as almond/coconut creamer and neither of those worked (I think they are too thin without enough fat). What is your experience with making dairy free whipped cream using the Vitamix Aer disc container? Thank you for any feedback you can provide.
Yeah, coconut cream or canned coconut milk… will have to try. I’m actually curious if there’s a difference in results in an Aer Disc container vs in a standard 48 oz container. Will keep ya posted.
Do let us know if you try it yourself.