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Hello, Vitamix owner (or soon-to-be!).
Let’s talk about The Dry Grains Container, shall we? Okay.
At a very high level, here’s what you need to know. The Dry Grains Container is:
- A nice add-on to your Vitamix.
- Purpose-built for grinding dry grains. (Duh.)
- Might not be something you actually need to buy.
Let’s discuss everything you ought to know about the Vitamix Dry Grains Container.
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Why you should trust me
Since 2012, I’ve been dedicated to educating the public about the benefits of using a Vitamix to ease into a plant-based lifestyle. I’ve been told to call myself the Vitamix King. But, I’m much more comfortable with Mr. Vitamix, or just The Vitamix Guy.
Do I need a Dry Grains Container to make…?
One of the most common questions I get about the Dry Grains Container includes a specific recipe. Flours, nut butters, seed meals, spice grinds, etc.
Now, your question probably comes from a demonstration you saw. “Let me show you how to use a Dry Grains Container to make X, Y, and Z.”
Let’s answer your question:
“Can the Dry Grains Container make the thing you’re wanting to make?”
Probably.
Do you need a Dry Grains Container to make it, though? No, you probably do not.
Let’s discuss why.
Understanding How the Dry Grains Container Works
The Vitamix Dry Grains Container is similar to a standard 64 ounce “wet” container. Laser cut, hammermill blades, engineered to last, etc.
But there are two things that make the Dry Grains Container unique.
Size and shape of container
The Dry Grains Container is 32 ounces. That’s half of a standard (64-ounce) container.
The shape is also narrow, especially compared to the, now standard on Ascent Series, wide 64-ounce containers.
Here’s why the size and shape matters.
The Dry Grains Container’s low capacity and tunnel shape make small batches possible. The smaller the container, the fewer ingredients you need to cover the blade.
Size and shape of blade
The Dry Grains Container is designed to send ingredients upward. A reverse vortex, if you will.
Compare that to standard “wet” containers that send ingredients downward.
Why the upward flow?
This helps prevent ingredients in the Dry Grains Container from getting stuck or packed under the blade.
The blade is also smaller than full-sized Vitamix blades. This is so it fits in the narrow-shaped container.
Do I wish there was a third thing that made it unique? Yes.
But here we are stuck at a list of two without a notable third item. Oh well.
Moving on.
Dispelling Myths About the Dry Grains Container
Let’s clear up some misunderstanding about the Dry Grains Container.
Myth: You need one to make peanut butter.
You do not need a Dry Grains Container to make peanut butter (or any nut butter, for that matter).
You can make nut butters in any Vitamix container, “wet” or “dry”.
Here’s me demonstrating almond butter in a “wet” 64-ounce container (24:05)
The Dry Grains Container’s size, 32-ounces, make it nice for nut butters. The batch size requirement is much more reasonable than with a standard 64-ounce container.
Here’s more info on batch size minimums by container
But a “wet” 32-ounce container is just as good at making nut butters as a “dry” one.
Myth: You need one to make homemade flours.
You do not need a Dry Grains Container to make homemade flours.
Is the Dry Grains container designed to be the best container to make homemade flours? Yes.
The unique blade that sends ingredients upwards is terrific at making flours.
But unless you’re making flours from ingredients that are not already completely dry, raw almonds, for example, the difference in performance from a “wet” container making homemade flours is negligible.
For example, here’s us using a “wet” 32-ounce container to make homemade corn meal (for vegan cornbread) from popcorn kernels. Use your headphones, there’s a NSFW moment.
Myth: You need one to make doughs.
You do not need a Dry Grains Container to make doughs.
You can make doughs in any Vitamix container of any size. For example, we use our standard 64-ounce container to make vegan chocolate chip banana bread.
Myth: We have identified all the myths about the Dry Grains Container.
Let us know what we’ve missed.
Why a Second Container is Nice to Have
You can get a Dry Grains Container. Or you can get one of the other container options.
But either way, a secondary container is nice to have for:
- Small batches.
- Kosher considerations.
- Hassle-free meal prep.
- Primary container aesthetics, useful life extension. (Grains have a tendency to scratch Vitamix container walls more than other typical ingredients).
I could go on and on.
But a secondary Vitamix container is something I encouraged people to avoid. Why add clutter when the main container can do everything?
Well, since getting a “wet” 32-ounce container to compliment our Vitamix setup, a whole new world has opened up for us.
Life is so much better with a secondary container.
Who should get a Dry Grains Container
A Dry Grains Container is for you if: you already make your own homemade flours.
But if you don’t, here’s what I recommend: Wait on a secondary container.
Get good at using the primary container, first.
Then, if you really want a small, narrow one for small batches, you know you have some good options.
Important notes
Dry Grains containers are not yet equipped with Smart Detect Technology. Thus, they are not yet compatible with Ascent Series.
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Can I use a tall standard container to make dry flour, specifically blend oats into powder.
I’m considering this blender with 100 off on your site.
Secondly can a dry container fit this machine.
Hi there,
Yes, the standard container *can* be used to make dry flour.
Yes, the CR Standard Programs is $100 off right now. We love this one.
This Dry Grains container is compatible with that machine. Aside from being purpose-built for dry grains, having this secondary container will help keep your main container less cloudy (from the dry grains processing).
I was wondering how the wet container works with spices such as coriander seeds, whole red chili’s, cinnamon, etc? I already got a second smaller wet container but now having second thoughts. Thank you!
This might be helpful for you to understand the wet and dry containers, how they work, what their strengths are, etc.
Article: Wet container vs dry
Video: 48 oz containers wet and dry
I’m thinking of asking for a vitamix for xmas we are vegan an want to grind our own bread flour ??
Is a vitamix good for this
2 I here about you talking about a dry container
3 an will it do it any better than my kitchen maid
Plz any info on designs would be helpful
Tysvm mrs garrett
Hi Mrs Garrett,
The Dry Grains container is great for making your own flours for bread. There are two different versions depending on what kind of Vitamix you have.
48 oz Dry Grains for SMART SYSTEM
48 oz Dry Grains for Classic
Not sure how it compares to a kitchen aid with regards to grinding. My understanding is that those are more for mixing doughs whereas the Vitamix is for making your own flour?
Hi Lenny,
We are almost decided on getting the A3500. But debating between 8oz blending bowls and 48oz wet container. How useful is the bowl? Concerned if it would be too small. If I put the largest possible batch size of the 8oz bowl into the 48oz jar, can the jar blend it as smooth as the bowl? Thanks in advance!
Hi Joy,
It kind of depends on what you’re blending.
But, yes, if you put the largest possible batch size of the 8oz bowl into the 48oz jar, it should blend just as well (if not better).
For that reason, we prefer the 48 oz wet container since it’s more versatile. (Now’s actually a really good time to get one.)
More on the 8-oz vs large containers here
Lenny, what do you think about grinding grains for home brewing beer? I don’t need flour, I just need all the grain cracked for the wort (boil pot). Would the regular container work fine for this? Thanks very much.
Hey Scott,
Actually, yeah, I think the regular container will work fine for cracking the grain. If you were considering the dry grains container, now’s a good time to pick one up
Cool that you’re brewing your own beer!
We use our vitamix (with wet container) almost every day for smoothies – and continue to love it! I’ve been curious for a long time about the usefulness of a dry container – especially since we’re gluten free and don’t see the point in making gluten-like foods such as breads. Your post helped me put that issue to bed once and for all! I no longer have any curiosity and won’t be purchasing a dry container. Thanks tons!
Hi Jennifer,
Glad I could be of help! 🙂
Yeah, for people who like to grind their own grains (make bread), it’s great.
But if you’re gluten free, not so much.
Sort of related, here’s a popular gf winter recipe of ours you may not have tried yet: Creamy wild rice soup
Hi Lenny,
I recently received my Vitamix 7500 with both the wet and dry containers. My question is how to get all of the say nut butter out of the container, and also when making doughs do they release?
Thanks
Hi Debbie,
It’s a bit tricky to get 100% of the nut butter out of the container. One thing that helps is a small spatula. We like these ones.
Another thing to avoid waste is make a smoothie after with the leftover nut butter still in the container. A good one for this is our PB&J Smoothie.
When making doughs, they should release from the container pretty easily. Every time we’ve done it, it’s surprisingly been fine. You can always add a tiny bit of flour if there’s an extra stickiness.
I have the tall 64 oz. container on my Vitamix. Is this still usable over a dry grains container in the same ways you described in this post?
Hi Nora, your tall 64 oz container is able to grind dry grains just fine. The dry grains container, however, is designed for this task, so handles it better. Why? The dry grains’ container has a blade that sends ingredients upwards (instead of downwards).
When will the 32oz. wet container be available?
Hi Howard,
The 48 oz container for Ascent is now available. There’s not a 32 ounce version for Ascent, but since they are shaped the same at the bottom, they perform equally well on small batches. 🙂
You got it, Spike. The only difference is the blade.
Isn’t the “32-oz dry grains container” just a 32-oz container with a dry-grains blade in it? Is the actual container (or lid) any different?