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We may earn a commission from links on this page.It actually only takes one time blending a smoothie to forever learn that you should check that the lid is on your blender. The feeling of banana chunks in my hair after I had already showered is seared into my memory, and finding dried up fruit splatter weeks later provides long-term reminders of how to properly secure my Vitamix Ascent X5 before pressing start. But beyond this big lesson, there are many smaller ones. Here are the most important manual-ish settings and tools Ive mastered after eight months using the Vitamix Ascent X5. Vitamix Ascent X5 Blender, 48-ounce container - brushed stainless $749.95 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $749.95 at Amazon Presets are only the beginningI admit, I completely fell in love with the presets on this machine before venturing off into manual territory. Frankly, if you are the set-it-and-forget-it type, thats reason enough to buy this top-of-the-line blender, and you could be perfectly happy with navigating the hot soup, nut butter, smoothie, frozen dessert, and dip settings forever. (Read my full-review to see the tests I ran on the preset functions.) However, Im naturally the experimental type, and occasionally Ive run into times where a preset doesnt seem to fit my needs. So Ive branched out and taken matters into my own hands.The manual speed dial Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann One thing Ive learned from watching the presets run is what happens with the timing and blade speed. Essentially, these two things make up any given preset, whether its the smoothie function or the hot soup function. They start off slowly and after a few or several seconds, the speed ramps up to level 10 (the highest speed) and stays there for some amount of time. Occasionally, the speed reduces again and ramps up again before stopping.After a few attempts at blending my own salsas, marinades, and sauces, I began to realize that theres a reason for the slow start and quick increase in speed later. Starting off at a high speed might mean flinging ingredients up to the lid and maybe never maneuvering them down again unless you stop the machine to scrape the sides. Thats annoying, and it can make the process take longer overall.Instead, I got comfortable with the manual speed dial by keeping it down at the level 1 setting (the slowest speed), which chops up the ingredients slowly, either loosening up the mixture, or breaking down bigger ingredients into more manageable chunks. After about five to 10 seconds, I would ramp up the speed to level 10, all while keeping an eye on my mixture and the texture. Maybe Id end up staying at level 8 for a time and decrease the speed back down to level 2 to check on the consistency. I use the same technique as the presets, but customized to the recipes particular needs.The + :15 seconds button Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann This function is related to the presets, but its important in my weekly operations, so I think its applicable here. The + :15 seconds is one of only a few buttons on the display and yet I ignored it for some time. It is a simple idea and makes a huge difference, though: You press this button when you think your blend needs another 15 seconds of processingor press twice for another 30 seconds, or press "stop" somewhere in between. I make a fruit smoothie a few times a week, and this is especially useful when my fruit mixture doesnt get off to a strong start. For example, if I added spinach or large hunks of apple and they get stuck at the top of the canister for half of the blend. Ill just tap the all-powerful + :15 button until Im satisfied that those items are fully incorporated.The tamper Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann On the topic of ingredients getting stuck at the top, Ill come clean: Ive been tamper resistant. The tamper is a plastic baseball bat-looking thing that comes with the Vitamix blenders, and its meant to help drive ingredients safely into the blades. It's not hard to use, you just cram it into the container through the opening in the lid. However, as a lazy person who shies away from dirtying additional kitchen tools, I started my Vitamix journey by waiting and hoping for the blender to do its blending duty. Then Id get irritated when the preset would end and pieces of fruit were stuck at the top. Meanwhile the display has a little tamper symbol telling me, Hey, hello, use this now.Ive finally come around: I now start most blends with my tamper in hand at the ready. Only I am to blame if my food takes longer than intended if I don't use it. Its not even hard to clean; its smooth plastic (but I am a work in progress).The pulse button Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann As for the only other button left on this control panel, Ive finally started to embrace the pulse button too. Its funny because when I use a food processor, a cousin of the blender, I love the pulse button. I rely on pulsing far more than the on button. I started using the pulse button on the Vitamix when I wanted to keep a closer eye on the texture.The pulse button only blends while you hold it. It allows you to do short bursts at whichever speed you want and stops as soon as you remove your finger. It takes the commitment out of starting a preset or even starting a blend manually and the texture getting away from you before you know it. Ive been using the pulse button for making blender cakes, which works out great but you do want to be careful not to overwork the batter. The pulse button is ideal for a one- or two-second blend, just to incorporate your ingredients.Things I learned the hard wayDont tilt the container while the machine is running. Why would anyone do this? Definitely not to avoid using the tamper and instead try to shake the stuck material down into the blades. It makes a horrifying grinding sound, and youll scare your cats out of their slumbers. Also, its not effective. The container gently sits atop the gear powered by the incredibly strong engine; its not locked in with a clip or anything. If you tilt the container, youre just grinding the very expensive metal cogs, not so much affecting whats inside the vessel. Remember, the tamper is our friend.Do check that the lid is on. The Vitamix does not detect if the lid is on like many food processors do. If the lid isnt on the container when you press start, she will run like it is. Of course, you want to keep your hands and any other items and body parts safe while the machine is running, but you will almost certainly end up wearing your food if you run the machine without the lid on. Just a quick glance up is all you need to blend safely and mess-free.