Cleaning the Blendtec Total Blender Classic is pretty simple. After you're done using it, just add some warm water and a drop of dish soap to the jar. Blend that on a low setting for about 30 to 60 seconds, then rinse it out with clean water. This self-cleaning trick saves time and effort for sure. If there's any stubborn residue, a quick scrub with a non-abrasive sponge does the trick.

Our research shows that folks find the blender's smooth surfaces easy to wipe down, unlike those with more complex designs. Plus, the clear, wide-mouthed jar makes spotting and removing any food bits a breeze.

The blades are fixed to the jar, so you don't need to take anything apart to clean it thoroughly. This makes things a lot simpler and reduces the chance of losing parts. But, be careful around the blades to avoid any nicks or cuts.

Some people have noticed the jar can get cloudy over time, especially if you blend a lot of ice or fibrous stuff. To keep it looking good, clean the jar right after using it and stay away from harsh cleaning pads.

For tougher stains or smells, blending a mix of baking soda and water can help deep clean it.

Overall, the Blendtec is easy to clean with its self-cleaning feature and straightforward design. Keeping it clean will help it last longer and work better.

Yep, the Blendtec Total Blender Classic can definitely make hot soup. The manufacturer's description mentions that the high-speed motor generates enough friction heat to turn cold ingredients into steaming hot soup in just a few minutes.

So, you can just throw in your cold ingredients, set the blender, and it'll do the rest without needing a stove or microwave. It's especially good for creamy soups made from fresh veggies and other ingredients.

Just so you know, while it’s great for hot soups, it's also fantastic for smoothies. Even tough ingredients like kale get blended smoothly.

Our research shows that its powerful motor and pre-programmed cycles do a great job of avoiding that chunky texture you sometimes get with other blenders. Plus, the design creates a vortex, so you don't need to mess with a tamper like you do with some other high-end blenders.

On the downside, this blender can get pretty loud, particularly with frozen or tough stuff, so if noise is an issue for you, that's something to consider.

Also, sometimes you might need to run it through multiple cycles to get the exact smoothness you want, which could mean a bit more time spent blending.

Overall, though, most people find the Blendtec Total Blender Classic really effective for making hot soups and smoothies, despite those minor drawbacks.

The Blendtec Total Blender Classic does a great job crushing ice. The manufacturer says the 75-ounce BPA-free FourSide Jar can handle up to 36 ounces of ingredients at a time, which is awesome for making big batches of smoothies or frozen cocktails.

Based on our research, this blender's powerful motor and specially designed blades can turn ice cubes into a smooth, slushy consistency pretty quickly. People who've used it mostly agree, mentioning how consistently smooth it gets the ice.

Just keep in mind, it's best to not go over the 36-ounce limit to avoid any spills or potential damage. If you often make drinks that need finely crushed ice, the Blendtec Total Blender Classic would be a solid choice.