Vitamix [General]
2008 Nov 17
Zymugist: We have one. I convinced my father some ten years ago to buy one at Western Fair in London for about..$450 or $500 at the time. Back then, I was really into two features: Ice Cream and Soup (yes, this sucker makes both).
My SO & I inherited it from my parents (read: they weren't using it enough to warrant, and we don't have a food processor). We use it for sauces that need to be pureed, and I still make ice cream and smoothies from time to time. It's also wonderful for baby food, and mincing/pureeing large portions of vegetables.
We use it maybe once a week or so, but we're also only a family of two, so to speak. When I was in high school (when we first bought it), it got used probably about three or four times a week.
I don't know what they're going for now, but I do know in hindsight it was worth the price (the sucker has held up through a lot). My only complaint is that the pitcher is not dishwasher safe, and seems to be porous--wash it/rinse it right away, or else you might have soup that tastes like bananas (or smoothies that taste like garlic).
My SO & I inherited it from my parents (read: they weren't using it enough to warrant, and we don't have a food processor). We use it for sauces that need to be pureed, and I still make ice cream and smoothies from time to time. It's also wonderful for baby food, and mincing/pureeing large portions of vegetables.
We use it maybe once a week or so, but we're also only a family of two, so to speak. When I was in high school (when we first bought it), it got used probably about three or four times a week.
I don't know what they're going for now, but I do know in hindsight it was worth the price (the sucker has held up through a lot). My only complaint is that the pitcher is not dishwasher safe, and seems to be porous--wash it/rinse it right away, or else you might have soup that tastes like bananas (or smoothies that taste like garlic).
2008 Nov 19
My sister has had the same Vitamix for at least 20 years and they use it every day. She has three very boisterous children (now older) who have all used and abused it and it is still working - that in itself is a miracle.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend on based on her experience with it.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend on based on her experience with it.
Dec 9
Well, I finally broke down and bought one at CA Paradis this weekend. They sell a few different VitaMix models there and I went with the CIA Professional Series. It's the equivalent of their 5200 Series except for cosmetic differences. For those that are interested, the dry jar is on sale for $100 until the end of December. They're out of stock on that item right now but I have mine on back order.
I tried waiting for it to come to Costco so that I could save some money off the regular price but when I last checked they didn't have any warehouse visits planned through to late next year. I was told to check back in a few months in case things changed. Too long to wait unfortunately.
Now that I have it though, I'm really happy with the purchase. Made a few smoothies and almond butter already. Plan to try making macarons once the dry jar comes in and I can make almond flour. This thing is build like a tank and also looks pretty snazzy in brushed steel.
Will see how often I use this thing in the long run but for now, I'm content knowing that this thing was built to last.
I tried waiting for it to come to Costco so that I could save some money off the regular price but when I last checked they didn't have any warehouse visits planned through to late next year. I was told to check back in a few months in case things changed. Too long to wait unfortunately.
Now that I have it though, I'm really happy with the purchase. Made a few smoothies and almond butter already. Plan to try making macarons once the dry jar comes in and I can make almond flour. This thing is build like a tank and also looks pretty snazzy in brushed steel.
Will see how often I use this thing in the long run but for now, I'm content knowing that this thing was built to last.
Dec 10
Would recommend it for sure! Bought one this summer and it's the best way to make smoothies to take advantage of the whole food (as opposed to a juicer).
You can also make hot soup with it, butter, and many other goodies.
As for cleaning, I fill mine up 1/2 with water, then a drop of dish washing detergent and put it on for about 30 seconds. It cleans it perfectly with a rinse afterwards.
It is expensive, but I only use that now - plus, if you ever watch Iron Chef, there's one in their kitchen ;-)
You can also make hot soup with it, butter, and many other goodies.
As for cleaning, I fill mine up 1/2 with water, then a drop of dish washing detergent and put it on for about 30 seconds. It cleans it perfectly with a rinse afterwards.
It is expensive, but I only use that now - plus, if you ever watch Iron Chef, there's one in their kitchen ;-)
Dec 10
The Vitamix gets consistently high/best reviews from America's Test Kitchen, the only drawback being the price, but they are built to last a lifetime.
Dec 11
I bought mine off the US website and shipped it to Ogdensburg. A lot cheaper and I've seen plenty of their boxes at the UPS Store over there so I can't be the only one who's done it.
It's awesome. Possibly my favourite kitchen item. It has blended everything I've thrown at it. The only issue is that it is loud. I'd had the Cooks Illustrated top rated Braun blender before it and it was inferior in every way.
It's awesome. Possibly my favourite kitchen item. It has blended everything I've thrown at it. The only issue is that it is loud. I'd had the Cooks Illustrated top rated Braun blender before it and it was inferior in every way.
Dec 11
Currently their US website (vitamix.com at least) is smart enough to know my IP is from Canada, so I cannot see the US pricing
Dec 12
The US Costco Online has a very good package deal on the Vitamix if you're willing to travel across the border to get it. They don't ship to Canada though.
Dec 12
Sharing the Vitamix's half-a-grand price range is the BlendTec (of "Will It Blend?" fame). Some comments give the slightly cheaper BlendTec the edge over the Vitamix: goneraw.com/node/7730
Either way, the "Will It Blend?" gimmick is awesome! www.blendtec.com/willitblend/
Either way, the "Will It Blend?" gimmick is awesome! www.blendtec.com/willitblend/
Dec 13
Those are some funny videos for blend tec ;-)
I'd probably still go for the Vitimix though - even though blend tec is 3HP vs 2HP.
For someone on a budget, I'd recommend something I've mentioned before - look in the used stores for one of the older (pre 1988-ish) Osterizer blenders. I got a new osterizer for Christmas in 1997 and about 6 months later blew the motor making cat food out of meat (the slogan "Will it blend" really rings true for me :-)).
I then found a used behemoth for 10 bucks and have not looked back. It has taken everything I've thrown at it since, though admittedly I have not tried cat food again :-) But smoothies as mentioned above are no issue at all. And blending fruits and veggies for making fruit leather as well. Though I have hit a few situations here, where I'm sure life would have been much easier with a Vitamix or Blendtec - lots of carrots can really slow me down in my old Osterizer. I bet one of those other ones could process just carrots and nothing more, and do a fine job of it with no problems.
I'd probably still go for the Vitimix though - even though blend tec is 3HP vs 2HP.
For someone on a budget, I'd recommend something I've mentioned before - look in the used stores for one of the older (pre 1988-ish) Osterizer blenders. I got a new osterizer for Christmas in 1997 and about 6 months later blew the motor making cat food out of meat (the slogan "Will it blend" really rings true for me :-)).
I then found a used behemoth for 10 bucks and have not looked back. It has taken everything I've thrown at it since, though admittedly I have not tried cat food again :-) But smoothies as mentioned above are no issue at all. And blending fruits and veggies for making fruit leather as well. Though I have hit a few situations here, where I'm sure life would have been much easier with a Vitamix or Blendtec - lots of carrots can really slow me down in my old Osterizer. I bet one of those other ones could process just carrots and nothing more, and do a fine job of it with no problems.
Dec 15
I finally bought one in September and we have been really pleased with it. I also bought it at CA Paradis but mine is the lower model. We did find it cheaper online and CA Paradis matched the price so we got it for $100 less than what they were charging.
I find it amazing that you can throw in a bunch of raw carrots and less than a minute later you have carrot juice that is completely smooth with no lumps...crazy.
I did leave it on too long once when I was making a smoothie and it boiled it!! Oops.....had to throw in some ice to cool it back down again.
I find it amazing that you can throw in a bunch of raw carrots and less than a minute later you have carrot juice that is completely smooth with no lumps...crazy.
I did leave it on too long once when I was making a smoothie and it boiled it!! Oops.....had to throw in some ice to cool it back down again.
Feb 7
If anyone is interested, the VitaMix roadshow is at Costco (Hunt Club) for the next week or until they run out of stock. They're selling the 5200 model in white only for $499. They're also selling the optional dry blade container for $100.
Apr 5
So sad but funny, got my i pad today from NY apple store. Will have to keep it safe from the blender!
Apr 5
I can't believe it's still working after he nearly breaks it in half.
Also, the brand loyalist in me was cringing the whole time.
Also, the brand loyalist in me was cringing the whole time.
Apr 6
Yeah, I was cringing too - I thought he was going to hurt the Blendtec, but I should have known better :-)
Apr 6
I know a couple people that own one and they love it. I've tried it a few times, and it really is amazing. It just pulverizes everything. No strawberry seeds remain when making strawberry margaritas! I have done quite a lot of research on my next blender, for when my Cuisinart (the one with the tap) cracks again (I've repaired it once, but the part is about 40% of the cost of the blender). I will definitely be getting the Vitamix. It was between the Vitamix, Blendtec and the Waring MX series. The only disadvantage I see to going with the Vitamix is if you need to put it under a cupboard. It's very tall. Luckilly mine will be in a location where height restriction isn't a concern. The recipe book that comes with it is worth it's weight in gold and I haven't been able to find it anywhere online yet. If the Iron Chefs use it, it's probably pretty good.
Apr 6
Oh, and as far as being worth the price? In my case it probably will be. My blender was roughly $150 and I've spent about $60 replacing the blade/jar assembly once. So, $210, and I once again have cracked the base by making thick margaritas. I guess it's just too powerful for the weakest link. Plus the Cuisinart doesn't blend nearly as smooth or as fast as the Vitamix, and I will never have to worry about making anything with too much ice, or too thick. Reliability and final product will make it worthwhile for me...plus it looks pretty cool.
Aug 25
Just to bump this thread, I noticed that the Vitamix roadshow was visiting the Kanata Costco earlier this week if anyone is interested.
I purchased the more practically dimensioned BlendTec earlier this year and am absolutely thrilled. After a few frustrating weeks trying to get one from the clowns at Rainbow Foods, I gave up and mail-ordered directly from a US company. We ended up saving $140 by doing this!
I now start every day with a delicious smoothie containing something like:
* 1/2 cup Red grapes
* 1/2 cup Frozen field berries (blue, black, rasp)
* 1 Banana
* 1/4 cup Baby carrots
* 1/4 cup other stuff (peach, strawberries, etc, heck even spinach or broccoli)
* Water to thin to a consistency you enjoy
Two cool things: I'm not a big fan of eating fruit in general, so this goes a long way to rounding out my dietary requirements because for some reason I love it! And the big bonus: I run the "Whole juice" cycle, which pulverizes even the smallest seed. Blackberries have been shown to inhibit esophageal cancer -- a risk for GERD/reflux sufferers like me. Blackberries without big nasty seeds are consumable daily! :-)
Oh, and no need to remove the husk from strawberries. Laziness FTW!
I purchased the more practically dimensioned BlendTec earlier this year and am absolutely thrilled. After a few frustrating weeks trying to get one from the clowns at Rainbow Foods, I gave up and mail-ordered directly from a US company. We ended up saving $140 by doing this!
I now start every day with a delicious smoothie containing something like:
* 1/2 cup Red grapes
* 1/2 cup Frozen field berries (blue, black, rasp)
* 1 Banana
* 1/4 cup Baby carrots
* 1/4 cup other stuff (peach, strawberries, etc, heck even spinach or broccoli)
* Water to thin to a consistency you enjoy
Two cool things: I'm not a big fan of eating fruit in general, so this goes a long way to rounding out my dietary requirements because for some reason I love it! And the big bonus: I run the "Whole juice" cycle, which pulverizes even the smallest seed. Blackberries have been shown to inhibit esophageal cancer -- a risk for GERD/reflux sufferers like me. Blackberries without big nasty seeds are consumable daily! :-)
Oh, and no need to remove the husk from strawberries. Laziness FTW!
Aug 25
That's awesome! What US company did you order from?
Is Costco still only offering the white model?
Is Costco still only offering the white model?
Aug 25
I ordered from 2-life.com and they were really nice to deal with! They had a promotion where you get an $80 credit for your next purchase, but they allowed me to apply that credit to my current purchase to cancel out the shipping cost ($50). I see on their website that they offer free shipping to Canada, so that may have been in the works at the time...
Thanks to NAFTA, tere was no tax or duty incurred from crossing the border, since the BlendTec is manufactured in the USA. BTW, I have the 3-quart jar and find it to be a good size. The 2-quart jar would be too small.
[Edit: Not sure about what colours of Vitamix are available at Costco. I thought she was demoing a black one, but can't say for sure.]
Thanks to NAFTA, tere was no tax or duty incurred from crossing the border, since the BlendTec is manufactured in the USA. BTW, I have the 3-quart jar and find it to be a good size. The 2-quart jar would be too small.
[Edit: Not sure about what colours of Vitamix are available at Costco. I thought she was demoing a black one, but can't say for sure.]
Aug 25
Bobby Fillet, I was there today and they appear to be only selling the white Vitamix units at Costco.
zymurgist
Comments?
Good? Bad?
Worth the price?
How often do you use it?