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.
zymurgist
Comments?
Good? Bad?
Worth the price?
How often do you use it?