Vita-Mix or other commercial blender?

[karne]

Does anyone use a vita mix or other commercial blender for home use? We're burning through inexpensive blenders making smoothies 1-2 a day using frozen fruit and veggies, as well as crushing ice. i'm frustrated and want to find something powerful that will last. Any suggestions?

[mamadelbosque]

I have a vitamix and love it. We bought it a year or so ago, after burning through multiple KitchenAid blenders... my mom's had hers for over 20 years now and its still going strong (though, I think she's sent it in to get redone once, or something...).

[mystic~mama]

We have a vita mixer...its the all stainless one w/the spout....it gets daily use...the spout grossed me out (hard to get all those little parts clean and sanitary) and would leak when I forgot to make sure it was closed.....so I plugged it with a non cork wine cork which works like a charm, no more leaking and no more gunk or grains and stuff getting clogged in their.

I have used a new commercial model and it is MUCH quieter and blends better, I'd love one of those someday but am happy for my workhorse we have now.

[gmvh]

Cook's Illustrated/America's Test Kitchen did a write up on blenders this month and said that if you use it daily, a Vita Mix is worth it. There was another commercial blender they tested and said it was just too powerful - turned smoothie ingredients to liquid, couldn't crush ice, etc.