Vitamix? Worth it? Alternatives? - Page 2

[Ruthiegirl]

Originally Posted by Usually Curious

when you get your espresso maker buy a vitamix, too and you can have yummy frappacinos!

Oh, I like the way you think!

[chaos_pie]

Thank you all so very much. I really appreciate the thought and questions (many of the you think the same way I do asking how much I will really use it); thank you for sharing your comparisons to even the good expensive blenders (ie-Kitchen Aid). I have been pondering this one for about 6mo.

I will have to agree with you all about expensive household appliances. 6 years ago we upgraded our hoover to a miele (and it was way more than the VitaMix). I will simply say night and day. I never realized what a bad job our previous vacuum was doing. At the time I was almost faint bc/ of the expense, now I think it was worth every, single penny.

[Thystle]

Blendtec.


http://www.willitblend.com/


You need to watch their Youtube videos on what they can blend!

[beansmama]

DH bought me this: http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...tegoryID=46712 for Christmas and I LOVE it. Seriously, the best blender I've ever owned...It blends greens and nuts, no problem. I usually just use it for smoothies, sauces, and whatnot...

Anyway, just thought I'd throw it out there...it's not cheap, but cheaper

[PlayaMama]

i decided against the blendtec but i can't remember why. i think they had a shorter warranty?

[es1967]

Just a thought-Montel Williams has come out w Healthmaster and its similar to the Vitamix but cheaper. Just google Montels Healthmaster.

[lunamama]

I have wanted one for years and just bought one last week, it will be here Monday. Needless to say I am thrilled. I think this is one life changing piece of equipment. My friend has one and was making me smoothies while I had a nasty stomach virus. It was all I could stomach as I had severe nausea. I decided I could not live without one. They are amazing! My whole family will be healthier for it!!!

[FreeRangeMama]

I had the old chrome model and I LOVED it. I used it so much that it actually rusted apart! It had it's issues, but that was due to the shape of the chrome one (from the late '80's) as well as the spigot (which they don't have anymore). I really need to get a new one. My $40 blender does a pretty good job of smoothies, but it is so slow compared to the Vitamix and not nearly as versatile. Plus, the Vitamix can liquefy all sorts of things. I used to make my kids beet smoothies and they were perfectly smooth. I could add anything to that machine and it would turn it into juice. Plus the heating of sauces and soups was amazing. Syrups too! I can't image my cheapie blender doing anything quite as fabulous.


I am still contemplating the new Vitamix (just in case there is something even better), but really, it is worth the money. I think I may have actually cried when mine rusted I used it many times a day!

[FreeRangeMama]

Now, if I could just convince said husband that this year what I really need is a kitchenaid stand mixer...

Oooh, you totally need to convince him. I am seriously in love with my professional series kitchenaid. Just looking at it on my counter makes me happy. Best pizza dough ever! Plus, the batters, cookie dough, and other baked goods come out amazing! Even dh covets the attachments we have yet to purchase!

Sorry for the but I just really love it

[MtBikeLover]

I love the Vitamix. It is the one household item my Xh and I fought about in the divorce. We both wanted it.

[Amys1st]

Originally Posted by chaos_pie

Thank you all so very much. I really appreciate the thought and questions (many of the you think the same way I do asking how much I will really use it); thank you for sharing your comparisons to even the good expensive blenders (ie-Kitchen Aid). I have been pondering this one for about 6mo.

I will have to agree with you all about expensive household appliances. 6 years ago we upgraded our hoover to a miele (and it was way more than the VitaMix). I will simply say night and day. I never realized what a bad job our previous vacuum was doing. At the time I was almost faint bc/ of the expense, now I think it was worth every, single penny.

Vitamix is on my list of guilty pleasures I will have sooner than later. Its listed right before a meat cleaver. In the past when we splurge or hold out and get the more expensive item, its been worth it 100% of the time. Examples:

Our espresso machine. $1000. We use it 4 times a week at least and have had it for 3 years now. It paid for itself after about 18 mos. We are at the point where people walk in our house and say hello and make me a coffee drink now......

Wolf stove/oven. WIth a stove like this who needs a man Well I would not go that far, but you get my point!!

Miele vacumn. I love playing with this!!! We bought this 4 years ago. I am almost at the point of convincing DH we need one for upstairs too!!

I bought my kitchenaid mixer in 99 after we remodeld our first kitchen. I use it all the time and love it!

So yes, I will own a vitamix and I know we will use it, but waiting for the right time to buy! FWIW, I have seen coops for them to get them a bit cheaper.

[ihugtrees]

How does one find a co-op to buy from?

[lunamama]

Got my vitamix monday and I have used it 2-3 times every day since. I love it! My kids love it too. It is so easy to fix them a quick treat that is healthy...YAY! We realy are a smoothie family so hiding greens is easy. My 4 year old wont eat green on his plate except for broccoli so this is an awesome way to get him to ingest spinach, kale etc.

[jennybean0722]

If you can do it, get it. I don't have one yet, but my neighbor has one and I am so jealous. I can't believe how smooth things get in that thing. I've got an extremely picky eater and I mix veggies into his food so he doesn't notice...only I have to BUY the blended veggies. It really would be worth it to me to get the vitamix....I have been trying to convince the hubby....

GET IT!

[caiesmommy]

I hate you all with a vita-mix! WE've gone through THREE blenders in THREE years! WE keep telling people NO we don't want a blender give us cash for a vita-mix, but they can'tjustify us spending that amount BUT they give us there blenders or buy usblenders, which by now we could have a vita-mix...I'm blenderless right now That's it this xmas I'm getting a vita-mix!

[saalmc]

I've been wanting a Vita Mix for a long time and have been trying to find one on eBay at a good price. I don't know enough about them though to know if what I'm finding is a good deal. For instance, does anyone know how the 5000 model differs from newer models? Is there a feature on newer versions that I will be sorry I don't have? Are all of the canisters BPA free, or just the newest ones?

Any info would be appreciated!!

[lunamama]

The new canisters are certified BPA free. Vitamix says the older canisters are still sae though. The 5200 has a new locking lid and a rubberized handle. Other than that I think the motor is the same. You may want to look and see if there is a demo at your local costco. I think they discount the vitamixes there.

[mamadelbosque]

I think it depends on what you use your regular old blender for... and whether you've had one or two die on you from hard use in short periods of time. I killed two nice $100 KA blenders in less than 2 years before I broke down and bought a vitamix. Its now been going strong for 2+ years, while my moms vitamix is still going strong after 25+ years of use (she says she did send it in to get refurbished once 5 or 10 years ago).

But, I make a good amount of smoothies, and, more importantly/relevant, I make bean dip in it - 4 cups of cooked pinto beans + spices and blend them up to smooth. The Kitchenaid could blend them up just peachy fine... but they both died after doing so only 5-8x. If your doing hard-core blending of some sort, a vitamix is totally worth it. If not, if your just doing the random bit of blending for a cocktail party or a smoothie every now and then, its probably not.

[jazzharmony]

I finally bought one and I love it! There was a bit of a learning curve for me - I was hoping I could just throw a bunch of stuff in and - voila!

I use it several times a day so it has been well worth it for us. I make veg/fruit smoothies every morning and my old blender wasn't even blending everything anymore. I have also made soup, ice cream and playdoh with the Vitamix.

[kaiahsmama]

We are about to order a Vitamix, the only thing I am worried about is the carafe. BPA free or not, it is still plastic. Is the BPA free one worse or better?