The VitaMix - is it worth it?

[pampered_mom]

We're (well not me specifically, but my mom) really interested in the VitaMix - most specifically the Super 5200. While I think the blender part is fantastic, we'd also really like to use it to grind our own gluten free grains fresh. I like that it's a multi-use tool instead of just for one thing (like a grain mill would be). So...I'm wondering - is it worth it? Will it do what we'd like?

[Pogonia]

I know a LOT of folks like theirs, but I just couldn't handle the noise. Finally sold mine at a yard sale. But that was 15 years ago...maybe they've improved now.

[crunchy_mama]

I have lusted after one for a long while. I am curious about how it does for grinding as well as if we ever get some spare money again I would just love to have one if it does a good job on that. My oster does find for blending, but I would love one for the other applications.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mama

I have lusted after one for a long while. I am curious about how it does for grinding as well as if we ever get some spare money again I would just love to have one if it does a good job on that. My oster does find for blending, but I would love one for the other applications.

That's actually what I think would be most attractive about it for me as well. I like the concept of a multi-tasker. I have read that there is some concern with heating up the grains so I'm wondering if it's not a good idea. Just wondered what other people's personal experience has been.

[mamadelbosque]

Its a blender. Whether its 'worth' the $400 to you depends on how much blending you do. For us it was worth it because we went through two $100 blenders in less than two years, while my moms 25+ yr old vitamix is still going strong. I bought the "dry" container and it definetly was *NOT* worth it. For one thing, looking at tht two side by side if it weren't for the stickers that proclaimed them 'wet' and 'dry' *I* surely couldn't tell you which was which - I'm not in the least bit convinced that their any different, TBH. And #2, I did not think they did an even decent job of grinding, and the heated the grains up hugely, and no matter how hard I tried I could certainly never knead bread in it like you supposedly can...

But, its a great blender. As long as you don't expect it to be 'more' (despite its claims) you should be happy. But if your looking for a food processor or a grain mill or a mixer, buy one of them. The vitamix is a blender.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

Its a blender. Whether its 'worth' the $400 to you depends on how much blending you do. For us it was worth it because we went through two $100 blenders in less than two years, while my moms 25+ yr old vitamix is still going strong. I bought the "dry" container and it definetly was *NOT* worth it. For one thing, looking at tht two side by side if it weren't for the stickers that proclaimed them 'wet' and 'dry' *I* surely couldn't tell you which was which - I'm not in the least bit convinced that their any different, TBH. And #2, I did not think they did an even decent job of grinding, and the heated the grains up hugely, and no matter how hard I tried I could certainly never knead bread in it like you supposedly can...

There isn't a difference between the wet and dry containers. The reason why they offer a separate dry container is that after grinding grain in it for awhile the container would get cloudy. This way you could have one for grinding grains and the other container would remain clear. At least that's what I understood from their website.

Since we're talking GF baking here the kneading part really isn't all that necessary...there's no gluten to develop.

Thank you for sharing your personal experience with the grain grinding, though.

[PapayaMom]

I recently bought the montel williams healthmaster blender. It is as powerful as the vitamix but less money I think all in all with shipping it was $250. I have used it daily since I got it and it seems to have the same applications as the Vita-Mix. I just didn't know how we were going to like it so I couldn't justify the over $400... It has a 100 year warranty on the motor so I felt ok about that too.

I don't know about grain grinding, in one part it says it can't but then in another is says it's fine. Seeing it work I don't see why it wouldn't be able too.

If it lasts longer than our kitchenaid blender did when it died at 3 years old I will be happy