Vitamix

[susumama]

I am thinking of buying a vitamix blender. What is everyone's opinions of them (if you have one)? How do they compare to other high powered blenders? Are they worth the extra money? They are super expensive in Australia - the equivalent of $955 US dollars!
Thanks in advance!

[Erin+babyAndrew]

I don't know much about other high power blenders, but I love my Vitamix. I bought it at Costco and it was much cheaper there than on the vitamix website.
I really like that it makes hot soup and ice cream. I've been able to sell a lot of small appliance from my cupboard that were just gathering dust, so that helps a bit to offset the cost. I also bought the dry blade container so I can grind my own grains and make the dough in the same container. My whole family likes the bread and it's fast to make it. It takes an hour including grinding the grains, kneading the dough, letting it rise and baking it. Amazing. For me it's worth it, but yours is going to be twice what I paid..

[To-Fu]

Ours was totally worth it. You can do so much with it, and their Web site has so many different recipe ideas, too. It has really changed the way we eat around here. Oh, Vitamix, how do I love thee?

[425lisamarie]

HOLY!!!! I couldn't spend $900 but i do'nt know how I could survive without mine. I use it several times a day. Smoothies, soups, sauces...seriously after you blend a silky smooth sauce in a vitamix you can't go back! Dressings, puddings, all kinds of stuff for the kids. I make soaked pancake/waffle bad that is SO fabulous, from whole grains and it makes them perfectly smooth like flour.

[ihugtrees]

I bought one and ended up returning it. I loved it, don't get me wrong. But we are not at the place in our lives where spending even $400 (what we paid) was the wisest of decisions. I felt guilty every time I saw the thing! So, we returned it, and resumed using our cheapo one, and we are okay. We miss it, but we are making it. Can't wait until the day when we can spend the money again!

That being said, I think they are overpriced. It is a nice blender, but I think $250-300 would be a more appropriate price.

My favorite feature was the tamper! It couldn't touch the blades, so I could jam my frozen smoothie stuff down in there very easily. It also did a great job at making nut butters, grinding flax seeds, etc etc. It is NOT a food processor--found that out when I accidentally made onion relish instead of chopped onions.

[BeanyMama]

Totally, wildly lurve the Vitamix, but $995!! Do you have an American friend that could serve as a middle-man, perhaps?

[vintagetroll]

we bought ours in desperation- we have a dairy and soy allergic son and were making nut milks daily. My blender at the time just wasn't going to cut it. I do have to say its one of the best purchases I have ever made. It has totally changed how we eat, what we can make from scratch, or consumption of pure whole foods for almost every meal. Ours gets a workout at least twice a day.
I think even if was 900 bucks I would still buy it. I truly truly love mine. I bought a reconditioned one off ebay- don't know how the exchange rate works but seems like you might even be able to buy a used one for a decent rate and have it shipped in.

oh, and I do think 400-500 bucks is a fair price for something made in the USA with a kick ass warranty that delivers what it promises. I am tired of crap products, we are of very little means (being a SAHM is like taking a vow of poverty) but if you are serious about cooking and whole foods its worth every cent. I do know people that might get one and not get alot of use of it, they just aren't going to eat that way no matter what toy they have in the kitchen. I think you have to kinda know yourself on that one.

oh and just what we have saved in the 6 mo we have had it with the nut milks, smoothies for snacks, make our own ice creams, that kind of thing has probably offset at least 100 bucks worth of food expenses. I would guess even more. It is not going to take us long to actually be saving money by owning it.

[elus0814]

I've had one for the past month and it's great. I agree with the other post about it changing the way you eat and what you are able to make from scratch. The other day I tossed in whole tomatoes and a bit of salt, let it go for a couple minutes, and came back to fresh tomato soup! I use mine multiple times a day. It washes easily. I put in a bit of dish soap and hot water and let it blend for a few minutes. I've made cashew butter which was great and smooth. I get very little use from my food processor now, and it was a $300 food processor. I make baby food and applesauce with it too. The 'ice cream' is great, I use plain yogurt rather than milk plus a bag of frozen berries and a bit of sugar. It's really healthy and organic and the kids think of it as ice cream. It's great for eating organically since in my area there are few places to get organic foods so it's a wonderful way to make my own sauces, dressings, and soups when I am unable to find them in the store.

[happy1nluv]

hmmm... i have the blendtec total blender - a wannabe vitamix and i totally adore it. that said, i dont know that i would have been able to buy it for 1000.00 -- that just seems crazy for a blender. (hugs, sorry!) ... that said, i use it daily and would not be able to drink green smoothies any other way...

[Manessa]

I have the Vitamix that my Mom bought in 1974 to make my babyfood. It still works great and I use it all the time. Money well spent I'd say....

[midwestmom]

I paid around 300 for mine and LOVE it. Use it daily. 1000 though??? WOW.

[livefood lover]

I don't think I could pay $1000 for one but it is worth every penny of the $379 I paid.