Vita-Mix

[mandica]

I'm looking into getting a professional quality blender to make almond milk, smoothies, soups, etc.

Any thoughts on the vita-mix? My husband was sort of shocked that I brought up buying a $500 blender... does anyone know of a cheaper make that does a comparable job?

[Nicole730]

We have a Vita-Mix, totally amazing and worth the money IMO. A very good investment. We talked about getting one for years before we finally did. And I am so glad we did.

Can't help you on a less expensive comparable model though.

[cristeen]

Find a coop for it. I know cc just ran a vitamix coop, and it was a really good price.

[mamadelbosque]

I have one that I love. It is just a blender though - don't believe them when they say it replaces a food processor or a juicer or a grain grinder. Its none of those things. Its a really, really, really powerful blender. We broke down and bought one after I burnt through two $100 kitchenaid blenders in as many years. My mom has one thats nearly 30 yrs old now and still going strong. Mines now... 2 or 3 yrs old and shows no signs of wear at all

[germin8]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

don't believe them when they say it replaces a food processor or a juicer or a grain grinder. Its none of those things.

I disagree. It is a food processor when used with small quantities at really slow speed. It's a juicer if you strain the smoothie through a cheesecloth. It's a grain grinder only if you buy the dry blade container.

There is also the BlendTec. The smaller container BlendTec; it's another high-speed blender at high prices. It's comparable to the VitaMix, just depends what you prefer. The bigger BlendTec container seems more powerful.

Here's a good link about which people like: http://goneraw.com/forum/blendtec-vs-vitamix
These are from raw foodists who use their blender often to blend things like green smoothies and nut butters!

Cheaper? I heard the Oster Beehive is the next best blender to do the job. However, it could be noisier. Always check the horsepower and compare that.

Do NOT get the Jack Lalanne blender (~$80). It is said to be comparable to the VitaMix & BlendTec. It is not! It has been known to break down quickly.

You can always get a refurbished VitaMix.

BTW, both VitaMix & BlendTec make ice cream and hot soups. Love it. Oh yes, and I own both the VitaMix and BlendTec (smaller container). I prefer VitaMix.

[ber]

I debated my VitaMix purchase for a long time before finally getting it, and now I use it almost daily. I make almond milk once a week, peanut butter every other week, and smoothies almost every day. We went on vacation for a week, and I was so sad to leave it behind

[StoriesInTheSoil]

I have a VitaMix that I absolutely love and use all the time. I bought it a 5200 refurbished and it was $379 I believe?

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by germin8

Cheaper? I heard the Oster Beehive is the next best blender to do the job. However, it could be noisier. Always check the horsepower and compare that.

thats good to know. I have the beehive, and i'll say there's no way the Vitamix could be louder than that thing. It is by far the loudest i've ever heard, and that includes commercial blenders.

[HappyMonkey]

I've had my Vitamix for 20 years and adore it. For at least 8 of those it's been used daily... I couldn't live without it and have been known to travel with it too! It's totally worth the money. I had another friend that wore out something like 5 regular blenders before she believed me and bought one... now she has 2 so different family members don't have to wait to use it (they are raw foodists).

[lunamegn]

I love my vitamix too. I call it my vital-mix. I make lots of juices in it. We got ours at Costco when they had a demonstration come through for about $350.

The only downside is that it doesn't really replace a food processor for making things that don't really require liquids.

But all in all, I use it almost on a daily basis and love it!

[dogmom327]

If you have a restaurant supply store in your town, check it out. I was able to get a professional/restaurant grade Vita Mix for the same price as a regular one. That thing is crazy!

[momofmine]

We don't eat grains, and I am wondering if it is still worth it to get the dry blade container? Because isn't it better to grind grains by a method that doesn't involve any heat anyway? I am just wondering if I should get the dry blade or not. For those of you who make nut butters or grind nuts, do you use the dry blade for that? What can you use the dry blade container for besides grain grinding?

Originally Posted by cristeen

Find a coop for it. I know cc just ran a vitamix coop, and it was a really good price.

I would love to find a co-op, so if anyone else is interested, PM me!

Originally Posted by ber

I debated my VitaMix purchase for a long time before finally getting it, and now I use it almost daily. I make almond milk once a week, peanut butter every other week, and smoothies almost every day. We went on vacation for a week, and I was so sad to leave it behind

Which container do you make the nut butter in?

Originally Posted by dogmom327

If you have a restaurant supply store in your town, check it out. I was able to get a professional/restaurant grade Vita Mix for the same price as a regular one. That thing is crazy!

That would be awesome!!

[momofmine]

Originally Posted by dogmom327

If you have a restaurant supply store in your town, check it out. I was able to get a professional/restaurant grade Vita Mix for the same price as a regular one. That thing is crazy!

Did they have to order it for you or do they just happen to stock them?

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by momofmine

Did they have to order it for you or do they just happen to stock them?

It was in stock.

[livefood lover]

Originally Posted by momofmine

We don't eat grains, and I am wondering if it is still worth it to get the dry blade container? Because isn't it better to grind grains by a method that doesn't involve any heat anyway? I am just wondering if I should get the dry blade or not. For those of you who make nut butters or grind nuts, do you use the dry blade for that? What can you use the dry blade container for besides grain grinding?!

If you don't eat grains then don't bother with the dry blade container as it is specific for grains.

You can grind grain in the wet container if you want - it just doesn't do it as well.

I grind nuts and nut butters in the wet blade container.

[mamadelbosque]

I wouldn't bother to get the 'dry' container either way... I honestly can't tell you wtf the difference is between my two.