Anyone have a Vitamix?

[swamprb]

I had a Vitamix 3600 with the reversible motor, stainless steel container with spigot that I picked up off CL for $50. Used it for smooothies and general blending. I liked it for the retro appeal, but the OL hated it.
We were at the county Fair and bought the Vitamix 5000 back when it was the new model-It was the only thing I've ever bought from a Fair vendor, but with all the extras tossed in and the fact that I sold the retro 3600 for $150 in 30 minutes after listing it on CL it wasn't a big hit to the wallet.

Lately I've been making soups from the online recipes.

[FamilyManBBQ]

Vitamix is the way to go...

Used daily in our house too (protein shakes, green smoothies, milkshakes).

My favorite use is when I take the veggies (onions, carrots, celery, garlic etc) from the pan under roasting turkeys, chickens roasts and make a base for gravy by pureeing in the blender...comes out creamy smooth. Best gravy ever!!

[Motley Q]

Originally Posted by Toronto

Ill put a Vitamix or Blendtec up against any $20 blender you bring to the table and we will see where all the extra money went.

Its kinda like saying you can get a car for $2000 why would you need to spend $100,000 for a Ferrari?

People do more than crush ice in a blender.

Exactly.

Thanks for making my point

HA

[Toronto]

Originally Posted by Motley Q

Exactly.

Thanks for making my point

HA

Theres a reason why these things exist and theres a reason why they cost so much, I guess you will never know that reason since you wont even try.

Edit: Even with all these glowing reviews from other Brethren im certain you will still think its a waste of money.

[rwalters]

We bit the bullet and bought a VM 5200 a couple of years ago... in the 2 years that we've had it, I have not had even one second of buyers remorse. The thing is incredible! Just take a look at their website to get an idea of what they can do...and if you decide it's for you, call them and order a refurbished unit. There refurbs, more often then than not, were used a handful of times at demos. The cool thing about the refurbs is that you still get the full warranty (7 years, parts/labor/and shipping both ways), not to mention that they are considerably less expensive than brand new.

[Gig'em99]

I have one. They are amazing.

My wife makes smoothies.

I've made soup...with just the blender. I kid you not, the blender alone will make soup steaming hot.

You can fresh grind seasonings and rubs!

We've made fresh fruit margaritas.

It's is a blender - food processor extraordinaire.

Comes with quite a recipe book as well as an instructional DVD.

They knead bread dough with it and make peanut butter from fresh peanuts on the DVD...

[Retired RailRoader]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I know it's expensive and i know it's not for all. If I used the expensive logic I would not have bought my Big Green Eggs. I consider that purchase one of the best I have ever made. Depending on the snow today and tonight I may pick it up either tomorrow or Sunday. That's after I dig myself and my eggs out.��

[ssv3]

Originally Posted by gtr

I have a Blendtec that I love. From what I can tell, the performance between those and Vitamix are comparable. What sold me on the Blendtec was that it has a lower profile and would fit under my kitchen cabinets while sitting on the counter. Seems to me like the move is to grab one or the other depending on the deal you can get.

I chose the Blendtec over the Vitamix for the same reason plus the 3hp motor. Not like 2hp Vitamix motor isn't enought but still . Excellent blender and well worth the money if you ask me. It's not just an expensive blender so google it or you tube it and you'll see the difference compared to a traditional blender. Thing does eveything and a necessary tool in the kitchen with as much cooking I do.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Motley Q

Is this a trick question?

Why would anyone spend $500 on a blender?

It's a damn blender.

Buy a $20 blender and take $480 and buy a rice cooker and a banana holder.

Oh, and a omlet maker and salad shooter.........

I suppose you have the same opinion about a $20 grill being just as good as a $500 one? They're just grills, right?

Never mind the fact a VitaMix can grind a cinderblock to dust in a matter of seconds, has an incredible warranty, and has way more power than your $20 blender.

Nonetheless, so glad you could enlighten us!

[bigabyte]

No sense buying that expensive meat either. Just get the pink slime stuff on sale.

[jazzybadger]

I was going to buy a WSM, but then I saw that Wal-Mart had a grill for 20 bucks. I can almost fit twenty burgers on it!

If you'll use it, buy it. I bought a freaking food processor that cost a LOT, but I use that thing everyday. I'm seriously considering buying one of these now, as I do enjoy smoother bases for things, and my cheapo blender is only good for making rice milk and milkshakes in at this moment.

If it's going to see use, then do it, with no regrets! Unless like the electric bill is to be sacrificed. Blender, no electricity... bad juju.

[gtr]

Originally Posted by Moose

I suppose you have the same opinion about a $20 grill being just as good as a $500 one? They're just grills, right?

Never mind the fact a VitaMix can grind a cinderblock to dust in a matter of seconds, has an incredible warranty, and has way more power than your $20 blender.

Nonetheless, so glad you could enlighten us!

And who doesn't love a cinderblock smoothie in the morning?

Seriously though, once I started using the Blendtec it was clear there was no going back to regular blenders.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by bigabyte

No sense buying that expensive meat either. Just get the pink slime stuff on sale.

Wow...you really got me thinking here. I could save a TON on meat expenses now! After all, it's meat, and all meat is the same, right?

[Trumpstylz]

I'd probably take a ninja over a nutri bullet. I love my ninja, and while its not a vitamix, it does do great stuff.

[buccaneer]

I want to justify getting one!
Please, owners, give a range of things you do with the things and give me some ammo for the quartermaster!