Author Topic: Vitamix blender?  (Read 51482 times)

Captain Cactus

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Vitamix blender?
« on: July 08, 2017, 05:10:03 AM »
Another product info request...

Anybody here have experience with the Vitamix blender?  Is it worth the money?  Do they truly last? 

Thanks!

kayvent

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2017, 05:16:36 AM »
They are pretty good and fine quality. I think the question of how worth it is determined by how often you use it to make soup, smoothies, and other things. I have a work colleague who's wife uses it nearly every day for various tasks.

Fomerly known as something

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2017, 05:19:50 AM »
It is defiantly heads and tails better than my old cheap blender but I don't know if it would have been better than a mid-range one.

ElleFiji

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2017, 05:54:17 AM »
Product quality, especially the base, is great. But my plastic jug fell on the floor and broke.

Customer service to get a replacement was a nightmare, and they claimed it wasn't covered by the guarantee.

After my $250 jug wasn't delivered on time, I cancelled the whole process, let them know I'd return it to Costco for a full refund and buy a different blender. Then they shipped me a new jug, free, to a nearby business in under 24 hours.

But if I have another issue in the warranty period I'm returning it to Costco. And I'd never buy a vitamin product again.

My brother is happy with his blendtec, and my mother, who doesn't blend hard stuff as frequently has always loved her oster

lizzzi

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2017, 06:50:28 AM »
I love mine, and use it frequently for making smoothies, sometimes milk shakes, gazpacho in warm weather, and for pureeing hot soups in cold weather. I don't think I would have spent the money except that we were bringing an elderly relative out of the hospital who was going  to be on a pureed diet. Now that the relative is deceased, the Vitamix is still going strong--no problems. It is a high quality item--I've not needed customer service, so can't comment about that. I do think there are good options out there for cheaper blenders. It depends on how often you will use it and what you want to do with it.

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2017, 07:12:34 AM »
I think a blender is a good investment of your money. They can make it very easy to get leafy greens into your diet (I blend Kale into my morning smoothie).

I have no experience with the Vitamix, but I'm extremely happy with my Nutribullet. It has a simple design (only one speed - "fast as %$£&"), but it's very easy to use and clean. I drink my breakfast smoothie straight out of the blending cup, fill it with washing up liquid and blend again to clean it. Bam, done.

Seems like the Vitamix is much more expensive than the Nutribullet, so if you're looking for something functional on a budget then it's the product I'd recommend.

RobFIRE

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2017, 07:40:23 AM »
Very happy with the Vitamix S30 blender I got at the end of last year. Though it's their smallest model it is still big enough to do smoothie servings for two people. Have used for smoothies, soup, humus and plan to use for sorbet, ice cream, almond/hemp milk, cocktails, and other possibilities in future.

In terms of comparison to a cheaper one, a family member has a nutribullet and says that it will not blend ice cubes or frozen fruit, have to at least part defrost any fruit first. The smoothies I make all have frozen fruit, plus ice if I want it colder, Vitamix blender has no issue with that, so that would be a reason not to get a cheaper one if you have the same requirement.

When I was researching blenders there also seemed to be plenty of complaints that the motors in cheaper blenders regularly failed within the 1 to 2 year mark, so while they might be 4x or 5x cheaper (Vitamix S30 is £300 in UK and nutribullet is more like £60 I think) they are not going to last as long.

benjenn

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2017, 08:07:29 AM »
I LOVE my Vitamix blender and actually had two of the when we had two houses in different states.  Gave the second to my son when we retired and left one of the homes. (He was thrilled).  I've had mind for about 4 years now and use it every single day (to make smoothies).  I've made soup with it and ice cream (using frozen bananas). It's as good today as it was the first day.  While I got mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond using a 20% coupon (which saved $100), we bought a refurbished one for our daughter for Christmas. It was like new!  The only difference was it has a 5 year warranty instead of a 7 year warranty.  It was $150 cheaper than my discount at BB&B and it came straight from Vitamix.  That's definitely how you should buy one...just google refurbished Vitamix and you'll find the link.

FIRE Artist

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2017, 08:30:30 AM »
I love mine and use it regularly for breakfast smoothies. I make my own frozen smoothie kits, and the vitamin has no issues turning a frozen block of fruit and spinach into a smoothie, a generic blender can't do that.

Halfsees

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2017, 09:41:03 AM »
I got one of the refurbished ones with the stronger engine a few years ago (can't remember the number) and have found it worth it. My husband likes to make flour out of acorns thus the more powerful motor. As of right now it is still going strong, but the container is getting a bit cloudy from using it for nuts and seeds. In fact, what I like best about it is that it grinds nuts and seeds into powder if you add them first.  This comes in handy for making smoothies because I like to grind sesame, flax and coconut before adding wet ingredients. It also means I can grind sesame seeds instead of buying tahini paste when making hummus.

I really want to eventually get a grains container but my timing hasn't been right yet to get the best price.

I have not used their customer service, but a friend of mine who did had a good experience. I would buy it again despite the price tag if I did not have one.

Sarah Saverdink

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2017, 09:51:52 AM »
Are you set on a vitamix? We have a Ninja Blender, that is a fraction of the cost ($100 more or less - depends on which version/accessories you get) and it works great. We've been using one for years to making smoothies and mixed drinks. It blends ice cubes really well.

MandalayVA

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2017, 09:54:28 AM »
Are you set on a vitamix? We have a Ninja Blender, that is a fraction of the cost ($100 more or less - depends on which version/accessories you get) and it works great. We've been using one for years to making smoothies and mixed drinks. It blends ice cubes really well.

Second the Ninja.  A quarter of the price of a Vitamix, crushes ice cubes like Conan crushes his enemies.

crosscountrychris

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2017, 10:09:09 AM »
I've been using the Ninja system for 2 years now (present from my mom's kitchen!) and it is indispensible. It has blender, food processor, and bullet components. Works perfectly for soups, dips, smoothies, chopping, whathaveyou.

spokey doke

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2017, 11:52:16 AM »
The vitamix rocks...only you can decide if it is worth the hefty price.  I love mine.

Altons Bobs

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2017, 12:48:07 PM »
I have no experience with Vitamix, but I love my Blendtec, have had it for more than 10 years now, still works like new.

Guide2003

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #15 on: July 08, 2017, 01:26:50 PM »
After years of being impressed with the Vitamix display at the state fair my mom gave in and bought one. We would use it once a month in the summertime to make a smoothie--clearly not worth it. Had we switched to a diet that had more sauces, soups, and smoothies and used it daily I think it would have been worth it. Before we bought it we didn't use the blender that much, and when we did purchase it, we didn't make the conscious decision to learn recipes and techniques that utilized our fancy new machine. My mom gave me the blender that her Vitamix replaced, and when that finally bit the dust, my wife and I chose to get a mid-grade blender rather than the Vitamix or the Ninja, which i thought was closer to $200 at the time. We have not increased the frequency or variety of blender functions, and I'm glad we went for a cheaper model that works just fine.

LateToTheParty

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #16 on: July 08, 2017, 05:11:09 PM »
Love my Vitamix. I use it every day. Purchased it prior to MMM 6-7 years ago.  Healthy/tasty green smoothies every am.   Plus lots of other uses.

I would purchase another one, or would consider something of comparable quality but less $ (or refurbished is a great idea as someone else mentioned) if mine went tits up tomorrow.

tag

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #17 on: July 08, 2017, 07:16:41 PM »
We've had ours for about 5 years, I got a refurbished one from their website.

Twice I had to call and have something replaced - once the stir stick thingy and then once the actual pitcher. Both times I received a replacement within a week, no questions asked. Fantastic warranty.

inline five

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #18 on: July 08, 2017, 07:34:17 PM »
About three years ago I started off on a weight loss and exercise program. I had at the time a lower end blender that 'worked' but about a year into it got a Vitamix. Wow what a difference, when blending my smoothies things come out SMOOTH. It's on a whole other level.

My daily smoothie:

1/2 apple
1/2 orange plus zested peel
1/2 banana
1.5 oz spinach
3 oz carrot
1.5 oz frozen strawberries
13g chia seeds
2 oz ice
5.5 oz water

I used to put protein powder in with it, now I just drink it on the side. Ruins the taste of the smoothie :).

205guy

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #19 on: July 08, 2017, 07:41:28 PM »
My wife wanted one, but not the modern plastic kind, so I found one of the stainless steel ones on eBay for $200. This thing dates from 1989 and came with a VHS tape we couldn't watch. But it has been rock solid for 5 years so far. I removed the plastic spigot and wedged a cork in the hole and it's never leaked. The funky plastic lid was hard to clean, so I dremeled off the "chimney" shape and just cover it with a small saucer.

We use is not quite daily for smoothies (extra fruit from fm and neighbors goes to the freezer in chunks then straight to the vitamix), kale/spinach/chard/greens, soup (pumpkin, yum), peanut butter, coconut butter, coffee grinding, and many many other recipes.

The motor does overheat sometimes and pop its built-in breaker, but it keeps running. Sometimes it smells of burnt oil, so I think we run it too hard. I once saw the same base locally on Craigslist for $100, so I bought it for backup, but it's still in the cupboard--knock on wood.

felizcortez

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #20 on: July 08, 2017, 09:08:07 PM »
The Vitamix is great.  I bought the 5200 used off of Craigslist for $175.  I've made a tons of things in it, smoothies, hummus, bean burners, grinding coffee, soup, dressings.  I've also found that after you get one you notice when something isn't blended well when you are served a blended concoction somewhere (chunky, not smooth when it is supposed to be etc.)  I also have the dry container which we use to grind coffee very regularly.

The only downside is that the blender sounds like a lawnmower in your kitchen.  They are seriously LOUD. 

I would definitely buy again and recommend to everyone to get one. 

hypertrichosis

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #21 on: July 09, 2017, 06:50:03 AM »
I have no experience with Vitamix, but I love my Blendtec, have had it for more than 10 years now, still works like new.

This. We were ready for a good blender to make morning protein smoothies after 10 years with a $30 Oster which finally broke. We saw the Vitamix presentation at Costco and my wife and kids were all about it. I figured, anything that gets marketed that heavily, carries a price premium, while no doubt a good product. Ex Apple products. After extensive research, I concluded that the Blendtec makes just as good bases (motors/gears/internals), and tried the certified refurbished sold on Amazon as reviews were great. I paid $200 but see that now the price is $230 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TKRQWS8/

Came looking brand new. I think it was. No issues, great smoothies. Good luck.

spokey doke

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #22 on: July 09, 2017, 09:24:20 AM »
Are you set on a vitamix? We have a Ninja Blender, that is a fraction of the cost ($100 more or less - depends on which version/accessories you get) and it works great. We've been using one for years to making smoothies and mixed drinks. It blends ice cubes really well.

Second the Ninja.  A quarter of the price of a Vitamix, crushes ice cubes like Conan crushes his enemies.

The Vitamix crushes Conan and the Ninja like, um... a Vitamix

inline five

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #23 on: July 09, 2017, 11:57:58 AM »
One tip is to look at the constant amp draw of the motor (not peak). The more higher powered the blender is, the better it will blend most likely.

We have the Vitamix 7500

LiveLean

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #24 on: July 09, 2017, 01:32:56 PM »
BlendTec fan here, to the point where when I hear the Vitamix guy trashing BlendTec during his Costco demonstrations, I'm tempted to go grab a BlendTec, some produce, and a Block Rocker, bust them out of the box, and go mano-to-mano with him right there.

Back in 2006, I got four BlendTecs as part of a sponsor deal I had at the time and gave three away for Xmas gifts. The one I kept has more than 3,000 uses on the odometer and still works like new. It's locked in a closet at our second home/rental property 800 miles away and I break it out when I'm there. (Tenants get to use the Oster.)

When I moved that BlendTec there in 2014, I bought a second one on Craigslist for $50 from a young woman who got it for a wedding gift and didn't appreciate it. We met at a Starbucks and I fired it up just to make sure it worked. I think the Starbucks people thought we were making some sort of video.

Then in May my in-laws gave back the one I gave them for Xmas 2006. They're downsizing. "We use it all the time but just don't have the room," my mother in law said."

I turned it on. The counter read 312. Not even once a month over the last decade. Oh well. Some people don't appreciate an awesome blender.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2017, 01:34:43 PM by LiveLean »

honeybbq

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #25 on: July 10, 2017, 10:33:01 AM »
Another yay vote for the vitamix.

I didn't realize the damn thing spins food so fast you can actually COOK your meals in it. Like carrot soup. Amazing. It's done when the steam comes out the top.

We had a medical crisis in our home and needed something to puree/liquify/smoothify everything. This thing was amazing. It's loud and it's expensive but it's worth it.

Top quality smoothies, soups, purees, etc.

Tyson

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #26 on: July 10, 2017, 07:13:48 PM »
I save $7 every time I make almond butter in my vitamix.  I eat a lot of almond butter.

inline five

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #27 on: July 10, 2017, 09:26:56 PM »
Another yay vote for the vitamix.

I didn't realize the damn thing spins food so fast you can actually COOK your meals in it. Like carrot soup. Amazing. It's done when the steam comes out the top.

We had a medical crisis in our home and needed something to puree/liquify/smoothify everything. This thing was amazing. It's loud and it's expensive but it's worth it.

Top quality smoothies, soups, purees, etc.

The motor heats up the base which heats up the blades which heats up the food.

Pretty inefficient way of doing it but makes for a nice ad.

itsallgood

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #28 on: July 11, 2017, 07:06:13 AM »
Sitting on my deck right now enjoying my morning smoothie made in my Vitamix.  I love my Vitamix, even take it to our family beach week vacation.  I do tend to use it more in the summer (for smoothies) and I tend to use my other favorite kitchen gadget, the Instant Pot, in the winter for soups, stews, chili. 

schmerna

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #29 on: July 11, 2017, 09:03:29 AM »
Not to hijack the thread- but I am interested in the Vitamix too.  I need it to blend raspberry seeds.  Does any model do that?

YoungGranny

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #30 on: July 11, 2017, 10:20:56 AM »
We were looking at 'high-end' blenders a few years ago and after researching different options we went with the Breville Boss. For us, we use it almost everyday so I have no regrets - soups, smoothies, nut milks, nut butters etc - depending on what you'll use it for you may or may not need a high-end blender. My in-laws have a Vitamix and honestly we're much happier with the Breville (same price so just comes down to preference).

FireHiker

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #31 on: July 11, 2017, 12:11:58 PM »
After our Breville (wedding gift in 2008) died earlier this year, my husband insisted on a Vitamix. I still give him a hard time about the expense, but he loves it, and it is used daily. He makes pretty good peanut butter in it, smoothies almost daily (my oldest son recently went vegetarian and he makes daily smoothies for himself now with protein powder), and other things. I don't know yet if it was worth the expense, but it sure is nice.

honeybbq

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #32 on: July 11, 2017, 12:27:20 PM »
Another yay vote for the vitamix.

I didn't realize the damn thing spins food so fast you can actually COOK your meals in it. Like carrot soup. Amazing. It's done when the steam comes out the top.

We had a medical crisis in our home and needed something to puree/liquify/smoothify everything. This thing was amazing. It's loud and it's expensive but it's worth it.

Top quality smoothies, soups, purees, etc.

The motor heats up the base which heats up the blades which heats up the food.

Pretty inefficient way of doing it but makes for a nice ad.

It's convenient if you want to only dirty one dish. Or, in my case, you were making pureed soup for one person and using the stove for the rest of the family.

robartsd

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #33 on: July 11, 2017, 01:57:32 PM »
We love our Vitamix (~3 years old). Used daily for smoothies (loud). We also grind wheat into flour in the dry grinding canister (very loud) which keeps us from needing a flour mill too.

If you're looking for a high-end blender to buy for life, BlendTec and Breville look like they are also worth considering.

sol

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #34 on: July 11, 2017, 02:08:40 PM »
Vitamix and similar are a scam.  A marketing illusion, like new ipods and dyson vacuums and any other overpriced branded consumer good that can be had for ten percent of the price if you're not an idiot.

Search the forum for vitamix and read the previous discussions of how "BIFL" had been subverted by advertisers to con you out of your hard earned money.

A home blender is never worth $800, I don't care what you make with it.  Snap out of it.

Tyson

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #35 on: July 11, 2017, 07:25:16 PM »
Vitamix and similar are a scam.  A marketing illusion, like new ipods and dyson vacuums and any other overpriced branded consumer good that can be had for ten percent of the price if you're not an idiot.

Search the forum for vitamix and read the previous discussions of how "BIFL" had been subverted by advertisers to con you out of your hard earned money.

A home blender is never worth $800, I don't care what you make with it.  Snap out of it.

What about $250?  That's what I paid for mine.  Had a coupon and bought a refurbished unit. 

ElleFiji

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #36 on: July 11, 2017, 07:54:11 PM »
I think that if you have burned out multiple cheap and midrange blenders, it makes perfect sense to start looking at other options.

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #37 on: July 11, 2017, 08:10:29 PM »
$800 for a blender?  Nope.  I got my Vitamix in 2013 for $260 and it has worked like a champ since. So far it works excellently.  If it goes another four years like this I'll definitively say it's worth the money.

sol

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #38 on: July 11, 2017, 10:02:45 PM »
I think that if you have burned out multiple cheap and midrange blenders, it makes perfect sense to start looking at other options.

Why? 

My blender cost me $8 at goodwill, and I've had it for four years.  My previous blender cost me $11 at goodwill, and it only lasted three years before I broke the pitcher, which is something I could do to a vitamix as well.  Before that, my previous goodwill blender cost me $4 and lasted all through grad school, at which point I gifted it to another grad student.

So I'm all in for $23 over approximately 13 years of life, so let's be generous and call my blender budget roughly $2 per year.  Please explain to me in what alternate reality a Vitamix could possibly make sense for me.

Look at the raw materials and engineering that go into a blender, compared to other items in your home of a similar size and complexity, and please explain to me in what alternate reality a Vitamix could possibly make sense for anyone.

Just admit you've been duped.  You skipped the Rav4 and really wanted the Toureg so you bought the Cayenne.  You overpaid for fancy marketing and a brand name, and now you feel the need to justify and defend your dumb consumer spending so you don't have to admit to your previously wasteful ways, but accepting and owning your mistakes is the only path to redemption.  So just say it.  Say "I bought a Vitamix because I didn't know any better, but I will learn from this experience and try to do better in the future."  All is forgiven.  Go, and be one with your better future self. 

You can even continue to use and enjoy your Vitamix.  But please don't encourage anyone else to repeat your mistakes.

ElleFiji

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #39 on: July 12, 2017, 06:29:02 AM »
I think that if you have burned out multiple cheap and midrange blenders, it makes perfect sense to start looking at other options.

Why? 

My blender cost me $8 at goodwill, and I've had it for four years.  My previous blender cost me $11 at goodwill, and it only lasted three years before I broke the pitcher, which is something I could do to a vitamix as well.  Before that, my previous goodwill blender cost me $4 and lasted all through grad school, at which point I gifted it to another grad student.

So I'm all in for $23 over approximately 13 years of life, so let's be generous and call my blender budget roughly $2 per year.  Please explain to me in what alternate reality a Vitamix could possibly make sense for me.

Look at the raw materials and engineering that go into a blender, compared to other items in your home of a similar size and complexity, and please explain to me in what alternate reality a Vitamix could possibly make sense for anyone.

Just admit you've been duped.  You skipped the Rav4 and really wanted the Toureg so you bought the Cayenne.  You overpaid for fancy marketing and a brand name, and now you feel the need to justify and defend your dumb consumer spending so you don't have to admit to your previously wasteful ways, but accepting and owning your mistakes is the only path to redemption.  So just say it.  Say "I bought a Vitamix because I didn't know any better, but I will learn from this experience and try to do better in the future."  All is forgiven.  Go, and be one with your better future self. 

You can even continue to use and enjoy your Vitamix.  But please don't encourage anyone else to repeat your mistakes.
That's great that you are at an amazing price point for your blenders! I am very happy for you. And since you've found a system that works, I don't know that you personally are the general you to which my comment was addressed.

My personal cost per year for blenders in the 5 years leading to my vitamix was closer to $50/year, burning out 1-3 blenders per year. I don't drive, and at that point was not finding them in thrift stores, but in addition to the ones that cost money, I was getting blenders from people who were handing them down to me. And being grumpy through blenderless patches.  I used a few high powered blenders at other people's houses and quizzed them about it. I longed for and dreamed of a fancy blender, but no, I didn't spend the money.

I was gifted my vitamix, and even if I'd paid for it, the cost per year would be lower than I was paying for blenders. It was bought at Costco, and for nothing near $800.

No, I don't have a dyson or an ipod, an aeropress, french press or instant pot. But I do think there are people where those choices make sense. And I've never found that the MMM mantra was that no one can have x because x doesn't make sense for anyone. More that everyone needs to optimize their purchases. Even if you're an ERE type, buying a limited number of quality kitchen tools is well advised.

inline five

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #40 on: July 12, 2017, 08:27:06 AM »

Why? 

My blender cost me $8 at goodwill, and I've had it for four years.  My previous blender cost me $11 at goodwill, and it only lasted three years before I broke the pitcher, which is something I could do to a vitamix as well.  Before that, my previous goodwill blender cost me $4 and lasted all through grad school, at which point I gifted it to another grad student.

So I'm all in for $23 over approximately 13 years of life, so let's be generous and call my blender budget roughly $2 per year.  Please explain to me in what alternate reality a Vitamix could possibly make sense for me.

Look at the raw materials and engineering that go into a blender, compared to other items in your home of a similar size and complexity, and please explain to me in what alternate reality a Vitamix could possibly make sense for anyone.

Just admit you've been duped.  You skipped the Rav4 and really wanted the Toureg so you bought the Cayenne.  You overpaid for fancy marketing and a brand name, and now you feel the need to justify and defend your dumb consumer spending so you don't have to admit to your previously wasteful ways, but accepting and owning your mistakes is the only path to redemption.  So just say it.  Say "I bought a Vitamix because I didn't know any better, but I will learn from this experience and try to do better in the future."  All is forgiven.  Go, and be one with your better future self. 

You can even continue to use and enjoy your Vitamix.  But please don't encourage anyone else to repeat your mistakes.

Just because you don't appreciate the quality of a high powered blender-blended drink doesn't mean others don't.

I don't drink alcohol and therefore don't appreciate higher quality beverages, yet I would never tell others they've been duped if they do and enjoy them vs. drinking Natty Light beer.

Gondolin

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #41 on: July 12, 2017, 08:53:11 AM »
>$100 for a blender!? Jesu! I'm with sol. There's no mechanical reason to get anything more than a sturdy ninja or nutrimax. Any more and you're paying for the packaging ala Apple.

sol

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #42 on: July 12, 2017, 08:57:21 AM »
Just because you don't appreciate the quality of a high powered blender-blended drink doesn't mean others don't.

It's a kitchen appliance, not a work of art.  If it mechanically performs the job it was designed to do, then it passes as functional.  I assure you my blender blends just as well as yours does.

Of all the weird things people can decide to turn into consumer status symbols, why blenders?  I just don't get it.  It's a simple little device, just an electric motor and a pitcher with a lid.  There is absolutely no reason it should cost more than an air conditioner, or an alternator, or an air compressor, or a table saw.  It's patently ridiculous right on the face of it, and I'm amazed that anyone would defend it as a "good value" for what it is.  And yet here we are, in a thread FULL of people who apparently also drive luxury cars and only fly first class.
« Last Edit: July 12, 2017, 09:40:37 AM by sol »

inline five

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #43 on: July 12, 2017, 09:20:18 AM »
Just because you don't appreciate the quality of a high powered blender-blended drink doesn't mean others don't.

It's a kitchen appliance, not a work of art.  If it mechanically performs the job it was designed to do, then it passes as functional.  I assure you my blender blends just as well as yours does.

Of all of the weird things people can decide to turn into consumer status symbols, why blenders?  I just don't get it.  It's a simple little device, just an electric motor and a pitcher with a lid.  There is absolutely no reason it should cost more than an air conditioner, or an alternator, or an air compressor, or a table saw.  It's patently ridiculous right on the fact of it, and I'm amazed that anyone would defend it as a "good value" for what it is.  And yet here we are, in a thread FULL of people who apparently also drive luxury cars and only fly first class.

Well you are showing your ignorance now. No, your $30 blender does not blend like a $500 high powered blender.

You can walk from LA to NY, ride a horse, drive a car, or take a plane. All methods get you there, so they must be the same.

Just because you don't understand or appreciate it doesn't mean it isn't a better product. Don't worry, no one here is looking down their nose at you, like you are doing with us.

Value? Really in the eye of the beholder. I value extremely well blended smoothies after using cheapies for years. I value the time savings. I value the user experience of handling a high quality piece of equipment 300 days a year. I value the Made in USA aspect.

You've said your peace. You don't get it. This thread isn't for or about you. Move on.
« Last Edit: July 12, 2017, 09:23:07 AM by inline five »

sol

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #44 on: July 12, 2017, 09:28:50 AM »
You don't get it. This thread isn't for or about you. Move on.

There's no need to make this personal.

The thread title is a question.  The OP asked for opinions.  I gave mine, you gave yours, we're both allowed to do so.  The difference is that I'm not asking you to leave.

So please, make the case for me.  Why is a blender that costs hundreds of dollars better at blending than a goodwill blender that used to cost $35, and can now be had for $10? 

In my experience, the quality of a blended drink is all about the quality of the ingredients and the recipe, not about the quality of the blending.  Blending is easy.  All blenders work the same way, regardless of price or the marketing lingo on the packaging.


cats

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #45 on: July 12, 2017, 09:35:39 AM »
I lusted after a Vitamix for years, but when I actually got to try one (visiting friends who were into raw food) I was underwhelmed.

I've actually never owned a blender, instead I have a Cuisinart food processor, which works great for making smoothies (and nut butters) and it much easier to clean than any blender I have encountered (the blade comes out, so no digging around under the blade to get things out).  I have had mine for 12 years now and it is still going strong.  My parents had basically the same one when I was growing up, they got it as a wedding present and didn't replace it until I was in college (so at least 20 years later). I use it multiple times per week (I have a smoothie 2-3 days/week, use it for slicing and grating big batches of vegetables as part of our weekend meal prep, and I also use it for something like making nut butter, seitan dough, hummus, or oat flour almost every week).  In terms of saving time, money, and facilitating healthy eating, I think a food processor is a MUCH better investment than a blender, as it can do everything a blender can do...and then a whole bunch of other stuff too. 

It does not deal well with ice cubes/frozen fruit (it will grind them but the racket is terrible and I suspect it would eventually kill the motor), BUT...I dislike my smoothies ice cold.  So my solution to this problem is usually to add a little boiling water to anything that has been frozen, which generally breaks the frozen stuff down enough not to be a problem.  Alternatively, if you are making smoothie kits, you could move your smoothie kit from freezer to fridge the night before, so everything would soften up a bit overnight.

It does not get things quite as smooth as a vitamix, but it gets stuff pretty darn smooth.  It's not good to break down your kale smoothie too much anyway...you lose some of the fiber benefits :)

If you make a lot of blended soups, I find a really nice extra blending tool to have is an immersion blender, so you can just blend everything in the pot it cooks in.  This allows you to easily make a much larger batch of soup than you can with the Vitamix (or any blender, really).  The immersion blender is also much easier to clean up.

So in conclusion, no, I don't think a Vitamix is worth it.  Cuisinart food processor and immersion blender for me :)

honeybbq

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #46 on: July 12, 2017, 09:44:43 AM »
You don't get it. This thread isn't for or about you. Move on.

There's no need to make this personal.

The thread title is a question.  The OP asked for opinions.  I gave mine, you gave yours, we're both allowed to do so.  The difference is that I'm not asking you to leave.

So please, make the case for me.  Why is a blender that costs hundreds of dollars better at blending than a goodwill blender that used to cost $35, and can now be had for $10? 

In my experience, the quality of a blended drink is all about the quality of the ingredients and the recipe, not about the quality of the blending.  Blending is easy.  All blenders work the same way, regardless of price or the marketing lingo on the packaging.

The quality is definitely not the same. My old blender did not blend to the same consistency as my Vitamix. I bought it specifically to use for someone with a medical problem that needed very finely pureed food. My old blender did not do the job. The vitamix did. My Vitamix did not cost $800, and could not be found at goodwill.  As someone who has personally used a regular (and fine) blender and the Vitamix, there's just no comparison. Maybe there is something in between, but there is a definite quality difference between what I have used. I am happy with my purchase and it was worth every cent.

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #47 on: July 12, 2017, 09:57:16 AM »
You don't get it. This thread isn't for or about you. Move on.

There's no need to make this personal.

The thread title is a question.  The OP asked for opinions.  I gave mine, you gave yours, we're both allowed to do so.  The difference is that I'm not asking you to leave.

So please, make the case for me.  Why is a blender that costs hundreds of dollars better at blending than a goodwill blender that used to cost $35, and can now be had for $10? 

In my experience, the quality of a blended drink is all about the quality of the ingredients and the recipe, not about the quality of the blending.  Blending is easy.  All blenders work the same way, regardless of price or the marketing lingo on the packaging.

Sol, you should keep a word document on your computer in order to copy and paste your opinion every time this comes up. His point is for almost every single person, is it worth paying 1000% more for a model that has very little difference. Let's say that vitamix does blend better, does it really blend that much better? The difference in price points between normal blenders, and VITAMIX is about the same as an apple Ipod, and a sony music player. One costs 20$, the other 450+. Really, they aren't that much different.

GuitarStv

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #48 on: July 12, 2017, 10:24:39 AM »
Kinda in complete agreement with Sol.  A blender is a blender.

sol

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Re: Vitamix blender?
« Reply #49 on: July 12, 2017, 10:30:05 AM »
Sol, you should keep a word document on your computer in order to copy and paste your opinion every time this comes up.

Am I seriously the only person who thinks this is dumb? 

Look, I'll even concede the point that a fancy blender somehow produces more perfectly blended foodstuffs than an ordinary blender.  Is the result 50% better?  100% better?  Is it 5x as good? 

I drive a Nissan Leaf.  The Tesla Model S is a nicer car, but it's not ten times nicer.  I could literally buy ten Nissan Leafs for the price of one Model S.  They contain very nearly the same amount of materials, they both cost about three cents per mile to drive, and they will both comfortably carry my family at 80 mph on the freeway.  Functionally, they are very similar vehicles, but one of them is a little bit fancier and costs 10x as much.  And it's the exact same deal with the the Vitamix.  It's a luxury product, and you're overpaying for very little increased benefit.

I don't understand why these threads are always chock full of people endorsing overpriced luxury products.  What forum is this again?