Vitamix

Similar to the Vitamix in specs. Went with the Waring Pro at the time because I found an insane deal.

I find it indispensable, but only because green smoothies comprise the majority of my nutrition (Here's my lunch recipe with price and nutritional breakdown, in case anybody is interested: http://goo.gl/3K7SYz.)

I had a nice L'Equipe blender before the waring, but it struggled with frozen ingredients and gave up the ghost this year.

If I weren't making smoothies everyday I don't know how I could justify the cost, but I'm sure I'm saving money in the long run by not skimping on a blender I'd otherwise have to replace far more often.

Pretty sure I could drop a dumbbell in the Waring blender without it skipping a beat. Vitamix blenders have felt similar in quality the few times I've been able to try them.

Just purchased a Omega: BL630 3 HP Commercial Quality Blender. This machine "blasts" through anything you place in it.

Check out this site for demo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3jXJoOyGFw

The lower price blenders have the Blender Clutch (pic below)that drives the cutting parts. This wears out OR breaks as is not designed for heavy duty blending. Have had to replace the clutches many times and got tired of it so bought the little lady an Omega as she uses a blender (light and heavy) in her culinary dealings.

I have one, and I find I don't use it as much as I thought I would…but that's probably a combination of laziness and food choices.

When I do use it, it's a wonderful machine that can handle just about anything I throw at it, hot or cold. And I like that clean-up is so easy (put some warm water and a tiny drop of soap in blender jug; blend on high; rinse). I probably should use mine more… :~)

My step daughter has multiple food issues (gluten, casein, etc) and she uses hers for making almond milk, cashew milk, etc.

BTW, I bought a re-conditioned one from directly from Vitamix, and that saved some money. Also look into possible trade-ins or other offers they may have.

I have a VM – and the dry `container as well. I use my VM most every day. If you do whole foods/unprocessed, it works wonderfully. I also make a lot of smoothies and frappes. Bought my set up at Costco, a great buy!

Thanks all! Bought one tonight.

Sweet, amazingly multipurpose tool–should enjoy it, i think. My uncle bought one for my wife and i as a wedding gift.

Use it a lot, for various things. I especially like to occasionally indulge in some homemade icecreams with frozen mango, frozen banana, some goat milk, a little coconut milk, etc.

If you like to make your own flours, etc, definitely recommend the dry container.

If you're into health food stuff, a good tip is to blend different vegetables together, but with some ice and a little cold water. There is a lot of friction heat created which can destroy nutrients, but adding the ice slows down and minimizes that process.

"If you like to make your own flours, etc, definitely recommend the dry container."

To be honest, I'm not sure how much I'll use it for, so being me, I bought the dry container as well so I have everything I need to explore and experiment. Williams Sonoma was having a sale on the containers when bought with a Vitamix, so I decided what the heck. Bought a smoothies book too.

Ooh, which book did you pick up?

Btw, if you grind seeds, nuts or wheat, freeze first before grinding. I find it works best :-)

Superfood Smoothies by Julie Morris – it's the only smoothie book they had! And thanks for the tip about the seeds and nuts!

BAM THREAD-JACK!

I've been toying with the idea of grinding my own flour but the mills I've seen have been very expensive. Do I understand correctly that the Vitamix will process wheat berries into flour and if so, how well?

Edit: the YouTube video I just watched looked ok but I've never milled flour before.

Oh, that is a GOOD book! She works with Nativas – a great whole foods company :-)

Yep! Does it great too.

I buy 50 pound bags of wheat berries and or spelt and store them in sealed containers in the freezer. When I need flour, I go grab berries and grind in the dry container. Nothing like mega fresh flour!

It is pretty big out here…I live in a pocket of LDS folks :-)

Thread Jack I know ;-)

http://www.gazingin.com/tag/vitamix/

Fair warning…I use my Vitamix a LOT! ;-)

And for flour?

http://www.gazingin.com/2012/06/04/adventures-in-grinding-flour-a-new-bread-recipe/

Re: LDS… Same here but I'm not sure if they let outsiders buy from the local cannery or not.

I've been doing some baking lately and my OCD is kicking in. I really enjoy homemade bread and from what I've heard, the taste from freshly ground flour is hard to beat.

I live in the middle of wheat country so I'll be danged if I'm going to pay $50+ for a bucket of wheat berries. We have a co-op near my office who I hope will be able to help me. If not then I'll call the local LDS cannery and see if they will sell me a bag or two.

What kind of wheat berries do you like to use?

Thankfully Bob's Red Mill is close, so we drive down and load the ol' mini van up! I usually get white whole wheat berries – which are a soft wheat, where as red is a hard wheat. Makes really good bread – and is a mellower flavor :-)

Yeah…price-wise, $50 is WAY too much! Anything over $1 a pound is just too much. Because of the heavy population of LDS here (the Republican part of massive King County, Wa) they even co-sponsor a disaster prep fair with the county/city yearly and grain growers show up with massive bags of spelt for sale. I can price it for 60 cents or so a pound at times. But I also really like Bob's Red Mill.

I'd ask the LDS – all they can say is no. So many live in the private community we live in and they are quite helpful here at least! They offer food planning here as well to non-believers.

My blender is junk but I don't have $500 to spend on a new Vitamix. Seems like there's a few of their 3600 stainless series on Ebay and the few reviews I found seemed favorable.

Anyone here have any experience with this model?

http://www.viewpoints.com/Vitamix-Plus-Blender-3600-reviews

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VITAMIX-SUPER-3600-Heavy-Duty-Blender-Juicer-Dough-Maker-RUNS-GREAT-/291353792166?pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item43d60a0ea6

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Ian, what will you use it for most? I ask because I have lately been using my new Ninja system way more than my Vitamix 5200. I was sent one after a food bloggers conference this past summer – and have made my morning frappe with it every day for nearly 3 months time. It is the Auto-IQ one and is $200 shipped.
http://direct.ninjakitchen.com/products/nutri-ninja-ninja-blender-duo-bl640/4/cpc/ogxiv/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BL680NG13redir14OG

It is loud, but I like how I can set it and walk away and it does the job. It is much improved over the older versions of their blenders.

Thanks Justin. I probably should stop deleting Costco's ads as soon as they hit my inbox.

Sarah,

At the moment, just green shakes but I want to keep my option open in the future. BLUF I'm eating vegan shakes for breakfast and lunch and a Paleo dinner which prohibits grains. I won't have a need for grinding wheat berries, which previously mentioned I might in this thread.

Maybe soups.

What is it about the Ninja you prefer over the Vitamix? Edit: other than yhe set it and forget it feature.

What is it about the Ninja you prefer over the Vitamix? Edit: other than yhe set it and forget it feature.

Upper end Vitamix blenders also provide set-and-forget.

–MV

Ian….

Here is my take on both (since I own both). The new Ninja system does what most of us need/want – and the included containers are great for blending and taking with you on the go.

And the price. $200. For everything. You won't find a Vitamix that cheap new for that level. And for example, the 5200, which I have is already a $400 and up blender – with no accessories.

Thanks all. Looks like they have that Ninja at Bed Bath and Beyond and I have a 20% off coupon.

Even better ;-)