Why Vitamix? And how about juicers?

[tmulcahy]

What makes it that much better. I have Oster and it is OK. Generally, the ice is left bit too chunky to get through a straw. It does drive me crazy when my straw gets clogged with bits of ice:tongue_smilie: Is that where the difference in quality is? For those who have one....Do you love it that much? Is there a notable difference among the options you can get from Vitamix.

 

BTW- I am also in the market for a juicer? What do I need to look for there?

[mom2l&j]

I'm in the same boat. I think I'm going to end up getting a Vitamix or Blendtec blender eventually. I'm not sure whether to get a juicer or not. I know we'd use it for a while, but not enough to make it worth a huge investment. Or will we?

 

Anyway, I am looking forward to the responses you get.

[MistyMountain]

I have a blendtec but to me the blendtec and vitamix are so similar. I like it because it does do a better job then regular blenders with smooties and can handle more and not have little chunks of stuff that didn't get ground up. My regular blender crapped out after making smoothies after a while because it was just too much for the motor. With my blend tech I can make nut butters, grind grains and make really good smoothies. I really like it. I didn't pay full price but it is something that gets so much use I would buy one if I didn't get the one I did from a friend. I use it daily.

Edited January 21, 2012 by MistyMountain

[jennsmile]

My vitamix does smoothies, grind grains and makes nuts butters too. I love it and we do use it quite often. We need to get back to making fruit icecream. I also love the hummus it makes. I liked that it was made in the USA and had a 7 yr warranty. I got a refurbished model and it works just fine.

[tmulcahy]

Love the idea of making homemade nut butters and fruit ice cream. I just cringe at the idea of $500 for a blender.

[G5052]

Mine was reconditioned, so it was a little less.

 

I make smoothies, creamed soups, hummus, nut butter, and bread with it, so it gets used almost daily.

[tmulcahy]

Mine was reconditioned, so it was a little less.

 

I make smoothies, creamed soups, hummus, nut butter, and bread with it, so it gets used almost daily.

 

Yes, daily use does justify the cost a bit more. I know I will get there but it will be a process;) Keep convincing me:lol:

[lmrich]

we use ours daily too - Vitamix. A regular blender seems like a 3 speed bike and the Vitamix is more like a motor cycle - or at least for us.

[Maus]

What makes it that much better. I have Oster and it is OK. Generally, the ice is left bit too chunky to get through a straw. It does drive me crazy when my straw gets clogged with bits of ice:tongue_smilie: Is that where the difference in quality is? For those who have one....Do you love it that much? Is there a notable difference among the options you can get from Vitamix.

 

BTW- I am also in the market for a juicer? What do I need to look for there?

If you get a Blendtec, or, I assume, a Vitamix (I own a Blendtec), you won't need a juicer. My Blendtec juices very nicely. I love it, and consider it one of the best kitchen investments we've ever made. It does ice really well; easily grinds almonds into almond flour; dh made peanut butter in there; I've made guacamole; etc.

[mom2abcd]

We have a Vitamix and also a Champion juicer (which we don't like or need and which is for sale;o). Ds has a Blendtec. He much prefers our Vitamix.

 

I would recommend getting a reconditioned Vitamix. They are anywhere from $359-379. Email Lea Ann at http://vitamixlady.com/ and she will tell you how to get the best deal. If you order through her you can save on shipping, I think.

 

Vitamix sometimes has roadshows at Costco or Sam's Club. (Also at WholeFoods, but the cost is higher there). I waited a long, long time and they were never in my area. I actually bought the equivalent of the 5200 at macys.com for $334 after sales, coupon codes, credit card cashback, etc.

 

The Vitamix has a better warranty than the Blendtec. Ds says it also blends better. He likes the tamper and variety of options that provides.

 

3/4 of our kids love making smoothies and can easily get 5 servings of fruits and vegetables in an hour:o) Tonight ds12 drank one orange, a handful of baby carrots, a couple of handfuls of frozen strawberries, and a handful of blueberries. (This was all his idea.) He also cleaned it all up easily (30 seconds vs. 10 minutes it takes to clean the juicer-- and with the juicer you don't get the fiber.)

 

Pm me if you want more info.

 

I highly recommend the Vitamix.

[Pamela H in Texas]

LOVE my Vitamix. Best $400 of my life. I wish I had done as well when purchasing a bed! LOL

 

Anyway, you don't know smooth until you've made soup or cheese sauce or smoothies or ice cream in the Vitamix. I am extremely sensitive to textures so....

 

I tell you what though. I have never put a carrot in my smoothies and this is the second time I've seen it on this board in the last couple days. I'm thinking carrots with breakfast may be something my girls and I try tomorrow morning :)

[tmulcahy]

We have a Vitamix and also a Champion juicer (which we don't like or need and which is for sale;o). Ds has a Blendtec. He much prefers our Vitamix.

 

I would recommend getting a reconditioned Vitamix. They are anywhere from $359-379. Email Lea Ann at http://vitamixlady.com/ and she will tell you how to get the best deal. If you order through her you can save on shipping, I think.

 

Vitamix sometimes has roadshows at Costco or Sam's Club. (Also at WholeFoods, but the cost is higher there). I waited a long, long time and they were never in my area. I actually bought the equivalent of the 5200 at macys.com for $334 after sales, coupon codes, credit card cashback, etc.

 

The Vitamix has a better warranty than the Blendtec. Ds says it also blends better. He likes the tamper and variety of options that provides.

 

3/4 of our kids love making smoothies and can easily get 5 servings of fruits and vegetables in an hour:o) Tonight ds12 drank one orange, a handful of baby carrots, a couple of handfuls of frozen strawberries, and a handful of blueberries. (This was all his idea.) He also cleaned it all up easily (30 seconds vs. 10 minutes it takes to clean the juicer-- and with the juicer you don't get the fiber.)

 

Pm me if you want more info.

 

I highly recommend the Vitamix.

 

Thanks for the info. I will send you a pm. Maybe you could answer this question here (just in case others want to know). Does the Vitamix blend the oranges and grapefruits in to a drinkable consistency? I'm not talking about the peel, just the fibrous white stuff.

[tmulcahy]

LOVE my Vitamix. Best $400 of my life. I wish I had done as well when purchasing a bed! LOL

 

Anyway, you don't know smooth until you've made soup or cheese sauce or smoothies or ice cream in the Vitamix. I am extremely sensitive to textures so....

 

I tell you what though. I have never put a carrot in my smoothies and this is the second time I've seen it on this board in the last couple days. I'm thinking carrots with breakfast may be something my girls and I try tomorrow morning :)

 

Yeah, when I see all of the smoothies that blend veggies and fruit it makes me wonder if I would like that flavor combo too. I have added Kale or spinach to fruit smoothies and it was yummy.

[mom2abcd]

Thanks for the info. I will send you a pm. Maybe you could answer this question here (just in case others want to know). Does the Vitamix blend the oranges and grapefruits in to a drinkable consistency? I'm not talking about the peel, just the fibrous white stuff.

 

Oh, yes. The Vitamix pulverizes oranges and grapefruit and even their seeds. (Not sure if grapefruit seeds are ok... check the Vitamix Lady's website.)

 

Here is a favorite Orange Julius-type recipe:

 

1 orange, peeled

1 cup ice

SweetLeaf Orange Stevia (1/2-1" in dropper)

 

Blend.

 

If you use 2 cups of ice it will be less liquid and more like a sorbet.

 

You can do the same thing with frozen strawberries...

 

7 frozen strawberries

1/4 cup water

SweetLeaf Vanilla Stevia (1" in dropper)

 

Mmmm!

[tmulcahy]

Oh, yes. The Vitamix pulverizes oranges and grapefruit and even their seeds. (Not sure if grapefruit seeds are ok... check the Vitamix Lady's website.)

 

Here is a favorite Orange Julius-type recipe:

 

1 orange, peeled

1 cup ice

SweetLeaf Orange Stevia (1/2-1" in dropper)

 

Blend.

 

If you use 2 cups of ice it will be less liquid and more like a sorbet.

 

You can do the same thing with frozen strawberries...

 

7 frozen strawberries

1/4 cup water

SweetLeaf Vanilla Stevia (1" in dropper)

 

Mmmm!

 

Thanks so much for the recipes and the info. Getting a Vitamix first...then a Bosch for my bread.

[mom2abcd]

Yeah, when I see all of the smoothies that blend veggies and fruit it makes me wonder if I would like that flavor combo too. I have added Kale or spinach to fruit smoothies and it was yummy.

 

Carrots are one of the "Magic 5"--see more here: http://vitamixlady.com/the-5-magic-veggies/. I can taste spinach, but maybe we put in too much. (Or maybe it's that it turns your mixture brown:o) -- not the most appetizing.

 

I have a melted Rocky Road ice cream recipe that's brown and super yummy! I know you're really supposed to have more ice in proportion to the other ingredients, but this is really good and much healthier. It's amazing what you can do with frozen bananas.

 

 

½ cup cream

2 T. Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa

¾ t. vanilla

Few drops (maybe 1/8 t.?) stevia glycerite

1 frozen banana, in chunks

2 ice cubes

 

Blend the cream, cocoa, vanilla and stevia. I wanted to make whipped cream, but I think ½ cup wasn’t enough to really reach the blades or something. Add the banana and ice and blend with the tamper.

 

I think I will next try more ice… but milk cubes rather than water cubes.

[shukriyya]

With a vitamix you can put large chunks of beet, apple, and carrot in along with various greens, ginger chunk, peeled limes and some water and you get a completely smoooooth drink. It doesn't compare at all to a blender.

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

LOVE my Vitamix. Best $400 of my life. I wish I had done as well when purchasing a bed! LOL

 

Anyway, you don't know smooth until you've made soup or cheese sauce or smoothies or ice cream in the Vitamix. I am extremely sensitive to textures so....

 

I tell you what though. I have never put a carrot in my smoothies and this is the second time I've seen it on this board in the last couple days. I'm thinking carrots with breakfast may be something my girls and I try tomorrow morning :)

How do you make ice cream in vitamix? Is it easier than the regular ice machines where you have to freeze the canisters before using them?

[Mynyel]

I posted about wanting a juicer and it was suggested I get a Vitamix. I said no, I didn't have the money. However I didn't want just any juicer because I don't like the waste from the juicing. I didn't want to throw it away.

 

Well I slapped down the CC and bought one anyway.

 

OMG the best ever. Here is some of what I have made.

 

Green Smothies

Chopped viggies (onion, celery, squash, carrots)

Minced garlic!

"Ice cream" (frozen peaches, banana, frozen strawberries and tad bit of sugar)

Pesto

Soup

Ground cinnamon (yup cround a stick of cinnamon into powder)

Ground allspice (same with whole allspice)

Mayo

Peanut Butter

Grate cheese (now mind you it is more like a cheese crumble than a "grate" but it works great!)

 

 

I feel like I am missing some things I have used it for but can't remember.

 

The only thing I suggest, if you can, is to go to a demo and purchase it. Most places you buy them at have a 90 day return policy (not that you'd need it) but if you get it online you only get 30 days.

 

It comes with a recipe book as well that has lots of good recipes. I have tried a few of the smoothie ones... yum.

 

I love my Vitamix. Can't wait for warmer weather to make all the cold stuff!

[speedmom4]

I am just starting to get information about juicing. I like the idea of getting all the fiber of the fruit or vegetable you use.

 

If I am understanding correctly, the Vitamix can be used like a super duper blender? I can put carrots, cut up apples (with peel), orange slices, etc. in the Vitamix and it will blend smoothly?

 

I find such good information on this board!!!! :001_smile:

 

Thanks,

Elise in NC

[Mynyel]

How do you make ice cream in vitamix? Is it easier than the regular ice machines where you have to freeze the canisters before using them?

 

YES!

 

I made a chocolate ice cream awhile back, it is a recipe in the recipe book it comes with. no salt needed. Just ice.

 

You can also make the most delicious ice cream out of frozen peaches, frozen strawberries, banana and a little sugar if you want it just a little sweeter. My kids *EAT IT UP* when I make it!

[Mynyel]

I am just starting to get information about juicing. I like the idea of getting all the fiber of the fruit or vegetable you use.

 

If I am understanding correctly, the Vitamix can be used like a super duper blender? I can put carrots, cut up apples (with peel), orange slices, etc. in the Vitamix and it will blend smoothly?

 

I find such good information on this board!!!! :001_smile:

 

Thanks,

Elise in NC

 

 

Yes, the only thing you won't want to put in is apple seeds (now some of the Vitamix people say to put them in, I don't) and pineapple skin.

 

For an orange you don't even need to peel it. Just use a zester (or a potato peeler) to get the orange off only. The white is actually full of some nutrient I can't remember right now.

 

I wash my carrots and stick them in, no peeling. I don't peel the apple either.

[mom2abcd]

How do you make ice cream in vitamix? Is it easier than the regular ice machines where you have to freeze the canisters before using them?

 

Oh, yes. Ice cream in the Vitamix is even easier than that and faster, too. You can explore recipes here: http://vitamixlady.com/recipes/#Ice Cream

 

Here is one idea:

VitaMix Fruit Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt

 

for 2 servings:

 

1/2 cup full-fat plain yogurt OR heavy cream OR half & half

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sweetener of your choice to equal about a cup

8 oz. unsweetened frozen fruit (individual pieces) - I've used strawberries, black raspberries, mixed berries, pineapple, blueberries, cherries, and cherry/berry mix (I get these from Trader Joe's but any frozen fruit you like will be fine)

 

Put ingredients in order listed into VitaMix container. Put on lid but remove center, insert tamper, start machine on Low and walk up to about 7 or 8, pushing fruit into blades with tamper. It should take about 30 seconds or less to make into a soft-serve consistency!

 

Great way to get your fruit and using the low-glycemic, lower-carb fruits works great. Our faves our strawberry and black raspberry, which is quite "seedy" but tasty none-the-less.

 

Double everything for 4 servings.

 

It doesn't "keep" well because it freezes rock-hard in the freezer, so I only make enough at a time for the servings required.

[usetoschool]

I went through multiple Osters before I bought my Vitamix over 10 years ago (a Vitamix 5000). We have used it almost every day and it still works perfectly. I got it at Costco, so a little cheaper and they were slightly cheaper all those years ago, but I figure I spent about $30/year, so far. It is still going strong so eventually it will work out to almost free per year :001_smile:

 

I am not a big fan of big ticket purchases and they don't always work out - tried it with vacuum cleaners and just wasted money - but the Vitamix has definitely been worth every penny.

 

I keep thinking I am missing something by not having a juicer but really, I just used the blender and add liquid to make smoothies. We often use frozen fruit. If I used a juicer I would end up throwing out a lot of the fiber and pulp and peal, right? Or am I missing something...With the blender I use the whole fruit (well not the orange peals and such, but you know...)

[Mynyel]

I am just starting to get information about juicing. I like the idea of getting all the fiber of the fruit or vegetable you use.

 

If I am understanding correctly, the Vitamix can be used like a super duper blender? I can put carrots, cut up apples (with peel), orange slices, etc. in the Vitamix and it will blend smoothly?

 

I find such good information on this board!!!! :001_smile:

 

Thanks,

Elise in NC

 

 

Check out this demo at Costco. She explains the orange and pineapple benefits.

 

ETA: The link duh...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvAnmj1k03g&feature=related

[Mynyel]

I keep thinking I am missing something by not having a juicer but really, I just used the blender and add liquid to make smoothies. We often use frozen fruit. If I used a juicer I would end up throwing out a lot of the fiber and pulp and peal, right? Or am I missing something...With the blender I use the whole fruit (well not the orange peals and such, but you know...)

 

 

Yes there is a lot of pulp (fiber) that is thrown out with juicers which is why I really didn't want one and justified my cost of the Vitamix. I figured would lose money faster by throwing away the pulp than by buying the Vitamix and keeping all the pulp.

 

IMO juicers cost more once you factor in waste than the Vitamix will ever be.