Chris in VA Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I'm looking at refurbished models but not sure which to get. I want a seed-crushing dynamo that will blend the heck out of everything. I would drink veg/fruit smoothies if they were truly smooth. I know there's threads about it. Thought I'd add another one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I can't tell you which model to get, but just wanted to say we love ours. We made peach ice cream in it and just this week made cranberry sauce. Smoothies are great! We got ours nearly 14 years ago, so I'm sure there are all sorts of new models since then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medawyn Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 No advice on the model, but I make smoothies almost daily in ours. If you blend long enough it even takes care of raspberry seeds. I'm spoiled now by truly smooth smoothies, almost no matter what I put in them. Also, if you are a soup person, at least once a week in the winter I toss in some leftover roasted veg, whatever stock I have to hand, and my Vitamix whips up AND heats me a lovely bowl of soup. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted November 28, 2015 Author Share Posted November 28, 2015 So can you ladies share with me the amt of power (IDK, like the watts or something) yours have? Can you take the blade out separately or do you wash the whole thing? Can it go in the dishwasher? (I'm just thinking of my crummy blender, which has a screw-off blade. I just wash it by blending soapy water for a minute or so then rinsing/wiping out, but I could pop it in the dishwasher). Is the container part glass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 (edited) Yes, a thousand times yes. 100% worth it. It lives on my counter. Smoothies that are smooth (not chunkies as my dh liked to call the old blender concoctions). I make nut butters weekly. My dh loves peanut butter. gluten free flours (I have a nutrimill but it is contaminated with wheat so anything that needs to be gluten free I use my vitamix) I use it to make chocolate fudge babies (www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com) Salsa almond milk and coconut milk Clean up is a snap. A dab of dish soap and some warm water. Turn on vitamix and let it swirl around. Dump soapy water and rinse. It does not go in the dishwasher and the containers are not glass. They are some kind of plastic. I have a 5200. Edited November 28, 2015 by kewb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
school17777 Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Yes. We went through several blenders making smoothies. I was sold when I was at a demo and the demonstrator made soup for dinner in less then 10 minutes. When I still homeschooled all the kids, I would would make soup for lunch a couple times a week. I haven't used it much lately since my twins have left for college and I only have youngest home during the day because I have a hard time adjusting the ingredients so I don't make as much. There is (or was) a special on containers, so I just ordered a smaller container on T-day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaplank Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Yes. I just told my husband yesterday that I never regret spending the money on the Vita-mix. I've used it almost everyday for 10 years. Green smoothies become so smooth and creamy, there is just no going back to a regular blender. I also got the dry blade container which I use to powder sugar, grind grain, large bags of coffee, etc. I believe my model is the 5200. One tip I've learned is to turn it over once you are finished washing it. You don't want any liquid staying around the base of the blade for long periods of time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaKim Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I have a 5200. The blade does not come out. Like a pp said, you just put some soap and water in and blend it a few seconds, then rinse to clean and turn upside down to drain/dry. I don't use mine that often, because I just haven't figured out that many things to use it for that we actually eat/drink. I have only used it for smoothies, which are extremely smooth. I actually prefer my smoothies in my cheaper blender because I actually like the little bits and the ice crystals that are in there. I find the very smooth texture of the ones done in the Vitamix kind of gross and slimy, lol. But then, I am apparently weird, because that is what most people like. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedmom4 Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 My MIL got us one for Christmas. It is the personal sized one. It is also refurbished and we have had no problems. It's wonderful! I have limited counter space but my Vitamix has a permanent spot. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I love my vitamix. If the house is on fire, that is something that I might pull out with me. Really. DH and I mourn that we can't figure out a way to bring it camping every year, lol. I got a reconditioned one. I got this one to be exact: https://www.vitamix.com/Shop/Certified-Reconditioned-Next-Generation It is a bit shorter and squat, so it fits under the kitchen cabinet better. It is also supposed to be quieter..? It is very loud, so I can't imagine with the louder ones are like. It is about as loud as a garbage disposer. It is easy to clean but you can't put it in the dishwasher. I just rinse it out during the day and wash it in the evening. I must use it 3 or 4 times a day. It makes things very smooth and it is very strong. I made powdered sugar by accident, lol. Because it is easy to clean and so strong, I find myself using it instead of the food processor. I make hummus in the vitamix now, and puree soups, and pesto. I didn't get one that has programmed 'cycles' or whatever that is, because I heard that most people considered that a waste, they never used them. I wanted one for 20 years and I have not been disappointed! But, I like stuff like green smoothies made with only vegetables. I like making my own almond milk or oat milk. I am a weirdo, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Totally worth it! If I could keep only one kitchen appliance, it would be the Vitamix. I've had it for 11 or 12 years now, and it's still going strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 yes! We even take it with us on vacation every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I have a blendtec. yes, it's worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne in CA Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I, also, am a fan. I use mine for smoothies, soups, ect every day. It is awesome. It is eight years old and I halfway expected it to give out when the seven year warranty was over, but it is still going strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 We don't have a VitaMix, but we do have a Blend Tec. (If I remember right we chose it because it can do what a Vitamix can, it's slightly less expensive, and it has a greater capacity.) From a person that does *not* like kitchen gadgets, I find it useable, worthwhile, *and* it gets a spot on the counter. Nothing but my coffee maker gets a spot on the counter. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TX Native Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 If you like mixed drinks, ones made in the Vitamix blow away anything you can buy out on the town. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted November 28, 2015 Author Share Posted November 28, 2015 I found one for $329. I think I'll get it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Yes. We went through several blenders making smoothies. I was sold when I was at a demo and the demonstrator made soup for dinner in less then 10 minutes. When I still homeschooled all the kids, I would would make soup for lunch a couple times a week. I haven't used it much lately since my twins have left for college and I only have youngest home during the day because I have a hard time adjusting the ingredients so I don't make as much. There is (or was) a special on containers, so I just ordered a smaller container on T-day. Does it operate well with small quantities? Because I would love to be able to whip up a batch of soup for just myself or me and one other person now that there are almost no kids at home. But I think sometimes appliances like that need a minimum fill amount to process well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamakelly Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I love mine! I bought the least expensive one I could find. I make smoothies daily, and they are perfect every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TX Native Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Does it operate well with small quantities? Because I would love to be able to whip up a batch of soup for just myself or me and one other person now that there are almost no kids at home. But I think sometimes appliances like that need a minimum fill amount to process well? Yes it does work fine in smaller amounts. The main thing is to be sure the ingredients to cover the blades. I am guessing a cup or two of ingredients will be enough for most things you want to blend. I often make a cold coffee drink for just me in it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
school17777 Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Does it operate well with small quantities? Because I would love to be able to whip up a batch of soup for just myself or me and one other person now that there are almost no kids at home. But I think sometimes appliances like that need a minimum fill amount to process well? Yes, it works fine with small quantities. My problem is with the large container that I have a hard time visually with smaller amounts, so that's why I ordered a smaller container. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 I really like mine but don't always blend long enough to deal with raspberry seeds. It was worth the money :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperstone Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 We use ours daily for smoothies. Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 (edited) I like mine but honestly my $100 beehive Oster made smoothies just as smooth with just about 30 seconds extra time. I am sure that the VItamix will last longer, since the motor doesn't get taxed as hard, but the quality of smoothies after a year, is about the same. The Vitamix is quieter though. I think about selling mine, using my Oster until it dies, and buying the squatter version in the future, but the cost difference would be hard to justify. Edited November 29, 2015 by Tap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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