anyone have a VitaMix ? is it worth the $$$

[areyoumymother]

Just curious.......I have been looking at VitaMix machines for a couple of years now but haven't had the courage to shell out $400 plus for another appliance to sit on my kitchen counter collecting dust.....

Anyone have one ? and how often do you use it ? What is you favorite thing about it ?

 

[bigmike&nan]

Well we own one. Saw one demoed at Costco while I was having some denture issues and the lady doing the demo made me a bunch of healthy drinks from vegetable and fruit. To get a really healthy vegetable smoothie they can't be beat. Very few other "blenders" have the torque or rpms to really liquify product so your body TRULY absorbs it. I tell ya it is the bomb. The recipe book has some great unusual recipes that really rock - one of my wife's favorites is a baked potato soup.

I don't use it every day. But I tell ya when I feel I need a boost a Vitamix smoothie is really something. Here's a video I shot when we first got it. Check out what went into this smoothie... It was so good - sweet in a very natural and healthy way. You feel the "rush" immediately on your first sip.

 

[chrisf]

I actually have three!....the first one I got over 30yrs. ago still works, it is the old fashioned stainless steel type that is indestructable.........I then found a brand new one at a tag sale for $7.00!!!....I then bought another one on Ebay for $15.00.....all work but I use them for different things........try ebay for an after market one..............................................................................chrisf

 

[areyoumymother]

Thanks All !!

bigmike&nan: I too saw a demo at Costco over a year ago but did not have the $$$ at the time but have wanted one ever since....
LOVE the Youtube video, thanks for sharing .....my cat also 'helps' me in the kitchen !! LOL

Chrisf: I did check ebay, nothing cheap right now...also checked Craig'slist and all the blender ads were for other brands and most had a note replaced with a vitamix, which leads me to think I should hold out for a vitamix and not settle for anything else.

Have either of you made salsa or spaghetti sauce ?......... My husband does not like 'chunky' sauces.

 

[PeepsBMobbin]

YES! I love it. It would be perfect for making non-chunky sauces (it can make chunky ones too which for a blender is really good). I also make non-chunky jam super smooth, even blackberry yum. I also make non-chunky peanut butter. (My friend makes chunky but we are a smooth family). I chop cabbage for coleslaw, I grind grain for bread. Ahhh.... and I make my own mayonaise and ranch dressing with eggs. I make chocolate espresso bean sauce for cheesecake. WOW, chocolate sauce that is so smooth and doesn't burn. I make my own mix for cream of chicken, cream of mushroom soup, so that I don't have to use the ones with MSG and it is cheaper. Should I go on? Besides loving smoothies, soups, and ices that I make for the kids.

I did make a smooth salsa last year when we went to Mexico for vacation. Same ingredients, just blended smooth. So GOOOD! I need to do that again.

I couldn't live without mine, and yes it was a big investment. But if you think you would use it a lot, it is so worth it.

 

[areyoumymother]

Quote:
If you are not a Demo person for Vitamix you have missed your calling LOL

I have 'invested ' in a few not so cheap things in the past that I was impressed by the demo only to find that when I got it home it wasn't all that ......

At the fair a couple of years ago I purchased these food storage containers that you could push the air out a little 'vent' on the lid and were suppose to be non-staining......well, not only did the little rubber gaskets in the 'vent' split they all stained when I put spaghetti sauce in them .....*sigh*....and they were not cheap !

I am glad to see that THIS item IS all that.....that is what I wanted to hear.....

Is there recipe's in the books they give you for the cream of mushroom/chicken soups ? Also can you mix up batters for baking ?

 

[PeepsBMobbin]

No, the cream soups are my own creation.

Yes, you can do batters. I do muffin mix in it. Liquids first, then blend, then slowly add the dry ingredients, and then pour directly into the muffin tins. I have done pancake batter too. I like the whole grain pancakes in the book. I do have the separate wheat grinding container so I grind grains, and sugar.

I can post the soup recipe in a few I have a meeting starting in a few minutes.

You know how for the demos, you can just cut the fruit without coring it and throw it all in. I do that! Truly. I made Carmel Spice Pear butter with 20 lbs of pears last year. Quartered them and pureed them and threw them in. SOOOOO EASY! I didn't even peel them.

 

[bigmike&nan]

Boy when I want a power blast smoothie I put this in my Vitamix in this order...

2 oranges peeled with a knife
2 carrots cut in chunks
1/2 a red bell pepper cut in chunks
1 stalk of celery cut in chunks
1 cup orange juice
5-6 ice cubes

Cover and bring up to medium speed, then high. Blend a total of one minute. Pour some into a mason jar and be prepared to smile inside and out.

 

[hencackle]

Better measure the area where you plan to keep the VitaMix--they are taller than regular blenders. Some cabinets hang too low to allow to accommodate the VitaMix's height. I got the Blendtec instead...it fits my space better. It makes awesome green smoothies!!!

 

[areyoumymother]

bigmike&nan :

Boy when I want a power blast smoothie I put this in my Vitamix in this order...

2 oranges peeled with a knife
2 carrots cut in chunks
1/2 a red bell pepper cut in chunks
1 stalk of celery cut in chunks
1 cup orange juice
5-6 ice cubes

Cover and bring up to medium speed, then high. Blend a total of one minute. Pour some into a mason jar and be prepared to smile inside and out.

Yummmmm ..... sounds great !

now, sorry for all the questions...but I have another....Do you use organic fruits and veggies ? or does it matter ?​