If you have a Vitamix, I need your help

[My2CrazyGirls]

I really really really want a Vitamix. I have wanted one for a long time but I have a hard time purchasing expensive items. I like to research to make sure I am getting what I want and getting a good deal.

I am thinking of getting the 750 because it is the newest model, it is shorter, quieter, and has pre-set programs.

So get me excited about parting with $650! And is there ever a way to get a deal on these?

 

[tchrrx]

My DH bought one at the state fair in August. I don't know how much he spent on it, but I know it was the best deal that we'd seen. We used it a lot for the first couple of months, but haven't used it since.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

My DH bought one at the state fair in August. I don't know how much he spent on it, but I know it was the best deal that we'd seen. We used it a lot for the first couple of months, but haven't used it since.

What model do you have? There are several.

Did you enjoy using it? Why did you stop?

 

[goodeats]

I don't know anything about the different models, but my Costco had one yesterday under $400. The shorter to me is not a big deal. If it's too tall to fit under the cabinets, just set the pitcher next to the base. Quieter would be though - maybe not $250 worth though.

 

[KelsiesMommy]

I've had mine for 7 years and it is used all the time! I wish I could justify another one, because I'd love the shorter version, since mine doesn't fit we'll on my counters

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Love my Vitamix. Mine was only about $400 and I shelled out about another $100 for the dry mix container. I felt it was a good value. I use mine several times a week; daily if the kids are home from college. While you may think the quieter motor is worth the extra $200 or so, the fact is that a Vitamix works so quickly you probably won't appreciate the difference in the noise levels. Personally, I would get one of the less expensive (and short if you prefer that) models and use the extra money on the dry container. YMMV.

 

[tekoa]

I love my vitamix. I bought it at Costco when they were demonstrating it.
I use it almost daily, sometimes twice a day. Two of my favorites are a green smoothie, one cup vanilla almond milk, a couple of handfuls of greens, can be spinach, romaine, mixed greens and one frozen banana. You can't taste the greens only the banana. Also two cups of red grapes and one cup of frozen strawberries. This makes a yummy fruit smoothie. I also make peanut butter in it.

 

[luv2mickey]

I got the newer, shorter Vitamix for Christmas. I love it, I would recommend spending the money and get what you want, it will last a long time.

 

[mombrontrent]

I recently bought thr Blendtec Total Blender which is similar to the Vitamix. Use it at least 10x/week. LOVE IT and so worth the high price!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

While I don't have one personally, I've heard a few people talk about buyer's remorse with them.

According to said people, when you watch the demos (and I'll agree because I've seen a few of them) it's billed as this great time saver and way to healthier eating. For me, while the time saver part might be true, it's only "healthier" if you put healthy stuff in it. At one demo I saw, they had a small print out with a couple recipes on it. I don't think many people would consider cream based soup and milkshakes healthy. Now I don't know who made these print outs but it would seem watching the demo that while the salesperson goes on and on about healthy eating, that the recipes being handed out would be healthy too. In the same vein, the biggest reason for regret seems to be that to truly use the machine to work in healthier foods, the owners find their grocery bills go sky high buying fruit and vegetables. That plus the cost of the machine just turns out to be too much. One person said their neighbors in an apartment building complained about the noise in the mornings, another said their own family complained about the noise.

So to me it seems like its only a good investment if it suits a situation you're already in. If you're not used to buying a lot of fresh produce and healthier items, you may find the cumulative cost to be overwhelming, or if you live somewhere where the noise would be too much it might not work out. All of the demos I've seen where in large "rooms" where the noise had lots of room to go, but in normal kitchen it's going to sound a lot louder.

 

[MommaB]

I would keep my Vitamix over every appliance in my kitchen. (Well, the dishwasher would win in a real battle) We use it 3-4 times a week and for more things then I ever expected. I too wouldn't worry about the sound, it's quieter then any other blender I've owned and gets the job done in a minute. The only extended period of use is when I make butter and even that is just 8 minutes.
I paid for half of mine with Swagbucks and picked it up on Amazon during a sale. A friend has a refurbished one from amazon and it seemed to be brand new

 

[vgrandy]

I love my Vitamix. I've had it a couple years. Spent around $400 for it. I don't find it to be that loud. We use it a lot for smoothies but have also used it to grind oats into flour, make sauce out of canned tomatoes, and grind spices. Love it.

Victoria

 

[dreaming4disney]

I probably paid around $400 for mine about 6 years ago at Costco. I love it! I use it all of the time. I have made peanut butter, smoothies, salad dressing, etc.

I had a hard time paying the money but it really has been a workhorse.

 

[momoflizandains]

I bought by Vitamix almost two years ago from QVC and paid around $400. Excellent investment. I use it EVERY morning for smoothies for my daughter and myself. We also use it for soups and sauces. I would love to have the shorter, quieter version, but honestly, I don't know if I would've paid $600 for it at the time without seeing how much I would use it. If I knew then what I know now, I would definitely have done it.

 

[jakenjess]

Just got my Vitamix the other day and am loving it so far! I got the one from QVC, it was around $440. I have two friends who have had them well over a year and both are still using them every day. My DS is an extremely picky eater and I'm trying to get some healthy foods into him via shakes and smoothies. So far so good, he's liked pretty much everything I've given him, and yesterday when I got home from work he and his friends were making shakes with it. It is loud, but you only run it for short spurts (at least for cold drinks) so I don't think that's a big deal. I'm looking forward to trying all the different things it can do!

 

[girli565]

I've seen the tall one on QVC for about $500 and the shorter one at Costco for about $400 recently. I would get the short one because I'd like it to fit under my counters. I'm eyeing one now that I'm having a baby so I can make large batches of baby food (I love cooking and plan on staying home for 6 months so I'll have the time to stockpile the food). I won't need it for a while as I'm not due until May and the baby won't eat solids for a while longer. I'm saving up.