Vitamix 5200- Who has one?

[Moeluv4u7]

Okay so grocery shopping at Sam's today and there was a "road show"- a guy showing the vitamix 5200! It is so cool & awesome! I think I really want one! Unfortunately today was his last day... While he was here it was selling for $397- - I just couldn't justify it today as we are going to Disney in April & I am trying to keep unnecessary spending to a minimum! If you have one, tell me what you like or don't like about it please! Oh! & Tell me why I should get one!
I have a Cuisanart Blender & Food processor- I just got it about 6 mos ago at Bed Bath & Beyond with my 20% coupon while it was on sale- so instead of $119- for it I paid about $64- It is great- I haven't had anything I don't like about it- Many things the vitamix does I am going to try with my Cuisanart... i.e. making a pure juice smoothie without throwing out seeds, cores and such... and ice cream!!!! The vitamix does not get rid of "waste" from fruit you are juicing- it actually also grinds it down and turns it to juice! I want to see how well my Cuisanart will do this- The blades look the same- I know Horsepower and whatnot may be different but I am going to give it a try! Again, any info on the vitamix will be appreciated!
Oh! He COOKED soup in it while we watched in about 7 min total! Started w/ warm water even though he said you could start straight with cold- This machine actually had the soup steaming hot when he gave us a sample! I love it!! Why should I NOT buy one!!?

 

[katiedid36]

We bought one last year from Sam's. Must be the same presentation. Ours was $349. We used it like crazy at first. Now it just sits on my counter. I don't know why we don't use it more. The stuff is good.

 

[conachan14]

I have had one for a couple years now. I love it. I make smoothies all the time. I hate having chunks in my drinks. I also use it to make fresh salsa. I'm actually having withdrawals. My husband is deployed again. So I put all my stuff in storage in Hawaii and moved back home for the year.

 

[Princesses3]

We watched every Vitamix demonstration at every fair and home show for years. Finally we bought a refurbished machine direct from the factory (about $299). They are actually made only 45 minutes away from where we live. We love it!!!! We have a garden in the summer and the Vitamix comes in so handy to help us process our produce. We make salsa, pear sauce, spaghetti sauce, tomato juice, smoothies, and on and on. I think we use it almost everyday. I don't think any blender can compare. The nice thing with the Vitamix is that it has a really low setting as well as a really high one. This lets you leave things a little chunky if you would like (like salsa) or very smooth- no crunchy bits of ice. And it lets you sneak some healthy vegetables into delicious ice cream. Also, it cleans up really easy. I tease my husband that it is his dream job to be a Vitamix demonstrator.

 

[Moeluv4u7]

Thx! I was starting to wonder if anyone on these boads had one at all- LOL I appreciate the Kudos on the machine- even for those of you not using it anymore... Sometimes that happens- novelty wears off- I am really considering it- Maybe I can luck out and wait for another road show so we can get it cheaper- I just couldn't justify it yesterday w/ our trip so close... I am going to be experimenting with my Cuisanart in the meantime and see what all it can and can not do- Since I purchased it myself from BBB no roadshow- LOL- I just dug into it w/ the books provided and we do use it, love it for what we know it does, etc- But this Vitamix was so awesome! Thx again to all-

 

[4fordisneyworld]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our Vitamix!! We just made Pumpkin Ice Cream the other night and it was fabulous! Love to use it for Broccoli Cheese Soup. My best friend has the Blendtec, which is usually what Vitamix is in competition with, but I think the Vitamix is better because it has a tamper. This allows you to push the food down and it blends better in my opinion!

Check QVC....they just ran the presentation on Sunday and I think it was $399 but they had it on easy pay.

 

[Be1021]

Look into the blendtec also. Just got mine and LOVE it! Blendtec also fits under the counter.
Made applesauce today with whole apples and a cinnamon stick...so easy and awesome!

 

[fredflintstone]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our Vitamix!! We just made Pumpkin Ice Cream the other night and it was fabulous! Love to use it for Broccoli Cheese Soup. My best friend has the Blendtec, which is usually what Vitamix is in competition with, but I think the Vitamix is better because it has a tamper. This allows you to push the food down and it blends better in my opinion!

Check QVC....they just ran the presentation on Sunday and I think it was $399 but they had it on easy pay.

How did you make Pumpkin Ice Cream? Please share your recipe!

Well anyone, please share your favorite recipes! I don't use mine a lot cause my hubby is deployed and so our eating just isn't the same, but I thought I would do better with this, but I haven't! So please...share some great recipes!!!